The evening world. Newspaper, May 24, 1916, Page 15

4 5 } | \ * } A Romance of a Bank’s Gold and a Beautiful Prima Donna SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, Martin, an American twenty-six years old, fogs of A fia and oe ate * aie Fal Of the ‘republic, Marcus iinet, of Ler id t0. car 104, NARA, peCuFeR oak OE. Wt yn dine with him at. the (orden fer announcing that, ha or Re eapecialy gr: ne, he Dr pal inBulontiy au the ‘athe tor hah 6 Taf te airy tie dns a he ia feruin ona, fie fronnly. conteasss he arden ad ton for Si icporina, and. she takes: ava unity to draw from hum a ‘prom: cH APTER IV, (Continued, Overtures from the Opposition HE Signorina smiled again, but went on as if I hadn't spoken, “On the other hand, I can’t disguise from myself that some of his measures are not wise.” I sald I had never been able to dis. guise it from myself. “The Colonel, of course, is of the game opinion,” she continued. “About the debt, for instance. I believe your bank 1s ‘interested in it?” This was no secret, so I said: “Oh, yes, to a considerable extent.” “and you?” she asked, softly, “Oh, Lam not a capitalist; no mon of mine has gone into the o money of yours, no. But aren't you interested in it?" she persisted. This was rather odd. Could she know anything?” She drew nearer to me and, laying @ hand lichtly on my arm, said re- proachfully: “Do you love people, and yet not trust them, Mr, Martin?” This was exactly my state of feel- ing toward the Signorina, but 1 could not say so. I was wondering how far I should be wise to trust her, and that depend largely on how far his excellency had seen fit to trust her with my secrets, I said finally: “Without disclosing other people's gecrets, Sisgnorina, 1 may admit that if anything went wrong with the debt my employers’ opinion of my dis- cretion would be severely shaken.” “Of your discretion,” she sald, Jaughing. “Thank you, Mr. Martin, genres would wish that not to hap- nt “I would take a good deal of pains to prevent it happening.” “Not less willingly if your Interest and mine coincided?” bout to make a passtonate we heard the President's Voice saying: "And where is our hostess? [should 5 nk her before I go." “Hush,” whispered the Signorina, “We must go back, You will be true to me, Mr, Martin?" “Call me Jack,” said I idiotically, hen you will be true, ab, Jack?" ling a laugh said 1, ho; ing it would ne her hand, which I rvor, and we returned to find all the players , table and standing @bout in groups, waiting to make their bows tll the President had gone through that ceremony, I was curious to hear if anything passed between him and the Signorina, but I was pounced upon by Donna An- tonia, the daughter of the Minister of Finance, who happened to be pres- ent, notwithstanding the late hour, as guest of the Signorina for the night. She was a handsome young lady, @ Spanish brunette of the approved pattern, but with manners formed at @ New York boarding school, where sho had undergone a training that had tempered without destroying her native gentility. had distin- guished mo very favorably, and L was vain enough to suppose she honored me by some jealousy of iny penchant for the Signorina. “L hope you have enjoyed yourselt in the conservatory,” she said, malic- fously. “We were talking business, Donna Antonia,” 1 replied. “Ah, business! I hear of nothing but business, There is papa gone down to the country and burying himself alive to work out some great echome of business!” pricked up my ears, h, what scheme is that?" IT asked, “Oh, I don't know, Something about that horrid debt, But I was told not to say anything about it!” he debt was becoming a bore, whole air was full of it. I hastily patd Donna Antonia a few incoherent com pliments and took my leave. putting on my coat Colonel 3 joined me, and, with more on, risen trom the . hess than he usually showed me, ac- companied me down the avenue to- ward the Piazza, After some indif- nt remarks, he began: “Martin, you and I have separate interests in some matters, | tl think we have the same in others 1 knew at once what he meant; it was that debt over again! Tremained silent, and he continued: “About the debt, for instance You are interested in,the debt?” ‘Somewhat,” ‘said 1. “A. banker Benerally is interested in a debt said the Colonel, "A when we can act to- nwhile » your eye od nigh bi at the do bers Ih the Plaasa, and “L thought so, time ‘oni may ¢ M of his cham- I went on to lodgings, t ther puzzled youn d the debt remembering that the debt was, emed, for some reason a com. interest to the Signorina and f, I apologized to