The evening world. Newspaper, May 22, 1916, Page 15

i { W 4 D) I \ | ) ] , ’ Ru An cay, otc uh A Romance of Man of and a Beautiful Prima Donna By ANTHONY HOPE >) EtinebhJ Mark”’ a Bank’s Gold CHAPTER I. The Monument and the Man. N the year 1884 the Republic of Aureataland was certainly not ina flourishing condition, Although most happily situated (it lite on tho coast of South America, rather to the north—I mustn’t be more definite), and gifted with an extensive territory, nearly as big as Yorkshire, it had yet failed to make that material progress which had been hoped by its founders. It is true that the State was still in its infancy, being an offshoot from another and larger realm, and having obtained the boon of freedom and self-government only as revenfly 1871, after a series of political con- vulsions of a violent character, which may be studied with advantage in the well-known history of “The Making of Aureataland” by a learned pro- fessor of the Jeremiah P. Jecks University, in the United States of America, ‘This profound aistorian is, beyond all question, accurate in attributing the chief share in the national move- ment to the energy and ability of the first President of Aureataland, His Exceliency President Marcus W. ‘Whittington, a native of Virginia. Having enjoyed a personal friendship (not, unhappily, extended to public af- fairs) with that talented man, as will subsequently appear, I have great pleasure in publicly indorsing the pro- fessor's eulogium. Not only did the President bring Aureataland into being, but he moulded her whole constitution, “It ‘was his genius” (as the professor ob- serves with propriety) “which was fired with the idea of creating a truly modern State, instinct with the pro- gressive epirit of the Anglo-Saxon race. It was his genius which cast aside the wornout traditions of European dominion and taught his ‘fellow-citizens that they were if not all by birth, yet one and all by adop- tion, sons of fivedom.” Any mistakes in the execution of this fine concep- tion must be set down to the fact that the President's great powers were rather the happy gift of nature than the result of culture. “To this truth he was himself in no way blind, and he was accustomed to attribute his want of a liberal educa- tion to the social ruin brought upon his family by tho American Civil War, and to the dislocation thereby produced in his studies. As the President was, when I had the honor of making his acquaintance in the year 1880, fifty years old if he was a day, this explanation hardly agrees with cates, unless it Is to be supposed that the President was still pursuing his education when the war began, being then of the age of thir- ty-five or thereabouts. Starting under the auspices of such a gifted leader, and imbued with so noble a zeal for progress, Aureata- land was, at the beginning of her history as a nation the object of many fond and proud hopes. But in spite of the blaze of glory in which her sun had risen (to be seen duly re- flected in the professor's work) her prosperity, T have said, was not maintained country was weil suited for agriculture and grazing, but the populat a very queer mix- ‘ture of races—was indolent, and moro given to keeping holids and festi- \vals than to honest labor. Most of them were unintelligent; those who were intelligent made their (living out of those who weren't, a method of subsistence satisfactory to ‘the individual, but adding little to the aggregate of national wealth. Only two classes made fortunes of any size—Government officials and bar keepers—and even in their case wealth ‘was not great, looked at by an English or American standard, Producti ‘was slack, invention at a standstill, ‘and taxation heavy. I suppose tho President's talents were more adapted to founding a Stato in the shock and turmoil of war than to the dull details of admin- istration; and although he was nom- sinally assisted by a cabinet of threo Ministers and an Assembly compris- ing twenty-five members, it was on his shoulders that the real work of government fell. On him, therefore, the moral respon sibility must also rest—a President bore with a cl and equantinity almost to_ unconsciousness, set foot In Aureataland in 1889, when I was landed on 4 boaf from the steamer at the capital town of Whittingham. I was a young man, entering on my amounting March, twenty-sixth year, and full of prido 8! at finding myself at so early an age sent out to fill the responsible posl- tion of manager at our Aureataland branch. The directors of the bank were then pursuing what may without unfair- ness be called an adventurous policy, and, in response to the urgent en- treaties and growing exhortations of the President, they had decided on establishing a branch at Whitting- ham. 