Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-10-18
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.
The next three days were on the whole
the most uncomfortable | have ever spent
in my life. l got little sleep and no rest
I went about with a revolver handy all
day. and jumped every time l heard a
sound. | expended much change In buying
every edition of all the papers; listened
with dread to the distant cries of news
venders fearing. as the words gradually
became distinguishable. to hear that our
secret was a secret no longer. l WAS
bound TO show myself. and yet shrank
from all gatherings of men. | transact
ed my business with an absent mind and
a face of such superhuman innocence
that had anyone been watching me. he
must at once have suspected something
wrong. l was incapable of adding up a
row of figures, and Jones became most
solicitous about the state of my brain.
In word, my nerves were quite shat
tered, and I registered vow never to
upset a government again as long as |
| lived In future the established consti-
tuition would have to be good enough for
me. | verify believe that only the thought
Of the Signorina prevented me making a
moonlight fitting across the frontier with
whole skin at least, if with an empty
pocket. and leaving the rival patriots Of
| Aureataland to fight it out among them
selves.
| Happily. however. nothing occurred to
justify my fears. The other side seemed
to be sunk In dull security. The Presi-
dent went often to the ministry Of finance,
and was closeted for hours with Don
Antonio; I suppose they were perfecting
their nefarlous scheme. There were no
signs of excitement or activity at the bar
racks; the afternoon gatherings on the
Piazza were occupied with nothing more
serious than the prospects of lawn tennis
and the grlevous dearth Of dances. The
official announcements relative to the debt
had had quieting effect, and all classes
seemed inclined to wait and see what the
Presidents new plan was.
So passed Wednesday and Thursday.
On neither day had l heard anything
from my fellow conspirators our arrange
ments for writing had so far proved un-
necessary-or unsuccessful. The latter
possibility sent shiver down my back. and
my lively fancy pictured his excellency's
smile as he perused the treasonable docu-
ments. If l heard nothing on the morn
ing of Friday. l was determined at all
risks to see the Colonel. With the dawn
of that eventful day, however, I was re-
lieved of this necessity. l was lying in
bed about half-past nine when my servant
brought in three letters.
"Sent on from the bank, SIR" he said,
with Mr.. Jones' compliments, and are
you going there this morning?"
My compliments TO Mr.. Jones, and he
may expect me in FIVE minutes" l re-
piled.
The letters were all marked "Immedi-
ate'-one from the Signorina. one from
the Colonel, one from the barracks. l
opened the last first and read as follows :
THE officers Of the Aureataland Army
have the honor to remind Mr.. John Mar
tin that they hope to have the plea sire
Of his company at supper this evening at
10 D. m. precisely. In the unavoidable
absence of his excelency the President,
owing to pressing cares Of state. and the
Hon. Colonel McGregor from indisposi-
ton. the toast of the Army of Aureata-
land will be proposed by Major Alphonse
DeChair.
"P. S.-Friend Martin, speak long this
night. The two great men do not come,
and the evening wants to be filed out.
"ALPHONSE DE CHAIR"
ut shall be long. my dear boy, and we
will fill out your evening for you,' said
to myself. we'll pleased so far.
Then opened the Signorina epistle.
Dear Mr.. Martin" it began-"Will
YOU be so kind as to send me in the course
Of the day twenty dollars in small
change? | want TO give the school chill
dren a scramble. l enclose check. | am
so sorry you could not dine with me to-
night, but after all l am glad. because
should have had to put you off, for l am
commanded rather suddenly to dine at the
| Golden House. With kind regards, be-
! lieve me, yours sincerely,
"CHRISTINA NUGENT."
Every good" said |. Il reckon the
scramble will keep. And now for the
| Colonel"
Dear Martini inclose check for
$500 Ny man will call for the cash to-
morrow morning. | give you notice be-
cause | want it all In silver for wages
! Carr and are here together, both seedy.
! Poor Carr Is on his back. and likely to
remain there for day or two. I'm bet
ter, and though I've cut the affair at the
barracks tonight. | fully expect to be
up and about this afternoon. Ever yours,
GEO. MGREGOR."
"Oh, so Carr is on his back and likely
TO remain there, is he? Very likely, |
expect; but | wonder what il means.
| hope the Colonel hasn't been very drastic
However. everything seems right; in fact,
better than | hoped"
In this more cheerful frame Of mind
arose, breakfasted at leisure, and set out
| for the bank about eleven.
OF course the first person | met on the
street was one of the last | wanted TO
meet. namely, Donna Antonia. She was
| on horseback and her horse looked as If
he'd done some work. At the sight of me
she refined up. and l could not avoid
stopping as lifted my hat.
"Whence so early?" | asked.
Early" she said. 81 don't call this
early. I've been for long ride: in fact,
I've ridden over to Mr.. Carr's place
with a message from papa: but he's not
there. DO you know where he is, Mr..
Martini
Haven't an idea," said /.
"He hasn't been home for four nights"
she continued, and he hasn't been TO the
ministry. either. It's very odd that be