Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-05-17

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 heen
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, "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 a. she
heard; then She plucked a white rose,
turned round, and stood facing me, slight
" flushed as though with some inner ex-
element.
Il am afraid those VITO gentlemen do
not love one another" she said.
Hardly" aasented.
And you, do you love them-or either
Of them?'
Il love only one person in Aureata-
land" replied, as ardently as dared.
The SignoFina bit her rose, glancing
up at me with unfeigned amusement and
pleasure. / think l have mentioned that
she didn't object to honest admiration.
is II possible you mean me?" she said,
making me a little courtesy. II only think
so because most of the Whittingham la
dies would not satisfy your fasddious
taste"
mo lady In the world could satisfy me
except ONE" answered, thinking she
took it little too lightly.
All, 90 you say" she said. "And yet
| don't suppose you would do anything
for me, Mr.. Martin"
1t would be my greatest happiness" l
cried.
She said nothing, but stood there, biting
the rose.
"Give 1t to me-" 1 said; ''lt shall be
my badge Of service"
''YOu will serve me, then? said she.
"For what FewaTd?"
eWhy, the rose -
II should like the owner, too" ven
tured to remark.
''The rose is prettler than the owner"
she said land, at any rate, one thing at
q time, Mr.. Martin Do you pay your
servants all their wages in advance3''
My practice was 50 much to the con-
trary that / really couldn't deny the
force of her reasoning. She held out the
rose. seized it and held 1t close to nv
lips, thereby squashing 1t considerably.
Then she said abruptly:
Are you a Constitutionalist or a Lib
eral, Mr.. MARTINI"
/ must explain that, in the usual race
for the former title, the Presidents par
Il had been first at the post, and the
ColonePs 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 politicsT said I,
reproachfully.
Eyes, little. Tell me-"
Which are you, Signorina?" I asked.
really wanted to know; so did a great
many people. She thought for a moment,
and then said:
i have great regard for the Presi-
dent He has been most kind to me. On |
the other hand, cannot disguise from |
myself that some Of his measures are not
WISE"
I said l had never been able to disguise
1t from myself.
The Colonel, Of course, IL of the same |
opinion" she continued. "About the debt,
for instance. believe your bank is In
terested in It'll"
"Oh, yes, to q considerable extent"
And your she asked, softly.
ron, l am not a capitalist; no money
OF mine has gone into the debt"
No money Of yours, no. But aren't
you interested In lt?' she persisted.
This was rather odd. Could abe know
anything2 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 1 could not say
so. was wondering how Tar I should
be wise to trust her, and chat depended
largely on how far his exeellency had
seen at to trust her with my secrets.
said finally:
Without disclosing other peoples &C.
crets, Signorina, l may admit that IL any
thing went wrong with the debt, nv 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 happen2"
Il would take a good deal Of pains to
prevent Its happening"
mot less willingly If your interest and
mine coincided?"
was about to make passionate re-
ply when we heard the Presidents voice
saying:
And where Is our hostessP I should
like to thank her before CO."
Hush, whispered the SignorIna. 1--WE
must go back. You will be true to me.
Mr.. Martini"
Call me Jack" said I, idioticaTlv.
Then you will be true, o Jack?" she
said, sitting a laugh.
It'll DEATH" said l, hoping II wonId
not be necessary.
She gave me her hand, which, kissed
with tervor, and we returned to the mar
Tor, to ind all standing about in groups
waiting to make their bows till the Presj-
dent had gone through that ceremony.
was curious to hear If anything passed
between him and the Signorina. but 7
was bounced upon by Donna Antonio. tba
daughter OF the minister Of finance. who
happened to be present as a guest of the
Signorina's for the night. She was
handsome young lady, a Spanish brunette
ot the approved pattern, but with man (
naFq fOFmaH 80