Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-11-08
CHAPTER XVU.-( Continued }

here was In the roouh aS pSFh3 p-
might be expected, a Washing scand. This
article was of the description one often
sees. above the level OF the stand itself
there rose a wooden screen 70 rhe height
OF two feet and a half covered wlch pree-
.ty tiles, the presumabls object beng 90
protect the wall paper. l never saw 4
more innocent looking biz Of furniture L
might have stood IN q lady's iress-n (
room. The Signorina went ~ 70 Il ani
slid it gently on one side II moved IN a
groove, Then she pressed a spoC il the
wall behind. and a small piece OF It rolled
aside, disclosing a keyhole.
He's taken the key, Of course" she
said. I'VE must break il open. Who's
got a hammer"
Tools were procured, and. working un-
der the Signorina's directions, after a
good deal of trouble we laid bare a neat
little safe embedded in the wall. This
safe was legbly inscribed on the outside,
Burglars Puzzle" We. however, were
not afraid of making a noise, and it only
puzzled us for ten minutes.
When opened it revealed a Golconda
There lay in securities and cash no less
than 100000,
We smiled at one another.
20 sad revelation,' | remarked.
"Hoary old fox :" said the Colonel.
No wonder the harbor works were un-
remunerative in their early stages. The
President must have kept them at a very
early stage.
What are you people up tor cried
Carr.
Rank burglary. my dear boy" I re
piled and we retreated with our spoil.
Now" said l to the Colonel, what
are you going to do?'
why, what do you think. Mr.. Mar
tin?" interposed the Signorina. Hes
going to give you your money, and divide
the rest with his sincere friend, Christina
Nugent."
well, suppose So" said the Colonel.
"But it strikes me you are making
good thing of this Martin
MY dear Colonel" said I, "a bargain
Is a bargain, and where would you have
been without my money!
The Colonel made no reply, but handed
me the money. which l liked much better.
l took the S32O.OOO and said:
Now l can face the world, an honest
man"
The Signorina laughed.
Il am glad" she said, chiefly for poor
old Jones sake. It'll take load off his
mind"
The Colonel proceeded to divide the re-
mainder into two little heaps, one of
which he pushed over to the Signorna.
She took it gaily, saying:
Now l shall make curl papers of half
ph,H tha-uhat a
do you call it?-the Provisional govern
ment to pay the rest. You remember
about the house,
IN see about that soon," said the
Colonel impatiently. You two seem to
think there's nothing to do but take the
money You forget we've got to make
our positions safe"
Exactly. The Colonel's government
must be carried on said l.
The Signorina did not catch the allu-
sion. She yawned. and said:
"Oh, then l shall go. Rely on my 10y
atty. your excellency."
She made him a courtesy and went to
the door AS l opened it for her she
whispered. "Horrid old bear. Come and |
see me, Jack" and so vanished, carrying
off her dollars.
l returned and sat down opposite the
Colonel.
Il wonder how she knew about the
washing stand 2" l remarked.
Because Whittingham was fool enough |
to tell her. said the Colonel testify.
Then we settled to business. This un
ambitious tale does not profess to be a
complete history of Aureataland, and l
will spare my readers the recital of our
discussion. We decided at last that mat
ters we're still 80 critical, owing to the
Presidents escape, that the ordinary
forms of law and constitutional govern
ment must be temporarily suspended. The
chamber was not in session, which made
this course easier. The Colonel was to be
procla imed President and TO assume su-
preme power under martial law for some
weeks. while we looked about US. 1t was
thought better that my name should not
appear officially, but | agreed to take in
hand, under his supervision. all matters
relating to finance.
I'VE can't pay the interest on the real
debt" he said.
NO" l replied; you must issue a no.
tice. setting forth that. owing to General
Whittingham's Manifestations, payments
must be temporarily suspended. Prom
ise il will be all right later on"
Very good" said he; "and now l shall
60 and look up those officers l must
keep them in good temper, and the men,
too l shall give 'em another ten thou
sand"
Generous hero ~ said I, "and shall
60 and restore this cash to my employ
ers"