it, and fell asleep ba i CHAPTER V, pprecicte the Situation, HE flight of time brought no a lation to the troubles of Aureataland. If an in- dividual hardup !s a pas sthetic sight up jaan alarming spectacle; and Au- The a reataland was very hard up. I sup- {St pose somebody had some money, but the Government had none; in conse- quence the Government employees had ‘none, the officials had none, the President bad none, and, finally, I had none, The bank had a little—of us other people's, of course—but I was my quite prepared for a “run” on us any jay, to implore a remittance in cash, for our notes were at a discount humili- ating to contemplate. Political strife ran high. I dropped into the Hoi of Assembly one afternoon toward the bo end of May, and, looking down from her the gallery, saw the Colonel in the % full tide of wrathful declamation. He was demanding gf the miserable Don Antonio when the army was to be paid, The latter sat cowering under his scorn, and would, I verily belteve, open have bolted out of the House had he not been nailed to his seat by t! cold eye of the President, who was looking on from his box. The Min- ister on rising had nothing to urge but vague promises of speedy pay- ment; but he utterly lacked the con- fident effrontery of his chief, and no- body was deceived by his weak pro- testations, I left the House in a considerable uproar, and strolled on to the house of a friend of mine, Mme. Devarges, the widow of a French gentleman, who had found his way to Whitting- ham from New Caledonia, Politeness demanded the assumption that he had found his way to New Caledonia owing to political troubles, but the usual cloud hung over the precise date and circumstances of his pa- triotic sacrifice, Madame sometimes considere® it necessary to bore herself and others with denunciations of the various tyrants or would-be tyrants of France; but, apart from this plous offering on ‘the shrine of her hu band’s reputation, she was 4 bright and pleasant little woman, I found assembled round her tea- table a merry party, including Donna Antonia, unmindful of her father’s agonies, and one Johnny Carr, who deserves mention as being the only honest man in Aureataland, 1 speak, of course, of the place as I found it.| He was a young Englishman, what they called a “cadet” of a good fam. ily, shipped of? with a couple of thou- sand pounds to make his fortune. Land was cheap among us, and Johnny had bought an estate and set- Uled down as a land owner. Recently he had blossomed forth a keen Constitutionalist, and held a seat in the Assembly in that interest. Johnny Was not a clever man nor a wise ia] but he was merry, and, as I thought it necessary to mention, honest. “Hullo, Johnny! Why not at the House?” said | to him, “You'll want every vote to-night. Be off and help the Ministry, and take Donna Antonia with you. The: eating up the Min- ister of Finance. “All right! I'm going as soon as I've had another muffin,” sald Johnny. “But what's the row about? “Well, they want their money,” I replied; “and Don Antonio won't give it them, Hence bad feeling.” "Tell you wha “he hasn't it ts," said Johnny; Here Donna Antonia struck in, rather suddenly, I thought. “Do stop the gentlemen talking politics, Mme, Devarges. They'll spoil our tea-party.” “Your word is law," I said; “but 1 should like to know what Don An- tonio hasn't got.” “Now, do be quiet,” she rejoined; “isn't it quite enough that he has got —a charming daughter?" “And a most valuable one,” I re- plied with a bow, for I saw that for some reason or other Donna Antonia did not mean to let me pump Johnny Carr, and I wanted to pump him, Don't say another word, Mr. Carr,” she said, with a laugh, “You know you don’t know anything, do you?” “Good Lord, no!” said Johnny. Meanwhile Mme. Devarges was glv- ing me a cup of tea, As she hand- ed it to me she said, in a low voice: “If L were his friend I sbould take care Johnny didn't know anything, Mr. Martin.” “If I were his friend I should take re he told me what he knew, Mine, Devarges,” I replied. “Perhaps that's what the Colonel thinks,” she said, ‘Johnny has just been telling us how very attentive he has become, And the Signorina, too, I hear." “You don't mean that? IT ex- claimed, “But, after all, pure kind- ness, no doubt!" “You have received many atten- tions from those quarters,” she said, "No doubt you are @ good judge of the motives” “Don't now, don't be disagreeable,” 11, “Lecame here for peace.” Poor young man! Have you lost our money? Is It possible that like Don Antonio, haven't got a” you, ” “What !s going to happen?" I asked, for