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About Lexington wheatfield. (Lexington, Or.) 1905-19?? | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1906)
s Between Two fires Ey ANTHONY HOPE "A wise man than he finds." rill make more opportunities Francis Bacon. CHAPTER XIII. (Continued.) "How was he wounded?" I asked. "Tell me what the Colonel did to him, and be short." "Yes, sir. The Colonel told us Mr. Carr was to be kept at the ranch over night ; wasn't to leave it alive, sir, he said. Well, up to yesterday it was all right and pleasant. Mr. Carr wasn't very well, and the doses the Colonel gave him didn't seem to make him any better quite the contrary. But yesterday after noon he got rampageous would go, any Low, ill or well ! So he got up and dress ed. We'd taken all his weapons from him, sir, and when he came down dress ed, and asked for his horse, we told him he couldn't go. Well, he just said, 'Get out of the light, I tell you,' and began walking toward the hall door. I don't wind saying we were rather put about, sir. We didn't care to shoot him as he stood, and it's my belief we'd have let him pass; but just as he was going out, in comes the Colonel. 'Hullo, what's this, Johnny?' says he. 'You've got some Beherne on,' said Carr. 'I believe you've been drugging me. Out of the way, Mc Gregor, or I'll brain you.' 'Where are you going?' says the Colonel. 'To Whit tingham, to the President's,' said he. 'Not to-day,' says the Colonel. 'Come, be reasonable, Johnny. You'll be all right to-morrow.' 'Colonel McGregor,' says he, 'I'm unarmed, and you've got a re volver. You can shoot me if you like, but unless you do, I'm going out. You've been playing some dodge on me, and you shall pay for it.' With that he rushed straight at the Colonel. The Colonel, he stepped on one side and let him pass. Then he went after him to the door, wait ed till he was about fifteen yards off, then up with his revolver, as cool as you like, and shot him clean as a sixpence in the right leg. Down came Mr. Carr; he lay there a minute or two, and then he faint ed. Tick him up, dress his wound, and put him to bed,' says the Colonel. Well, sir, it was only a flesh wound, so we soon got hiin comfortable, and there he lay all . nighf." "How did he get away to-day?" "We were all out, sir went over to Mr. Carr's place to borrow his horses. Well, when we'd got the horses, we rode round outside the town, and came into the road between here and the Colonel's. Ten horses we'd got, and we went there to give the ten men who were patrolling the road the fresh horses. We heard from them that no one had come along. ' When we got home, he'd been gone two hours !" "How did he manage it?" "A woman, sir," said my warrior, with supreme disgust. "Gave her ten dollars to undo the front door, and then he was off ! He daren't go to the stables to get a horse, so he was forced to limp away on his game leg. A plucky one he is, too," he concluded. "Poor old Johnny," said I. "You didn't go after him?" "No time, sir. Couldn't tire the horses. Besides, when he'd once got home, he's got a dozen men there, and they'd have kept us all night. Well, sir, I must be off. Any answer for the Colonel? He'll he outside the Golden House by eleven, oir nn1 Mr. Carr won't get in if he comes after that." "Tell him to rely on me," I answered, But for all that I didn't mean to shoot Johnny on sight. So, much perturbed in spirit, I set off to the barracks, wandering when Johnny would get to Whittingham, and whether he would fall into the Colonel's hands outside the Golden House. It struck me as unpleasantly probable that he might come and spoil the harmony of my even ing; if he came there first, the conspiracy would probably lose my aid at an early moment. What would happen to me didn't know. But, as I took off my coat in the lobby, I bent down as if to tie a shoestring, and had oue more look at my revolver. CHAPTER XIV. 1 shall never forget that supper as long as I live. Considered merely as a social gathering it would be memorable enough, for I never before or since sat at meat with ten such queer customers as my hosts of that evening. The officers of the Aureataland army were a very mixed l(,t two or three Spanish Americans, three or four Brazilians, and the balance Americans of the type of their country men are least proud of. If there was an honest man among them he sedulously concealed his title to distinction. All this might have passed from my memory, or blended In a subdued harmny with my general Impression of Aureataland ; but the peculiar position In which I stood gave to my mind an unusual activity of perception. Among this band of careless revelers I sat vigilant, restless and 1m patient; feigning to take a leading part In their .hilarity, I was sober, collected. and alert to my very finger tips. I anx lously watched their bearing and expres sion. I led them on to siwak of the Pres ident, rejoicing when I elicited open mur murs and covert threats at his base in gratitude to the