The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-10-27
CHAPTER XI.


produced them and put them on the ia
bic, keeping loving hand on them.
"You fully understand my position,
Coionel?' I said. "This thing is no use
to me unless I receive at least $32O,OOO
to pay back principal, to meet interest.
and to replace another small debt to the
bank If do that, l shall be left with
a net profit of $1,000, not an extravagant
reward. If don't get that sum l shall
be a defaulter, revolution or no revolu-
tfon."
81 can't make money il it's not there, y
he said. but without his usual brusque-
ness of tone. "But to this we agree. You
are to have first turn at anything we find
up to the sum you name. It's to be hand
ed over solid to you. The Signorina and
take the leayings. You don't claim to
share them. too, do your"
"No," I said, "I'm content to be
preference shareholder. If the moneys
found at the Golden House, it's mine. II
not, the new government, whatever it may
do as to the rest of the debt, will pay
me that sum-"
Wit hthat pushed my money over tc
the Colonel.
II expect the new government to be
very considerate to the bondholders all
round" said the Colonel, as he pocketed
1t with a chuckie. "Anyhow, your terms
are agreed. Ell, Signorina?"
agreed Z" said she. "And I'm to have
the country seat?'
agreed" said I. "And the Colonies
to be President and to have the Golden
House and all that therein is"
agreed agreed agreed!" chanted the
Signorina; "and that's quite enough bust
ness. Success to the Revolution !"
I had risen to 60, when q sudden
thought struck me.
"Where's Johnny Carr? I say, Colo
mel, how indiscreet was he last night! Do
you think he remembers telling You about
itY'
"Yes," said the Colonel, II expect he
does by now. He didn't when I left him
this morning."
"Will he confess to the President?
IL he does, It might make the old man
keep an unpleasantly sharp eye on you.
He knows you don't love him."
"Well, Carr hasn't seen the President
yet. He was to stay at my house over
to-day. He was uncommon seedy this
morning, and I persuaded the doctor to
give him a composing draught. Fact Is,
wanted him quiet till I'd had time to
think. You know don't believe he would
own up-the President would drop on
him so but he might, and it's better they
shouldn't meet
There's somebody else he oughtn't to
meet" said the Signorina.
who's that?" 1 asked.
Donna Antonia," she replied. "He's
getting very fond of her, and depend upon
1t, If he's in trouble he'll go and tell her
the first thing. Mr.. Carr is very conf.
Dental to his friends"
We recognized the value of this sug
eestion. If Donna Antonio knew, the
President would soon know.
"Quite right" said the Colonel. III
won't do to have him rushing about let
ting out that we know all about it. He's
oil right up to now"
"Yes, but If he gets FESTIVE tomorrow
morning7' said 1. "And then you don't
want him at the Golden House on Friday
evening, and don't want him at the bar
racks"
"No, he'd show fight, Carr would,
said the Colonel. "Look here, we're In
Cor this thing, and I'm going through
with it. 1 shall keep Carr at my house
till it's all over, even if I have to u.s.
force. Master Johnny is better quiet"
Suppose he turns ugly?" suggested
again.
HE may turn as ugly as he likes,
said the Colonel. "He don't leave m,
house unless he puts a bullet into m,
6rst. That's settled. Leave it to me- L
he behaves nicely, he'll be all right. Il
cot"
"What shall you do to him?" asked thl
6ignorina.
"Oh, leave 1t to the Colonel; he'll man
age all right" 1 suggested.
Nov I'm off," said the latter, ''bacl
to my friend Johnny. Goodnight, Sig
norma. Write to the President to-mor
cow. Goodnight, Martin. Make tina,
speech of yours pretty long. Au revolt
till next Friday"
I prepared to 60, for the Colonel lin
gered till l came with him. Even Their
~ 20 distrusted one another that neither
would leave the other alone with the Sig
norma.
We parted at the door, he going of al
the road to get his horse to ride to hi.
ranch" turning down toward thu
Piazza.
We left the Signorina at the door, look
ing pale and weary, and for once beref,
OF her high spirits. Poor girl! Sht
found conspiracy rather trying work.
l was little troubled myself. 1 began
to see more clearly that it doesn't do TO,
. man Of scruples to dabble In politics
had a great regard for poor JOHNNY
and I felt no confidence in the Colone
treating him with any consideration. II
tact. would not have insured JOHNNY.
life for the next week at any conceivabl.
premium. Again I thought 1t unlikeI,
that, II we succeeded, the President Womb
survive his downfall. l had to repeat r.
myself all the story Of his treacherv -
me, flashing myself into a fury asains,
him, before l could bring myself to thinl
With resignation Of the imminent extinc
ton OF that shining light.
What q loss he would be to the world
So many delightful stories, 30 great = sif
ct manner, 80 immense a personal charu
all to disappear into the pit! And fo1
what? To put into his place a rufiar
without redeeminr uualif;o. me- .,