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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (July 29, 1920)
j THE UNKNOWN |>“ | MR. KENT ■ a BO RGB H. DORAN CO, MM COPTRIGT. Baron Provarak grinned amiably, and hurriedly wrote another page or tw<>, pausing but once to look up when part of the new army flattened lta noae against the panes of the cor ridor window. “Pull those curtains across that window so nobody can see In," he growled, irritably. “Also see that handkerchiefs are made part of the regulation uniform. Some of your men-er-rather disturb my cultured aide.” The new commander In chief duti fully obeyed, then disappeared into tha hall and swore, painstakingly but fluently, in seven different tongues, while Provarsk completed his mani festo. “There,” he said, as if highly sat isfied, when his lieutenant returned. "I’ve added In the gentle appeal for peace and order. Also I’ve offered £10,000 for old Von Gluts, dead or alive, 5,000 for that fellow Paulo, and stated that we are making indefatig able efforts to recover the loot from the royal absconders and have hopes of getting It." The new commander In chief was making mental calculations. , “About that 15,000 pounds—” he •aid, abstractedly staring at the ceil ing. “1 didn’t know you had found that much on tap. Let me see! Fifty men, and getting 10 shares makes 60, and 60 goes into 15—” w nine k($leabg ageangsl gr,ss u “You needn't badger your empty skull about that!” augrily remarked the usurper. “There isn’t any 15,000 that I know of.” “But supposing somebody does catch the chancellor or Paulo?” “Then we’ll have the chancellor and Paulo killed in their cells, after which well accuse the fellows that Claim the reward of murder and have them hanged publicly as proof of hew lawful and orderly we are,” cheer fully replied the baron. “Besides, otther old Von Gluts or Paulo will be hard to catch. They’ll not show up until long after I’ve got so firmly fixed In the saddle that no one will dare try to upset me. I think I shall have this posted on every church and—Well, what is It,” he demanded, as a sentry appeared at the door waiting for a word. “A man to see you sir, who In sis'* on an immediate and private audience. Says you will be glad to see him at onee. Here is his card sir.” no nuvtiuoou sou lonumou a cam which Provarsk, scowling with an noyance, took au<l scanned. His face changed from anger to one of amusement. “He is right," he said. “I've an idea that this chap and I might do some profitable business together. No one 1 want to see so much jusi now. You can bring Mr. Richard Kent, agent for John Rhodes. Rsq., up at once." The sentry saluted, and disappear ed. and Provarsk turned to his lieutenant. “I want to be left aloci and un disturbed when this man comes up,” he said, pointedly. “When he gets in the room you go outside, shut the door after you, stand guard, to see that no one gets his ear tang led up a crack in the door, add — too. This is going to be private business! Strictly private! Under stand." Ubatdo grinned mirthlessly anil said orders should tie obeyed. Kvl dently, at a pinch, he stood m con siderable awe of his new master; for he was threatening to wax vol uble concerning his own sense of discipline when (he visitor arrived. His advent was preceded by the persistent thumping of a stick on the tiled floor, by sundry titters amt muttered gibes from the gHiards nten in the corridor, then by his own voice admonishing, somewhat test I iiy. some unseen person to exercise more care and not let him fall. | ProvarRk saw an apparently in firm, decrepit and palsied man be ing half led. half carried into the room by a veritable giant of an at tendant. as if the visitor were para lysed from the hips downward and could but drag his tegs with diffi I cutty. _‘~ * “You discern my infirmities, sir." 1 said the financial agent, “hence 1 < crave your permission to be seated, j In asking such a favor I—Ivan! 1 What are you trying to do? You lumphead! Trying to let me rail and murder me, eh? Big. alow, clumsy lout! lit get another valet! I will, so help me Bob! 1 will!'' His voice had risen by degree to a querulous, irascible scream that coded with. “There! There! There! Sasy now! Thar does i'! Now stand by me with the ammonia And don't go to steep if I get faint!" He settled helplessly into the chair toward which the bacon bad \ ■■ — * .7 waved a hand, and panted labori ously as if the exertion had been trying, and seemed startled when the doers leading to the corridor olosed with a harsh clicking sound. "You are Mr. Kent—" suavely be gan Provarsk. "Financial agent for John Rhodes, who loaned this kingdom five mil lion dollars on my advice,” the visitor finished the sentence, eye ing the usurper at the opposite end of the table, Provarsk smiled sadly and shook his head, quite with a regretful air, but politely waited for his visitor to proceed. "Dangerous man, this- Knows how to'keep his mouth shut,” was Kent’s mental measurement. Aloud he said. “I came hero in my employer’s interests and was told at the very gates of the palace that the king had abdicated and that a distin guished Baron Provarsk now ruled in his stead, or at least was at present the head of the govern ment.” He paused and watched the baron, who bit his lower lip, tried to keep from frowning, and mentally swore that he must find out which sentry hkd' been so frank in statement and see that his case was amply attend ed to. “■ . “I presume, therefore,” continued the visitor, “that It Is the Baron Provarsk I must Interview concern ing the state of indebtedness." “That ig true,” replied the usurper. “And I am Baron Provarsk. Now that you are made comfortable, per haps it is as well, considering the confidential nature of our interview, that you dismiss your man for a few minutes. Mr.