The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-22
CHAPTER XIX.


eventful day I enjoyed the first decent
nights rest l had had for a week. The
Colonel refused, with an unnecessary os-
tentation of scorn, my patriotic offer to
keep watch and ward over the city, and l
turned in, tired cut at eleven o'clock,
after light dinner. l felt l had some
reasons for self-congratulations for con-
siderable as my present difficulties were,
yet l undoubtedly stood in a more hopeful
position than I had before the revolution.
l was now resolved to get my money safe
out Of the country, and l had hopes Of
being too much for McGregor In the other
matter which shared my thoughts.
The return of the day, however, brought
new troubles. l was reused at an early
hour by visit from the Colonel himself.
He brought very disquieting tidings. In
the course of the night every one OF our
proclamations had been torn down or de-
faced with ribald scribblings; posted over
or alongside them there now hung multi
tudinous enlarged copies of the Presi-
dents offensive notice. How or by whom
these seditious measures had been effect
ed we were at loss to tell, for the officers
and troops were loud in declaring their
vigilance. In the very center OF the Pi-
azza, at the base Of the Presidents statue,
was posted an enormous bill, Remember
1871! Death to Traitors !"
"Ho wcould they do that unless the SOL
diers were in It'll" asked the Colonel
gloomily. II have sent those two COM
panias back to the barracks and had an
other los out. But how do l know they'll
be any better? l met DeChair just now
and asked him what the temper of the
troops was. The little brute grinned, and
said: 'Ah, mon President, 1t would be
better If the good soldiers had leetle
more money"
THAT'S about it." said L; ''but then
you haven't got much more money"
what I've got / mean to stick to"
said the Colonel. IF this thing is going
to burst up, I'm not going to be kicked
out to starve. tell you what 1t is, Mar
tin, you must let me have some OF that
cash back again."
The effrontery Of this request amazed
me. The mans want Of ordinary moral
ity was too revolving. Didn't he know
very we'll that the money wasn't mine
Didn't he himself obtain my help on the
} express terms that l should have this
money to repay the bank with?
). Mot a farthing, Colonel; not far
thing! By our agreement that cash was
to be mine but for that l wouldn't have
touched your revolution with pair OF
longs"
He looked very savage, and muttered
something under his breath.
You're carrying things with high
hand" he said.
| I'm not going to steal to please you,
said I.
"You weren't always SO scrupulous,' "
he sneered.
1 took no notice of this insult, but re-
peated my determination.
Look here, Martin" he said, "I'll give
you twenty-four hours to think 1t over
and let me advise you to change your
} mind then. don't want to quarrel, but
J I'm going to have some of that money"
| Clearly he had learned statecraft in his
predecessors school. 'Twenty-four hours
, Is something" thought l, and determined
, to try the cunning of the serpent.
"All right, Colonel" / said, "I'll think
Il over. 1 don't pretend to like 1t; but
after all, I'm In with you and we must
pull together. Wen see how things look
. tomorrow morning"
I There's another matter I wanted tc
speak to you about" he went on.
+ invited him into the breakfast room
gave him a cup of coffee (which, to my
credit, l didn't poison), and began ON my
own eggs and toast.
Fire away" said l briefly.
81 suppose you know I'm going to b.
married? h, remarked.
mo, l hadn't heard" replied, feign
ing to be entirely occupied with a very
nimbe egg. Rather a busy time fol-
marrying, isn't It? Who Is she?"
"You needn't pretend to be so very limo
cent; expect you could give prett,
good guess"
MADAME Devarges" / asked blandly
Suitable match about your age"
81 wish you wouldn't try to be funny =
he exclaimed. "You know as well as d,
It's the Signorina."
"Really?" / replied. well, well,
fancied you were little touched in tina
quarter. And she has consented to max,
you happyf"
was curious to see what he would say
knew he was a bad liar, and, as
fact, / believe he told the truth on thi
occasion, for he answered:
Says she never cared a stray for any
one else"
mot even Nottingham" asked ma
liciously.
Hates the old ruffian !" said the Colo
mel. 81 once thought she had a likin,
for you, Martin, but she laughed at tn
Idea. I'm glad Of it. for we should hzv
fallen out"
smiled In a somewhat sickly way, an
took refuge in my cup. When ! emerged
g I asked:
"And when Is 1t to bef"
. Next Saturday. Fact Is, between 70,
: and me. Martin, she's ready enough"
0 This was too disgusting. But whethe
the Colonel was deceiving me, or the Sig
norma had deceived him, didn't know
a little bit Of both, probably. saw, how
n ever, what the Colonels game was plainl
|. enough he was. In his clumsy way, warn
! ing me of his preserves, for, Of course
q he knew my pretensions, and I dom
: think imposed on him very much. Blu
: / was anxious to avoid a rupture an
gain time.
81 must call and congratulate tn