Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-11-08

l AZ ease. l explained 70 him the state
er Affairs, showing how the President.
d-Shonorao,e scheme had compelled me. ii
c1e interests ~ the bank. 10 take a more
" less sccive part in the revolution. II
VAS pathetic 10 hear him bewail the vii
,Ai1y ot The man he had trusted. and
when l produced the money, he blessed
lie tervently, and ar once proposed writ
,ns 10 the directors a full account of the
+ matter.
( They are bound to vote you an honora
rum. sir he said.
/ Il don't know, Jones'" l replied. 81
am afraid there is certain prejudice
/ against me at headquarters. But in any
case | have resolved to forego the per
sonal advantage that might accrue to me
| from my conduct. President McGregor
has made a strong representation to me
| that the schemes of General Whittingham,
if publicly known. would. however I'M
justly, prejudice the credit of Aureata-
land, and he appealed to me not to give
particulars TO the world In matters such
as these Jones, we cannot be guided solely
by selfish considerations"
Heaven forbid, sir !" said Jones, much
moved
Il have, therefore. consented to restrict
myself to a confidential communication
TO the directors: they must judge how far
they will pass it on to the shareholders.
To the world at large l shall say nothing
of the second Loan and | know you will
oblige me by treating this money as the
product of realizations in the ordinary
course of business. The recent disturb
ances will quite account for so large a
sum being called in"
II don't quite see how l can arrange
that"
"Ah, you are overdone," said I. Leave
it all to me, Jones'"
And this l persuaded him to do. In
fact, he was so relieved at seeing the
money back that he was easy to deal
with and if he suspected anything, he
was overawed by my present exalted po-
sition. He appeared to forget what
could not, that the President, no doubt,
still possessed that fatal cable
After lunch l remembered my engage
ment with the Signorina, and, putting on
my hat, was bidding farewell to busi
ness. when Jones said:
There's a note just come for you sir.
A little boy brought it while you were out
at lunch"
He gave it to me-a little dirty envel-
ope, with an iliterate scrawl. l opened
it careessly, but as my eye fell on the
Presidents hand, started in amazement.
The note was dated Saturday From
on board The Songstress, and ran as fol
lows:
Dear Mr.. Martini must confess to
having underrated your courage and abili-
ties. If you care to put them at my dis
posal now, l will accept them. In the
other event, must refer you to my pub
lie announcement. In any case it may
be useful to you to know that McGregor
designs to marry Signorina Nugent.
fear that on my return it will be hardly
consistent with my public duties to spare
your life (unless you accept my present
offer), but l shall always look back to
your acquaintance with pleasure. | have,
if you will allow me to say so, seldom
met a young man with such natural gifts
for finance and politics. l shall anchor
five miles out from Whttingham tonight
(for l know you have no ships), and if
you join me, we'll and good. If not, |
shall consider your decision irrevocable.
Believe me, dear Mr.. Martin, faithfully
yours,
MARCUS W. WHITTINGHAM,
president of the Republic of Aureata-
land"
The Presidents praise was grateful to
me- But l did not see my way to fall in
with his views. He said nothing about
~ ,,anav hut 7 kpau- u-aIl ha
turn would be a condition of any alliance
between us. Again, l was sure that he
also designed to marry the Sgnorina"
and if | must have a rival on the spot |
preferred McGregor in that capacity |
Lastly, | thought that after all there is a |
1ecency in things. and | had better stick |
to my party. | did not, however, tell
McGregor about the letter, merely send |
ing him a line to say had heard that he |
had better look out.
This done, | resumed my interrupted |
progress to the Sgnorina's. When | was |
shown in, she greeted me kindly.
Il have had a letter from the Presi-
lent" said.
YES" said she, 'he told me he had
written to you"
Yes, just a little note. He is rather
ross with me. Are you going over to
lim-going to fOrsake me?"
How can you ask me? Won't you
show me your letter, Christina?"
NO, John she answered, mimicking
ny impassioned tones. II may steal the
Presidents savings, but / respect his con-
idence."
You know what he says to me about
McGregor;"
Yes" said the Signorina. But, curl
JUS to relate, the Colonel has just been
iere himself and told me the same thing.
The Colonel has not a nice way of max
ng love, Jack-not 80 nice as yours
learly."
Thus encouraged l went and sat down
~ her. l believe l took her hand.
You don't love him?"
Not at ALL" she replied. IT like you
'ery much, Jack" she said, 'and it's very
weet OF you to have made a revolutian
or me. 1t was for me, JackT
"Of course it was, my darling" /
replied.
But you know, Jack, don't see how
we're much better off. Indeed, in a way
is worse. The President wouldn't let
nybody else marry me, but he wasn't
% peremptory as the Colonel. The Colo
lel declares he will marry me this day
week, ="
We'll see about that" said I, savagely.