Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-07-24
CHAPTER XX1II.-(Continued.)

this calm ruthleSSneSS. Anotner ions
pause followed. Then the President said
"I'm sorry for all this, Martin-sorr,
you and l came to blows"
You played me false about the money
said bitterly.
Yes, yes," he answered gently; -
don't blame you. You were bound to mt
BY no ties. OF course you saw my plan|
Il supposed your excellency meant tt
keep the money and throw ME over"
Not altogether" he said. "Of course
I was bound to have the money. But II
was the other thing, you know. AS fal
as the money went, l would have taker
care you came to no HARM"
"What was it, then?"
II thought you understood all along,
he said with some surprise. Il saw you
were my rival with Christina, and my
game was to drive yon out of the country
by making the place too hot for you.
"She told me you didn't suspect about
me and her till quite the end"
did she!" he answered with smile
II must be getting clever to deceive two
such wide-awake young people. or course
l saw it all along. But you had more
grit than thought. I've never been SC
nearly done by any man as by you. I'm
sorry, Martin liked you, you know. But
lkings mustn't interfere with duty" he
went on, smiling. "What claim have you
at my hands?" 90 .' 49,.
Decent burial, suppose" answered
He got up and paced the room for a
moment or two. l. waited with some anx'
iety, for life is worth something to a
young man, even when things look plack-
est, and l never was hero. ...,.
II make you this Offer" he said at last
'"Your boat lies there ready. Get into her
and 60; otherwise"
II see," said l. "And you will marry
herr"
"Yes," he said. '''
Against her will?'
He looked at me with something ike
pity. -, -,
"Who can tell what a woman's will will
be in a week? In less than that she will
marry me cheerfully. l hope you may
grieve as short time as she will"
In my inmost heart knew it was true
I had staked everything, not for Won
ans love, but for the within of girl For
a moment 1t was too hard for me, and
bowed my head on the table by me and
hid my face, Then he came and put his
hand on mine, and said: =.
ayes, Martin young and old, we are all
alike. They're not worth guarding for.
But natures too strong"
May see her before I goF 1 asked.
Eyes" he said.
"Alone1"
Eyes" he said once more. "Go now
II She can see you." y. /
went up end cautiously opened the
door. The agnorina was lying on the
bed, with shawl over her. She seemed
to be asleep. bent over her and kissed
her. She opened her eyes, and said in a
weary voice: "' ''"''''" d. '"-
rs 1t you, Jack?"' ,,- 'n' "..
Eyes, my darling" said I. II am going
I must 90 or die, and whether 20 or
die, must be alone" "nn '..'r.l.
d. She was strangely quiet, even apathet-
ic. As l knelt down by her she raised
herself, and took my face between her
hands and kissed me, not passionately,
but tenderly. ,.,.. ,,. .....,..,.. ...f
my poor Jack p she said; ''it was ne
use. dear. 1t is no use to fight against
him"
'''"You love ms?" cried IN my pain.
'''Yes," she said, ''butSI am very tired
and he will be good to me-" "'
Without another word 1 went from her
with the bitter knowledge that my great
grief found but a pale reflection in heI
heart. ...,..,. -. t.... De 90.
II am ready to co." 1 said to the Presi
dent, .'...-'..,n ,.. .. ....4
-Come then. he replied. "Iere. take
these. Won NAV want them" and he thrus,
a bundIe of notes into, my hand (some OF
NV own from the bank I afterward dis
coysred).
Arrived at the boat. / cot in mechan
rally. and made all prep,arations for TIN
stert. Then the President took nv hand
.Good-by, Jack Martin, and good luck
Some dsy we NAV meet again. Just now
there's. no room for US both here. You
near M malics?" : - - - 49,.
..."No, air." said I. "A fair fight. ant
you've won" ~. D.. .4 .. - I.,,.
A. I was pushing of he added: ,.I
when YOU. arrive, send me world.
I turned the boats head ont No sea
and went forth on nv lonely wav into III,
night. 20. ~, -,..-
r' rCHAFTEH NAAlF.