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.!
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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
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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
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have been my only kidney medicine
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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.
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