f
ctwccn Two Fircss
By ANTHONY HOPE
'A wise man will make more opportunities
than he finds. " Francis Bacon.
CHAPTER XVII. (Continued.)
There was in the room, as perhaps
might be expected, a washing stand. This
article was of the description one often
sees; above the level of the stand itself
there rose a wooden screen to the height
of two feet and a half, covered with pret
ty tiles, the presumable object being to
protect the wall paper. I never saw a
more innocent looking bit of furniture ; it
might have stood in a lady's dressing
room. The Signorina went up to it and
slid it gently on one side ; it moved in a
groove ! Then she pressed a spot in the
wall behind, and a small piece of it rolled
aside, disclosing a keyhole.
"He's taken the key, of course," she
said. "We must break it open. Who's
got a hammer?"
Tools were procured, and, working un
der the Signorina's directions, after a
good deal of trouble, we laid bare a neat
little, safe embedded in the wall. This
safe "was legibly inscribed on the outside,
"Burglar's Puzzle." We, however, were
not afraid of making a noise, and it only
puzzled us for ten minutes.
When opened it revealed a Golconda!
There lay in securities and cash no less
than $500,000 !
We smiled at one another.
"0 sad revelation," I remarked.
"Hoary old fox !" said the Colonel.
No wonder the harbor works were un
remunerative in their early stages. The
President must have kept them at a very
"What are you people up to?" cried
Carr.
"Rank burglary, my dear boy, I re
plied, and we retreated with our spoil.
"NTnw" Bfiid I to the Colonel, "what
are you going to do?"
"Why, what do you think,: Mr. Mar
tin'?" intemosed the Signorina. "He's
going to give you your money, and divide
the rest with his sincere friend, Christina
Nugent."
"WpII. I sumwse o." said the Colonel
"But it strikes me you are making a
good thing of this, Martin."
"My dear Colonel," said I, "a bargain
Is a bargain, and where would you have
been without my money?"
The Colonel made no reply, but handed
me the money, which I liked much better.
T tnnk the $320,000 and said :
Now I can face the world, an honest
man."
TIib Simiorina laughed.
"I am glad," she said, "chiefly for poor
old Jones sake. It'll take a load off his
mind."
The Colonel proceeded to divide the re
mainder into two little heaps, one of
which he pushed over to the Signorina.
She took it gaily, saying:
"Now I shall make curl papers of half
mv honds. and .1 shall rely on the what
do you call it? the Provisional ' govern
ment to pay the rest. lou remeinuer
about the house?"
"I'll see about that soon," said the
Colonel ftnpatiently. "You two seem to
think there's nothing to do but take the
money. You forget we've got to make
our positions safe."
"Exactly. The Colonel's government
must be carried on," said I.
The Signorina did not catch the allu
sion. She yawned, and said :
"Oh, then I shall go. Rely on my loy
alty, your excellency."
She made him a courtesy and went to
the door. As I opened it for her she
whispered, "Horrid old bear ! Come and
see me, Jack," and so vanished, carrying
off her dollars.
I returned and sat down opposite the
Colonel.
"T wonder how she knew about the
washing stand?" I remarked.
"Because Whittingham was fool enough
to tell her," said the Colonel testily.
Then we settled to business. This un
ambitious tale does not profess to be a
complete history of Aureataland, and I
will spare my readers the recital of our
discussion. We decided at last that mat
ters were still so critical, owing to the
President's escape, that the ordinary
forms of law and constitutional govern
ment must be temporarily suspended. The
chamber was not In session, which made
this course easier. The Colonel was to be
proclaimed President and to assume su
preme power under martial law lor some
weeks, while we looked about us. It was
thought better that my name should not
appear officially, but I agreed to take In
hand, under his supervision, all matters
relating to finance.
"We can't pay the Interest on the real
debt," he said.
"No," I replied ; "you must issue a no
tice, setting forth that, owing to General
Whittlngham's malversations, payments
must be temporarily suspended. Prom
ise it will be all right later on."
