Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-07-05
CHAPTER XIX.

nights rest had had for a week. The
Colonel refused, with an unnecessary os-
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 as my present difficulties were,
yet undoubtedly stood in a more hopeful
position than l had before the revolution
was now resolved to get my money safe
being too much for McGregor In the other
matter which shared my thoughts.
The return Of the day, however, brought
new troubles. l was reused at an early
hour by 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 ribald scribblings posted over
or alongside them there now hung multi
tudinous enlarged copies Of the Presi-
dents offensive notice. How or by whom
these seditlous 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
Gxza, at the base Of the Presidents statue,
was posted an enormous bill, Remember
1871 Death to TraitorS"
"Ho wcould they do that unless the SOL
dlers were In lt2' 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 II
Be any better7 / met DeChair just now
and asked him what the temper Of the
troops was. The little brute grinned, and
said: 'Ah, mon President, It would be
better II the good soldiers had 3 Ioetle
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, p"
said the Colonel IF this thing ls going
20 burst up, I'm not going to be kicked
out to starve. tell you what 1t IL, Mar
tin, you must let me haVs some Of that
cash back again"
The effrontery Of this request amazed
ne. The mans want Of ordinary moral
~ was too revolving. Didn't he know
very we'll that the money wasn't mine
Didn't he himself obtain my help on the
xpresa terms that / should have this
money to repay the bank with3
s'rot farthinR, Colonel; not q far
ching BY our agreement that cash wal
d Be mine but for that wouldn't have
touched your revolution with a pair Of
.tongS,"
He looked very savage, and mutteEet
something under his breath.
you're carrying things with q higf
hand" he said.
.'I'm not going to steal to please you,
said l.
''YOu weren't always 70 ScrupulOus,'
be sneered.
took no notice Of this insult, but ~
peatad my determination.
"Look here, Martini" he said, ''Tn Civ
you twenty-four hours to think 1t over
and let me advise you to change you
mind then. / don't want to quarrel, bu
I'm going to have some Of that money"
Clearly he had learned stabecraft in hi
predecessors school. "Twenty-four hour
d something" thought /, and determines
to try the cunning Of the serpent.
"An right, Colonel" / said, "I'n thinl
at over. l don't pretend to like It; but
after all, I'm in with you and we mus
pull together. Wen see how things loOl
tomorrow morning"
"Theres another matter wanted
speak to you about" he went on.
invited him into the breakfast room
gave him a cup of coffee (which, to m
credit, l didn't poison) and began on m
own eggs and toast.
"Flre away" said briefly.
II suppose you know I'm going TO
maTriedP' he remarked.
mo, / hadn't heard" l replied, felgn
ing 70 be entirely occupied with a YER
nimble egg. Rather q busy time 70
marrying, isn't III Who Is she7"
"You needn't pretend to be so very limo
cent; expect you could give a prett
GOOD guess"
MADAME DevargesT asked blandly
Suitable match; about your age"
az wish you wouldn't try to be funny
he exclaimed. "You know as we'll as d
its the Signorina."
''ReallyP" 1 replied. "well, well,
fancied you were little touched In tina
quarter. And she has consented to max
you happyT
was curious to see what he would saJ
knew be was a bad liar, and, as
fact, believe he told the truth on chi
occasion, for he answered;
Says she never cared a stray for any
one else"
"NOt even WhittinghamY' asked ma
liclOusly.
Hates the old rufian ~ said the Cole
mel. II once thought shs had a likin
for you, Martin. but she laughed at tn
idea. I'm glad Of It, for we should hav
fallen out"
smiled In a somewhat Siekly way, an
took refuge In my cup. When l emerget
/ asked:
"And when is It to beH'
next Saturday. Fact is. between 70
and me, Martin, she's ready enough"
This was too disgusting. But whethe
the Colonel was deceiving me, or the Sil
norma had deceived him, didn't know
a little bit Of both, probably. I saw, how
ever, what the Colonies game was plainl
enough he was, in his clumsy way, war;
ing me off his preserves, for, of cours,
he knew my pretensions, and don
think I imposed on him very much. Blu
/ was anxious to avoid a rupture an
gain time.
1T must call and congratulate tn
lady" 1 said.
The Colonel couldn't every well objeC
10 that, but he didn't like it.
''Well, Christina told me she was yer
busy, but 1 daresay she'll see you for
few minutes"
IT daresay she will" 1 said dryly.
''I must be of now. 1 shall have to b