Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-07-03
CHAPTER XIX.

In spite Of many anxieties, after this
eventful day I enjoyed the first decent
nights rest I had had for week. The
Colonel refused, with an unnecessary o.
tentation of scorn, my patriotic offer to
keep watch and ward over the city, and
turned in, tired out at eleven O'Clock,
after light dinner. felt had some
reasons for self-congratulations for con-
siderable O. my present difficulties were,
yet undoubtedly stood in more hopeful
position than had before the revolution.
was now resolved to get my money safe
out Of the country, and I had hopes Of
being too much for McGregor In the other
matter which shared my thoughts.
The return of the day, however, brought
new troubles. I was reused at an early
hour by a visit from the Colonel himself.
He brought very disquieting tidings. In
the course Of the night every one Of our
proclamations had been torn down or de-
faced with rfbald scribblings; posted over
or alongside them there now hung multi
tudinous enlarged copies Of the Presi-
dent's offensive notice. How or BY whom
these seditious measures had been effect
cd We were at loss to tell, for the officers
and troops were loud in declaring their
vigilance. In the very center of the FL
azza, at the base Of the Presidents statue,
was posted an enormous bill, Remember
1871 Death 10 Traitors!"
"Ho wcould they do that unless tho SOL
diers were In it7" asked the Colonel
gloomily. II have sent those two COM
panies back to the barracks and had an
other lot out. But how do know they'll
Be any better7 1 met DeChair Just now
and asked him what the temper Of the
troops was. Tho little brute grinned, and
said: All, mon President, 1t would b.
better II the good soldiers had . lsetle
more money"
'That's about IT," said 1; but then
you haven't got much moro money"
what I've got l mean to stick to-"
said the Colonel. IF this thing Is going
to burst up, I'm not going to be kicked
out to starve. I tell you what 1t IL, Mar
tin, you must let me have some Of that
cash back again"
The effrontery OF this request amazed
me. The mans want Of ordinary moral
ity was too revolving. Didn't he know
very we'll that the money wasn't mine7
Didn't he himself obtain my help on the
GxpEeDo ScEmB tnhI 1 ulfOuAu uhV0 IuAo
money to repay the bank with7
mot a farthing, Colonel; not far
thingl BY our agreement that cash was
to be mine; but for that wouldn't have
touched your revolution with q pair Of
tongs."
He looked very savage, and muttered
something under his breath.
you're carrying things with . high
hand" he said.
I'm not going to steal to please you."
said I.
''You weren't always 70 scrupulous,"
be sneered.
! / took no notice Of this insult, but re-
peated my discrimination.
"Look here, Martini" be said, an give
you twenty-Iour hours to think It over
and let me edvise you to change your
mind then. don't want to quarrel, but
I'm going to have some Of that money"
Clearly he had learned itatecfaft in his
predecessors school. 'Twenty-four hours
d something" thought I. and determined
to try the cunning Of the serpent.
"All right, Colonel" said, "I'll think
Il over. don't pretend to like It; but,
after Ill, I'm In with you and we must
pull together. Well see how things look
tomorrow morning."
there's another matter I wanted to
speak to you about" he went on.
invited him into the breakfast room,
gave him a cup of coffee (which, to my
credit, l didn't poison), and began on my
own eggs and toast.
Fire away" said briefly.
~ hn
maHiedw he remarked.
mo, I hadn't heard" replied, feign-
ing to b entirely occupied with a very
nimble egg. "Rather a busy time for
marrying, isn't it2 Who Is she?"
"You needn't pretend to be 80 very inno-
cent; I expect you could give q pretty
eeod guess"
"Madame Devarges7" I asked blandly.
Suitable match; about your age"
II wish you wouldn't try to be funny I"
he exclaimed. "You know az we'll az do
it's the Signorina."
"Really2" replied. "welI, well, I
fancisd you were little touched IN that
quarter. And shs has consented 10 make
you happy"
I was curious to sec what he would say.
I knew he was a bad liar, and, as a
fact, believe he told the truth on this
occasion, for no answered.:
''Says she never cared stray for any
one e3se."
mot even WhittinghamT asked ma.
lcously.
''Hates the old rufian I" said the Colo
mel. II once thought she had q liking
for you, Martin. but she laughed at the
idea. I'm glad Of It, for We should have
fallen out"
smiled In somewhat sickly way, and
took refuge in my cup. When l emerged,
I s6ksd:
"And when 10 It to beT
"Next Saturday. Fact IL, between you
and me. Martin, she's ready enough"
This was too disgusting. But whether
the Colonel was deceiving me, or the Sig
norma had deceived him, I didn't know
. little bit Of both, probably. I saw, how
ever, what the Colonies game was plainly
enough be was, in his clumsy way, warn
ing me off his preserves, for, Of course,
he knew my pretensions and 1 don't
think I imposed on him very much. But
I was anxious to avoid rupture and
gain time.
II must call and congratulate the
lady 7 aafd