"Very good," said he ; "and now I shall
go and look up those officers. I must
keeD them in good temper, and the men,
too. I shall give 'em another ten thou
sand."
"flenerous hero!" said I, "and I shall
go and restore this cash to my employ-erij."
CHAPTER XVIII.
It was twelve o'clock when I left the
Golden House and strolled quietly down
to Liberty street. The larger part of the
oldlere had been drawn off, but a couple
t ivminanlei still kept guard In the PI
azza. The usual occupations of life were
going on amid a confused stir of excite
ment, and I saw by the Interest my ap
pearance aroused that some part at least
of my share In the night's doings had
leaked out. The Gazette had published
special edition, in which it hailed the
advent of freedom, and, while lauding Mc
Gregor to the skies, bestowed a warm
commendation on the "noble Englishman
who, with a native love of liberty, had
taken on himself the burden of Aureata
land In her hour of travail." ine meta
phor struck me as inappropriate, but the
sentiment was most healthy ; and when 1
finally beheld two officers of police sitting
on the head of a drunken man for toast
ing the falling regime, I could say to my
self, as I turned into the bank, "Order
reigns in Warsaw."
General assent had proclaimed a sus
pension of commerce on this auspicious
day, and I found Jones sitting Idle and
ill at ease. I explained to him the state
of affairs, showing how the President's
dishonorable scheme had compelled me, in
the interests of the bank, to take a more
or less active part in the revolution. It
was pathetic to hear him bewail the vil
lainy of the man he had trusted, and
when I produced the money, he blessed
me fervently, and at once proposed writ
ing to the directors a full account of the
matter.
"They are bound to vote you an honora
rium, sir," he said.
"I don't know, Jones," I replied. "I
am afraid there is a certain prejudice
against me at headquarters. But in any
case I have resolved to forego the per
sonal advantage that might accrue to me
from my conduct. President McGregor
has made a strong representation to me
that the schemes of General Whittingham,
if publicly known, would, however un
justly, prejudice the credit of Aureata
land, and he appealed to me not to give
particulars to the world. In matters such
as these, Jones, we cannot be guided solely
by selfish considerations."
'Heaven forbid, sir I" said Jones, much
moved.
"I have, therefore, consented to restrict
myself to a confidential communication
to the directors ; they must judge how far
they will pass It on to the shareholders.
To the world at large I shall say nothing
of the second loan ; and I know you will
oblige me by treating this money as the
product of realizations In the ordinary
course of business. The recent disturb
ances will quite account for so large a
sum being called in."
"I don't quite see how I can arrange
that."
"Ah, you are overdone," said I. "Leave
it all to me, Jones."
And this I persuaded him to do. In
fact, he was so relieved at seeing the
money back that he was easy to deal
with; and if he suspected anything, he
was overawed by my present exalted po
sition. He appeared to forget what 3
could not, that the President, no doubt,
still possessed that fatal cable !
After lunch I remembered my engage
ment with the Signorina, and, putting on
my hat, was bidding farewell to busi
ness, when Jones said:
"There's a note just come for you sir.
A little boy brought it while you were out
at lunch."
He gave It to me a little dirty envel
ope, with an illiterate scrawl. I opened
it carelessly, but as my eye fell on the
President's hand, I started in amazement,
The note was dated "Saturday From
on board The Songstress, and ran as fol
lows :
"Dear Mr. Martin I must confess to
having underrated your courage and abili
ties. If you care to put them at my dis
Dosal now. I will accept them. In the
other event, I must refer you to my pub
lic announcement. In any case it may
be useful to you to know that McGregor
designs to marry Signorina Nugent,
fear that on my return it will be hardly
consistent with my public duties to spare
your life (unless you accept my present
offer ). but I shall always look back to
your acquaintance with pleasure. I have.
if you will allow me to say so, seldom
met a young man with such natural gifts
for finance and politics. I shall anchor
five miles out from Whittingham to-night
(for I know you have no ships), and if
you join me, well and good. If not,
shall consider your decision Irrevocable
Believe me, dear Mr. Martin, faithfully
yours,
"MARCUS W. WHITTINGHAM,
"President of the Republic of Aureata
land."