1 commanded a certain amount of interest on the ard, inasmuch as the chairman owed my fi , too small to eto pay, and when, puthful itch volt fini for the post, uning my wish a red dollars a month, Iam sorry to say that in the of a later business dealing the bal ince of obligation shifted from the chairman to my father, an unhappy event which deprived me of my hold om the company and seriously influ. eneed my conduct t= later days, When L arrived in Aureataland the bank had been open some six months, under the guidance of Mr, Thomas Jones, a steady-going old clerk, who was in future to act as chief (and in- deed only) cashier under my orders, T found Whittingham a pleasant little city of about 5,000 inhabitants, picturesquely situated on a fine bay at the spot where the river Marcus debouched into the ocean, The town was largely composed of Governinent puildings and hotels, but there was a strect of shops of no mean order and > handsome souare, called the “Piazea 4871," embellished with an equestrian statue of the President, Round about this national monument were a large number of seats, and, hard by, a cafe and bandstand. Here, 1 soon found, was the centre of life in the after- noons and evenings, Going along in a fine avenue of trees for half a mile or 80, you came to tho Iden House,” the President's official rest- dence, an imposing villa of white atone, with a gilt statue of Aureata- Jand, a semale figure sitting on a ploughs! and holding a sword in the right hand and @ cornucopia in the left. By her feet lay what was appar- ently a badly planed cannon ball; this, I learned, was a nugget, and from its presence and the name of the place, I gathered that the Presi- dent had once hoped to base the Prosperity of his young Republic on the solid foundation of mineral wealth, This hope had been long abandoned, I have always hated hotels, so I lost no time in looking round for lodgings suitable to my means, and Was fortunate enough to obtain a couple of rdoms in the house oc- cupled by a Catholic priest, Father Jacques Bonchretien, He was a very good fellow, and though we did not become intimate, I could always rely on his courtesy and friendly services. Here I lived in great comfort at an expense of fifty dollars a month, and I soon found that my spare fifty made me a well-to-do-man in Whit- tingham. Accordingly, I had the entree of all the best houses, including the Golden House, and a very pleasant little society we had; occasional dances, frequent dinners, and plenty of lawn tennis and billiards prevented me feeling the tedium I had somewhat feared, and the young ladies of Whit- HE Ge did their best to solace my exile. As for business, I found the bank doing a small business, but a toler- ably satisfactory one, and if we made some bad debts, we got high interest on the good ones, so that, one way or another, I managed to send home pretty satisfactory reports, and time passed on quietly enough in spite of certain manifestations of discontent among the population, . These disturbing phenomena were first brought prominently. to my notice at the time when I befame in- volved in the fortunes of the Aure- ataland national debt, and as all my story turns on this incident, it per- haps is a fit subject for a new chapter, CHAPTER Il. A Financial Expedient. HEN our branch was estab- ished at Whittingham there had been an arrange- ment made between our- selves and the Government, by the terms of which we were to have the Government business, and to occupy, in fact, much that quasi- official position enjoyed by the Bank of England at home, As a quid pro quo, the bank was to lend to the Republic the sum of $500,000 at 6 per cent, The President was at the time floating a loan of $1,000,000 for the purpose of works at the harbor of Whittingham, This astute ruler had, it seemed, hit on the plan of instituting public works on a large scale as a corrective to popular discontent, hoping thereby not only to develop trade, but also to give em- ployment to many persons who,’ if unoceupied, became centres of agi- tation, Such at least was the official ac- count of his policy; Whether it was the true one 1 saw reason to doubt either of them wa: SF LIONS ters, He had heard me with judgment, cannot share, You will dent, "do you agree?” later on, As regards this loan, 4 attention, My 9 of oitice ‘wax “purely. ministerial," The cleared: before the Prenident seemed. qyct fh" t Concluded, “therefore, Forage what they havent tie seems. scrupie? “Erobably. not, unieasy tn arrangements were duly mado, the inclined for” serious. conversation, that it ia impossible for me to be of gra‘ courage to do for themselves. 