Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-10-11
CHAPTER M Continued !

I'll just disturb him for a moment. Mr..
Jones. | want him to tear himself from
work for day. and come for ride
She opened my door. and came swiftly
In. On seeing the Colonel she took in
the position. and said to that gentleman
"Have you told him."
q have Just done so. Signorina," he re-
piled.
| had not energy enough 10 greet her
80 she also sat down unlimited. and took
off her gloves-not laziy. like the Colonel
but with an air as though she would. i
a man. take off her coat, TO meet the
crisis more energetically.
Al last I said. with conviction
''Hes a wonderful man. How did you
find it out. Colonel:'
Had Johnny Carr to dine" said that
worthy
"You don't mean he trusted Johnny"
"Odd isn't it," said the Colonel. with
his experience, too. He might have
known Johnny was an idiot. l suppose
there was no one else
He knew" said the Signorina, ANY
one else in the place would betray him
he knew Johnny wouldn't If he could
help it. He underrated your powers.
Colonel"
"Wen." said l. Il can't help it, can
/? Ny directors will lose. The bond
holders will lose But how does it hurt
me?'
The Colonel and the Signorina both
smiled gently.
you do it very well. Martin" said the
former, but it will save time if state
that both Signorina Nugent and myself
of tl,A n-lip
the" (the Colonel paused and strok
ed his musta chez.
1.-The second loan" said the Signorina
I was less surprised at this, recollect-
ing certain conversations.
"Ah, and how did you find that out?'
l asked.
"She told me-" said the Colonel, indi-
eating his fair neighbor.
And may l ask how you found it out,
Signorina:'
The President told me-" said that
lady.
We'll. as you both know all about 1t,
It's no good keeping up pretenses It's
very kind of you to come and warn me"
You dear good Mr.. Martin said the
Signorina, 'our motives are not purely
those of friendship"
why, how does it matter to you?"
Simply this" said she. 1.-The bank and
Its excellent manager own most of the
debt. The Colonel and l own the rest.
If it is repudiated. the bank loses; yes,
but the manager and the Colonel and the
Signorina Nugent are LOST.
Il didn't know this" l said, rather be-
wildered.
Yes" said the Colonel, when the first
loan was raised lent him 100000. We
were thick then, and did it In return for
my rank and my seat in the Chamber.
Since then I've bought up some more
shares"
You got them cheap, l suppose?"
said l.
Yes" he replied, II averaged them at
about 10 cents the fvedollar share"
And what do you hold now, nominal?"
Three hundred thousand dollars said
he, shortly.
Il understand your interest in the mat
ter. But you, Signorina?"
The Sgnorina appeared little en-
barrassed. But at last she broke out:
Il don't care if l do tell you. When
1 decided to stay here had $4,000. He
persuaded me to put it all into his horrid
debt. Oh, wasn't it mean, Mr.. Mar
ting"
The President had certainly combined
business and pleasure in this matter.
"Disgraceful :" l remarked.
And if that goes, l am penniless-
penniless. And there's poor aunt. What
will she do?"
Never mind your aunt" said the Colo
mel, rather rudely. WELL" he went on,
''you see we're in the same boat with you,
Martin"
Yes; and we shall soon be in the same
deep water" said l.
Not at ALL" said the Colonel. "Finan-
cial probity is the backbone of a country.
Are We to stand by and see Aureataland
enter on the shameful path of repudia-
tion?"
Never" cried the Sgnorina, leaping
Up with sparkling eyes. Never"
She looked enchanting. But business
Is business; and l said again:
What are you going TO do"
1--WE are going, with your help, Mar
tin. TO prevent this national disgrace. We
are going''-he lowered his voice, useless
Iy for the Signorina struck in, in high
merry tone, waving her gloves over her
head with these remarkable words:
"Hurrah for the Revolution Hip hip !.
hurrah ~
The Signorina looked like Goddess of
Freedom in high spirits and Paris bon
net. She broke forth into the "Marseil-
iaise."
For mercy's sake, be quiet" said Nc
Gregor, in a hoarse whisper. IF they
hear you, Stop, tell you, Christina "
kindly unfold your plan, Colonel"
said. Il am aware that out here you
think little of revolutions, but to a new
conner they appear TO be matters requir-
ing some management. You see we are
only three"
II have the army with me-" said he,
srandly.
"In the outer Officer" asked 1, indulg
Ing in a sneer at the dimensions of the
Aureataland forces.
Look here. Martin" he said, scowling
--if you're coming in with US. keep your
foxes to yourself"
Don't quarrel, gentlemen" said the
Signorina. ITS a waste OF time. lei
him the plan, Colonel"
| saw the wisdom Of this advice, SO
said:
your pardon, Colonel. But won't thii
r-pudiation be popular with the army