THE COLONEL’S GAME OF BLUFF.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4627, 14 May 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE COLONEL’S GAME OF BLUFF.

Complete Short Story . (Copyright.) (From “Spare Moments.") When Colonel Thompson consented to leave Piccadilly for the wilds of a Mediterranean isle, he thought that the management of a lead-mine would not entail much bother, while the chance of participating in a little corapony-mon-gering, so soon as matters were ripe for the British public, opened up alluring prospects. But Cinqu.i, as viewed on the spot, and as seen through rose-coloured magnifying glasses in a City solicitor s olticc. were two very different things. To Thompson the banishment seemed a living death. He began to wonder whether the winning of a few thousand and the freedom from duns were vortli the price he had to pay for it. He was left utterly to his own resources, lor there was nobody with whom he could fraternise. The priest was an illedueated bigot, who looked upon the English soldier heretic as something far worse than a heathen. And when the colonel drove out to the mine, it became evident there was not much to ho done ihere. . About a hundred and firry men were at work, mostly Italians, great brawny fellows, with bushy eyebrows and fierce expressions. The overseer was a native of th©place—abroad-shouldered, heavybrowed fellow, with a cunning look. Baldini received the new manager with a cringing familiarity that was highly oh*K*cti*iXinble: but when be hud shown tho colonel the works and the hooks, there could he no doubt that the man knew well enough exactly how far the English syndicate were really interested in ihe mine.

Baldini had to prepare certain returns for the manager, and if these returns were to show satisfactory results on the weekly labour, he made it abundantly clear that a free hand must he given him in certain directions. In a moment of confidence he compared the British public to a full-hiood-cd horse, the syndicate to a leech, and himself to a harmless, very small flea. The colonel was disgusted; but with all his ignorance of City doings, ho was sufficiently a man of the world to see that the picture, though crude and vulgar. was true in its main lines. Onlv file state of affairs was a fresh source of annoyance to him, for it tied 1 1 is bands, ; md prevented Ids finding an outlet fot superabundant energy at Cinqua. Shooting and fishing palled at last, and then the colonel wont in for a far more engrossing, hut, in such unsophisticated lands, far more dangerous sport. At the “ albergo ” Thompson was made as comfortable as circumstances would allow. The fortunes of this ruue establishment were in the hands ol a lady who, to tel! the truth, was, in a vny as much interested in tho mine gs the colonel was. She was in partnership with Baldini, the foreman, and kepi “truck shop” for the miners. It was not always easy for the owners in Loudon to send out the requisite cash for monthly wages, so there were arrears due. Baldini invented a clcvci little scheme to help nut his masters, and incidentally to fill Ins pockets. He paid his men partly in cash and partly in orders on the “padrona 01 tho alhergo. , These orders, or vouchors, were taKon in exchange for wine, food, m anything else tne men-might requne, and were redeemable by the syndicate at

five per cent. As the partners bought their goods in a cheap market and sold them in a dear one, against credit notes,” their profits were .substantial. Of course, this trading took up a good deal- of the padrona’s time, thus the colonel was left much to the care of the iIICCC. ] i*i4Carlotta .was a tall, strongly-huilt girl with a supple waist and magnificently moulded bust; her skin was as soft as velvet, with a warm, brownish line, under which the healthy blood showed with a generous glow whenever she was excited or specially interested. And at such times her coal-black eyes grew large and sparkling, so that her whole being seemed to throb with m terest, as her red lips parted, and her soft, bare arms were lifted above her head, as though calling the heavens to witness her astonishment or her joy. So unusual a type of unspoiled beauty could not but attract the colonel. Moreover, she was so utterly different from anything lie had seen before : quite un-

