Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-10-05
CHAPTER xxI1I.-(Continued.,

this calm ruthlessness. Another long
pause followed. Then the President said 4:
I'm sorry for all this, Martin sorry
you and I came to blows
You played me false about the money,
said bitterly.
Yes, yes" he answered gently; II
don't blame you. You were bound to me
by no ties. Of course you saw my plan?'
Il supposed your excellency meant to
keep the money and throw me over.
mot altogether" he said "Of course
was bound to have the money. But it
was the other thing, you know. AS far
as the money went, l would have taken
care you came to no harm"
What was it, then?
II thought you understood all along"
he said with some surprise. Il saw you
were my rival with Christina, and my
game was to drive you out of the country
by making the place too hot for you.
"She told me you didn't suspect about
me and her till quite the end"
Did she?" he answered with smile !;
II must be getting clever to deceive two
such wide-awake young people. Or course
saw it all along. But you had more
grit than l thought. I've never been so
nearly done by any man as by you. In
sorry, Martin I liked you, you know. But
likings mustn't interfere with duty ne
went on. smiling. what claim have you
at my handsV
Decent burial, suppose" l answered
He got up and paced the room Tor a
moment or two. l waited with some anx-
ietv. for life is worth something to
voune man. even when things look black
est. and l never was hero.
az make you this offer" he said at last
"Your boat lies there ready. Get Into her
and go; otherwise
"I see" said I. "And you will marry
herr" -,
Eyes," he said.
Against her willy -,
He looked at me with something ike
pity. .u;,,
''Who can tell what woman's Will WILL
be in q week? In less than that sne Will
marry me cheerfully. I hope you may
grieye as short a time as she Will.
Tn nv inmost heart knew 1t was true
T had staked everything, not for WON
ans love, but for the whim OF girl! OF
moment it was too hard for me- ana !
bowed nv head on the table by me ana
hid nv face, Then he came ard put MS
hand on mine, and said: :,
Yes, Martin young and old, we are all
alike. They're not worth quarrellns Ior'
But natures too strong.
MAY see her before | Cor asked.
~ es," he said.
"Alonew
"Yns" he said once more. go now
IL she can see you"
went ND and cautiously opened the
door. The Signorina was lying on the
rod with a shawl over her. She seemed
To he asleep. I bent over her and kissed
her. She opened her eyes, and said IN
weary voice:
"Is 1t you, Jack"
Eyes, my darling" said 1. II am going
I must go or die; and whether go or
die, must be alone"
She was strangely quiet, even apathet-
ic As I knelt down by her she raised
herself. and took my face between her
hands and kissed me, not passlonately'
but tenderly. m
"My poor Jack p she said; "it was no
use. dear. 1t Is no use to fight against
him."
"You love me?" cried in my pain.
eyes" she said, "but I am very tired !;
and he will be good to me-"
Without another word I went from her,
with the bitter knowledge that my great
grief found but a pale reflection in her
heart.
81 am ready to co." said to the Presi-
dent.
"Come then" he replied. "Here, take
| tbase Won NAV want them," and he thrust
q bundle of notes into my hand (some OF
nv own from the bank I afterward dis
covered).
Arrived at the boat, got in mechan-
ically. and made all preparations for the
start. Then the President took my hand.
"Good-by, Jack Martin, and good luck.
Some day we may meet again. just now
there's no room for US both here. You
bear no malice"
mo. sir" said L "a fair fight, and
you've won"
As was pushing of he added:
"when YOU arrive, send me word"
turned the boats head out to sea,
and went forth on my lonely way into che
night.
CHAPTER XIV.
| A far as I am concerned, this story
has now reached an end. With my depart
IRE from Aureataland l re-entered the
world of humdrum life, and since that
memorable night nothing has befallen me
worthy of a polite readers attention.
have endured the drudgery incident to
earning living; l have enjoyed the re-
laxations every wise man makes for him
self. But I should be guilty of unpar-
donable egotism if 1 supposed that l, my
self, was the only, or the most, interest
ing subject presented in the foregoing
naees. and l feel l shall merely De doing
NV duty in briefly recording the facts In
nv possession concerning the other per-
sons who have figured in this record and
the country where its scene was laid.
| did not, of course, return to Eng
land. on leaving Aureataland. had no
desire to explain in person to the direc-
TORS all the facts with which they will
now be In a position to acquaint them
selves. I was conscious that, at the last
at all events, / had rather subordinated
their interests to my own necessities, and
/ I,y1N