Mme, Devarges often had infor- mation, “L don't know," she said, “But tf I owned national bonds I should sell.” “Pardon me, madame; you would offer to sell." She laughed, saying: “Ah, [ see my advice comes too late!" 1 did not see any need to enlighten her further, So 1 passed on to Donna Antonia, who had sat somewhat sulkily since her outburst, I sat down by her and said: “Surely | haven't offended you?" “You know you wouldn't care If yon had,” she said, with a reproach- ful but not unkind glance, "Now, if it were the Signorin I never object to bowing down tn the temp! “Hang the § “If L thought y Donna Aptonia, at T might % want help® I asked, s." sald she, Then suppose | d@ mean it?” Donna Antonia refused to be frivo- lous, With a look of genuine distress she said “You will not let your real friends you, Mr, Martin, Why don't usider the state of your af- fairs?’ In that, at least, my friends tn very ready to help with some annoy- n are pred, ance, “if you take it in that way,” plied sadly, “I can do nothing.” 1 was rather touched, Clearly she wished to be of some use to me, and she nd had cabled to the directors | HAVE A CUP oF TEA WITH ME, DEARIE 9 | Just ONE WON'T MAKE ME ANY FATTER Just ANOTHER TINY LITTLE ONE | | for a moment I thought I might do better to tear myself free from my chains, and turn to the refuge opened to me, But I could not do this; and, thinking it would be rather mean to take advantage of her interest in me only to use it for my own purposes, I yielded to conscience and said: “Donna Antonia, I will be straight- forward with you, You can only help ard some pub! due next that, to use their words, ‘dis the payment of the yO: DEAR OU COULDN'T Be ANY FATTER HELP NouRSeLr a to lic month, quieting are afloat on the exchanges the Aureataland loan, direct me to submit to your excellency the expediency of giving notification relative to interest falling It appears from their communication that it is appre- hended that some difficulty may de- How TEMPTING THOSE CAKES Loo | Bur taustn'T % THEM py Too BAD You ARE ON A oer! (Am So GLAD You LIKE THEN Just ONE MORE LITTLE ONE, THEY ARE SO Goad Just ONE More Too BAD THEN | Witt SToP’ We ARE ON A DIET DEARIE, and began to turn over the pile of letters and messages which he had put on my desk; they dated back two years; this surprised me, and I said: “Rather behindhand, aren't | you, Jones?" “Yes, sir; rather, Fact ts, I've done ‘em before, but as you've never 3 itialed ‘em, I thought I ought to bring ‘em to your notice. to look about me, “reserve fund” ten thousand This was enough, hands? in @ manner only known to his ex- cellency—I should have six months Now remaining out of my “bonus was nil, out of my dollara. But, alas! how appened it that (his sum was in my Because | had borrowed five me it I a t your guidance? f cur in the matter." “Quite right 'y neglectful of me, thousand from the bank! If they can't do that, Iam too deep in,” “Would not this application, 1 1 suppose they're all right?” wouldn't let their own manager over- “Yes, you are deep in, and eager to Necessary at all, have been more “Yes, sir; all right.” draw, whom would they? So L over- be deeper,” she said. “Well, so be !t. Properly made to the Ministry of ‘pI won't trouble to go through drew. But if this money wasn't back If that is'so I cannot help yeu.” ‘inance in the first instance?” said before the monthly balancing, Jones “Thank you for your kind attempt,” the President. “These details hardly ‘They're all there, sir, except, of would know! course, And | dared not rely his mouth said I, “I shall very likely be sorry ##!! within my province, the cable about the second on being able to stop some day that I repulse it, I shail . “can only follow my instructions, joan, sir.” again, always be glad to remember that you YOUFr excellency,” I replied. xcept what?" I asked. When I said Johnny Carr was the made it, She locked at me a moment and said: ‘We have ruined you amongst us.” lind, body, and estate.” She made no reply, and I saw my tin,” said letter.” “Oh, return to filppancy wounded her, So 1 rose and took my leave, Johnny was w! y Carr went with me. private “Things look queer, eh, old man?" said he. “But the President will pull through in spite of the Colonel and: “Exact “Have you any objectio Mr. Mar. the President, “I am empowered to submit it only to your excellency’s own eye.” only with an amused expression, to my eye,” “Tha! the interview was to be , sir,” I replied, 0 allowing myself and my advisers to see this said he, “I intend No disrespect to the Minister of Fi- "The cable about the second loan,” he