The President's praise was grateful to
me. But I did not see my way to fall In
with his views. He said nothing about
the money, but I knew well that Its re
turn would be a condition of any alliance
between us. Again, I was sure that he
also "designed to marry the Signorina,
and If I must have a rival on the spot
preferred McGregor In that capacity,
Lastly, I thought that after all there is
decency in things, and I had better stick
to my party. I did not, however, tell
McGregor about the letter, merely send
ing him a line to say I had heard that he
had better look out.
This done, I resumed my Interrupted
progress to the Signorina's. When I was
shown In, she greeted me kindly.
"I have had a letter from the Presi
dent." I said.
"Yes," said she, "he told me he had
written to you."
"Why, have you heard from him?"
"Yes, just a little note. He Is rather
cross with me. Art you going over to
him going to forsake me?
"now can you ask me? won't you
show me your letter, Christina 7"
"No, John," ah answered, mimicking
my Impassioned tones. "I may steal the
President's savings, but I respect his con
fidence." .
"You know what he says to me about
McGregor?"
"Yes," said the Slghorlna. "But, curi
ous to relate, the Colonel has just been
hare himself and told mo the same thing.
The Colonel has not a nice way of mak
ing love, Jack not so nice as yours
nearly."
Thus encouraged I went and sat down
by her. I believe I took her hand.
"You don't love him?"
"Not at all," she replied. "I like you
very much, Jack," she said, "and it's very
sweet of you to have made a revolution
forme. It was for me, Jack?"
"Of course it was, my darling," I
promptly replied.
"But you know, Jack, I don't see how
we're much better off. Indeed, In a way
it's worse. The President wouldn't let
anybody else marry me, but he wasn't
so peremptory as the Colonel. The Colo
nel declares he will marry me this day
week !"
"We'll see about that," said I, savagely.
"Another revolution, Jack?" asked the
Signorina.
"Kou needn't laugh at me," I said sulk
ily. "Poor boyl What are we Idyllic lov
ers to do?"
"I don't believe you're a bit In earn-
est."
"Yes, I am, Jack now." Then she
went on, with a sort of playful pity,
"Look at my savage, jealous Jack. It's
nleasant while it lasts: try not to be
broken-hearted if It doesn't last."
If you love me. why don't you come
with me out of this sink of iniquity
Run away with vou?" she asked with
open amazement, uo you imua u
e're the sort of people lor a romantic
elopement? I am very earthy. And so
are you, Jack dear, nice earth, but eartn,
Jack."
There was a good deal of truth In this
remark. We were not an Ideal pair ror
love in a cottage.
"Yes," I said. ' I ve got no money.
"I've eot a little money, but not much,
ve been paying my debts," she added
nrondlv.
. , , . i .
1 haven't been even doing mat. Ana
'm not quite equal to purloining that
$300,000."
"We must wait. Jack. But this I win
promise : I'll never marry the Colonel. If
It comes to that or running away, we'll
run away."
"And Whittingham?"
The Sienorina for once looUed grave.
"You know him." she said "Think
what he made you do ! and you're not a
weak man, or I shouldn't be fond oi you,
Jack, you must keep him away.
She was quite agitated ; and it was one
more tn-OUte to tne iresiuemo yuwcia
that he should exert so strange an influ
ence over such a nature. I was burning
to ask her more about herself and the
President, but I could not while she was
distressed. And when I had comforted
her, she resolutely declined to return to
the subject.
"No., en awav now. she said. minn
how we are to checkmate our two Presi
dents. And, Jack, whatever happens, I
got you back the money. I've done you
some good. So be kind to me. l m not
very much afraid of your heart breaking.
You have plenty of useful things to oc
cupy your time."
