The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-12-08

L al IAClI uCdu We saw the TrCSlQSuCs SWOIU
in hand, running like a young man and
reckoning his men on. Up the street they
swept. Involuntarily we waited moment
to watch them. Just as they came near
the bank they sent up a shout:
1.-The President! the President! Death
to traitors %
Then there was evolley, and they clos
ed round the building.
Now for our turn, Christina" said 1.
She grasped my arm tightly, and we
sped across the road and into the wood.
1t seemed darker than when I came
through before, or perhaps my eyes were
dazzled by the glare of the street lamps.
But still we got along pretty well, help
ing my companion with all my power.
Can we do it?" she gasped.
"A clear quarter of an hour will do it,
and they ought to take that to finish off
the Colonel" For 1 had little doubt of
the issue to that melee.
On we sped, and already we could see
the twinkle of the waves through the thin
ming trees. Five hundred yards more, and
there lay life and liberty and love!
Well, of course, I might have known.
Everything had gone so smoothly up to
| now, that any student of the laws of
chance could have foretold that fortune
was only delaying the inevitable slap in
the face. A plan that seemed wild and
| risky had proved in the result as effectual
| as the wisest scheme. By natural prin-
ciple of compensation, the simplest obsta-
Gle was to bring us to grief. There's
many slip" says the proverb. Very
likely! One was enough for our bust
ness. For just as we neared the edge OF
the wood, just as our eyes were gladdened
by the full sight of the sea across the in
tervening patch of bare land, the Sig
norma gave a cry of pain and, in spite
Of my arm, fell heavily to the ground. In
| a moment was on my knees by her side.
An old root growing out of the ground
That was all! And there lay my dear
girl white and still.
What is it, sweet?" whispered.
my ankle !" she murmured; "oh, Jack,
it hurts so p and with that she tainted.
Half an hour-thirty mortal minutes I
knelt by her side ministering to her. I
bound up the poor foot and famed her
face with my handkerchief. In a few
minutes she came to, bu tonly, poor child,
to sob with her bitter pain. Move she
could not, and would not. Again and
again she entreated me to 60 and leave
her. At last persuaded her to try and
bear the agony of being carried in my
arms the rest Of the way. I raised her
as gently as 1 could, wrung to the heart
by her CALAMITY sti1ed groan, and slowly
and painfully 1 made my way, thus bur-
donod RI tho adr of fha hor
were no sentries in sight, and with a new
spasm of hope crossed the open land and
neared little wicket gate that led to
the jetty. A sharp turn just before we
reached it, and, as I rounded this with
the Signorina lying yet in my arms, l
saw a horse and a man standing by the
gate. The horse was fecked with foam
and had been ridden furiously. The man
was calm and cool. OF course he was
It was the President!
CHAPTER XIII.
My hands were full with my burden,
and before could do anything I saw the
muzzle Of his revolver pointed full-at
me? Oh, no! At the Signorina
IF you move step shoot her through
the heart, Martini" he said, in the quiet
est voice imaginable.
The Signorina looked up as she heard
his voice.
"Put me down, Jack! It's no use," she
said Il knew how it would be-"
1 did not put her down, but I stood
there helpless, rooted to the ground.
whats the matter with herr" he said.
Fell and sprained her ankle" I re-
piled.
"Come, Martini" said he, tits no 70,
and you know it. A near thing; but
you've just lost"
LET me put her down, and we'll have a
fair fight"
He shook his head.
All very well for young men," he said.
al my age if a man holds trumps he
keeps them"
"How long have you been here?"
About two minutes. When I didn't
see you at the bank thought something
was up, 50 I galloped on to her house.
No one there! So I came on here. A
good shot, eh7"
In tho bitterness Of my heart could
hardly speak. But was not going to
play either the cur or the fool, % I said :
"Your trick, sir, and therefore your
lead. I must do what you tell me. Take
the revolver if you like" and 1 nodded my
head to the pocket where it lay.
NO." he said, II trust you"
II bar q rescue" said I.
There will be no rescue" said he
grimly. THE Colonel won't come.
Whose house IL that7"
It was my boatman's.
Bring her there. Poor child, shs suf-
esrs"
We Knocked up the boatman, who thus
did not get his nights rest after all. His
astonashment may Be imagined.
Have you . bsd7" said the President.
Yes" he stammersd, recognising his
| interlocutor.
Then carry her mp, Martin: and you,
send your wife 70 her"
took her up, and laid her esntiy On
the bed. TIE Prssident followed me.
Ih:n We went dewnstairs again Into the
'Tst 10 haze D TAM" 10 said.
The Prssilsat s6at down. was sur
prised x NJ: lisursly, abstrsetsdI air.
-Appsrently he Md nothing N he world
70 % but Ut ard Keep n company,
| II youf sxesllsnc5,r Issid 1. inStinc.