of the traitorous and proscribed party, the Center Democrats, are present at this meeting?

'Irena' swallowed hard, looking down quickly as she was sure they must see the adam's apple in 'her' throat. "I-I take it," she said huskily, when she could delay an answer no longer, and when Camar and Diaz were thoroughly unnerved, "that you-you refer to D-Dr. Camar and.......'

""

"You know well to whom I refer!" Figueroa's voice had risen to a high-pitched scream. Even Tucuman was wincing as the man went ranting on. While all those present became slowly more uncomfortable as his dia- tribe went on, 'Irena' finally was able to take charge of all of her emotions, masculine and feminine. She began to look as she felt, cool, gorgeous and female in her black, silky dress. "I ask leave of this meeting,' thundered Figueroa, in ending, "to bring my men into this chamber, at this moment, to arrest these enemies of the Revolution!"

""

There was a gasp from someone close to Salluca, possibly the Foreign Minister, Fuentes, one of my former lovers, thought Irena ironically, marvelling at herself that she didn't blush at such a thought. The rest of the Cabinet were now eyeing the Center Demo- crats with suspicion, verging on hostility. Both men looked decidedly uncomfortable, clearly wondering if they hand't been set up for this meeting, for just such a purpose, to be scape- goats for the blows the Revo- lution had suffered of late.

Irena leaned back in her chair, letting letting her long hair fall in front of her, to rest on her breasts. She did not hurriedly push the stray locks back this time, but enjoyed the sensations of softness about her neck and upper chest. She caught the glance that Tucuman threw her way, and felt some of the power Irena had always

known. The men about the table sat there quietly awaiting her word, while she, she crossed her lovely, stockinged legs, en- joying every touch of silk against nylon.

"Gentlemen," she said slowly, precisely, femininely. "The party known as the Center Democrats has ceased to exist, owing to our proscription of that party. It will not be resurrected. These gentlemen," she leaned forward in the high- backed chair, her blonde hair like a halo about her striking features, "have taken the Oath of Allegiance, as have you all.” There were many glances inter- changed within the group, most of outright surprise. "I want you to

welcome Dr. Camar

and Senor Diaz, not only to posts in the Cabinet as is pro- posed by me," she paused to let that sink in, "but also to welcome them as new members of the Party of the Revolution, whose principles they have accepted.' Figueroa's face seethed with indignation and he waved for recognition, but Irena was looking away from him. "I shall broadcast tonight to the people on this new broad- ening of the base of the Revolu- tion."

It

Figueroa was on his feet. The word 'protest' was bran- Idished but drowned out in the sudden round of applause led by Vice President Salluca and Foreign Minister Fuentes. was observed by many that the Defense and Munitions Minis- ters immediately followed their lead. In no time, the outburst was general, save for the 'mil- itant' group, seven of whom, however, deserted their nominal leader when the found them- selves under the close scrutiny of the Defense Minister.

With the plain support of the Armed Forces, Irena's proposals for increased taxa- tion, for the formation of new armaments factories outside the capital, for a general increase in production, and for more

-24-

stringent application of the rationing laws, were wholeheart- edly approved. The rejection of the necessity for a draft of men for the Army was a sur- prise to all, save Gonzales and Echevarria.

As Irena left the chamber, Fuentes' involved explanation of diplomatic moves to end the invasion completed, she had to pass Ernesto Figueroa. He grabbed her arm above the elbow as she swayed by, a grim-faced Salluca behind her.

"You are not Irena!" blurted out the irate Interior Minister, staring wildly into the darkly-outlined, feminine eyes. Figueroa's beetle brows were furrowed with emotion. His

black eyes blazed with hate at the attractive girl.

Irena stopped at the words, not even struggling against the hand that held her. She stood still, frozen with such a look of fright on her madeup face that Gonzales left the con- versation he was having with the new Minister of Justice and bounded from one end of the room to the other to be at 'her' side.

39

"You are not Irena Varga,' repeated the Interior Minister. "She would not betray the Revolution in this manner. We shall build a monument to the true Irena at her death---to the 'Little Sister' of the Revolu- tion. All this," his hand did not touch her as he indicated her black silk veiled dress and button earrings with distaste, "has seduced you from the true Revolution." There was quiet in the Cabinet Room until Salluca spoke.

"Already," he said, taking Irena's quaking hand in his, "there has been one attempt on the life of the President. If there is another," he glanced about the room, and even Tucuman had stopped talking to watch the Vice President in shock and amazement, "these gentlemen here today, Senor Figueroa, will no doubt recall