1 deed, prudence and morality aro the proper guarantees given, and in June, Then he called for cigars and push. “Sy assistance to Your Excellency.” Ono, Canny 10 U0 tok undies game tht 1880, I had tho pleasure of handing ing them toward me, said: He nodded and gave a ellht sigh. Pesponeibility of lending, this Tho President arose and put his over to the President the $500,000, 1 “Take one and fill your glass, Don't 7_ue™, with an air of closing the Bub- pony, The transaction will redound hand on my shoulder, learned from nt os nn ocoas believe, people who, tell, you nat to “I suppose the directors are past '% the profit of the bank. It shall “Better say yes, T might taleo it, alance of the loan had been Wine is better without smoke, and Peet Hee yourself to a brandy gine panne monly, “wedound 10/700. know, ne caus £00 22 taken up, smoke is better without wine, but ry oa " ” ewe 5 Mr. Martin, It is true [ shouldn't a, . , i ‘ ‘Aliuow me to mix one for you, sir, 1 began to see my way. But there . nd i al make: a Ata ft ‘once, Bie corals fon is better than either anawered, were difficulties, ike. (alt sou ee at OuIG EREn SDS eat rape Men arey. 4 % While 1 was preparing our bever- “What am J to tell the directors?” Mike ny positic cals ¥ ae nie Ruel Nave a Fm ng aeeaey ane we gat ages he remained silent When f I asked, pul al ody | Se Ae would cer- tren the eh Gene he gome moments, Then the President 4d sat down again he sald: “You will make the usual return of #iMly make It untenabl hn ) Don't be a i bee “You occupy @ Very responsible investments and debts outstanding— , 1 S%W the force of thin argument, about your interest, Your directors S@id, suddenly; sro ft % ‘ S— and, gulping down my brandy and Mean ade Deine inten toeies “Mr, Martin, this country ts in a Rosition here for so youhe a man, mortgages—loans on approved so- Roan, T anid I thanked His Excellency, accepted Perilous condition.” ae tartin no} yond your merits, ty—but you know better than I at "yefuse Your Excellency 4 cigar, and withdrew with a peace. y ‘Good God. Your Excellency." said” y'bowed, Falso returns, Your Excellency "ti" ful mind. I had no responsibility in + ‘They leave you a pretty free hand, means?” i ‘ “Then take your hat and come tho matter, and) ‘cared nothing (There had been a slight shock a few gort ther neans along to the bank." sald he. whether the directors got their in- terest or not. I was, however, some- what curious to know who had taken up the rest of the loan, a curiosity which was not destined to be satis fled: for some time, The works were begun and the in- terest. was paid, but I cannot si that the harbor progressed rapidly; in fact, I doubt if more than $100,000 ever found their way into the pockets of contractors or workmen over the Job, The President had some holes dug and some walls built; having reached that point, about two years after the interview above recorded, he iddenly drew off the few laborers x uployed and matters came to a ud stop. Ii was shortly after this occurrence that I was honored with an invita. tion to dine at the Golden House. It was in the month of July, 1882, less to say, I accepted the invitation, not only ause It Was in the nature of a command, but also beca President gave uncommonly g: » although a bachelor (in taland at all events) had as d a household as 1 have di ever known, My gratification was greatly in- creased when, on my arrival, | found myself the only guest, and that the President considere clety in ttself enough for an evening's entertainment, It did cross my mind that this might mean business, and I thought It none the worse for ‘that We dined on the famous veranda, the scene of so many Whittingham functions, The dinner was beyond reproach, the wines perfection. ‘The President was a charming companion, Though not, as I have hinted, a man of much education, he had had a wide experience of life, and had picked up @ manner at once quiet ang cordial The Day of Rest THE JAcKS.1 AM TIRED GOING OUT IN treating me as a man of the world. With condescendng con me many as he had been everywhere and dono everythin, ought not paturally “I am not holding myself up as an example,” he said, after one of his most unu: hope that my public services will be allowed against sald this ‘Even “may be respect the same indulgence as Cae- sar and Henri Quatre.” “Quite suppose they were not exactly—eh?” “TI believe not,” I answered, admir- ing the President's readiness, for he certainly days before.) my private frailtie GREAT! Tuar ‘tt GIVE Us ‘A Goon DAYor REST AND Besibes 1 AM TIRED oF YOUR COOKING OF COOKING IN THE FUE! AND DUNK THEIR AUTOS GBurrermicc “To DAY ILL BASK AND PLAY wit THE LITTLE CHICKENS desperate, he paid me the compli- Martin. ays so sweet to youth, of 4 I must have money, Mr. Will your directors make me nt the fate that dence he told ch a lier days, and cellency, tales of his a an; share- uneasy about their first 1 holders had asked awkward questions and the chairman had found no small i where and which a man to do, his conversation was most interesting. difficulty in showing that the invest- ment was likely to prove either safe or remunerative. Again, only a fort- night before, the Government had made a formal application to me on the same subject. I cabled the direc- tors, and received a prompt reply in the single word “Tootsums,” which a I, iM our code meant “Must absolutely that 4nd finally decline to entertain any applications.” 