repeated. I was glad to be reminded of this, for of course I wished to remove that document before the bundle finally took its place among the archives, ¢ Indeed, I thought I had done so. But why had Jones removed it? Surely Jones was not as skeptical as that? “Ah, and where have you put that “Why, sir, his excellency took that.” “What?” I cried. only honest forgot Jones, man in draft, for an overdraft from the safe by the manager do not deny it—decidedly lars to my ten thousand is Aureataland | To my grief and an- noyance Jones also was honest, and Jones wuld consider it his duty to let the directors know of my over- If once they knew, | was los! effected privately 1 irregular, " Unless | could add five thousand dol- fore the end of the month, I should have to ” nance or to your secretary, sir, but I ir, Didn't I mention it? ! big Signorina. m bound by my orders Sih Dida’ 5 men bolt! “Johnny,” said I, “you hurt my AM Why, the day after you and the ‘pig melancholy conclusion wae feelings; but still T will give you @ y,, You are an exemplary servant, Mr. President wero here that night, hIS reinforced und rendered demon~ plece of advice.” Martin, But jon't think I need excellency came down in the after- sirable by @ letter which arrived, to “Drive on,” said Johnny. trouble you about it further, Is it a noon, when you'd gone out to the crown my woes, from my respected Borin? Atal ata, SMRIOS Piazza, and said he wanted it. He 2 Marry he's a good girl and a clever girl, and won't let you get drunk or robbed, “By Jove! that's not a bad idea.” ecause I'm like you, Johnny—an ass," 1 replied, and left him wonder- ing why, if he was an ass and I was @n ass, one ass should marry Donna Antonia, and not both or neither, As I went along I bought the "Gi rette,” the Government organ, and read therein: “At a Cabinet council this afters noon, presided over by his excell Martin He smiled so wickedly at this ques- tion that I saw he had penetrated my Uttle fiction, “A letter, sir.” However, 1 only said: he Government does not se: any need of a public notification, and none will be made. I think we agree, gentlemen that to acknowledge the necessity of any such action would be highly derogatory, But assure them that the President has stated to you, Mr. Martin, personally, with the con- currence of his advisers, that he an- ticipates no difficulties in your being said, sir, that you'd said it was to go to the Ministry of Finance. He was very affable, sir, and. told me that it Was necessary the original should be happily become indebted pounds, Jang s Private account) he'd take it up him- nelf, Hasn't he given {t back to you, sir? He said he would.” I had just strength enough to gasp out: “Slip right, the parental debt. and small loss.” 1 was, very deep in indeed, ped his memory, no doubt, Pfonen. ay I go now, sir?" sald Jones. Jones wanted me to go with Al to chairman in the sum of two thousand the result of a deal between against our family in eral, ending by declaring his inte tion of stopping my e@lary to pay °} as Donna Antonia put Bo overwhelmed was 1 by my position, and #o occu. pied by my frantle efforts to improve that I did not even find time to father, informing me that he had un- ur them, that he had seen the chairman, " “Well, gentlemen,” said he t submitted to the Minister for his in- . “Why don't you do it yours.) Well, kentlimen.’ aald he to the Gpection; and as he was paasing by ‘tt the SUSIDAG (WAR _UIEODL £58 Martin. Tell your directors this, Mr. (he'd come in to casn a check on his Paylt n “If he doesn't like it he may go, it, it, we understand that the arrang In @ position to remit the full amount sald T, and as he went the Signorina, inuch as I Connected with the national debt of Interest to them on the proper out, I adden ‘n destination difterent wo aeT comtorty “end; as. the Gaye formed the subject of discussion, The day.” po Goubt, from what the ood lady want on, I fel. Into such despalr that resolutions arrived at are at present , “L may assure them, air, that, the 4d proponed. T went nowhere, but sat dismally ia strictly confidential, but we have the {nterest will be punctually paid?" or I aaw all now, That old villain 11° own rooms, looking at my porte best authority for stating that the “Surely I expressed myself in a (Parden my warmth) had stolen mY Minteau, and wondering how soon 1 measurey to Le adopted will have the Manner you could understand,” said forged cable, and, if need arome cist puck it and fly, if not for lite, effect. of materially alleviating the with the slightest emphaats oo jeant to produce it as his own