—ah—” He consulted the card to refresh his memory. “Mr. Kent.” Quite impossible! Quite impos sible! Quite impossible!” declared the agent, resuming some of his former air of irritability. “Can’t yon see for yourself that he is both hands and feet to me? I’ll answer for him. He always goes where I go. Don’t mihd him. Talk as if he isn’t here. He forgets, I pay him for that—and for being dumb. Be sides.. if he ever said that you said anything, at any time, or any place, I'd say he was a liar! All men of affairs deny all interviews and call all reportero liars when it suits their convenience. So they're all liars —everybody's a liar, but you and me.” Provarsk decided that there was quite a lot of wisdom in that speech. It indicated possibilities. Moreover, as it fitted in so closely with his own cynical code, it was up to this money lender to take the responsibility If anything was said that might prove embarrassing. “As you wish," he said, with a lit tle shrug. “What 1 came for, and all that in terests me." said the agent, “is to know what provisions the new gov ernment proposes to make for the payment of its bonds. They are al most due. I don't care a rap who pays them. All t want is the pay ment. Money alone does not change. It has no regard for the hand that borrows, spends or pays. It absorbs no personality, no identity. It has neither fealty nor religion. It out lasts kings and cardinals. It is ad mirable, being steadfastly itself." His eyes were wide and vacant as he rliapodlzed; hut now they came quickly to another east and he de manded. "What does the new gov ernment of the great sovereign state of Markon Intend to do about the bonds held by Mr. John Rhodes?" Tiie usurper stared straight at him, wondering if there was inten tional sarcasm in this money lend er's speech, but meeting a stare even steadier than his own. and devoid of anything save enquiry, resolved to continue in diplomacy. "I am exceedingly sorry. Mr. Kent," he said, with an admirable assumption of regret, "to say that the late king, my cousin Karl, was not—ah! Whnt shall I say to seem kindly yet truthful?—In fact, Karl j was TTnyffing Tup a g-Jeat and far sighted monarch. Indeed, he was a plain, unadulterated ass!" "It appears so. You are here!” drily observed the American, and again the usurper wondered if there might be a double significance in his words. Patiently, however, he re sumed. "He managed the -affairs of the kingdom of Marken very faultily. He was a theorist and a reformer. The Markenite wishes neither theory nor reformation. It is a staid, sober'. «nd solf - satisfied nat ion. It is not the most powerful nor the richest nation in the world; but. such as it is, it is. My un#»rtunate and lamented cousin fee did not understand It. It an not derstand him. With the very beat of Intentions, ha failed. Failed be cause ha was not adept, as you and I are, Mr. Rent, in financial affairs." He waited for an instant for this suggestion to sink in, then, satisfied by the twinkle in his visitor's eyes that it had been fully understood, and being thereby emboldened, pro ceeded in that same gentle, coarte ons, well-modulated tone that Was quite nearly, if not wholly, ingratiat ing. "Owing to this mistaken direction of funds, and failure to realize from resources as it may seem at first sight—and at first sight only, Mr. Kent—that Mr. Rhodes' loan be ex tended, and also that the state be provided with additional funds that it may redeem not only its original bonds, but all others that follow.” Kent was thoughtfully staring 'up ward, but now dropped his eyes to those of his vis-a-vis. "Quite so," he said, encouragingly, "It would be—let us say—profit able, for all concerned.” The baron’s voice had lowered itself and con veyed much. "It Is the business of your superior to lend from his en ormous stores of wealth. A man with so much money has but one ob ject, to lend It. You, as his agent, have but one employment, to see that It is lent. I that not so, Mr. Kent?” ' The baron was now leaning eager ly across the big table with a mean ing smile, like an angler who sees a coveted tront nosing his bait. "Quito so," came again the en couraging assent “And you. as a most capable agent for the most distinguished financier in the world, perhaps receive, for do ing the lion’s share, the brainy share, let us say, a commission?” “You are right about that," de clared the American, grinning stead ily into the baron’s face and Invit ing him to come still further. “Then,” said the baron, dropping all pretence and confident of his ground, "what use Is there for you and me to ride this merry-go-round any longer? Youwant money. So do L Rhodes has it—plenty of it. What commission do you usually make on a loan of $5,000,000?” Kent eyed him in perfect under standing, and pretended a certain amount of caution by throwing a quick glance over his shoulder at Ivan, who. with a face as blank as the wall, stared straight in front of him, and even yawned deliberately, as if infinitely bored by hearing a lot of stuff that he had heard before. "Suppose I said one per cent?" questioned the American with an air of slyness. Then 1 should say, instantly re ciprocated the baron, now fully con vinced, "that if you induced John Rhodes to advance another millon dollars, you should be entitled to-" He stopped shoirt, got to his foot, rested his palms on the long table and leaned far across, and spoke scarcely above a whisper—"to a big ger commission than you ever had in your life. Enough so that you could