Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-11-16

secret was n secret no longer. WIS
bound to show myself, and yet shrank
from all gatherings of men. I transact
ed my business with an absent mind and
a face of such superhuman innocence
that, had anyone been watching me. he
must at once have suspected something
wrong. / was incapable of adding up a
row OF figures, and Jones became most
SOLICITORS about the state Of my brain.
In n word, my nerves werc quite shat
tered, and I registered a VOW never to
upset a government again as long as I
lived. In future the established consti-
tuition would have to be good enough for
me. l verify believe that only the thought
OF the Sisnorina prevented me making a
moonlight fitting across the frontier with
{ whole skin Mt lenst, il with an empty
pocket, and leaving the rival patriots of
Aureataland to fight it out among them
selves.
Happily. however, nothing occurred to
justify my fears. Thu other side seemed
TO be sunk in dull security. The Presi-
dent went often to the ministry of finance,
and was closeted for hours with Don
Antonio; I suppose they were perfecting
their nefarious scheme. There were no
signs Of excitement or activity at the bar
racks; the afternoon gatherings on the
Piazza were occupied with nothing more
serious than the prospects of lawn tennis
and the grievous dearth Of dances. TIL
official announcements relative to the debt
had had n quoting effect, and all classes
seemed inclined to wait ard see what the
Presidents new plan was.
So passed Wednesday and Thursday.
On neither day had I beard anything
frcn1 my fellow-conspirators our arrange
ments for writing had so far proved I'M
necessary-or unsuccessful. The latter
possibility sent shiver down my back, and
my lively fancy pictured his excellency's
smile as he perused the reasonable docu-
ments. If l heard nothing on the morn
ing of Friday, l was determined at all
risks to see the Colonel. With the dawn
of that eventful day. however, I was re-
lieved of this necessity. I was lying in
bed about h%alf-past nine when my servant
brought in three letters.
"Sent on from the bank, sir" he said.
with Mr.. Jones' compliments, and are
you going there this morning?"
my compliments to Mr.. Jones, and he
mny expect me in five minutes" re-
piled.
The letters were all marked "Immedi
ate"-one from the Signorina, one from
the Colonel, one from the barracks. 1
opened the last first and read as follows
THE officers of the Aureataland Army
have the honor to remind Mr.. John Mar
tin that they hope to have the plea SIRE
OF his company at supper this evening at
10 p. m. precisely. In the unavoidable
absence of his excellency the President.
owing to pressing cares of state. and the
Hon. Colonel McGregor from indisposi-
tion, the toast of tho Army of Aureata-
and will be proposed by Major Alphonse
DeChair.
"P. S.-Friend Martin, speak long this
night. The two great men do not come,
and the evening wants to be filed out.
"ALPHONSE DE CHAIR"
1T shall be long, my dear boy, and we
will fill out your evening for you," said
I to myself, well pleased SO far.
Then I opened the Signorina's epistle.
Dear Mr.. Martin" it began-'Will
you be so kind as to send me in the course
Of the day twenty dollars in small
change? l want to give the school chill
dren a scramble. I enclose check. I am
SO sorry you could not dine with me to-
night, but after all l am glad, because I
commanded rather suddenly to dine at the
oidS u HLN LII Mill ICSdEUS, Z
lieve me. yours sincerely,
CHRISTINA NUGENT."
'very good" said I. 81 reckon the
scramble will keep. And now for the
Colonel"
'Dear Martini ~inclosc check for
$500. Ny man will call for the cash to-
morrow morning. I give you notice be-
cause I want it all in silver for wages.
rorr o,.I \ . 1nNn %A~efh1~ lnSl ~ao1-,
Poor Carr is on his back. and likely to
remain there for a day or two. I'm bet
ter, and though I've cut the affair at the
barracks tonight, I fully expect TO be
up and about this afternoon. Ever yours,
GEO. M'GREGOR."
"Oh, so Carr is on his back and likely
to remain there, is he? Very likely, I
expect; but l wonder what it means.
hope the Colonel hasn't been very drastic.
However. everything seems right in fact,
better than l hoped"
In this more cheerful frame Of mind l
arose, hreakfasted at leisure, and set out
for the bank about eleven.
OF course the first person I met on the
street was one Of the last I wanted to
meet, namely, Donna Antonia. She was
on horseback, and her horse looked as if
he'd lone some work. At the sight of me
she refined up, and I could not avoid
stopping as / lifted my hat.
whence SO eariy?" I asked.
early 2" she said. II don't call this
early. I've been for a long ride; in fact.
I've ridden over to Mr.. Cars place,
with a message from papa: but he's not
there. Do yon know where he is, Mr..
Martin"
Haven't an idea," said I.
HE hasn't been home for four nights"
she continued, "and he hasn't been to the
ministry. either. It's very odd that he
should disappear like this, just when all
the business is going on. too"
"What business, Donna Antonio 2"
asked blandly.
She colored, recoilecting. no doubt.
that the business was still a secret.
"Oh, well, you know they're always
busy at the ministry of finance at this
time. It's the time they pay everybody.
isn't ity"
Its the time they ought to pay every
body" said.
WELL" she went on, without noticing
my correction, Fat any rate papa aud the
President are both very much vexed with
him so / offered to make my ride in his
direction"
where can he he?" I asked again.
SWELL" she replied, II believe he's at
Colonel McGregor's. and after lunch I
shall go over there. I know he dined
there on Monday. and I daresay he stayed
on"