just ii juast gor liberty, present tension, and will afford un- the “You “Aureataland will meet her feation, Thad , been done—done “ar ‘iast the crash came, [ was alte wale Baa Hy Mors U nn, You Will reosive ail youp RROWR—-0Nd Jones’ idiocy had made ,,At last the crash Same, ties eee Mee ance hee iris Martin, That 1s so, gentle- ‘Re task easy. T had no evidence but caeoa in the difficult task of trying F ss Prasidace ei outs aeea : ; my word that the President knew the {O80 ‘en into fifteen, when 1 be hailed as the savior of his coup- _ Don Antonio acquiesced at once, Message was fabricated, heard the clatter of hoofs, try 7 Johnny Carr, 1 noticed, said nothing _,| ue now, Pia ad Fhauent that if I “A moment later the door wae ‘L wonder if the immense majority and fidgeted rather uneasily in his *'00d convictec should have the opened, and Jones ushered in Colone will Include me," sald 1, "L ‘hai t chair, I knew. what the President honor of his excellency’s support in Meciregor.. | nodded to. the Colonel, will go and see his excellence: meant, He meant, “If we don't pay, (1? dock. But now!—why, now, £ who came in with his usual leisurely Accordingly, the next morning I Pay it out of your reserve fund.” ht prove myself a thief, but I gtep, sat himself down, and took off took my way to the Golden House, Ala reserve fund was consid- ult pt ai him one, T had fev his gloves, [ roused myself to where I learned that the President erably diminished; T had enough, and \inced Jones, not for my good, but for “What can i do for you, Colonel Ministry of Finance, Ar- Just enough, left to pay the next in- his ad forged papers, not for my — He waited till the door closed be- aant In ae ‘writ. stalment if 1 paid none of my own 820% but for his, True, I had spent pind Jones, and then sald: ing thereon ‘an humble request for a debts the money ive ery “U've got to the bottom of It at private Interview. f was ushered inte J felt very vicious as I aaw bie . curse it alli” Terted in the bitter ast, Martin.” : Don Antonio's room, where 1 found excellency taking Keen pleasure in thir | on about ‘This was true of myself also, but three-quarters of that said he, the Minister -hinself, the President the consctousness of my dimicuittes TPPCATUNTONS Of MNALTE 2 | the Colonel meant it In a different and Johnny Carr, As I entered, and (for he had a shrewd notion of how pack to my memory, “I make the *°!s* Sate fe aavan rat the servant, on a sign from his ex- the land lay), but of course LE most of my oppdrtunities." Kottom of what? asked, rather cellency, placed a chair for me, tho could May AotulDg, Ld i; ree eng tee ola p's villainy," latter suid rather stiffly: owed myself out, feeling ad nat old scamp's vi A nal “As I presume this is & business gained nothing, except @ very clear CHAPTER VI, jerking his thumb toward the Piazza visit, Mr. Martin, it is more regular that | should receive you in the pres- ence of one of my constitutional ad- next inter: conviction that I should not see the color of the President's money on the. True, I could just est day, Mourons Pour la Patrie? cute, HB next week was a busy & Md and the statue of the Liberator, “He's but he's made a mistake visers, Mr, Carr js acting as my pay myself one for me, I spent it in 0 come to tha point, Colonel. secretary, and you can speak freely When [ went back to the bank, + aera nin er every bit, What's It all about? before him.” volving these things in my mind, L AP 7 ¥ hi “Would you be surprised to hear,” 1 was annoyed at falling in my ats found Jones employed in arranging of cash 1 could lay my guid the Colonel, adopting a famous tempt to see the President alone, but rrespondence. It was part of hands on, If I could get mode of speech, “that the Interest on not yi hin be show it, L merely he duty te to the prese rvation and together enough to pay the Interest lebt would not be pald on the bowed and said: filing of all letters arriving from Bus Ist? “L venture to intrude on your ex- rope, and, strange to say, he delights, O? ‘he three hundred thousand dol- “'\..;, 1 shouldn't," aald I, resign: celler ty, In consequence of @ letter ed in the task, It was part of my*!ars supposed to be Invested in ap- eqly trom my directors, They inform me duty to eee he did this; so 1 sat dows proved apcuritica—teally disposed of Remini em “Would you be surprised to hear THE HANSOM CAB— THE SUICIDE CLUB} By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON NEXT WEEK'S COMPLETE NOVEL IN THE EVENING WORLD Read This Famous Tale of Mystery From the NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS La} no