Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-06-07
OHAPTER XII

Inc next three days were on the whole
the most uncomfortable l have ever spent
in my life. l got little sleep and no rest
went about with a revolver handy all
day, and jumped every time l heard a
sound. 1 expended much change in buying
every edition of all the papers / listened
with dread to the distant cries Of news
vendors, fearing, as the words gradually
became distinguishable, to hear that our
secret was a secret no longer. l was
bound to show myself, and yet shrank
from all gatherings of men. transact
ed my business with an absent mind and
a face of such superhuman innocence
that, had anyone been watching me, he
must at once have suspected something
wrong. / was Incapable of adding up
row of figures, and Jones became most
solicitous about the state Of my brain.
In word, my nerves were quite shat
tered, and 1 registered a vow never to
upset a government again as long as 1
lived. In future the established consti-
tuition would have to be good enough for
me. verify believe that only the thought
Of the Signorina prevented me making
moonlight fitting across the frontier with
whole skin at least, IL with an empty
pocket, and leaving the rival patriots Of
Aureataland to fight it out among them
selves.
Happily, however, nothing occurred to
Justify my fears. The other side seemed
to be sunk In dull security. The Presi-
dent went often to the ministry of finance,
and was closeted for hours with Don
Antonio; l suppose they were perfecting
nat awia
signs Of excitement or activity at the bar
racks; the afternoon gatherings on the
Piazza were occupied with nothing more
serious than the prospects of lawn tennis
and the grievous dearth Of dances. The
official announcements relative to the debt
had had a quleting effect, and all classes
seemed inclined to wait and see what the
Presidents new plan was.
So passed Wednesday and Thursday.
On neither day had l heard anything
from my fellow-conspirators our arrange
ments for writing had so far proved un-
necessary-or unsuccessful. The latter
possibility sent shiver down my back, and
my lively fancy pictured his excellency's
smile as he perused the REASONABLE docu-
ments. If heard nothing on the morn
ing Of Friday, was determined at all
risks to see the Colonel. With the dawn
of that eventful day, however, 1 was re-
lieved of this necessity. was lying in
bed about half-past nine when my servant
brought in three letters.
"Sent on from the bank, sir" he said,
with Mr.. Jones' compliments, and are
you going there this morning"
''My compliments to Mr.. Jones, and he
may expect me In Eve minutes" I re-
piled.
The letters were all marked 'Immedi-
ate"-one from the Signorina, one from
the Colonel, one from the barracks. l
opened the last first and read as follows
''The officers Of the Aureataland Army
have the honor to remind Mr.. John Mar
tin that they hope to have the pleasure
of his company at supper this evening at
10 p. m. precisely. In the unavoidable
absence Of his excellency the President,
owing to pressing cares Of state. and the
Hon. Colonel McGregor from indisposi-
ton, the toast Of the Army Of Aureata-
land will be proposed by Major AlphOnse
DeChair.
up. S.-Friend Martin, speak long this
night. The two great men do not come,
anu the evening wants 10 DC ullSU OUT
"ALPHONSE DE CHAIR"
cit shall be long, my dear boy, and we
will all out your evening for you," said
to myself, we'll pleased 80 far.
Then opened the Signorina's epistle.
'Dear Mr.. Martin" 1t began-"Wil
you be so kind as to send me In the course
Of the day twenty dollars In small
change? I want to give the school chill
dren a scramble. enclose check. am
so sorry you could not dine with me to-
night, but after all am glad, because I
should have had to put you of, for ana
commanded rather suddenly to dine at the
Golden House. With kind regards, be-
lleve me, yours sincerely,
CHRISTINA NUGHNT."
every good" said 1. 81 reckon the
scramble viii keep. And now for the
Colonel"
''DeaF Martini lnclose check for
$500. My man will call for the cash to-
morrow morning, l give you notice be-
cause / want 1t all in silver for wages.
Carr and are here together, both Seedy.
Poor Carr Is on his back, and likely to
remain there for day or two. I'm bet
ter, and though I've cut the affair at the
barracks tonight, I fully expect to be
up and about this afternoon. Ever yours,
GEO. M'GREGOR."
"Oh, so Carr Is on his back and likely
to remain there, is he2 Very likely,
expect; but l wonder what 1t means. l
hope the Colonel hasn't been very drastic.
However, everything seems right; in fact,
better than hoped"
In this more cheerful frame of mind l
arose, breakfasted at leisure, and set out
for the bank about eleven.
OF course the first person met on the
street was one of the last 1 wanted to
meet, namely, Donna Antonio. She was
on horseback, and her horse looked as If
he'd done some work. At the sight of me
she refined up, and I could not avoid
stopping as lifted my hat,
whence so earlyf' asked.
"Early?" she said. ~ don't call this
early. I've been for long rde in fact,
I've ridden over to Mr.. Cars place,
with a message from papa but he's not
there. Do you know where he is, Mr..
Martini
Haven't an idea" said I.
ale hasn't been home for four nights"
she continued, and he hasn't been to She
ministry, either. It's very odd that he