conventional, ready with her confidences, and not behindhand in giving expression to her cariosity, yet respectful and dignified. Thompson had a dim recollection ol a certain something about the fragnuice of a rose wasted on a desert air. But if there was nothing else to do, he could study the rose, cultivate her, and enjoy the fragrance of unwonted ingenuousness. Carlotta could read, and sho knew her Dante by heart (without understanding him), and loved Petrarch. Such a phenomenon was, indeed, novel to the colonei. After his dinner, he sat on the terrace outside, sipping his coffee while smoking a cigarette, and as dusk fell—blackness settling down on the valley, and the dazzling stars shinin"- in the deep vault of the sky—he would call to Carlotta, and bid her come and rest. . . „ Then they would talk ol II Dante, presently breaking off into long quotations, declaimed in awed whispers or with fiery animation. One night he recited the story of Francesca da Rimini. She listened breathlessly; when it was over she waited a little, and then hurst forth, declaiming the passage with a poetic feeling that startled the colonel cut of his languidness. Her own words had called forth a world of conflict in her mind—she poured forth question after question, and the colonel had to satisfy her as to the historical truth of a ttagedy she bin half understood. It was dangerous play, for the colonel clasped the plump browu hands and smoothed the silky locks, the girl too engrossed with her feelings to notice the familiarity. Then the story of Ugo Foscolo revealed her wild nature, her fierce passions, and how she could gloat in blood when the torch of revenge was lighted. .... Such,a girl, with her quick intuitiveness and liking for books s soon improved under the colonel’s guidance. She had brought him his breakfast one morning, and looked quite preoccupied. “What brings those linos on thy pretty brow, Carlotta, mi aF” “I have a letter, signor.” “ And do letters always make thee so pensive, child ?” “It is from Torino.” “And who is Torino, fiametta?” Antonio, it seemed, was Carlotta's promised one—a shepherd from the adjoining parish, who was away in distant Turin doing “his time” in the army. He spoke of coming back within two or three short months. " So you are to marry a poor lout of a shepherd, girl?” “ He, is hot poor, signor; he lias a ■house of his own; where,his mother and ; - little brother dwell; ahd fifty goats.” Thompson- cKd not finish .breakfast,.

but went off to the mine in a thoughtful mood. To him it seemed a cruel thing that this beauty, this mountain flower, should be thrown away on a mere goatherd. He thought of her beauty, her exquisite voice, quick intelligence, and wealth of feeling. With a little polishing, fashionable frocks, and sparkling diamonds, what a sensation she would make in London!

If the company was floated satisfactorily, he would be able to free himself from entanglements and start fair, with from five to ten thousand pounds. Surelv, then, he could afford to please himself? Carlotta was far and above any woman he bad ever met. Her quick perception of his meaning, ready acquiescence in his whims, and her quiet sympathy whenever he fretted under petty annoyances had endeared the girl to him. He contrasted this devotion with the selfishness of women of fashion. ‘‘They can run after a man and pester bis life,’ but catch them making a sacrifice of their petty likings. To gain the devotion of a fashionable woman one must be a scapegrace or a worthless scamp. By .love! I’ll marry Carlotta !” . That evening, as be sat sipping Ins postprandial coffee,_ he asked the gal to repeat Francesca’s story. As she cried over the tragedy, she forgot her native code of honour, and dwelt on the cruelty of fate, the hardness of men. Smiling gently, caressing the bent head, Thompson s better feelings gave way. His morning’s resolves were but the rash thoughts of an impatient man. It was folly to sacrifico his career. Ho would not marry Carlotta. hut neither would he lose her. Alas! sh© was as wax in his hands, for never before had anyone treated her as this handsome Englishman did, never hud unyono fostered bor emotional out- , hursts ‘and played with such exquisite delicacy on her most secret feelings and longings. , Soon the colonel felt the disgust or his exile coming over him again. It had been far longer than ho had any reason to expect. The mine was diuicult to manage, and money was tight' in the Citv, so matters perforce hung fire. The ’irregularity and smallness of remittances from England caused complications. . , . The padrona and Baldini insisted on p certain amount of -‘paper” being redeemed as each remittance arrived, so that there was loss and less to distribute among the miners, and ns “paper accumulated, the partners grow more rapacious, demanding higher prices from the moneyless workers. The blame of this state of affairs was laid to the door of the colonel by the uien, and it was not to Baldini’s interest to undeceive them. The colonel met with black looks and nmtieied throats whenever ho went near the mine. Carlotta warned him that there was danger. But he paid little heed to those matters He was sick of it all, and wished the whole affair well over. “No letters from Loudon, sir.-'’ “You know that as well as I do, La.dini; why bother me with such questions?” , . „ “The men are getting impatient. They have had no money for over seven And whose fault is that, Baldhii?” “ The padrona must live, surely i And now the men say that if they have no money by to-morrow they will leave tne mine. Signor knows what they are. They will'let the water into the mine. They say, too, that they will come to see you and the padrona. The lads are quick with the knife, signor.’’ . •‘And I with my revolver, Baldmi. But listen! Keep the men quiet for a couple of days; I will go to Cinqua ami see what can ho done. The notary is as much interested to keep water out ol the mine as wo can he.” . Baldini gave a quick look with his cunning eyes. “If signor will take my nephew with him. hewill he useful.” The colonel reddened angrily, hut nodded Ins head. ...... “Confound tlio blackguard! _thinks I’ll cut and run, and so he’ll give instructions to his precious nephew to plant a few inches of cold steel between my ribs if I go near the harbour.” He ordered the padrona to secretly hook two nlace? in the diligence for the following day. Early the next morning he walked out with young Baldini, as though bent on sport, and then joined tlie coach some miles from the village. He explained his predicament to the lawyer, and after much conversation got an advance of a thousand lire, about a tenth of what was wanted. He changed the notes into small silver and a hundred lire’s worth of copper coins. He then hired a carriage, and posted hack. There was a long consultation, Baldini, senior, being alarmed at the state o! affairs and the smallness of the sum. “It is no good —worse than a drop of oil in the fire.” “Leave the matter to me. Go, you and your nephew, to the mine, and wait for me at the office —take your revolvers with you. I shall follow on shortly in the closed carriage.” " Carlotta came to him later, looking pale and distressed. “It is dangerous what you are going to do, signor.” “I am used to danger, pretty one, or ought to he. But do not worry me now, child, I have not a minute ro lose.”