more interest would ever be paid “The devil” I cried, leaping uw ‘What do you mean, man “The President,” said he, calmly, “will, on the 3ist instant, repudiate the national debt” I had nothing left to say. 1 fell back in my chair and gazed at the Colonel, who was now employed lighting a cigarette, At the same mo- ment & sound of rapid wheels struck ‘Then 1 4 the sweet, ment, Mr, Jones. I want him to tear himself from work for a day and for a ride.” She opened my door and came swiftly in, On seeing the Colonel she took In the position, and sald to that gentiem “Have you told him?" "I have just done so Signorina,” he replied. I had not energy enough to greet her, so she also sat down uninvited and took off her gloves—not laglly, like the Colonel, but with an air as though she would, if a man, take off her coat to meet the crisis more en- ergetically. At last I sald with conviction: “He's a wonderful man! How aid you find it out, Colonel?" mean he trusted Johnny?” ‘Odd, fan't It? said the Colonel. “With his experience, too, He might have known Johnny was an ass. I suppose there Was no one else.” “He knew,” sald the Signorina, “any one else in the place would betray him; he knew Johnny wouldn't if he could help it. powers, Colonel, “Well,” said I, “I can’t help ft, can 1? My directors will lose. The bond- holders will lose, But how does it hurt me?” The Colonel and the Signorina both smiled gently. “You do it very well, Martin,” ald the former, “but it will save time if I state that both Signorina Nugent and myself are possessed of the de- tails regarding the’— The Colonel paused and stroked his mustache, i “The second loan,” said the Signor- na. I was less surprised at this, recol- lecting certain conversations, “Ah! and how did you find that LT asked. ho told me,” sald the Colonel, In- cating his fair neighbor. “And may I ask how you found ft out, Signorina?” reg President told me,” aald that He underrated your Ny. Did you make him drunk?” ‘No, not drunk,” was her reply, in a very demure voice, and with down- We could guess how it had been done, but neither of us cared to pur- sue the subject, After a pause, I “Well, as you both know all about it, it's no good keeping up pretenses. It's very kind of you to come and warn me.” “You dear, good Mr. Martin,” aaid the Signorina, “our motives are not those of friendship, Why, how does It matter to you?" “Simply this,” said she; “the bank and its excellent manager own most of the debt. The Colonel and I own the rest. If it is repudiated, the bank losea; yes, but the manager and the Colonel and the Signorina Nugent 't know this,” I said, rather bewildered, “Yet,” sald the Colonel, “when tho first loan was raised I lent him one hundred thousand dollars, We were thick then, and I did it In return for my rank and my seat in the Chamber, Since then I've bought up some more Lg got them cheap, I suppose?” ." he repliel, “I averaged them at about seventy-five cents the five- dollar share.” “And what do you hold now, nom- {nal ?”" ‘Threo hunfred thousand dollars,” aid he shortly, matter. ” The Signorina appeared a little em- barrassed, But at last she broke out: “I don't care If I do tell you. When I agreed to stay here, he” (we knew whom she meant) “gave me one hun- dred thousand dollars. And I had fifty thousand, or thereabouts, of my own that 1 had" — “Saved out of your salary as @ prima donna,” put in the Colonel, * said she, then, what me to put one hundred and Into his horrid debt, wasn't it mean, Mr, Martin?" @ President had certainly com- and pleasure in this matter “Disgracetul;" L remarked “And if that goes, | am penniless penniless, And there's poor What will she do?” “Never mind your aunt,” sald the Colonel, rather rudely, “Well,” he went on, “you seo We're im the same boat with you, Martin,” “Yes; and we shall soon be in the samo deep water,” said 1 “Not at all,” said the Colonel, ot at all,” echoed the Signortn. hy, what on earth are you going to do “Financial probity ts the backbone of a country,” said the Colone “Are wo to stand by and see Aureataland enter on the shameful path of repudi- ever cried the Signorina, leap. ing up with sparkling eyes, Never! She looked enchanting. But busis ness is business; and I sald again: “What are you going to do?” “We are going, with your help, Mare tin, to prevent this national disgra We are going’—he lowered his vo uselessly, for the Signorina struc in a high, merry tone, in, waving bor gloves ower her head and dane: little padyeul on the floor before me with these remarkable word: ie aunt. ,, “Hurrah for the revolution! Hipt hip! hurrah!” eee like