Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-09-20
CHATTER XXI1.-lContinuedl

! could not pretend 10 regret the dead
man Indeed, ] had been near doing the
same deed myself. But l shrank before
this calm ruthlessness- Another long
pause followed. Then the President said
I'm sorry for all this, Martin-sorry
you and l came TO blows"
You played me false about the money
l said bitterly.
Yes. yes" he answered gently;
don't blame you. lou were bound to me
by no ties. OF course you saw my plan
Il supposed your excellency meant 10
keep the money and throw me- over.
Not altogether he said. 'Of course
l was bound to have the money. But It
was the other thing, you know As lar
as the money went, ] would have taken
care you came 10 no harm.
What was it, then:
II thought you understood all along,
he said with some surprise. Il saw you
were my rival with Christina, and my
game was to drive you out OF the country
by making the place too hot for you.
she told me you didn't suspect about
me and her till quite the end
Did shef" he answered with q smile
Il must be getting clever TO deceive Two
such wideawake young people Oh course
| saw it all along. Bu. you had more
grit than l thought. I've never been SO
nearly done by any man as by you. m
sorry, Martin; liked you, you know. But
Iikings mustn't Interfere with duty, he
went on, smiling. What claim have you
It my hands,
Decent burial. | suppose" i answered
lie got up and paced the room for
moment or two. | waited with some anX-
iety, for life is worth something to a
young man, even when things look black
est, and l never was a hero
Il make you this offer he said at last
~ our boat lies there ready. Get into her
and go; Otherwise
Il see" said l. And you will marry
her?'
Yes" he said.
Against her WIZ"
lie looked at me with something like
pity.
who can tell what womans viii VAL
be- in a week? In less than that she will
marry me cheerfully- | hope you may
grieve as short time as she will"
In nv inmost heart knew it was true.
] had staked everything, not for WON
ans love, but for the within of girl For
a moment it was too hard for me, and
bowed my head on the table by me and
hid my face. Then he came and put his
hand on mine, and said:
Yes, Martin; young and old, we are all
alike They're not worth quarrellng Tor
Rur nature's too strong"
May | see her before go?' | asked.
y es.' he said.
"Alone?'
Yes he said once more. go now
If she can see you"
went up and cautiously opened the
door. The Signorina was lying on the
bed. with a shawl over her. She seemed
to be asleep. l bent over her and kissed
her. She opened her eyes, and said in a
weary voice:
rs it you, Jack?'
Yes, my darling" said I. II am going
! must go or die; and whether / go or
die. must be alone
She was strangely quiet, even apathet-
ic As j knelt down by her she raised
herself, and took my face between her
hands and kissed me, not passionately,
but tenderly.
MY poor Jack !" she said; "it was nc
use, dear. 1t is no use to fight against
him"
You love me?' cried in my pain.
YES she said. but l am very tired
and he will be good to me-
Without another word | went from her
with the bitter knowledge that my great
grief found but a pale reflection in hel
| heart.
II am ready to GO l said to the Presi-
dent.
Come then" he replied. Here. take
these, You may want them" and he thrust
bundle of notes into my hand (some oil
my own from the bank / afterward dis
| covercd).
Arrived at the boat / got in mechan
ically, and made all preparations for the
start. Then the President took my hand
''Good-by, Jack Martin, and good luck
Some day we may meet again. Just now
there's no room for US both here. You
bear no maliceT'
No, SIR" said /. "A fair fight, and
you've won.''
AS | was pushing off he added:
when you arrive send me word''
turned the boats head out TO sea
and went forth on my lonely way into the
night.