1 communicated the contents of the cable to Senor Don Antonio de la Casabianca, the Min- ister of Finance, who had, of course, communicated them in turn to tbe President, I ventured to remind His Excellency Jones’ sim confidant, “Yes,” “owing to real prope due, sual anecdotes, “I can only in the balance He to weigh with some emotion, Your Excellency, content to claim in moment a bank safe, so," said the President. “IE not had a very dim notion who With your eteRe en enc) was pretty certain the president was contemplating a queem transaction, if not flat burglary. “Ten thousand pardons, Your Ex for my most unbecomin tone, but may I ask how you possessed of this information? “Jones told me,” he eaid simply. As it would not have been. polite to express continued 1 fear, to a want of confidence in my administration), you have at this please) the experience of a busy life teaches me that commercial reputa- tion and probity depend on results, on methods, have @ prejudice against me and my Government, “They will no doubt be formally NEBOD Mite 114 TG HELP You 9 You CAME TANK BLE ces ay mes By Maurice Ketten Bou ON THE L WITH en Laine Littee ITS A Gop-SEND OUR WATER W OFF AND TACK COULON'T Fi By NIMSELR. AND ‘You CAN HELP ME GeT bonus. is hurt! 1 was the surprise 1 felt at plicity in choosing such @ 1 held my peace, the President, the recent sales of your rty in this country (sales sum of $300,000 in the Now (don’t interrupt me, Your directors That prejudice you, tasteful superior opportunities for = "“W cerned, he Just in pointing out Its advantages. ‘As for the directors, they would prob- ably get their interest; anyhow, they would get it in two years. ‘There risk, of course; a demand f dence of my alleged investme a sudden order to realize a heavy sum at short notice would bring the house about my But I did not anticipate this con- tretemps, and at the worst I had my $20,000 and could make myself scarce Theso calculations were correct at the moment, but I upset them afterward by spending the dol- lars and by contracting a tie which made flight from Aurcataland a@ dis- alternative, 1, Mr. Martin’ therewith, THE Di INNER FoR ITS MY MAID'S DAYOF REST] full had oars. Woe aro all benefited, no one All this is effected at the cost of a harmless stratagem.” of admiration. scheme was very neat, and, as far as the President and myself were con- been no more than as sald the Presi- Atel I replied that as far as routine inaccurate," areee a i# was sharp work, 'No, he replied, “to the finan- business went I did much as seemed Bic al tae pend nt admitted. “your Excellency does not mean. to oon. The harbor works he proved Bood in my own eyes, said I. for proofs?” take the money now-—to-night?” I ar more expensive than anticipated, — “Routine business including invest- 6 exelain I hold in my hand the engineer's cer- ments, for instance?” he asked, Preageatns vate. the: dey," aad’ tho t te take, Mr, Martin—to re- tifleate that $903,000 have been “Yeu,” said J; “investments in the “You have rather surprised me, °ti¥e It from you. We have made actually expended on them, and they ordinary coures of, business--dis- sir," I sald, “but fam treat axing, our bargain, What is the objection are not finished—not by any means counting billy and putting money out to oblige you. and to fonvani te to.carrying it out promptly?” finished. on loan and mortgage over here. I welfare of Aureataland, ‘Thore are, “But I must have the bonds, They They certainly were not; they were place ihe mo! and merely notify however, two points which occur to MUST be prepared, sir.” hardly begun, the people at home of what I have me. First, how am 1 to be insured , “Th here,” he said, taking @ “Dear me," I ventured to say, “that done.” against not getting my interest? That i lrawer of a writ ood Goal of money, Sonald- “A most proper confidence to re- | must h “ mundred thousand ‘ing hen show for it.” bose in you,” the President was good “Quite go,” he interrupted, “An¢ stock, signed by You cannot doubt the certificate, Gnougit to say. “Confidence ia the life the second point Lean antic i sail counteraimned by Don Mr. Martin,” sald the President, of business; you must trust @ man. i%, What token of my gratitude. for ke your and come 1 did doubt the certificate, and 1, would b: urd to make you send your timely assistance cun 1 prevail should have liked to ask what fee the hjome the bills, and deeds, and certi- On you to accept?” engineer had recelved. But I hastily ficates, and what not. Of course, “Your Hxcellency's knowledge of CHAPTER IIL said It was, of course, beyond sus they wouldn't do that.” human nature is surpprising."” in Bs f Authe it clon, my ; Bea) { Pantie An Exceas of Au ; auld he, steadily, “quite bee ceoust, this was @ statement, some: Kindly give me your attention, uthority. low it also sounded like @ question, so I answered: “Ag a rule they do me the compli- ment of tuking my word. ‘The fact is, on, "You see, Mr, Martin, lion Tam compelled to be n@ Government cannot set both ents, yu will h. Mr. Martin, and I will try to satisty your very reasonable You have $300,000; requ and over to me, receiving night, and T was a beautiful moonlight Whittingham was looking her best as we other employers the example of grind- they are, as Your Excellency says, in return Government 6) per cent. mado our way along the ing men down by low wages. How- obliged to trust somebody bonds for that amount, 1 will then avenue leading to the PI ever, reasons apart, there is the fact, — "Fxactly as L thought. And you hand back to you $65,000, Forty-five oie “ ai ania We cannot go on without more sometimes bave iarge sums to place?” thousand you will retain ax security 9% 1871 The President walked money; and I may tell you, in con- At this point, notwithstanding my for your interest, In the event of briskly, silent but serene; [ followed, fidence, that the political situation respect for the President, L began to any failure on the part of Aureata- tho trouble in my mind reflected in a makes it imperative we should go on, smell a rat land to meet her obligations honor ewhat hang-dog at at w Not only is my personal honor “Oh, no, sir," I replied, “usually ably, you will pay the interest on S2MOWHAt Hang-dog alr, anc was pledged, but the opposition, Mr. Mar- very small, Our business is not so tle whole $300,000 out of that sum much comforted when the President tin, led b the Colonel, is making {t- extensive as we could wish, ‘That secures you for more than broke th stillness of the night by self obnoxious—yes, I may say very = “Whatever,” said t president, tWo years against absolute failure of gaying: obnoxtous.”” looking me straight in the face, interest, which in reality you 1 iM DUCRAvevERE tant “The Colonel, sir” sald 1, with a “whatever may be usual, at this mo- not fear, ‘Till the money ta wanted, ou have sat ‘your foot on the fires freedom engendered of dining, “is a ment you have a larke saum—a v you will have the use of it, ‘The re. Tune of the ladder that dS toefame be respectable sum—of money in your ning $20,000 | shall beg of you to and wealth, Mr, Martin Well” wayl President with a safe at the bank, waiting for invest- accept as your commission, or rather 1 was rather afraid | had set it on tolerant smile, “the Colonel, unhap- ment," s a token of my esteem. Twenty the first rung of the lad that leads pily for the country, is no true pa- “How the devil do you know that?” thousand absolu $45,000 as long to the gallows, But there the foot triot, Bur he is powerful; he 1s rich; asthe Aureataland pays interest! You Was; What the ladder turned out to he is, under myself alone, in com: Martin! It is no doubt my must admit I deal with you as one be was in the hands of the gods; so mand of the army, And, moreover, I ain too prone to tgnore eti- gentleman with another, Mr. Martin, I threw off care, and as we entered I believe he stands well with the but you forget yourself!” In the result your directors get their tho Piazza I pointed.to the statue, asignorina, The situatsan, in fact, is x quet I hastened to apologize, although I ‘nterest, I ear tenanen eeemenmenits asamantatine get my loan, you get your and said; ee Bh VAEneNNpEY menpnnnNNneN STORY OF THE YOUNG MAN THE ADVENTURE OF ALL ARE ‘THE SUIC settee my inspiring example, Your Excellency!" “By Jove, yes,” he replied, “I make the most of my opportunities.” I knew he regarded me as one of his opportunities, and was making the most of me, This is not a pleasant point of view to regard one's self from, @o I changed the subect, and id: washal we call for Don Antonio?” “why?” “Well, he’s Minister of Finance, I thought perhaps his presence would make the matter more regular. ie “If the presence of the President,’ said that official, “can't make a mat~ ter regular, I don’t know what can. Let him sleep on. Ien't his signature on the bonds enot ia What could I do weak obection: a “What shall we tell Jones?" “What shall we tell