men on whose support his power rested. They had not been paid for six months, and were ripe for any mischief. I was more than once tempted to forestall the Colonel and begin the revolution on my own account; only my Inability to produce before their eyes any arguments of the sort they would listen to restrained me. Eleven o'clock had come and gone. The Senior Captain had proposed tat Presi dent's health. It was received in sullen silence; I was the only man who hon ored it by rising from his seat. The Major had proposed the. army, and they had responded to their noble selves. A young man of weak expression and quavering legs had proposed, "The com merce of Aureatalnnd," coupled with the name of Mr. John Martin, in laudatory but incoherent terms, and I was on my legs replying. Oh, that speech of mine ! For discursiveness, for repetition, for sheer inanity, I suppose it has never been equaled. I droned steadily away ; as I went on the audience paid less and ess attention. It was past twelve. The well of my eloquence was running drier and drier, and yet no sound outside ! I wondered how long they would stand It and how long I could stand it. At 12:15 began my peroration. Hardly had 1 done so, when one of the young men start ed in a gentle voice a ditty. One by one they took it up, till the rising tide of voices drowned my fervent periods. Per force I stopped. They were all on their feet now. Did they mean to break up? In despair at the idea I lifted up my voice, loud and distinct, in a verse of the composition, and seizing my neighbor's hand began to move slowly round the table. The move was successful. Each man followed suit, and the whole party, kicking back their chairs, revolved with lurching steps. The room was thick with smoke. Me chanically I led the chorus, straining ev ery nerve to hear a sound from outside. I was growing dizzy with the movement, and, overwrought with the strain on my nerves, I knew a few minutes more would be the limit of endurance, when at last I heard a loud shout and tumult of voices. 'What's that?" exclaimed the Major, in thick tones, pausing as he spoke. I dropped his hand, and seizing my re volver, said : "Some row in barracks, Major. Let 'em alone." "I must go," he said. "Character Au reataland army at stake." "Set a thief to catch a thief, eh, Ma jor?" said I. "What do you mean, sir?" he stut tered. "Let me go." "If you move, I shoot, Major," said I, bringing out my weapon. I never sav greater astonishment on human counte nance. He cried : "Hi, stop him he's mad he's going to shoot !" A shout of laughter rose from the crew around us, for they felt exquisite appre ciation of my supposed joke. "Right you are, Martin," cried one. "Keep him quiet. We won't go home till morning!" The Major turned to the window. It was a moonlight night, and as I looked with him I saw the courtyard full of sol diers. Who was in command? The an swer to that meant much to me. The sight somewhat sobered the Major. "A mutiny!" he cried. "The soldiers have risen !" "Go to bed," said the junior ensign. "Look out of window !" he cried. They all staggered to the window. As the soldiers saw them, they raised a shout. I could not distinguish whether it was a greeting or a threat. They took it as the latter, and turned to the door. "Stop 1" I cried ; "I shoot the first man who opens the door." In wonder they turned on me. I stood facing them, revolver in hand. They waited huddled together for an instant, then made a rush at me; I fired, but missed. I had a vision of a poised gob let; a second later, the missile caught me In the chest, and hurled me back against the wall. As I fell I dropped my weapon, and they were upon me. I thought it was all over; but as they surged round, in the madness of anger, I, looking through their ranks, saw the door open and a crowd of men rush in. Who was at their head? It wns the Calanel, and his voice rose high above the tumult: "Order, gentlemen, order." Then to his men he added : "Each mark your man, and two of you bring Mr. Martin here." I was saved. To explain how, I must explain what had been happening at the Golden House, and how the night attack had fared. CHAPTER XV. It is a sad necessity that compels us to pry into the weaknesses of our fellow creatures, and see to turn them to our own profit. I am not philosopher enough to say whether this course of conduct derives any justification from Its univer sality, but in the region of practice I have never hesitated to place myself on a moral level with those with whom I had to deal. I felt, therefore, very little scruple In making use of the one weak spot discoverable in the defence of our redoubtable opponent, his excellency, the President of Aureataland. The President had no cause to suspect a trap; therefore, like a sensible mnn, he chose to spend the evening with the Signorina rather than with his gallant officers. It appears that at a few min utes past eleven o'clock, when the Presi dent was peacefully lis,t6ning to the con versation of his fair