Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-07-26
CHAPTER xXIII.-(Continued. }

i COulQ not pretend 10 regret the uedN
man. Indeed, had been near doing the
same deed myself. But shrank before
this calm ruthlessness. Another long
pause followed. Then the President said
I'm sorry for all this, Martin-sorry
you and l came to blows"
you played me false about the money,
l said bitterly.
'Yes, yes" he answered gently; u
don't blame you. You were bound to me
BY no ties. OF course you saw my pIanF
II supposed your excellency meant to
keep the money and throw me over"
mot altogether" he said. "Of course
/ was bound to have the money. But ii
was the other thing, you know. AS far
as the money went, l would have taken
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 you 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 sheP' 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 so
nearly done by any man as by you. I'm
sorry, Martin liked you, you know. But
likings mustn't interfere with duty, he
went on, smiling. what claim have you
at my hands|
Decent burial, suppose" l answered.
He got up and paced the room for
moment or two l waited with some anx-
iety, for life is worth something to a
young man, even when things look black
est, and | never was a hero.
81 make YOU this Offer" he said at last
"Your boat lies there ready. Get into her
and go Otherwise
II see,'' said l. "And you will marry
herP
Yes" he said.
Against her willT"
He looked at me with something like
. pity. -.
"Who can tell what a woman's will will
be in week? In less than that she will
marry me cheerfully. l hope you may
Rrieve as short time as she will"
In my inmost heart knew it was true.
/ had stahed everything, not for wom-
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
Eyes, Martin young and old, we are all
alike. They're not worth guarding for.
But natures too strong"
May see her before l go2' / asked.
Yes" he said.
"Alone"
EYES," he said once more. go now
II she can see you"
went up and cautiously opened the
door. The signorinA 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:
us 1t you, Jack2"
! eyes, my darling" said l. II am going
! must go or die; and whether l go or
die, must be alone"
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.
MY poor Jack !" che said ut was no
use, dear. 1t Is no use to fight against
him"
you love me2" cried in my pain
''Yes," she said, "but6I am very tired (;
and he will be good to me-"
Without another word l went from her
with the bitter knowledge that my great
grief found but a pale reflection in her
heart.
u am ready to 60" said to the Presi-
dent.
Come then" he replied. Here, take
these, you may want them" and he thrust
a bundle of notes into my hand (some of
my own from the bank afterward dis
eOvNred).
Arrived at the boat, got in mechan-
icGlly, and made all preparations for the
BtRFt. Then the President took my hand
-GoOd-by, Jack Martin, and good luck
Some day we may meet again. Just now
there's no room for Us both here. You
bear no maliCST
no, siE," said I. "A fair fight, and
you've won."
Az l was pushing of he added:
When you arrive send me word"
turned the boats head out TO sea,
and went forth on nay lonely way into thu
night.
CHAPTER XIV.
A hT as am concerned, this story
has new reached an end With nv depart-