The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-01-12
CHAPTER XxIII.-(Continued.)

L
this calm ruthlessness. Another long
pause followed. Then the President said:
| I'm sorry for all this, Martin-sorry
you and came to blows"
"You played me false about the money"
l said bitterly.
"Yes, yes" he answered gently; II
don't blame you. You were bound to me
by no ties. OF course you saw my planT'
II supposed your excellency meant to
keep the money and throw me over
mot altogether" he said. "Of course
I was bound to have the money. But it
was the other thing, you know. As far
as the money went, would have taken
care you came to no HARM"
What was it, thenr
II thought you understood all along,
he said with some surprise. Il saw you
we're 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 she?" he answered with smile !;
II must be getting clever to deceive two
such wide-awake young people. OF course
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 handsf"
Decent burial, suppose" answered.
He got up and paced the room TOT
moment or two. / waitea-'xlth some anA-
iety, for life is worth something to
young man, even when things look black
est, and never was hero.
II make you this Offer" he said at last.
"Your boat lies there ready. Get into her
and 20 :. otherwise-
t"I see,%- said l. "And you will marry
herr"
| YES" he said.
Against her Wilt" -,
He looked at me with something like
pity. ~ =,
"Who can tell what woman's will will
he in a week? In less than that she Will
marry me cheerfully. / hope you may
grieye as short a time as she will"
In nv inmost heart l knew it was true.
I had staked everything, not for WON
ans love, but for the whim OF girl FOR
a moment II was too hard for me, and l
bowed my head on the table by me and
hid nv 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 goT l asked.
eyes," he said.
"Aloner
"Yes," he said once more. go now
II she can see YOU"
went I'D and cautiously opened the
door. The Signorina was lying on the
bed, with a shawl over her. She seemed
to be asleep. l bent over her and kissed
her. She opened her eyes, and said In
weary voice:
"Is 1t you, Jackf"
ayes, my darling" said I. 81 am going
IL must 20 or die; and whether l 60 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 /" she said; ut was no
use, dear. 1t Is no use to fight against
him."
"You love me?" cried in my pain.
"Yes," she said, "but I am very tired ;
and he will be good to me-"
Without another word went from her
with the bitter knowledge that my great
grief found but a pale reflection In her
heart.
"I am ready to Co." said to the Presi
dent.
Come them" 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 l afterward dis
, covercd).
Arrived at the boat, got in mechan'
ically, and made all preparations for the
start. 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 malice"
, mo, SIR" said 1. "a fair fight, and
you've won."
: As / was pushing off he added:
when you arrive, send me word"
I turned the boats head out to sea
and went forth on my lonely way into the
night.
CHAPTER XIV.
, | AS Tar as 1 am concerned, this story
has now reached an end. With my depart
ure from Aureataland l re-entered thu
world Of humdrum life, and since tina
memorable night nothing has befallen m,
J worthy of polite readers attention.
! have endured the drudgery incident t.
, earning living; have enjoyed the re
laxations every wise man makes for him
, self. But l should be guilty of unpar
donable egotism IL l supposed that I, my
: self, was the only, or the most, interest
ing subject presented in the foregoing
pages, and feel shall merely be doinI
my duty In briefly recording the facts IL
imy possession concerning the other per
sons who have figured in this record an,
the country where its scene was laid.
r did not. of course, return to Eng
! land, on leaving Aureataland. had n
desire to explain in person to the direc
tors all the facts with which they viii
now be in a position to acquaint them
selves. l was conscious that; at the las
at all events, had rather subordinate
their interests to my own necessities, an
knew well that my conduct would no
meet with the indulgent Judgment that
> perhaps requires. After all, men VIII
have lost three hundred thousand dollar