“ But the wedding, mio P You won’t go and got killed now? You said “Hush ! it’s no time to argue now. I have other things to think of. , Many things happen, little one, in this life. We have loved not too wisely, perhaps; you will soon forget.” He hurried down to the carriage, and put the few, but heavy, bags into it. “Let Tonino go with you,” cried Carlotta; and before the colonel could protest, the broad-shouldered young fellow was bundled in. “So this is our little beauty’s lover, ’’ thought the colonel. “Well, he is a fine chap, if a little coarse, for our dusty rose.”, Tonino sat watching the colonel silently, only answering in monosyllables. Presently he grew more confidential, and spoke of Carlotta. “And is it true, signor, that you are going to marry the little one?” “Hold your tongue, lout! I suppose she told yon to ask me?” “Yes, that is it. But I see you will not.” He fell back in the carriage, and kepi sullen silence, with a scowling face turned on the colonel. “ Impudent little minx,” muttered the colonel. “Thinks she can force my hand by putting this lout forward as a very substantial impersonation of vengeance.” He, ton, leant back as they drove rapidly to the mine. The men were all out, gathered together in groups, talking and gesticulating. They looked threateningly at the carriage, but evidently did not know who was in it. Alighting at the office-door, the moneybags were quickly taken in. “Now, then, clear that table. Baldini, open that hag and bring me the pay-book. Read out the names of the men to whom we owe the least, and mention the sum.” Baldini did as he was bid, and the colonel made a small pile of silver and copper coins, which he placed on a slip of initialled paper on the table. He was thus able to make out the pay for about twenty-five men. , "Give me that cloth; and now cover the table and money carefully. Baldtni, sit by me here ready with the

