The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-10-13
CHAPTER VI.-(Continued.)

"Hullo, Johnny! Why not at the
House?" said I to him. you'll want ev-
cry vote tonight. Be off. and help the
ministry, and take Donna Antonio with
you. They're eating up the minister Of
finance"
"All right! I'm going as soon as I've
had another muffin" said Johnny. But
what's the row about?"
well, they want their money" l re-
piled; land Don Antonio won't give it
them. Hence bad feeling"
"'Tell you what it is" said Johnny; she
hasn't got a."
Here Donna Antonio struck in, rather
suddenly, thought.
"Do stop the gentlemen talking poll
tics, Madame Devarges. They'll spoil our
tea party"
"Your word is law" 1 said; "but 1
should like to know what Don Antonio
hasn't got"
''Now do be quiet" she rejoined: isn't
r. quite enough that he has got-a charm
ing daughter"
''And a most valuable one," l replied
with a bow, for l saw that for some rea-
son or other Donna Antonio did not mean
to let me pump Johnny Carr, and want
ed to pump him.
Don't say another word. Mr.. Carr"
she said. with a laugh. "You know you
don't know anything"
Meanwhile Madame Devarges was Civ
Ing me a cup of tea. As she handed it
to me, she said in a low voice:
'If l were his friend / should take
care Johnny didn't know anything, Mr..
Martin
''If were his friend should take care
he told me what he knew, Madame De-
varges," 1 replied.
Perhaps that's what the Colonel
thinks" she said. Johnny has just been
telling US how very attentive he has be-
come. And the Signorina. too, hear"
"You don't mean that?" 1 exclaimed.
"But, after all, pure kindness, no doubt !"
"You have received many attentions
from those quarters" she said. mo doubt
you are good judge of the motives"
Don't, now, don't be disagreeable,"
said l. II came here for peace"
Poor young man! Have you lost all
your money? Is it possible that you, like
Don Antonio, haven't got az"
what is going to happen?" I asked,
for Madame Devarges often had infor-
nation.
II don't know" she said. ''But IL I
owned national bonds, l should SELL"
Pardon me, madame you would offer
to SELL"
l did not see any need to enlighten her
further. So 1 passed on to Donna An
tonia, who had sat somewhat sulkily since
her outburst. 1 sat down by her and
said:
"Surely I haven't offended you?"
"You know you wouldn't care if you
had" she said, with a reproachful, but
not unkind glance. "You will not let
your real friends save you, Mr.. Martin.
You know you want help. Why don't you
consider the state of your affairs?"
SIN that, at least, my friends in Whit
bingham are very ready to help me-" l
answered, with some annoyance.
"If you take it in that way" she re-
piled sadly, II can do nothing"
was rather touched. Clearly she
wished to be Of some use to me. and for
a moment l thought l might do better
to tear myself free from my chains, and
turn to the refuge opened to me. But |
could not do this; and, thinking it would
be rather mean to take advantage Of her
interest in me only to use it for my own
purposes, yielded to conscience and said ::
Donna Antonio, I will be straightfor-
ward with you. You can only help me if
accept your guidance? l can't do that.
/ am too deep in"
''Yes, you are deep in. and eager to be
deeper" she said. well, SO be it. If
that is so l cannot help you"
'"Thank you for your kind attempt"
said 1. II shall very likely be sorry some
day that 1 repulse it. l shall always be
glad to remember that you made it."
She looked at me a moment, and said !:
1--WE have ruined you amongst u.s.
Mind, body and estateT'
She made no reply, and saw nv re-
turn to fippancy wounded her. So rose
and took my leave. Johnny Carr went
with me.
'sThings look queer, Ell, old mani" said
he. But the President will pull through
In spite of the Colonel and his Signor-
ina"
Johnny" said l. you hurt nv feel
ings; but still I will give you piece of
advice. Marry Donna Antonio. She's
a good girl and clever girl"
That's not a bad idea," said he. "Why
don't you do it yourself?"
Because I'm like you, Johnny-an
idiot" l replied, and left him wondering
why, il he was an idiot, and l was an
idiot, one idiot should marry Donna An
tonia, and not both or neither.
AS l went along 1 bought the Gazette
the government organ, and read therein !.
"At Cabinet council this afternoon
presided over by his excellency. we nm
derstand that the arrangements connected
with the national debt formed the sub-
1ect of discussion. The resolutions arriv.
ed at are at present strictly confidential.
but we have the best authority for stat
Ing that the measures to be adopted will
have the effect of materially alternating
the present tension, and will afford nm
mixed satisfaction to the immense ma
jority Of the citizens of Aureataland. The
President will once again be hailed as
the savior of his country"
Il wonder if the immense majority will
include me-" said L. II think l will 60
and see his excellency."
CHAPTER VII,
The next morning took my way to the
Golden House whore I laarnad tha4 ~