The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-11-03

she went on, Its very hot here, come
into the conservatory"
1t almost looked as though she had been
waiting for me, and followed in high de-
light into the long, narrow glass house.
High green plants hid us from the view
of those inside, and we only heard dis
tinctly his excellency's voice, saying with
much genialty to the Colonel, We'll, you
must be lucky in love, Colonel" from
which l concluded that the Colonel was
not in the vein at cards.
The Signorina smiled slightly as she
heard; then She plucked a white rose,
turned round, and stood facing me, slight
iy flushed as though with some inner ex-
element.
II am afraid those VITO gentlemen do
| not love one another" she said.
Hardly" 1 assented.
"And you, do you love them-or either
| Of them?"
II love only one person in Aureata-
land" I replied, as ardently as / dared,
The Signorina bit her rose, glancing
| up at me with unfeigned amusement and
| pleasure. l think have mentioned that
she didn't object to honest admiration.
rs it possible you mean me" she said,
making me little courtesy. II only think
so because most of the Nottingham la
dies would not satisfy your fastidious
taste"
| ''No lady In the world could satisfy me
except one," l answered, thinking she
took it little too lightly.
"Ah, so you say" she said. And yet
I don't suppose you would do anything
for me, Mr.. Martin"
1T would be my greatest happiness"
cried.
She said nothing, but stood there, biting
the rose.
"Give 1t to me-" 1 said; at shall be
my badge of service"
| you will serve me, then 2" said she.
| For what reward"
| "Why, the rose !"
Il should like the owner, too" I ven
tured to remark.
1.-THE rose is prettier than the owner
time, Mr.. Martin Do you pay your
servants all their wages in advance"
My practice was so much to the con-
trary that l really couldn't deny the
force Of her reasoning She held out the
rose. l seized it and held it close to my
lips, thereby squashing it considerably.
Then she said abruptly:
Are you Constitutionalist or Lib
eral, Mr.. Martins"
l must explain that, in the usual race
for the former title, the Presidents par
IL had been first at the post, and the
Colone's gang Gas privately termed it)
had to put up with the alternative desig.
nation. Neither name bore any relation
to facts.
"Are we going to talk politics?" said I,
reproachfully.
Eyes, a little. Tell me-"
(which are you, Signorina" I asked
l really wanted to know 80 did a great
many people. She thought for a moment,
and then said:
II have a great regard for the Presi-
dent. He has been most kind to me. On
myself that some Of his measures are not
wise."
said had never been able to disguise
1t from myself.
"The Colonel, of course, Is of the same
opinion" she continued. about the debt
for instance. l believe your bank is in.
terested in it?"
"Oh, yes, to a considerable extent"
"And your she asked, softly.
"Oh, l am not a capitalist; no money
Of mine has gone into the debt"
mo money Of yours, no. But aren't
you interested in it?" she persisted.
This was rather odd. Could she know
anything? She drew nearer to me, and
laying a hand lightly on my arm, said
reproachfully:
do you love people, and yet not trust
them, Mr.. Martini"
This was exactly my state Of feeling
toward the Signorina, but I could not say
so. l was wondering how far l should
be wise to trust her, and that depended
largely on how far his excellency had
seen fit to trust her with my secrets.
said finally:
without disclosing other peoples &c.
crets, Signorina, may admit that II any.
thing went wrong with the debt, my en-
ployer's opinion of my discretion would
be severely shaken"
OF your discretion" she said laughing
THANK you, Mr.. Martin. And you would
wish that not to happen?"
II would take a good deal Of pains tc
prevent its happening"
mot less willingly IL your interest anG
mine coincided?"
was about to make a passionate re
ply when we heard the Presidents voict
saying:
"And where is our hostess? I should
like to thank her before CO."
Hush" whispered the Signorina. "w,
must so back. You will be true to me
Mr.. MARTINI"
"Call me Jack" said l, idIotically.
'Then you will be true, o Jack?" she
said, sitting a laugh.
It'll DEATH" said I, hoping It woult
not be necessary.
She gave me her hand, which kissed
with fervor, and we returned to the par
lor, to find all standing about In groups
waiting to make their bows till the Presi
dent had gone through that ceremony.
was curious to hear II anything passet
between him and the Signorina, but
was bounced upon by Donna Antonio, tn,
daughter Of the minister Of finance, VIII,
happened to be present as a guest of tn,
Signorina's for the night. She was ,
l L.. - L. a.