The presidential reception was very late in starting. Not only was the President herself

late in arriving, but so was the American, in whose honor the reception was nominally being held. There was time for the other guests, men and women, to get together in small groups to discuss the news releases and events of the last ten days. In the background, a mariachi band did its best to overcome the constant hum of voices, but the music was to little avail. The arrival of the serious Louis Ward, and his poker-faced chat with the Foreign Minister, did nothing to lessen the dis-

cussions.

The trumpet call over the P.A. system, signalling the start of the Presidential Anthem, caused the hubbub to die away in a second. Then, the lovely President appeared at the en- trance to the reception room. Her arms were bare, save for the golden armlets about her upper arms. Her dress dress was black, as befitted the occasion, the skirt long, sweeping to the floor in layers of dark silk from the narrow, pinched-in waist. From her neck to her bust, she wore a dark veil, hiding her neck wound, of which everyone was aware, as well as modestly covering up any hint of cleavage. She was beautifully made up as usual, pink lips and light blue eye- shadow, as well as dark, thick lashes, her dark, brown eyes attractively outlined. For the evening, her blonde-streaked hair was piled atop her head, kept in place by a demure, black ribbon.

There was a hushed mo- ment as she entered the room and stood alone, appearing so young and lovely, yet her chin held up in determination, in command of the situation. Then, the applause broke out and rippled through the audience. Margoles was there, beaming

happily, as was Juan Augusto

邋

Gonzales, the Defense Minister. Fuentes, too, puzzled by the way Irena kept him at arm's length, not even divulging her private intentions for the meet- ings with Ward, joined in the applause, as did Gonzalo Diaz, Abrado Camar and other Center Democrats, recently released from the confinement of San Martino prison.

As the applause and the Anthem subsided, Irena moved gracefully forward and went to greet the American Envoy. They shook hands cordially while the bright flash of exploding camera bulbs was all about them. Ward smiled at the woman President, who smiled back, showing her fine, white teeth. Her dark, tasselled earrings moved as she looked about for her constant companions, Consuela and Isabel. They were right behind her, along with the guards, originally selected by Salluca, looking uncomfortable in their

dark suits.

Ward took Irena by the hand, after the necessary photo- graphs had been taken, and led her towards the Presidential table. A waiter intercepted them however, and Irena smilingly accepted a glass of white Chu- bey, the dry, sparkling wine of the southern coastal hills. Ward appeared to wish to speak to Irena, but the crush of people trying to offer their condo- lences for Salluca and their gratitude at her escape, was too much. With a shouted, "I must talk to you later," Ward retreated from Irena's side, giving her up to her people. He found Joe Lipper at his elbow, looking decided- ly frustrated in his 'monkey suit.'

huh,"

"Revolutionaries, Lipper boomed out the depre- cating words and many people turned to scowl at him.

"Now, Joe," said Ward quietly on a conciliatory tone. He did, however, see what Lipper meant. Here, people still 'dressed up' for the big occasion,

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revolutionary fatigues left at home. Women wore bright make- up and equally dazzling dresses. The men were smartly dressed, even the soldiers in fine uni- forms.

""

There was little drabness to El Monte, and the Revolution had not tried to change the social habits of the people at all. "Enlightened Pragmatism,' Carlos Coronado had declared as his rule in taking office as the first elected President. Irena's election two years before, ostensibly because the Right and Left Wings of the Junta could not tolerate each other's candidates, had been less of a victory, in that, by then, the Democrats were protesting against election irregularities, while Boca's People's Party, despite its name the conserva- tive political party, had been struck from the ballot com- pletely. Within a year of Irena's election, there had been just the one legal political party hers.

——

"You think this alliance will last," asked Lipper, nodding toward Irena, whose hand was currently being grasped by Abra- do Camar, who kissed her gently on the cheek, to the delight of the official wives clustered near to Irena. Juan Augusto, smiling broadly, re- placed Camar and repeated the gesture, while Irena looked suitable embarrassed, a curious. reversal of her normal behavior.

"Whey shouldn't it?" asked Ward in return.

"They want to fight," growled Lipper, draining off what appeared to be a triple Scotch-on-the-rocks. "Go ou and talk to these people any- where, and you'll find they all want someone to push the button and lead them against Boca, and even across the bor- der. If she doesn't do it, she's gonna get her pretty little head blown off!" Lipper nodded to- ward the glamorous President, now receiving minor function- aries of the regime, along with wives and friends. friends. Consuela