Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-10-18
CHATTER NJ.


to pay back principal. to meet interest.
and to replace another small debt to the
bank. If l do that. shall be left with
a net profit of $1,000, not an extravagant
reward If l don't get that sum l shall
be defaulter, revolution or no revolu-
ton"
Il can't make money if 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 leavings. You don't claim to
share them. too. do you?
NO" l said. I'm content to be a
preference shareholder. If the money 8
found at the Golden House. it's mine. If
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 to
the Colonel.
Il expect the new government to be
very considerate TO the bondholders all
round" said the Colonel as he pocketed
il with chuckle. Anyhow, your terms
are agreed. Ell, Sgnorina?"
Agreed :" said she. And I'm to have
the country seat?"
Agreed" said I. And the Colonel's
to be President and to have the Golden
House and all that therein is"
Agreed agreed agreed chanted the
Sgnorina "and that's quite enough busi-
ness. Success to the Revolution !"
had risen to go, when a sudden
thought struck me.
Johpov Carr7 7 sov Colo
mel, how indiscreet was he last night? Do
you think he remembers telling you about
it?"
''Yes," said the Colonel, II expect he
does by now. He didn't when l left him
this morning"
"Will he confess to the President? !?
II he does. it might make the old man
keep an unpleasantly sharp eye on you.
He knows you don't love him"
"Wel. Carr hasn't seen the President
yet. He was to stay at my house over
to-day. He was uncommon seedy this
morning, and | 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?" l asked.
Donna Antonia," she replied. Hes
getting very fond of her. and depend upon
it. if he's in trouble he'll go and tell her
the first thing. Mr.. Carr is very conf
Dental to his friends
Va roooppi1ad tho va1,a of tha
gestion. If Donna Antonia knew, the
President would soon know.
Quite right" said the Colonel. ut
won't do to have him rushing about let
ting out that we know all about it. He's
all right up to now."
Yes, but if he gets restive tomorrow
morning?" said l. 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
for this thing, and I'm going through
with it. l shall keep Carr at my house
till it's all over, even if l have to use
force. Master Johnny is better quiet"
Suppose he turns ugly?" l suggested
again.
He may turn as ugly as he likes"
said the Colonel. He don't leave my
house unless he puts a bullet into me
first That's settled. Leave it to me. If
he behaves nicely, he'll be all right. If
not"
What shall you do to him." asked the
Signorina.
"Oh, leave it to the Colonel; he'll man
age all right" l suggested.
Now I'm off, said the latter, back
to my friend Johnny. Goodnight, Sig
norma. Write 10 the President to-mor-
row. Goodnight, Martin. Make that
speech of yours pretty long. Au revoir
till next Friday"
| prepared TO go, for the Colonel lin
rered till | came with him. Even then
we so distrusted one another that neither
would leave the other alone with the Sig
norma.
We parted at the door. he going off up
the road 70 get his horse TO ride to his
ranch" l turning down toward the
Piazza.
We left the Signorina at the door, look
ing pale and weary. and for once bereft
of her high spirits. Poor girl. She
found conspiracy rather trying work.
| was little troubled myself. | began
TO see more clearly that it doesn't do for
q man of scruples to dabble in politics.
had a great regard for poor Johnny,
and I felt no confidence in the Colonel
treating him with any consideration. In
fact, | would not have insured johnny
life for the next week at any conceivable
premium. Again / thought it unlikely
that. if we succeeded, the President would
survive his downfall. l had to repeat to
myself all the story OF his treachery to
me. lashing myself into a fury against
him. before could bring myself to think
with resignation Of the imminent extinc-
tion Of that shining light.
What a loss he would be to the world
SO many delightful stories, so great gift
of manner, so immense personal charm
all to disappear into the pit. And for
what? To put into his place rufian
without redeeming qualities. Was IL
worth while to put down Lucifer only to
enthrone Beelzebub? / could only check
;bis doleful strain of reflection by sternly
recalling myself to the real question
the state of the fortunes Of me. John
Martin. And to me the Revolution was
necessary. / might get the money; al
least l shoaId gain time. l vas animat-