Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-05-15

All Out you nave all my thoughts,
replied, for she was looking charming.
Il don't care so much about your
thoughts" she said. Then. after a pause,
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 exeellency's voice, saying with
much genialty to the Colonel, well, you
must be lucky in love, Colonel" from
which 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 mo, slight
ly flushed as though with some inner ex-
element.
II am afraid those VITO gentlemen do
not love one another" she said.
Hardly" assented.
"And you, do you love them-oF either
of themY'
II love only one person In Aureata-
land" replied, as ardently as l dared.
The. Signorina bit her rose, glancing
up at me with unfeisncd amusement and
pleasure. l think have mentioned that
she didn't object TO honest admiration.
rs it possible you mean mey' she said.
making me little courtesy. II only think
so because most Of the Whittingham m. Ia
dies would net satisfy your fassidious
taste"
mo 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
| 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-" said; cit shall be
my badge of service"
"You will serve me, then" said she.
"For what rewnrd?"
"Why, the rose!"
II should like the owner. too" ven
tured to remark.
1.-The rose Is prettier than the owner"
she said; land, at any rate, one thing at
time, Mr.. Martin! DO you pay your
servants all their wages in advance?"
My practice was 30 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 a Constitutionalist or Lib
eral, Mr.. Martini"
l must explain that, in the usual race
for the former title, the Presidents par
IL had been first at the post, and the
Colonels gang (as 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 /.
reproachfully.
"Yes, little. Tell me-"
(Which are you, Signorina" asked.
really wanted to know; 20 did great
many people. She thought for q moment,
and then said:
Il have q great regard for the Presi-
dent. He has been most kind to me. On
the other hand, I cannot disguise from
myself that some Of his measures are not
WISE"
said had never been able to disguise
1t from myself.
1.-THE Colonel. Of course, Is Of the same
opinion" she continued. About the debt,
for instance. believe your bank IL in
terested in it?"
"Oh, yes, to a considerable extent"
sand your" she asked, softly.
"Oh, 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. Gould 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 could not say
so. l was wondering how far I should
be wise to trust her, and that depended
largely on how far his excellency had
seen fit to trust her with my secrets. 1
said finally:
without disclosing other peoples Sc
crets, Signorina, may admit that If 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?"
Il would take a good deal of pains to
prevent its happening"
"Not less willingly IL your interest and
mine coineided?"
was about to make a passionate re-
ply when we heard the Presidents voice
saying:
sand where Is our hostess7 should
like to thank her before CO."
"Hush," whispered the Signorina. I'VE
must go back. You will be true to me,
Mr.. Martini"
"Call me Jack" said I, idiotically.
"Then you will be true, o Jack7" she
said, sitting a laugh.
'"Till DEATH" said l, hoping It would
not be necessary.
She gave me her hand, which I 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. l
was curious to hear If anything passed
between him and the Signorina, but l
was pounced upon by Donna Antonio, the