Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-09-13
CHAPTER XIII.


Ny hands were full with my burden
and before | could do anything l saw the
muzze of his revolver pointed full-at
me? Oh, no! At the Signorina!
IF you move step l shoot her through
the heart, Martini he said. in the quiet,
est voice imaginable.
The Signorina looked up as she heard
his voice.
Put me down, Jack! It's no use," she
said; L knew how it would be-"
did not put her down, but 1 stood
there helpless, rooted to the ground.
What's the matter with her?' he said
Fell and sprained her ankle" l re.
piled.
Come, Martin" said he, tits no go
and you know it. A near thing; but
you've just lost"
Let me put her down, and We'll have a
fair fight"
He shook his head.
All very we'll for young men," he said
"At my age if a man holds trumps he
keeps them"
How long have you been here?"
About two minutes. When l didn't
see you at the bank l thought something
was up, so l galloped on to her house
No one there So l came on here. A
good shot, eh?"
In the bitterness of my heart l could
hardly speak. But l was not going to
play either the cur or the fool, so | said
Your trick. sir, and therefore your
lead. l must do what you tell me. Take
the revolver if you like" and nodded my
head to the pocket where it lay.
NO" be said, Il trust you"
Il bar a rescue" said |.
There will be no rescue" said he
grimly. The Colonel won't come
Whose house is that?'
1t was my boatman's.
Bring her there. Poor child, she sui
fers :"
We knocked up the boatman, who thus
did not get his nights rest after all. His
establishment may be imagined
Have you a bed?" said the President
Yes" he stammered, recognizing his
interlocutor.
Then carry her up, Martin; and you
send your wife to her"
l took her up. and laid her gently or
the bed. The President followed me
Then we went downstairs again into the
little parlor.
Let Us have talk" he said
The President sat down. | was sur
prised at his leisurely, distracted air
Apparently he had nothing in the WORLD
to do but sit and keep me company.
IF your excellency," said l, instinc
lively giving him his old title, has bust
ness elsewhere you can leave me safely
l shall not break my word
Il know that I know that" he an
swered. But I'd rather stay here;
want to have talk. You see there's nc
danger now. There's no one left to leaC
them against me-"
Then the Colonel is-?"
Yes" he said grayely, 'he is dead.
shot him.
I'm the attack"
Not exactly; the fighting was over. A
very short affair, Martin. They never
had a chance; and as soon as two or three
had fallen and the rest saw me, they
threw up the sponge"
! And the Colonel?"
''He fought well. He killed two of my
| fellows; then lot of them flung them
selves on him and dsarmed him."
And you killed him in cold blood?"
The President smiled slightly.
But for your scheme l should have
come back without a blow" he continued
but then l should have shot McGregoI
| just the same"
Because he led the revolt?"
Because" said the President, 'he ha:
been a traitor from the beginning even t.
the end-because he tried to rob ne of al
! | held dear in the world. If you like.
| he added, with a shrug because he stood
between me and my will. SO 1 went W
to him and told him his hour was come
and l shot him through the head. HI
! died like a man, Martin l will say that
! (To be continuedl