guest (whom he had galvanized into an affected liveliness by alarming remarks on her apparont pre occupation), there fell upon his ear the sound of a loud knocking at the door. Dinner had been served, and the Presi dent could not command a view of the knecker without go tag oat o t rnnda, which ran all round the house, and walking round to the front. When the knock was beard, the Signorina start ed up. "lwu't disturb yourself, pray," said his excellency politely. "I gave spociul in structions that ' I was visible to no one this evening. But I was wondering wheth er it could be Johnny Carr. 1 waut to speuk to him for a moment, and I'll just go round outside and see if it is." As he spoko a tap was heard at the door. "Yes?" said the P.rosident. "Mr. Carr is at the door and particu larly wants to Bee your excellency. An urgent matter, he says." "Tell him I'll come round and speak to him from the veranda," replied the Presi dent. lie turned to the window, and threw it open to step out. Let me tell what fol lowed in the Signorina's words. "JuBt then we heard a sound of a num ber of horses galloping up. The Presi dent stopped, and said : "'Hullo, what's up?' "Then there was a shout and a volley of shots, and I heard the Colonel's voice cry : " 'Down with your arms ; down, I say, or you're dead men !' 'The President took out his revolver, went back to the window, passed through it. and without a word disappeared. I could not hear even the sound of his feet on the veranda. "I heard one more shot then a rush of men to the door, and the Colonel burst in, with sword and revolver in his hands, and followed by ten or a dozen men. "I ran to hiin, terrified, and cried: " 'Oh, is anyone hurt?' ' ' "He took no notice, but asked hastily: "'Where is he?' "I nointed to the veranda, and gasped : " 'He went out there.' Then I turned to one of the men and said again : " 'Is anyone hurt? '"Onlv Mr. Carr.' he replied. 'The rest of 'em were a precious sight too care ful of themselves.' '"And is he killed?' " 'Don't think he's dead, miss,' he said. 'But he's hurt badly.' "As I turned again, I saw the Presi dent standing quite calmly in the win How. When the Colonel saw him, he raised his revolver and said: Do you yield, General Whittingham? We are twelve to one.' "As he spoke, every man covered the President with his aim. The latter stood facing the twelve revolvers, his own wea pon hanging loosely In his left hand. Then, smiling, he said a little bitterly : " 'Heroics are not In my line, McGreg or. 1 suppose tills IS a popular nsiug that is to say, you have bribed the men and murdered my best friend. Well, we mustn't use hard names,' he went on in a gentler tone. I give In,' and, throwing down his weapon, he asked, Have you quite killed Carr?' ' " 'I don't know,' said the (joionei, im plying plainly that he did not care, either. " 'I suppose it was you tnat snot mm t "The Colonel nodded. "The President yawned and looked at his watch. " 'As I have no part in to-night s per formance,' said he, 'I presume I am at liberty to go to bed?' "'My men must stay here, and you must leave the door open.' " 'I have no objection,' said the Presi dent. " 'Two of you stay in this room. Two of you keep watch in the veranda, one at this window, the other at the bedroom window. I shall put three more sentries outside. General Whittingham is not to leave this room. If you hear or see any thing going on in there, go In and put him under restraint. Otherwise treat him with respect.' " 'I thank you for your civility,' said the President, 'also for the compliment Implied in these precautions. Is it over this matter of the debt that your patriot item has drawn you into revolt?' " 'I see no use in discussing public af fairs at this moment,' the Colonel re plied. 'And my presence is required else where. I regret that I cannot relieve you of the presence of these men, but I do not feel I should be justified in accept ing your parole.' 'The President did not seem to be an gered at this Insult. " 'I have not offered It,' he said sim ply. 'It is better you should take your own measures. Need I detain you, Colo nel?' "The Colonel did not answer him, but turned to me and said : " 'Signorina Nugent, we wait only for you, and time Is precious.' "Looking up, I saw a smile on the President's face. As I rose reluctantly, he also got up from the chair into which he had flung himself, and stopped me with a gesture. I was terribly afraid that he was going to say something hard to me, but his voice only expressed a sort of amused pity. "'The money, was It, Signorina?' he said. 