Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-23

! course Of business. The recent disturb
ances will quite account for so large a
! sum being called in"
| Il don't quite see how l can arrange
! that"
'Ah, you are overdone," said I. Leave
/ it all to me, Jones'
And this / persuaded him to do. In
| fact, he was so relieved at seeing the
money back that he was easy to deal
| with; and il he suspected anything, he
was o7erawed by my present exalted po-
! sition. He appeared to forget what l
/ could not, that the President, no doubt,
/ still possessed that fatal cable.
After lunch l remembered my engage
ment with the Signorina, and, putting on
my hat, was bidding farewell to bust
ness, when Jones said:
There's note just come for you sir
A little boy brought it while you were out
at lunch"
He gave it to me-a little dirty envel-
! ope, with an illiterate scrawl. l opened
! it carelessly, but as my eye fell on the
! Presidents hand, l started in amazement
! The note was dated Saturday From
on board The Songstress, and ran as fol-
| lows:
Dear Mr.. Martini must confess to
| having moderated your courage and abili-
ties. If you care to put them at my dis
posal now, / will accept them. In the
other event, l must refer you to my pub
! lie announcement. In any case it may
be useful to you to know that McGregor
designs to marry Signorina Nugent l
| fer that on my return it will be hardly
consistent with my public duties to spare
your life (unless you accept my present
| offer), but l shall always look back to
! your acquaintance with pleasure. l have
! if you will allow me to say so, seldom
met young man with such natural gifts
for finance and politics. l shall anchor
| FIVE miles out from Nottingham tonight
! (for 1 know you have no ships), and if
you join me, we'll and good. If not,
shall consider your decision irrevocable
! Believe me, dear Mr.. Martin, faithfully
yours,
MARCUS W. WHITTINGHAM,
President of the Republic of Aureata-
land"
The Presidents praise was grateful to
me. But l cid not see my way to fall in
| with his views. He said nothing about
| the money, but l knew we'll that its re-
| turn would be condition of any alliance
! between US. Again, l was sure that he
also designed to marry the Signorina,"
| and if | must have rival on the spot I
preferred McGregor in that capacity,
Lastly, l thought that after all there is
| decency in things, and l had better stick
| to my party. | did not, however, tell
| McGregor about the letter, merely send
| ing him a line to say | had heard that he
had better look out.
This done, | resumed my interrupted
| progress to the SignOrina's. When | was
| shown in, she greeted me kindly.
II have had letter from the Presi-
dent" said.
Yes" said she, he told me he had
written to YOU"
why, have you heard from him?"
Yes, just a little note. He is rather
cross with me- Are you going over to
him-going to forsake me?''
How can you ask me? Won't you
show me your letter, ChristinaY'
mo, john" she answered, mimicking
my imprisoned tones Il may steal the
! Presidents savings, but respect his con-
| fdence"
You know what he says to me about
McGregorT'
Yes said the Signorina. But. curl
Gus to relate, the Colonel has just been
here himself and told me the same thing.
The Colorcl has not a nice way of max
! ing love, Jack-not SO nice as yours
nearly"
Thus encouraged went and sat down
by her. l believe took her hand.
on don't love him?'
mot at ALL" she replied. 81 like yos
very much, Jack" she said, "and it's very
sweet of You to have made a revolution
for me. 1t was for me, Jack?"
''Of course it was, my darling" /
promptly replied.
But you know, Jack, / don't see how
we're much better off. Indeed, in a way
it's worse. The President wouldn't let
anybody else marry me, but he wasn't
so peremptory as the Colonel. The Colo
mel declares he will marry me this day
week ~
Well see about that" said l, savagely.
Another revolution, Jack" asked the
Signorina.
You needn't laugh at me- said sulk-
lily.
Poor boy! What are we idyllic low
ers to do?"
Il don't believe you're a bit in earn
est
Yes, 1 am, lucknow Then she
went ON, with a sort of playful pity,
Look at my savage, jealous Jack. It's
pleasant while it lasts; try not to be
broken-hearted if it doesn't last
If you love me, why don't you come
with me out of this sink of iniquity?"
Run away with you?" she asked with
open amazement DO you think that
we're the sort of people for romantic
elopement? 1 am very earthly. And so
are you, Jack dear, nice earth, but earth,
Jack
There was a good deal of truth in this
remark. We were not an ideal pair for
love in a cottage.
Yes" said. I've got no money"
I've got little money, but not much.
I've been paying my debts" she added
proudly.
4 haven't been even doing that. And
I'm not quite equal to purloining that
100000"
I'VE must wait, Jack. But this I will
promise: III never marry the Colonel. If
it comes to that or running away, we'll
run away"
And Whittingham?'
The Signorina for once looked grave.
You know him" she said Think
what he made you do! and you're not a
weak man, or l shouldn't be fond of you.
Jack, you must keep him away"
She was quite agitated; and il was one
more tribute to the Presidents powers
that he should exert so strange an infiu-
ence over such a nature. l was burning
to ask her more about herself and the
President, but 1 could not while she was
distressed. And when l had comforted |
her, she resolutely declined TO return to |
the subject.
No, go away now" she said. Think |
how we are to checkmate orr two Presi- |
dents. And, Jack, whatever happens, I |
got you back the money. I've done you
some good. So be kind to me- I'm not |
very much afraid of your heart breaking. |
You have plenty of useful things to oc-
cupy your time"