Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-07-12
ABetWeen Two FireSz
BY ANTHONY HOPE
"a wise will make opportunities
he finds Bacon
CHAPTER Iv-(Continued.l

The old lady and the young one lived
together in great apparent comfort; for
they probably got through more money
than any one in the town, and there al
ways seemed to be plenty more where that
came from. The Signorina was now about
% years of age, and Of remarkably pre-
possessing appearance. She became al
most at once leading figure in society;
her parlor was the leading meeting place
of all parties and most sets; she received
many gracious attentions from the Golden
House. She was also frequently the
hostess of members of the opposition, and
Of no one more often than their leader,
Colonel George McGregor, a gentleman
of Scotch extraction but not pronounced
ly national characteristics, who had at
tanned high position in the land of his
adoption for not only did he lead the
opposition in politics, but he was also
second in command of the army. He en-
tered the chamber as one of the Presi-
dents nominees (for the latter had re-
served to himself power to nominate five
members) but at the time OF which | write
the Colonel had deserted his former chief,
| and, secure in his popularity with the
forces, defed the man by whose help he
had risen. Naturally the President dis
liked him, feeling | cordially shared.
But his excellency's disapproval did not
prevent the Signorina receiving McGre-
gor with great cordially, though here
| again with no more than his position
seemed to demand.
/ have as much curiosity as my neigh
| bors. and 1 was proportionately gratifed
h. g Z Io
| Signorina called her residence, were open
ed to me. My curiosity, l must confess,
was not unmixed with other feelings; for
! was a young man of heart, though
events had thrown SOLDERING responsible
| ties upon me, and the sight of the Sig
norma in her daily drives was enough to
| inspire a thrill even in the soul of a
bank manager. She was certainly very
| beautiful tall, fair girl, with straight
| features and laughing eyes. l shall not
attempt more description, because al such
descriptions sound commonplace, and the
| Signorina was, even by the admission of
her enemies, at least very far from com
monplace. 1t must suffice to say that,
! like Father O'Flynn, she had such a
way with her" that all of us men in Au-
reataland, old and young, rich and poor,
were at her feet, or ready to be there on
the least encouragement She was, to
my thinking, the very genius of health,
beauty and gaiety; and she put the crown
ing touch to her charms by very openly
and frankly soliciting and valuing the
admiration she received.
1t may be supposed, then, that 1
thought my money very well invested
when it procured me an invitation to
Mon Repos," where the lady of the house
was in the habit of allowing a genteel
amount of card playing among her male
friends She never played herself, but
stood and looked on with much interest.
On occasion she would tempt fortune by
the hand OF a chosen deputy, and nothing
could be prettier or more artistic than
her behavior. She was just eager enough
for girl unused to the excitement and
fond of triumph, just Indifferent enough
to show that her play was merely pas
time, and the gain of the money or its
loss matter of no moment. All, Sig
norma, you were great artist!
At Mon Repos" / soon became an ha-
bitual, and, | was fain to think, a well
come guest. Mrs. Darlington, who enter
tanned deep distrust of the manners of
Aurea taland, was good enough to consider
me eminently respectable, while the Sig
norma was graciousness itself. 1t was
even admitted to the select circle at the
dinner party, which, as a rule, preceded
her Wednesday evening reception. The
Colonel was, not to my pleasure, an
| equally invariable guest, and the Presi-
dent himself would often honor the party
with his presence, an honor we found rath-
er expensive, for his luck at all games of
skill or chance was extraordinary.
Il have always trusted fortune" he
would say, land to me she is not tickle
who would be tickle if your excellen-
cy were pleased to trust her?' the Sig
norma would respond, with a glance OF
almost fond admiration.
This sort of thing did not please Nc
Gregor. He made no concealment of the
fact that he claimed the foremost place
among the Signorina's admirers, utterly
declining to make way even for the Presi-
dent The latter took his boorishness very
quietly and l could not avoid the conclu.
sion that the President held, or thought
he held, the trumps. / was, naturally
intensely jealous of both these great men
and, although / had no cause to complain
vi my lTedlneuL, CouiO not SCl0e some
resentment at the idea that / was. after
all, an outsider and not allowed a part
In the real drama that was going on. Ny
happiness was further damped by the fact
that luck ran steadily against me, and
saw my bonus dwindling very rapidly
| suppose | may as well be frank. anC
confess that my bonus, to speak strictly
vanished within six months after l frs
set foot in Mon Repos," and I found il
necessary to make that temporary use Of
the interest fund" which the President
had indicated. My uneasiness was light
ened when the next installment of inter
est was punctually paid, and, with youth
full confidence, l made little doubt tha
luck would turn before long.