Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-07-26
xxIII.-(Continued.)

you and l came to blows"
''You played me false about the money,
said bitterly.
Eyes, yes" he answered gently; II
don't blame you. You we're bound to me
by no ties. OF course you saw my plan?"
II supposed your excellency meant to
keep the money and throw me over"
mot altogether" he said. "Of course
was bound to have the money. But 1t
was the other thing, you know. AS far
as the money went, would have taken
care you came to no HARM"
What was 1t, thenT
II thought you understood all along"
he said with some surprise. II saw you
were 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 a smile
IL must be getting clever to deceive two
such wide-awake young people. OF course
l saw it all along. But you had more
grit than l thought. I've never been so
nearly done by any man as by you. I'm
sorry, Martin; l liked you, you know. But
likings mustn't interfere with duty" he
went on, smiling. what claim have you
at my hands?"
Decent burial, 1 suppose" 1 answered.
He got up and paced the room for a
moment or two. waited with some anx-
iety, for life Ia worth something to
young man, even when things look black
est, and l never was hero.
81 make you this Offer" he said at last.
"Your boat lies there ready. Get into her
and go otherwise"
81 see." said l. "And you will marry
herr"
YES" he said.
Against her will?"
He looked at me with something like |
pity.
who can tell what woman's will will |
be in a week. In less than that she will |
marry me cheerfully. l hope you may
grieve as short time as she will"
In my inmost heart knew it was true. |
had staked everything, not for a wom-
ans love, but for the within of girl For |
a moment it was too hard for me, and l |
bowed my head on the table by me and |
hid my 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 quarreling for.
But natures too strong"
MAY l see her before l go2" asked.
"les," he said.
"Alone?"
Eyes," he said once more. "Go now
II she can see you"
| went up 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 a
weary voice:
90 Is it you, Jack7"
"Yes, my darling" said l. II am going
must go or die; and whether l go or
die, l must be alone"
She was strangely quiet, even aPathet-
c. AS l knelt down by her she raised
herself. and took my face between her
hands and kissed me- not passionately,
,ut tenderly.
my poor Jack /" she said; sit was no
Use. dear. 1t is no use to fight against
aim"
"You love me?" cried in my pain.
YES" she said, but am very tired
md he will be good to me-"
Without another word l went from her.
With the bitter knowledge that my great
;rief found but pale reflection in her
leart.
81 am ready to CO." said to the Presi-
lent
Come then" he replied. "Here, take
hese. you may want Them" and he thrust
/ bundle OF notes into my hand (some of
ny own from the bank 1 afterward dis
,overcd).
Arrived at the boat, got in mechan-
cally, and made all preparations for the
tart. Then the President took my hand.
"Good-by, Jack Martin, and good luck.
some day we may meet again. Just now
here's no room for us both here. You
'ear no malice2"
mo, sir" said 1. "A fair fight, and
Tou've won"
As l was pushing of he added:
when you arrive, send me word"
l turned the boats head out to sea.
md went forth on my lonely way into the
light.
CHAPTER XIV.