At last I accepted my dismissal, and
walked off,' my happiness considerably
damped by the awkward predicament In
which we stood. Clearly McGregor meant
business; and at this moment McGregor
was all powerful. If he kept the reins, I
should lose my love. If the President
came back, a worse fate still threatened.
Supposing it were possible to carry off the
Signorina, which I doubted very much,
where were we to go to? And would sne
come? On the whole, I did not think she
would come.
(To be continued.)
The Inmilntlve Ilarber. 1
No doubt ninny renders have henrd
of tlio austere disposition of America's
greatest living uctor, Hlelmrd Mans
field. Perlinps the following conversa
tion, which took place in one of Bos
ton's lending , hotels, better illustrates
the satirical nature of tho player. En
tering the barber's shop one morning,
he was Immediately recognized ns Rich
ard Mansfield by the barber.
"Good nioriilug," snld the barber af
fably. A grunt was the only reply.
"Well, how was things over at the
house last night?"
"What house?" answered the actor
Ironically.
"The Ilollls," snld the barber.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Why, are you not Richard Mans
field?" the barber asked.
"Oh, no, Indeed," replied Mr. Mans
field, "I just got out of Jail this morn
ing." "What! You're not Richard Mans
field ; and you Just got out of jail this
morning 1 What for, pray?"
"For assaulting Inquisitive barbers,"
was the response.
Bolt! Invaders.
There were some phases of country
life with which the little city girl Mad
as yet only one day's acquaintance, but
the rights of property-owners and property-renters
were firmly fixed in her
mind.
"Mother!" she called, In evident ex
citement, the morning after the family
had settled for the summer In Sunset
View Cottage, "mother ! , Just come
here and look! There are somebody'
hens wiping their feet on our nice clean
grass!"
HelplHelpI
I'm Falling
Transportation of fruits and vegeta
bles ln,a vacuum Is said to have been
tried successfully by a California Inventor.
Thus cried the hair. And a
kind neighbor came to the res
cue with' a bottle of Ayer's
Hair Vigor. The hair was
saved I In gratitude, it grew
long and heavy, and with all
the deep, rich color of early
life. Sold In all parts of the
world for sixty years.
About one year airo I lnt nearly all of my
hair following altaek of meaalea. I ii
Bdviied by a friend to uie Ayer' Hair Vigor.
I did o, anil as a ronult 1 now hare abnautiful
hed of hair."-Mus. W. J. BliowM. Menom.
ouee Fulls, Wli.
Lowell. Mail.
Also manulaaturera of
Made by 3.0. Ayr Oo.
ifers
SARSAPARILLA.
PILLS.
CllliKKY P2C7C2AL.
Banking by Mail
WE PAY
Knew His Business.
Crltlcus I have only one fault to
find with this rural scene.
DeAuber What is that?
Crltlcus Why In the name of com
mon sense am you paint mose cuwn
blue?
DeAuber Oh, that's all right. The
models I used were from the blue-grass
section of Kentucky.
One Woman'i Way.
nusbnnd Why do you encourage
that Mrs. Tattles to keep calling so of
ten? Is It because you enjoy hearing
the neighbors talked about?
Wife Oh, no, but when she Is here I
know she Isn't somewhere else talking
about me.
More of Him.
Miss Mugley The Idea of his calling
me homely. I may not be very pretty,
but I'm certainly not as homely as he
Is.
Miss Pert No, dear, but that's slm-
nly because he!a bleeer than you. Phil
adelphia Public Ledger.
Another Viewpoint.
Chaplelgh I aw nevah associate
with those aw howld baseball play-
nhs, doncher know.
Miss Caustique I suppose not There
are some things that even baseball play
ers won't stand for.
Why It I.
"Why is It," asked the Frenchman,
"that you have no duels like we have
In France?"
"We are all such eood shots," an
swered the American, "that we would
be sure to hit each other. That's why.'
As a Snpplanter.
The Maid Do you think the automo
bile will ever supplant the horse?
The Man No; but It may supplant
the mule In the course of time. On Is
fully at unreliable as the other.
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