Jones?” ho echoed. “Really, Mr. Martin, you must use your discretion as to what you tell your employees, You can hardly expect mo to tell Jones any- thing beyond that it's @ fine morn- ing.” Wo had now reached the bank, which stood in Liberty Street, a turn- ing out of the Plazza, I took out my key, unlocked the door, and we en- tered together. We passed into my inner sanctum, where the safe stood. “What's it in?” asked the President. “United States bonds, and bills on New York and London,” I replied “Good,” said he. “Let me look. I unlocked the safe and took out the securities, He examined them carefully, placing each after due scrutiny in a small handbag, in which he had brought down the bonds I was to receive, I stood by, holding a shaded candle, At this moment a voice cried from the door: f “If you move you're dead men!” Tatarted and looked up. The Preal- dent looked up without starting. ‘There was doar old Jones, descended from his upper chamber, where he and Mrs. Jones resided. Ho was clad only in his night-shirt, and was lev- elling a formidable gun full at the august head of His Excellency. Mr. Jones,” sald the latter, 's a fine mornil Good heavens, the President!" cried Jones; “and Mr. Martin! Why, what on earth, gentlemen ?”— The President gently waved one hand toward me, as if to say, “Mr. Martin will explain,” and went on placing his securities in the bag. I made one more The In the face of this crisis my hesita- tion left me. I have received a ble from rope, Jones,” sald I, “instructing me to advance @ sum of money to His Excellency; I am engaged in car- rying out these instructions.” “Cable?” said Jones. “Where is it? “In my pocket,” said I, feeling for it. ‘of Why, L must have left it at the Golden House.” The President came sista: “L saw it on the table just before wo started. Though I presume Mr. Jones has no right" “None at all," 1 sald briskly. “Yet, ag a matter of concession, Mr. Martin will no doubt show it to him to-morrow?" ‘Strictly as a matter of concession perhaps I will, though Tam bound to say that [am ner, Mr. Jonos. Jones looked sadly put “It's all irregular, slr,’ “Hardly more so than your cos- tumo!" sald the President, pleasantly. Jones was @ modest man and, being thus made aware of the havoc the draught was playing with his airy covering, he hastily closed the door, and sald to me, appealingly: It's all right, sir, I suppose “Perfectly right,” said I. “But highly confidential,” added the Prosident. “And you will put me under # special obligation, Mr. Jones, and at the same time fulfil your duty to your employers if you preserve sile announced, A man who serves does not regret It." Here he was making the n another opportunity~Jones this time. “Enough of this,” I said. “I will go over the matter in the morning, and meanwhile hadn't you better go back to" M to my as- me it of Jones," interjected His Ex- “And mind, silence, Mr, Jones! He walked up to Jones as he said this and looked hard at him. “Silent. men prosper best and live longest, Mr. Jones Jones looked into his steely eyes, and suddenly fell all of a tremble, The President was satisfied, He abruptly pushed him out. of the room, and we heard his shambling steps golng up the staircase, His Excellency turned to me, and said, with apparent annoyance “You leave a great deal to me, Mr, Martin.” He had certainly done more than tell Jones it was a fine morning, But I was too much troubled to thank him; I was thinking of the cable. The President divined my thoughts, and said “You must prepare that cable.” “Yes,” [ replied; “that would re- assure him, Hut haven't had much practice in that sort of thing, and I don't quite know” r The President scribbled a few words on @ bit of paper, and said “Tak hat to the post-office, and they'll you the proper form; you can fill it up.” Certainly some things go easily If the head of the State criminal “And now, late, [have my securi your bonds We have won over Jones, All gos w Aureataland ts saved. You have made your fortui for there le your $65,000, And, in fing, I am much obliged to you, will not trouble you to attend ma on t# your fellow. Mr, Martin, it grows ; you have my return, Good night, Mr. Mar- tin.” He wi out, and I thre downsin my office chair and STORY OF THE PHYSICIAN AND THE SARATOGA TRUNK— By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ‘ 'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD Read This Famous Tale of Mystery From the NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS TET ry Ull the transaction ts offictally sta WITH THE CREAM TARTS — THE HANSOM CAB— TOLD IN IDE CLUB} SMM MAAMRRNR ing at the bonds he had left me. f wondered whether he had merely made a tool of me; whether I could trust him; whether I had done well to sacrifice my