Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-07-19
CHAPTER vI.-(Continued. J


House?' said l to him. You'll want ev
cry vote tonight Be off and help tht
ministry, and take Donna Antonia with
you. They're eating up the minister Of
| finance"
"All right! I'm going as soon as I've
had another muffin" said Johnny. But
what's the row aboutf'
well, they want their money" re
piled; land Don Antonio won't give il
them. Hence bad feeling"
Tell you what it is" said Johnny; she
hasn't got "a
Here Donna Antonio struck in, rather
suddenly, thought
Do stop the gentlemen talking poll
tics, Madame Devarges They'll spoil oul
tea party"
Your word is law 1 said "but
should like to know what Don Antonio
hasn't got''
Now do be quiet" she rejoined ISM
it quite enough that he has got-a charm
ing daughter?"
And most valuable one" 1 replied
with bow, for | saw that for some rea
son or other Donna Antonio did not near
to let me pump Johnny Carr, and l want
ed to pump him.
Don't say another word, Mr.. Carr,
she said, with a laugh. you know yor
don't know anything
Meanwhile Madame Devarges was Civ
ing me a cup of tea. As she handed il
to me, she said in a low voice:
If l were his friend 1 should take
care Johnny didn't know anything, Mr.
Martin"
IF were his friend | should take care
he told me what he knew, Madame De
Varges," l replied.
Perhaps that's what the Colope
thinks" she said. Johnny has just beer
telling us how very attentive he has be
come. And the Signorina, too, hear"
You don't mean that?" l exclaimed
But. after all, pure kindness, no doubt 2
You have received many attentions
from those quarters" she said. mo doubt
you are good judge of the motives"
Don't, now, don't be disagreeable,
said /. Il came here for peace"
Poor young man! Have you lost all
your money? Is it possible that you, like
Don Antonio, haven't got a-?'
"What is going to happen?" 1 asked
for Madame Devarges often had infor-
nation.
II don't know" she said. but if /
owned national bonds, 1 should SELL
Pardon me, madame you would offer
to SELL"
L did not sec any need to enlighten her
further. So | passed on to Donna An
tonia, who had sat somewhat sulkily since
her outburst. l sat down by her and
said:
Surely l haven't offended your"
You know you wouldn't care if you
had," she said, with a reproachful, but
not unkind glance. You will not let
your real friends save you, Mr. Martin.
You know you want help. Why don't you
consider the state of your affairs?'
In that, at least, my friends in Whit
tingham are very ready to help me-" |
answered, with some annoyance.
IF you take it in that way" she re-
piled sadly, Il can do nothing"
was rather touched. Clearly she
wished to be of some use to me, and for
moment / thought l might do better
to tear myself free from my chains, and
turn to the refuge opened to me. But
could not do this; and thinking it would
he rather mean to take advantage of her
interest in me only to use it for nv own
purposes, / yielded to conscience and said
Donna Antonio, will be straishtfor-
ward with you. You can only help me if
l accept your guidance? l can't do that.
/ am TOO deep i'm
Yes, you are deep in, and eager to be
deeper" she said. We'll, SO be it. If
that is so / cannot help you"
Thank you for your kind attempt"
said l. Il shall very likely be sorry some
day that | repulse it. l shall always be
glad to remember that you made it."
She looked at me a moment, and said :
I'VE have ruined you amongst u.s.
Mind, body and estate?"
She made no reply, and l saw nv re-
turn to fippancy wounded her. SO l rose
and took my leave. Johnny Carr went
with me.
Things look queer, en- old MANI" said
he. But the President will pull through
in spite of the Colonel and his Signor-
ina"
johnny" said l. you hurt my feel
ings; but still will give you a piece of
advice. Marry Donna ARonia. She's
a good girl and clever girl"
That's not bad idea" said he. ''Whv
don't you do it yourself?"
Because I'm like you, Johnnv-an
idiot" | replied, and left him wondering
why, if he was an idiot, and l was an
idiot, one idiot should marry Donna An
tonia, and not both or neither.
, AS l went along l bought the Gazette.
the government organ, and read therein :.
'At Cabinet council this afternoon.
presided over by his excellency. we I'M
derstand that the arrangements connected
with the national debt formed the SUBJ
ject of discussion. The resolutions arriv-
ed at are at present strictly confidential
but we have the best authority for stat
ing that the measures to be adopted will
have the effect of materially alternating
the present tension, and will afford un-
mixed satisfaction to the immense ma
jority of the citizens of Aureataland. The
President will once again be hailed as
the savior of his country"
Il wonder if the immense majority will
include me?' said l. Il think 1 will go
and see his excellency."
CHAPTER VII.
The next morning / took my way to the
Golden House, where | learned that the
President was at the ministry of finance.
Arriving there, l sent in my card, writing
thereon an humble request for a private
interview. l was ushered into Don An
tonio's room, where / found the minister
himself, the President and Johnny Carr.