from friends and acquaintances, the
opera, the shops, and other delights of metropolitan life. The Senorita
said she preferred New York to Paris; so did her papa and brother. They
loved America and everything American.

"The dinner was a delight. Afterward we went to the theatre. The
excitement in the streets did not escape the notice of the Cubans. Nor
did the flag of Cuba Libre picked out in electric lights over the
entrance of a restaurant near the theatre, nor other significant sights
and sounds. But they warily held their peace. I looked for some show of
feeling, but there was none. A tete-a-tete with Mercedes was out of the
question, and for this I fervently thanked the gods! There was no
telling the havoc that bewitching face might have wrought. Principles,
opinions, and theories might have withered and fallen utterly consumed
beneath the fire of those ardent glances and the magic of that caressing
voice! So it was all for the best.

"After the play there was supper, and then we returned to the hotel.
Parting with the Senorita at the elevator, not without a tender pressure
of her jeweled fingers,--ah me!--I proposed to the father and son that
we go to my club, a few staggers away. They consented and we ambled
leisurely along, the streets now quite deserted. The night was fine;
clear, and unusually warm for the season. We moved along silently,
enjoying our cigars; at peace with ourselves and all the world. As we
approached H Street I was roughly seized by the collar, a gag thrust
into my mouth, and turning in amazement was felled by a terrible blow
from a cane--Papa Villasante's cane! While on the pavement, stunned and
bleeding, blows and kicks were rained upon my face and shoulders by the
pair, who were evidently bent upon killing me. Then Manuel drew a long,
deadly looking knife! I caught its hideous gleam in the semi-light as it
was about to descend, and then I lost consciousness!

* * * * *

"An interested and amused group surrounded me when I opened my eyes and
realized that the end was not yet. Hillis, of Kentucky, Campbell, of
Ohio, Reyburn, of Texas, and many others were grouped about my desk in
mock solemnity. A loud laugh arose as I staggered to my feet; for I
alone, of a vast gathering, had slept soundly through one of the most
exciting debates in parliamentary history! Through it all--the battle
raging around me, and the House swept as by a great storm. Through it
al