The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-06-30

return 10 the old way, trusting tndt uo-
veloping circumstances would counsel him
what TO do after he had disposed or
Orsini his ''eyesore."
With this final resolution made. on the
night OF the meeting. a few hours before
the time appointed for IL, Monasterio
went TO see Macheca, who was just at
that instant at the height of an i'm
petuous rage.
Monasterio almost drew back, when he
saw tho Grand Master so furious and
exasperated, stamping with passion Then
because the most guilty are the most mis-
trustful. a dread suspicion darted into his
mind that Macheca had discovered the
underhanded dealings his private sec
retary was having with his niece.
Macheca's acute glances at Monasterio
made him almost sure that something
OF a terrible nature had happened which
might very truly result In nipping IN the
bud his meddiing and secret counter
plotting with Gabrielle
II that was the case. there was no
evading, no remedy. no game OF skill
whatever that could save him. and
Monasterio. feeling on his left side where
his knife was securely buckled, fondled
the hilt with his hand. determined this
time. not to be taken unawares.
''why don't you come In? What keeps
you In the doorway" finally asked
Macheca. bluntly.
'T was just thinking Of asking you
what made you look so excited"
Monasterio answered. somewhat re-
assured.
Here. read this" and Macheca handed
a letter to Monasterio.
He took the paper hastily, and after
quickly scanning IT, thought THANK God!
Things are clearing up and the tempest.
luckily for me. Is storming on some other
side"
Well is It not disgracefully tiresome?
inquired Macheca-
''It Is extremely disgusting. I should
say" Monasterio observed. ''and more
over" he continued. that Is the first
instance OF the kind in the society. and
IL may cause. OF course. a great deal of
ugly talking and perhaps trouble among
the friends"
1T Is not that which stirs me most.
because in that case would simply
be puzzled to know who the man is who
would dare to ask questions or show any
squeamishness about the absence OF the
two assistants"
What apprehension or fear, then have
you2'
ut is a very inevitable evil that would
eiude at any rate"
And that is?'
"How dull your comprehension is. Don't
you see the point? Who will read the
annual report and account of the pro-
ceedings OF the society? Who will talk
from the platform? Who will be the
speaker. in a word. In this meeting. in
which without doubt there will be dis
cussion and perhaps a debate? Not L.
certainly. So far. / have never done IL.
nor shall I for a while yet, for special
reasons Of my own"
ta oh nf ha ~
prolong your incognito and play your part
as long as possible. I see that Besides.
IL you were ousted just now. IL would
suit neither you nor me, I admit"
A broad grin spread over Macheca's IS
crimson face and distorted his features at
Monasterios scathing words but he con-
trolled himself as II nothing were the
matter. and listened TO his secretary, who
continued:
do you really believe that both assist
ants are sick I'm bed at the same timer
There would have been no other spe-
cious reason: and besides. these two fell
lows are so well acclimated here by their
long stay In this country. that they inhale
In the very air the microbes of drunken
ness. They have lately become regular
topers: for beer and whisley guzzling
always results In continuous state Of
frowsy mutiness'" And Monasterio re-
joiced. Better for them II instead they
would inhale the bacillus OF money max
ing. with which the air here Is more sat
urated than with oxygen. carbonic acid
hydrogen. or according 10 Rayleigh and
Ramsay, argon. cryptore. metargum,
neon"
1T is time to stop Joking. The point Is
that those two good d-for-nothings are sick
know that they cannot come tonight
and / would prefer In this case rather TO
postpone the meeting than be forced to
speak myself"
(To be Continued.)