Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-09-14
CHAPTER XIX,

q niPAt'S rest L QaQ udu lOf d WEEK. L lit
Colonel refused, with an unnecessary os
rentation of scorn, my patriotic offer to
keep watch and ward over the city, and
mlned in, tired out at eleven O'Clock,
after a light dinner, l felt | had some
reasons for elf-congratulations for con
siderable as my present difficulties were,
vet I undoubtedly stood IN a more hopeful
Dosirion than I had before the revolution.
7 was now resolved to get my money safe
out Of the country, and | had hopes Of
being too much for McGregor In the other
matter which shared my thoughts.
The return of the day, however. brought
nav troubles. | was reused at an early
hour by a visit from the Colonel himself.
lie brought very disquleting tidings. In
the course Of the night every one of our
DrocIamatiOns had been torn down or de-
faced with ribald scribblings posted over
or alongside them there now hung multi
tudlnous enlarged copies Of the Presi-
dents offensive notice. How or by whom
those seditious measures had been effect
ed we were at a loss to tell, for the officers
and troops were loud in declaring their
vigilance. In the very center of the Pl-
azza, at the base of the Presidents statue,
1871, Death to Traitors"
"Ho wcould they do that unless the SOL
diors were in it," asked the Colonel
gIoomily. Il have sent those two com
panins back to the barracks and had an
other lot out. But how do l know they IL
he any better? l met DeChair just now
and asked him what the temper OF the
troops was The little brute grinned, and
said: All. 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 I 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 l 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 a pair Of
tongs."
He looked very savage, and muttered
something under his breath.
You're carrying things with high
hand" he said.
Pm rot going to steal to please you,
said l.
You weren't always so scrupulous,
he sneered.
| took no notice of this insult, but re-
peated my determination.
Look here Martin" he said, III give
you twenty-four hours to think 1t 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 1, and determined
to try the cunning of the serpent.
"An right, Colonel" [ said, 'I'll think
i 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 l wanted to
speak to you about" he went on.
| invited him into the breakfast room,
gave him cup of coffee (Which, to my
credit, 1 didn't poison), and began on my
own eggs and toast.
Fire away" said l briefly.
Il suppose you know I'm going to be
married?" he remarked.
NO, | hadn't heard" 1 replied, feign-
ing to be entirely occupied with a very
D. h,1cx
marrying, isn't it? Who is she?"
You needn't pretend to be so very limo
cent; expect you could give pretty
good guess"
Madame Devarges?" I asked blandly.
Suitable match; about your age
Il wish you wouldn't try to be funny y
he exclaimed. you know as we'll as do
it's the Signorina."
"Really?" 1 replied. well, we'll, I
fancied you were 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. believe he told the truth on this
occasion, for he answered:
Says she never cared a stray for any
one else"
Not even WhIttIngham? l asked ma
lcjously,
Hates the old ruffian !" said the Colo
mel. II 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 I emerged,
I asked:
And when Is 1t 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, didn't know
a little bit of both, probably. saw, how
ever, what the Colonies game was plainly
enough; he was, in his clumsy way, warn
ing ME off his preserves, for, of course,
ne knew my pretensions, and 1 don't
Inlnk imposed on him very much. But
was anxious to avoid rupture and
gain time.
Ia "a