a Goddess of Free- dom in high spirits and @ Paris ¢on- = I pe yp beng of ‘Leap- ing up, 1 and we twirled madly ‘about t the fice, the Signorina breaking into the “Marseiliaise.” “For Lena sake, be quiet!” onid McGregor, | hoarse w! mak ing a cluteh vat me aa [ aped past Bim “If they hear you! Stop, I tell you bias tage ‘ " 16 Signorina stopped. “Do you mean me, Colonel’ aeal Gregor?” she asked, “Yes,” he eaid, “and thet fool Mars un, too.” “Even in times of revolution, Col- onel,” said I, thing te lost by = liteness, But in eubstance you ere nt Let us be sober.” sat down again, panting, norina between her gasps faintiy humming the pealm of liberty, “Kindly unfold your plan, Cols onel,” I resumed. “I am aware that out here you think little of revolue appear tions, but to a newcomer to be matters requiring some man< agement, You see, we ere only three.” “"r pig the army with me,” sald he, grandly. “In the outer office?” asked I, Ine duiging in @ sneer at the Gimendons of the Aureataland forces, “Look here, Martin.” he scowling, “if you'ré coming in. wit us, keep your jokes to yor bad “Don't quarrel, gentlemen,” said the Signorina. “It's a waste of time, Teli him the plan, Colonel, while I'm get- Ung cool.” t the tes the wisdom of this advice, so said: “Your pardon, Colonel, But this repudiation be popular with ? If he lets the debt slide, he must get at them before open of the case strikes them, literally starving, and for ten dotars oman ae preutel oane Satan him= resident ve you easy money, Martin?” Dai “You,” said I, “a ttle.” Her Runt pled Walk” ‘en thousand,” I repitedy! weeping it for the interest.” “Ah! you won't want it now.” “Indeed I ehall—for the seconf Nev Jou Snow, a “Look here, Martin; give me that thousand for the troops, Stand et” with us, and the day I Become Br Frees dent I'll give you back hundred thousand. Just you stand, Now, I don't want to be rude, but isn't it a case of’—— “Some emergency?” said I, thought« fully, “Yes, it is, pal where do you suppose you're going to three hundred ‘thousand Soniars’ ee ony nothing of your own shares?” °° He drew his chair closer to ming, and, leaning forward, said: “He's never spent the money, He'e got it somewhe: much the part, at least.” “Did Carr tell you that? “He didn’t know for certain; but he told me enough to make it almost certain. Besides," he added, glanc- ing at the Signorina, “we pave rennoae for suspecting {t. G your ten thousand. You shall have your loan back, and, if you like, you shal be Minister of Finance. We practl- cally know the money’s there, don’t we, Signorina?* She nodded assent, “If we fail?” said I. He drew a neat little revolver from bed pocket, placed it for ® moment inst his ear, and repocketed it, lucidly explained, Colonel,” eaid I, “Will you give me balf am hour to think it over?” ‘Yer he said. “You'll excuse me if I stay in the outer office? Of course I trust you, Martin, but im this sort of thing’-— “All right; I see,” said L “And you, Signorina “I'll wait, too," he sald. They both rose and went out, one I heard them in conversation Jones. I sat still, thinking hard, “But scarcely a moment had passed when 1 heard the door behind me open. It was Signorina, She came tn, stood be. hind my chalr, and, leaning over, put her arms around my neck, 1 sake up, and eaw ber face full of of, What about the rose, Jack?” she asked. 1 remembered. Bewildered with dee Nght, and believing I bad won her, & said: ‘Your soldier till death, St ‘a Bother death!” sald she, sauolly. “Nobody's going to dle, We shall win, and then"—— “And then, ard I, eagerly, “you'll marry me, sweet? She quietly stooped down and kissed my lips. Then, stroking my hair, ehe u're a nice boy, but you're not @ Jack." ristina, you won't marry him? “Him? iregor,” said I. “Jack,” she, whispering now, I answered promptly. nd If it’s to win you, I'll upset @ 1 presidents," “Then you'll do tt for me? T like to think you'll do it for me, and not for the money.” As the Sixnorina was undoubtedly ‘doing it" for her money, this was @ ehado unreasonable, ‘I don’t mind the money coming in,”* began. “Mercenary wretch!" she erted. “I You sald you "t kiss you, did I No," [ replied. would in a minute, when [ consen: “Very neat, Jack," she sald, But Went and opened the door and called to McGregor: “Mr, Martin sees no ob- jection to the arrangement, and Be will come to dinner to-night, ae you suggest, and talk over the detaila, We're all going to make our fortunes, Mr, Jones," she t on, wi waiting for any acceptance of her plied invitation, “and a made ours we'll think about you Mra, Jones.” Continued.) scfm