hooks. You two keep close to the table, with your revolvers read}-. Open the door and tell the fellows to come in one by one, as they are called. Ready? Then call Juan Bianchi.” Colonel Thompson took his revolver and laid it prominently on the table by his side. Baldini followed his example. “Juan, how much do we owe you?” “A hundred and seven lire and twelve soldi.” “Ho you want it?” “Yes, sir.” “Baldini, pay him.” Baldini lifted a corner of the cloth, counted tho money, and made the fellow affix his mark on tho hook. “Now leave the place; we won’t have yon any more. No discussion ; go out. Call Luigi Bemho.” “How much do we owe you? A hundred and eleven lire? You want it? Very well ; pay him.” Baldini went through the same ceremony, and Luigi was dismissed. Another man was called, then another, and another. By this time all tho men were gathered outside and there was a good deal of animated discussion and wrangling. Ten, eleven, twelve men were paid and dismissed. Then the thirteenth hesitated. He said he could wait a little if the padrona at the albergo would he less hard with him. The colom) promised to sec about the matter, and told the man ho could go to the toolhouse and take his tools ready for a day’s work. When he left there was more loud talking. Tho fourteenth man said he would take a little of his money, just (o go on with. The colonel shook Iris head, ordered the man to he paid in full, and then dismissed him. Several men, when their names were called, declined to go into the office: they wore content to wait. Those who came in and hesitated were paid and dismissed. The crowd gradually dwindled away from tho office-door, and the men, afraid of being dismissed, crawled off to the mine. “They are doing their host; we must not he hard upon them,” tho fainthearted said. The colonel looked out of the window and gave vent to a grim laugh. Under that cloth there was only enough to pay three men. If they had held out, what would have happened? Well, ho had played his game of bluff with nerve, and lie had come off victor so far. There was a respite- of a week or two, and his telegram to London would bring help before the time was up. But how long would he have to wait after that? Evidently he would have to play another game of bluff with a beautiful sharp-witted girl, and an ignorant dare-devil lout as adversaries. In spite of his annoyance and disgust, the colonel began to feel interested in the game. He had run his head into a noose, and Carlotta would want to make ii a matrimonial one, or urge her quondam lover to kill him by way of poetical justice. The colonel told Baldini to come in the carriage with him, for he did not wish for another teto-a-tote drive with the taciturn Tonino jusc then. The next few days were busy ones. The colonel was clearing up matters, determined that as soon as a sufficient sum of money had arrived to smooth over for ■ a- period, he would leave for England, in order to hasten tho company formation, and claim the reward for his work.

“ It’s been unpleasant enough all along, except a lev. - short weeks; but it’s getting too hot . I’ll clear out, even if 1 have to content myself with a smaller share.” His telegram brought out a larger •sum than usual, enough to satisfy the miners and the alhergo people for a few weeks. The colonel told Baldini that ho vould have to go to Cinoua on business, and that he himself would he required ar. well. He said they would drive'down together - . Baldini, however, declared he had much business on hand; he would stay till the morning, and go by tho diligence. “He’s going off to England, I fed sure,” muttered Baldini, shaking Ills head, “and he wishes to do things quietly, so he'll tell me when wo are in town. Well, lie would he bettor out of the way now. Only if Carlotta gets wind of his intentions, blood will he shod. Anyway, I won’t run the risk of travelling with him.” Probably Carlotta did guess what was going on; at all events, she was very sweet and attentive to the colonel. But tho more she showed her affection, the more impatient he became. At the last moment her constant watchfulness told on his nerves. “Child, why will you fidget so?” “It’s our last evening together, mio, is it not?” It was getting dusk, and the carriage was at the door. Carlotta hung about his neck, crying softly, and asking for a few kind words, which the colonel, in his suppressed excited state, could not call to his lips. She told him she had a secret, but he cared not to hear it. “ When will you he back, O my love?” “Who knows? We are none of us masters of our actions. Who can tell what Fate may have in store for us?” She looked into his eyes, hungrily, then stepped back with a stifled cry, and stood dazed as he got into the carriage and drove off. The colonel sat back in his carriage, wondering what Carlotta’s valuable secret was. Surely it But what was that? There’ was a cry on the roadside, and the carriage came to_ a standstill with a jolt._ A black silhouette stood out against the skyline. It was a man leaning against a wayside cross, one of those marking the spot where a victom of tho vendetta had fallen. “Stop, Juani! lam Toniuo. Signor Inglesi. I have a present for you from Carlotta. Ready?” The colonel had swiftly drawn his revolver, hut before he could fire there was a loud report, a cry of pain, and he fell in a heap. At the same moment the horses dashed forward at a furious pace. Juani urged them forward, and never drew rein until he drew up at the small carabinieri guard-house in the nearest village. He said that the English officer had been shot by some un. known person as they were driving down the road. Baldini afterwards gave evidence as to the money difficulties, and the con sequent unpopularity of the colonel. It was suspected that he had been murdered by one of the miners, though the magisterial authorities could never trace the culprit.