The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-10-20
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

I had nothing left to say. l fell back
In my chair, and gazed at the Colonel.
At the same moment a sound Of rapid
wheels struck on my ears. Then l heard
the sweet, clear voice l knew 50 well
saying:
"I'll just disturb him for a moment, Mr..
Jones. I want him to tear himself from
work for a day, and come for a ride"
She opened my door, and came swiftly
in. On seeing the Colonel she took in
the position, and said to that gentleman !:
"Have you told him?"
81 have just done so, Signorina," he re-
piled.
had not energy enough to greet her {;
90 she also sat down unlimited, and took
off her gloves-not lazily, like the Colonel,
but with an air as though she would, If
q man, take off her coat, to meet the
crisis more energetically.
At last said, with conviction:
Hes a wonderful man! How did you
find it out, Colonel?"
Had Johnny Carr to dine" said that
worthy.
''You don't mean he trusted johnny
"Odd, isn't it?" said the Colonel. with
known Johnny was an idiot. I suppose
there was no one else"
He knew" said the Signorina, ANY
one else in the place would betray him |;
he knew Johnny wouldn't if he could
help it. He moderated your powers,
Colonel"
"Well," said I, II can't help 1t, can
[? My directors will lose. The bond
holders will lose. But how does it hurt
me?
The Colonel and the Signorina both
smiled gently.
You do 1t very well, Martini" said the
former, but it will save time II l state
chat both Signorina Nugent and myself
are possessed of the details regarding
the" 1.-THE Colonel paused, and strok-
cd his mustache).
THE second loan," said the Signorina
was less surprised at this, recollect-
Ing certain conversations.
I asked.
"She told me-" said the Colonel, indi-
eating his fair neighbor.
And may L ask how you found it out.
Signorina?'
The President told me-" said that
lady.
well, as you both know all about it,
It's no good keeping up pretenses. It's
very kind of you to come and warn me-"
You dear good Mr.. Martini" said the
Signorina, ''our motives are not purely
those of friendship"
why, how does it matter to your"
pp1r ~ ILL =
Its excellent manager own most of the
debt. The Colonel and 1 own the rest.
If it is repudiated, the bank loses; yes,
but the manager and the Colonel and the
Signorina Nugent are lost -
Il didn't know this" ! said, rather be-
wildered.
"Yes," said the Colonel, when the first
loan was raised lent him 100000. We
were thick then, and I did it in return for
my rank and my seat in the Chamber.
Since then I've bought up some more
shares"
"You got them cheap, supposer
said 1.
"Yes," he replied, 81 averaged them at
"And what do you hold now, nominal?"
"Three hundred thousand dollars" said
he, shortly.
Il understand your interest in the mat
ter. But you, Signorina?"
The Signorina appeared a little en-
barrassed. But at last she broke out:
Il don't care if I do tell you When
1 decided to stay here had $4,000. He
persuaded me to put it all into his horrid
debt. Oh! wasn't it mean, Mr.. Mar
tint"
The President had certainly combined
business and pleasure in this matter.
"Disgraceful p l remarked.
And If that goes, I am penniless-
penniless. And there's poor aunt. What
vii she do?"
"Never mind your aunt" said the Colo
mel. rather rudely. "Well," he went on,
you see we're in the same boat with you,
Martin"
Yes: and we shall soon be in the same
deep water" said I.
Not at all, said the Colonel. "Finan-
clal probity is the backbone of a country.
Are we to stand by and see Aureataland
enter on the shameful path of repudia-
tion?"
"Never!" cried the Signorina, leaping
up with sparkling eyes. "Neverr
She looked enchanting. But business
b business; and 1 said again:
What are you going to do?"
I'VE are going, with your help, Mar
tin, to prevent this national disgrace. We
are going he lowered his voice, useless
ly, for the Signorina struck in, in high
merry tone, waving her gloves over her
head. with these remarkable words:
"Hurrah for the Revolution! Hip hin
hurrah!"
The Signorina looked like Goddess Of
Freedom in high spirits and a Paris bon.
net. She broke forth into the ''Marseil-
laise"
For mercy's sake, be quiet !" said Nc
Gregor, In a hoarse whisper. 'If they
hear you! Stop, tell you, Christina y
Kindly unfold your plan, Colonel" /
said. II am aware that out here Won
think little of revolutions, but to a new
conner they appear to be matters reauir.
Ing some management. You see we are
only three"
II have the army with me-" said he
grandly.
I'm the outer Officer" asked 1. indule.
ing In sneer at the dimensions Of the
Aureataland forces.
Look here Martin" he said .>oxu11r~