'Young people and beautiful people should not be mercenary. Poor child, you had better have stood by me.' "I answered him nothing, but went out with the Colonel, leaving him seated afln in the chair, surveying with some apparent amusement the two threatening sentries who stood at the door. The Colonel hurried me out of the house, say ing: "We must ride to. the barracks. If the news gets there before us,, they may cut up rough. You go home. Your work is done.' "So they mounted and rode away, leav ing me in the road. There were no signs of any struggle, except the door hanging loose on Its hinges, and a drop or two of blood on the steps where they had shot poor Johnny Carr. I went straight home, and what happened in the next few hours at the Golden House I don't know, and, knowing how I left the Presi dent, I cannot explain. I went home, and. cried till I thought my heart would break." (To be continued.! m -mi mm m m W vTwA A S-nd fo; K C right a way. It's purer and more efficient than any Bak ing Powder that costs three times as much. 25 oz. for 25c. All grocers Do you know the secret of the Wave , Circle? Wonderful! Don't delay. another day! JaquesHfg. Co, Chicago UooU lilru. "I have many beautiful thoughts," said the long-haired boarder, who Imagines he la a born poet, "that I propose to give to the public In the near future." "That's a good idea, young man," growled the fussy bachelor. "It's s cinch you could never Induce the pub lic to buy them." A WOMAN'S KIDNEYS. Women have bo much to do, ao maDy pains to suffer, bo many critical period? to go thrnntrh. that it is important tn keep the kidneys well and avoid the back ache, bearing down pain, headaches, diz ziness, languor and other common eigne of weak kidneys. Mrs. Charles . Smith, o 22 Boyden St., Woon- "My kidneys were weak from childhood, and for eight or ten years past my sufferings were terri ble. My back was very painful and I had many annoying symptoms besides. When I began taking Doan's Kidney Pills I weighed only 120. Today I weigh 165, and am in better health than for years. Doan's Kidney Pills have been my only kidney medicine during four years pant. They bring me out of every attack." Sold by all dealers. 50 cents a box. Foeter-Milburn Co., Buffalo, N. Y. f ABT-tfclagr Bat a Joke. "These alleged jokes about the sum mer girl who gets engaged just for fun," remarked the sad-eyed passenger as he let a comic weekly fall to the floor of the car, "make me real weary." "What's the answer?" queried the hardware drummer. "I met that kind of a girl last sum mer," explained the sad-eyed party, "and thinking the Joke compilers knew their business, I got engaged to her." "Well?" said the h. d., as the other paused to light his pipe. "But Instead of acting according to the dope sheet," continued ha of the sad optics, "she Jumped the hurdle and married me about the time the Reaves began to turn." The Unfltnea of Thing. "Everything you buy Is adulterated nowadays," grumbled old Ptsaim, "except the stuff they put In cinnoa crackers and other lnferntl machines. That gets stronger every year." Mothers will find Mrs. Window's Soothing Byrap the best remadv to um for thsir children during the teething period. Uvvraoiie. Visitor Yen soem to have a hat clean ing establishment In every block in this town. What's tis use ef that? Resident No use at all. Frequently you can walk two blocks before you need 'o have your hat cleaned again. Chicago Tribune. Mark Twnln's "Ad." In his early. Uartford days Mark Twain took an active Interest in base ball in common with most of his fel low citizens. While attending nn ex citing game he lost a gold-hended um brella, which he adverted for in the local papers somewhat after this fash Ion : "Lost $10 reward; a gold-hended umbrella was lost by the undersigned on the grandstand at the baseball ground on Saturday. It was probably stolen from him while he wns en gaged in cheering the Hartfords for their victory over the Providence nine presumably stolen by a red-hended, freckled-faced boy about 12 years old. For the body of the boy and the um brella delivered at my house on Farm Ington avenue $10 will be paid. For the body of the boy or the umbrella separately $5 for either. For the boy alive, nothing under any i circum stances." This advertisement was signed with big full name and address. The Youthful Idea. "Pop, ore lawyers always bad-tempered?" "Of course not, my son. What made you think so?" "Why, the papers are always telling about their cross-examinations." Bal timore American. Much ta Evidence. Mr. Willjams (exhibiting it to visitor) I've had this old meerschaum pipe forty years, and I think a great deal of it. Mrs. Willjams And I can't think oi anything else for twenty-four hours aftei he has smoked It In the house. There need not be a cold room in the bouse if you own a PERFECTION Oil Heater. This is an oil neater that gives satisfaction wherever used. Produces intense neat without smoke or smell because it is equipped with smokeless device no trouble, no danger. Easily carried around from room to room. You cannot turn the wick too high or too low. As easy and simple to care for as a lamp. The PERFECTION Oil Heater (Equipped with Smokeless Device.) is an ornament to the home. It is made in two finishes nickel and japan. Brass oil fount beautifully embossed. Holds 4 quarts of oil and burns 9 hours. Every heater warranted. 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