The Argosy, November 1908 — page 47: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MONEY TO BURN, co in order to spend their honeymoon in Europe. When Gaspado softly murmured his desire for immediate union, Senora Da: costa was at first surprised and then amused by his ardor. Truly, this was a strange request from the stolid, emotion- less official, whose Dutch appearance seemed to deny us passionate Spanish love-words. Womanlike, she asked the reason for his request before refusing it, and he showed an unwonted confusion in his efforts to evade areply. Finally she declared that she would never consent unless he told her; that she could not trust him for life if he would not trust her now; and he retired, baffled, to plan a new assault. “She is no foolish girl, but an intel- ligent, broad-minded woman,” he mutters to himself at last. “I will tell her all; surely she will understand. At any rate, I can delay no longer.” His face clears as he gets up and walks resolutely into the courtyard to summon his carriage. In spite of his determination, Gaspado felt distinctly nervous as he embraced the triumphant Christina and assured her that he had come to tell her everything in proof of his confidence in her love and her discretion. “You must know,” he began abruptly, “that my superior, Anton Parana, minis- ter of finance, is a poor man; in thirty years he is the first who has not enriched himself from the national treasury.” ‘Yes, indeed,” replied the widow, “and I rejoice that my Ulysse is asso- ciated with so worthy a man.” Ulysse did not seem encouraged by her remark, and continued sadly: ‘‘ Ah, but in spite of his reputation and his boasts of honesty, Parana is not poor by his own wish. Soon after I became his secretary I perceived that he was guilty of embezzlement of public funds. ‘““By threat of exposure I compelled him to repay the money then and restrain his greed in future, and at last, seeing that it was impossible either to steal or get rid of me, he actually began to pride himself upon his enforced poverty, as if it was a proof of honor instead of inca- pacity.” “My clever Ulysse,” sighed Christina, “how splendid of you to foil his wicked 613 schemes! But why should this hasten your marriage—our marriage?” and she smiled at him deliciously. ‘ Why cannot we be happier here than in a foreign land?” “Your charms are worthy of Paris and London,” replied Ulysse gallantly, “‘ and, besides, I wish to resign my position, to retire from office.”’ For a moment Christina seemed aston- ished, then she cried enthusiastically: ‘ Ah, now I understand, my thrice noz ble lover. You cannot béar to remain with Parana—that old hypocrite whose professions of virtue must disgust you, who know him as he is. Tell me that you have resolved to endure it no longer; but why need we go to Europe because of your honorable resignation?” Again Gaspado appeared embarrassed. After an uneasy pause he went on: “It is not quite that, my dear, though of course, I mean—in short, there has still been embezzlement in the Finance Depart- ment. Money has been taken, and—” “And this time you cannot discover the thief, and are determined to leave an office that is tainted?” “No; I know all about the affair, but—”’ “But it is a friend, and you cannot expose him, my generous hero?” ‘Not exactly, that is—well, in fact, to put it plainly, I took the money myself, and unless I get away by the next boat there’ll be trouble ;. and surely that is a good enough reason for going. Parana would give his ears to catch me tripping.” So saying, Gaspado leaned back as if relieved to have at last unburdened him- self. To his horror, the woman did not speak, but her face grew white and old, and the light died out of her eyes. “You stole it!”’ she gasped. ‘ You stole it, and you ask me to share it—me, Christina Dacosta! Oh, you reptile!” Her scorn roused him to self-defense. “If I had not taken it, some one else would. It is always so in Rio Blanco— in thirty years the finance ministers have always grown rich; it is the custom—” “I do not care for the custom. I thought I loved an honest man, and I find him a thief. Oh, how I hate myself for having permitted your approach! But do not think,” she cried, with a sud- COMmicloookxs.cConn