honesty, relying om ‘his promises, And yei there lay reward, and, as purely moral j- erations did not trouble me, I soon arose, put the Government bonds and the $65,000 in securities in the safe, locked up everything and went home to my lodgings. As I wert in it was broad daylight, for the clock had » and | met Father Jacques forth, He had already break: and was on his way to administer early consolation to the flower wom- en in the Piazza. He stopped me with a grieved look and sata: .,my friend, mely, noura iy nd, these are untl saw I was laboring under an st suspicion—a most revolting ju best “IT have only just from bank. "I had to dine arene Golden House and afterward returned to ome at t finieh Up a Dit of work.” that is well,” he cried. “ then the industrious and not ne idle apprentice 1 meet?" referring to @ series of famous prints with which my room was decorated, a gift from. my father on my departure, + nodded and passed on, sa: myself: “Deuced industrious ‘indeed, Not many men have done such @ night's work as I h % ee eone is how my fortunes bee came bound up with th 10 Ade reatiland national devine oe? CHAPTER Iv. Overtures fromthe Op position. FTER the incidents above recorded things went on quietly. enough for : months. I had a sertone talk with Jones, reproaghy ing him gravély for his outrageous demeanor. He capitulated abjectly on being shown the cable, which was procured in the manner kindly indj« cated by the President. The latter had, perhaps, been tw too great a hurry with his heavy suns, for his hint of violence had rather stirred than. allayed apprehensions. If there were nothing to cdnceul, why should his excellency not stick at murder to hide it? However, I explained to him the considerations of high policy, dictat- ing inviolable, secrecy, and justifying a somewhat arbitrary way of dealing with a trusted oMcial; and the marked graciousness with which Jones was received when he met the President at the Ministry of Finance on current business went far to oblit« erate his unpleasant recollections, I further bound him to my fortunes by obtaining for him a rise of salary from the directors, “in consequence of the favorable report of his cons duet received from Mr, Martin,” Peaceful as matters seemed, I was not altogether at ease. To begin with, the new loan did not apparently at all improve the financial posttion of Aureataland, Desolation — etill’ reigned on the scene of the harbor works; there was the usual difficulty in paying salaries and meeting cure rent expenditure, A ‘The President did not invite my confidence as to the disposal of his funds; indeed, before long I wae alarmed to see a growing coldness in his manner, which I considered at ungrateful and menacing; and when the half-year came round he firmly refused to disburse mote than half the amount of interest due on the second loan, thus forcing me to make an inroad on my reserve of 45,000 dollars. He gave me many good reasons for this course of conduct, dwelling y on the egessary unproduc- , and contidentiy promising full ment with arreat? next time. Nevertheless, { began % ese that I must face the possibility of a con- tinual drain on resources that & aad fondly hoped would be available tor my own purposes for a considerable time at least. Thus one thing ang another contributed to open @ breack between his excelleney and myseli and, although [ never ceased to f his charm as a private companiom my distrust of him as a ruler, I may add, as fellow-consplratem steadily deepened. Other influences were at this time for we have now reached the begins ning of ‘83 -at work in the same dik rection, Rich in the possession of my “bonus, C had plunged even more freely than before into the gayeties f Whittingham, and where [ waa » before, | Was now @ doubly- Kuest. I had also taken to a somewhat high scale, and it Was my reputation as a daring mbler tht procured me the honor of an acquaintance with the Signorina, the lady to whom the President had referred during his interview | with me; and my acquaintance with the Signorina was very rich in results, ‘This lady was, after the President, perhaps the best Known person im Aureataland best known, that is, by co face and fame; for her ents and cireun stina Nugent had been about a year, She had appeared originally as a member of an operatic comp which had paid a Visit to our tional Theatre” f the United States, e company passed on its not very brillant way, but the Signorina re- mained behind. [twas said she ha taken a fancy to Whittingham, a being independent of her profession had determined to make a sojourn there. At any rate there she was; whether she took a fancy to White tingham, or whether some one @& Whittingham t a fancy to her, tee mained in di (a0 fe, Continued.) Le \ ‘