Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-30
CHAPTER XIX

Colonel refused, with an unnecessary os-
tentation of scorn, my patriotic offer to
keep watch and ward over the city, and l
turned in, tired out at eleven o'clock,
after a light dinner. | felt | had some
reasons for self-congratulations for con-
siderable as my present difficulties were,
yet | undoubtedly stood in a more hopeful
position than l had before the revolution.
l was now resolved to get my money safe
out Of the country, and l had hopes OF
being too much for McGregor in the other
matter which shared my thoughts.
The return of the day, however, brought
new troubles. I was reused at an early
hour by a visit from the Colonel himself
He brought very disquieting tidings. In
the course Of the night every one OF our
proclamations had been torn down or de-
faced with ribald scribblings; posted over
or alongside them there now hung multi
tudinous enlarged copies Of the PreA-
dents offensive notice. How or by whom
these seditious measures had been effect
ed we were al a loss to tell, for the officers
and troops were loud in declaring their
vigilance. In the very center of the II
azza, at the base of the Presidents statue,
was posted an enormous bill, Remember
1871. Death to Traitors :"
''Ho wcould they do that unless the sol
diers were in it?" asked the Colonel
gloomily. Il have sent those two COM
panins back to the barracks and had an
other Lot out But how do l know they IL
be any better? | met DeChair just now
and asked him what the temper OF the
troops was. The little brute grinned, and
said: 'Ah, mon President, it would be
better if the good soldiers had leetle
more money"
That's about it, said l; but then
you haven't got much more money"
What I've got l mean to stick to-
said the Colonel. "If this thing is going
to burst up, I'm not going to be kicked
out to starve. l tell you what it is, Mar
! tin, you must let me have some OF that
cash back again"
The effrontery of this request amazed
me. The mans want of ordinary moral
ity was too revolving. Didn't he know
very we'll that the money wasn't mine!
Didn't he himself obtain my help on the
express terms that I should have this
money to repay the bank with?
Not a farthing, Colonel; not far
thing. By our agreement that cash was
to be mine; but for that l wouldn't have
touched your revolution with q pair of
tongs"
He looked very savage, and muttered
something under his breath.
You're carrying things with high
hand" he said.
I'm not going to steal to please you"
said l.
You weren't always so scrupulous, y
he sneered.
l took no notice of this insult, but re-
peated my determination.
Look here, Martin" he said, I'm give
you twenty-four hours to think it over /;
and let me advise you to change your
mind then. | don't want to quarrel, but
I'm going to have some of that money"
Clearly he had learned statecraft in his
predecessors school. "Twenty-four hours
is something" thought l, and determined
to try the cunning of the serpent.
"All right, Colonel" l said, I'm think
il over. l don't pretend to like it; but,
after all, I'm in with you and we must
pull together. Well see how things look
tomorrow morning"
There's another matter | wanted to
speak to you about" he went on.
| invited him into the breakfast room,
gave him a cup of coffee (Which, to my
credit, didn't poison) and began on my
own eggs and toast
Fire away" said briefly.
Il suppose you know I'm going to be
married?' he remarked.
NO, l hadn't heard" l replied, feign-
ing to be entirely occupied with a very
nimble egg Rather a busy time for
marrying, isn't it? Who is she?'
You needn't pretend to be so very limo
cent; I expect you could give a pretty
good guess
Madame Devarges?' | asked blandly.
Suitable match about your age"
Il wish you would-'t try to be funny p
he exclaimed. you know as we'll as l dc
it's the Signorina."
Really" 1 replied. well, we'll, ]
fancied you were a little touched in that
quarter. And she has consented to make
you happy"
was curious to see what he would say
/ knew he was a bad liar and, as a
fact, l believe he told the truth on this
occasion, for he answered:
Says she never cared a stray for any.
one else"
n w L
licously.
Hates the old rufian - said the Colo
mel. Il once thought she had a liking
for YOU. Martin, but she laughed at the
idea. I'm glad of it, for we should have
fallen out
| smiled in a somewhat sickly way. and
took refuge in my cup, When l emerged
l asked:
And when is it to be?''
Next Saturday. Fact is, between you
and me, Martin, she's ready enough
This was too disgusting. But whether
the Colonel was deceiving me, or the Sig
norma had deceived him l didn't know
a little bit of both, probably. l saw, how.
ever. what the Colonel's game was plainly
enough he was, in his clumsy way, warn
ing me off his preserves, for. of course
he knew my pretensions, and | don't
think l imposed on him very much. But
| was anxious to avoid a rupture and
gain time.
II must call and congratulate the
lady" | said.
The Colonel couldn't very we'll object
to that. but he didn't ike it
well. Christina told me she was very
busy, but l daresay she'll see you for a
few minutes"
Il daresay she WILL" l said dryly
II must be of now. 1 shall have to be
about all day trying to catch those fell
lows who destroyed the bills"
You won't be doing any business to-
day. then?"
What, about settling the government?
he asked, grinning. Not just yet Wait
till I've got the Signora and the money
and then We'll see about that. You think
about the money, my boy.
Much to my relief he then departed
and as he went out l vowed that neither
Signorina nor money should he have. In
the course of the next twenty-four hours
l must find way to prevent him.
Rather early for CALL" said 1, but
! must see the Signorna"
On my way up l met several people and
heard some interesting facts In the first
place, no trace had appeared of Don An