Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-10-26
CHAPTER Iy.-fContinued.)

ways seemed to be plenty more where tina
came from, The Signorina was now abou'
% years Of age, and of remarkably pre-
possessing appearance. She became al
most at once a leading figure in society
her parlor was the leading meeting place
Of all parties and most sets she received
many gracious attentions from the Colder
House. She was also frequently the
hostess OF members of the opposition, anc
of no one more often than their leader
Colonel George McGregor, n gentleman
Of Scotch extraction, but not pronounced
ly national characteristics, who had at
tanned a high position in the land of hi:
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 l 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, a feeling 1 cordially shared
But his e1cellency's disapproval did not
prevent the Signorina receiving McGre.
Sol WILL SltdL SoiuidIlLy, lioaSh HNiS
again with no more than his position
seemed to demand.
l nave as much curiosity as my neigh
bors, and l was proportionately gratifed
when the doors of Mon Repos," as the
Signorina called her residence, were open
ed to me. My curiosity, l must confess,
was not unmixed with other feelings for
1 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 n 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 herr that all of us men in Au-
reatalnnd, 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,
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 l
thought my money very well invested
when 1t procured mo an invitation to
Repos," where the lady of the house
was in the habit of allowing a senteel
amount of card playing among her male
friends. She never played herself, but
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 a girl unused to the excitement and
fond of triumph, just Indifferent enough
to show that her play was merely a pas
time, and tho gain of the money or its
loss a matter of no moment. All, Sig
you were \ great artist
At Mon Repos'' I soon became an ha-
Ritual, and, I was fain to think, a well
como guest. Mrs. Darlington, who enter
tanned a deep distrust Of the of
was good enough to consider
ne eminently respectable, while the Sig
norma was g~raciousness itself. 1t was
dinner party, which, as a rule, preceded
wednesday CNcAlh8 kGCCplloh- LIZ
Colonel was, not to my pleasure, an
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.
II have always trusted fortune" he
would say, "and to me she Is not tickle"
"Who would be tickle if you excellen-
cy were pleased to trust herr" the Sig
norma would respond. with a glance Of
almost fond admiration.
This sort Of thing did not please Nc
Oregon. 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
and I could not avoid the conclu-
sion that the President held, or thought
he held, the trumps. I was, naturally,
intensely jealous of both these great men,
and, although l had no cause to complain
of my treatment, 1 could not stihe some
resentment at the idea that I was, after
MI, an outsider and not allowed a part
In the real drama that was going on. My
happiness was fmrthe. aaInped by the fact
that luck ran steadily against me, and l
saw my bonus dwindling very rapidly.
/ suppose l may as we'll be frank, and
confess that my bonus, to speak strictly,
vanished within six months after l first
set foot in Mon Repos," and I found it
necessary to make that temporary use of
the interest fund which the President
had Indicated. My uneasiness was light
when the next installment of inter
est was punctually paid, and, with youth
ful confidence, l made little doubt that
luck would turn before long.
CHAPTER v.
Time passed on, all leading an appar-
emily merry and %untroubled life. In pub
lie affairs the temper was very different.
The scarcity of money was intense, and
serious murmuring had arisen when the
President "squandered' his ready money
In paying interest, leaving his civil SER
wants inc soldiers unpaid. This was the
topic of much discussion in the press at
the time when I went up one March
evening to the Signorina's. I had been
detained at the bank, and found the gaiety
IN full swing when I came in. The Sig
norma sat by herself on a low lounge by
the veranda window. I went up to her
and made my bow.
you spare us but little of your time.
Mr.. Martini" she said.
sAh, but you have all my thoughts" /
replied, for she was looking charming.
II don't care so much about your
thoughts" she said. Then, after a pause,
che went on, Its very hot here, come
Into the conservatory"
It almost looked as though she had been
waiting for me, and I followed in high de
light into the long, narrow glass house,
High green plants hid W from the view