relinquish your diffcult and burden soitne dates. Mr. Kent, and retire. If you can induce Rhodes to extend the time of the previous bonds ftveyears, and to advance 5,000,000 francs more for 1 Oyears, on the same terms as those preceding. I’ll make you an in dependent man by giving you 1,000, 000 francs. Think of it! A million francs for your own! Is that worth while?" Kent sat stolidly in his chair, and to all outward appearances consid ered the proposition. "Rut what of Rhodes?" he asked, lifting his eyes, slowly. "What of Rhodes? Does he ever get his money? How will you raise it?” “Sweat it out of the hands and hides of these citizens of M»rken!" was the emphatic reply, still carried across the desk in that suggestive undertone. "And yours? How much do you get?” “I’ll get enough. That is not your affair,” somewhat stiffly responded the usurper. “All that need concern you is that I hope, and think. Rhodes will lose nothing and that you will make a million francs. Also that no one but you and I is ever to know anything about it. It Is, after all, a clean deal. You get well paid for your work. I get well paid for my management. Rhodes gets well paid for his advance." Again the American made that queer twisting movement and glanced ©Ter* hia shoulder to reassure him self that Ivan was still standing be hind him. The baron complacently dropped back into his seat, beaming with satisfaction. He accepted the conclusion too speedily, as was evinced by his visitor's next remark. Kent leaned slowly back, rested his hands on his hips and laughed. The 1 usurper frowned at him. j "Hot stuff! Eresh from the bat!" j Kent said in his native tongue, then J reverted to the language of Markon, j "Say. I admire your line of talk! I | do! You are quite ali right! I rather I expected something like this. Why, l j coolly believe you are trying to bribe Tine personalty, aren't your" “Of course I sun." The usurps smiled placidly. “You had no idea J was sending you out into this coli and cruel world to start an on Phans’ home, or a hospital for in dlgent and decrepit chorus girls, dll you? I put no conditions oh whw you are to do with the money. Itl for you." “Have you ever sold any greet oods?” demanded Kent. "If no| you’ve certainly missed'your caH ing." The baron failed to understand thli literal translation of an unknowi swindle; but he surmised that hii proffer was being ridiculed, anl having made his last pitch in thl| direction, his face hardened and h« displayed the real man he was, re sourceful, striving for a new hold. He became quite natural, ready to storm his way through, strike, smash under foot, and pass on. "You jest,” he said, unsmilingly, “You think you can play me. Good! If you don’t induce Rhodes to ad vance another 5,000,000 francs, I promise you this: that he shall never get a single centime of the money he has already advanced, and that I shall also tell him that you made m< take this decision. How does thal strike you, Mr. Richard Kent?” He sat back with a.h air of triumph an3 waited. "Strike? How does that strike me? Why, very good, Baron, save for this: that I took a few precautions before I came here. In fact, you rather please me, when I recall that you are somewhat younger than I and doubt less lacking in experience. I think you might do well on Wall street, or in a good stiff game of poker. Ever play it? That’s too bad! You’re Ignorant of a lot that we teach school boys, over In America. By the way have you a telegraph form?" Puaaled by this swift speech, and inclined to believe that the difference in national characteristics accounted for any balk of agreement, after all, the baron resumed his air of suavity, and threw a blank sheet of paper across the table which Ivan, as if schooled to service, laid in front of hi employer, and handed him a pencil. "You said,” remarked Kent, with the pencil poised in his fingers and looking across at the baron, "that if I didn’t get Rhodes to advance you 5.000.000 francs more, you would re pudiate the loan?" i said tt. “You don't dare do It!" "I don't, eh? Try me, Mr. Kent.” There wan the utmost assurance In his words, but his manner belied 1 them as he watched the American, 'who painstakingly scrawled a mes sage on the sheet of paper, then, al most carelessly, tossed it along toward Provarsk. It fell short, and Ivan, like an automaton, picked It up and handed it on to its destination. With a show of nothing more than cursory interest, the baron read lt It was addressed to the foreign min ister of Austria and said: "Provarsk, who is now dictator of Marken, ow ing to the abdication of Karl II, re pudiates Rhodes loan. The action previously agreed upon between us is now expected and will be respond ed to as promised. Immediate results will be easy of accomplishment.” (Signed) "Richard Kent, agent for John Rhodes.” The baron read it with an unmoved face. “Of course,” he said, as placidly as if discussing the weather, "I don*t understand its meaning." “That's easy to explain." declared the American, and there was some thing in his attitude quite like that I of a cat playing with a beetle, or a gentleman holding a royal flush while the others consider. "Austria has borrowed money, quite a lot of it. and wants more, I might add, from ' Mr. Rhodes. funny condition at ! tached to that' loan, Baron. Might interest you to know about it. laugh able and unusual, in fact!” I He bent forward and smiled sweet | ly at the usurper. “Something like this: :that loan was granted and the second request I considered, with the proviso that if i Marken refused to pay that $5,000,000, Austria was to immediately' take ■ Marken and assume the indebted ness.” ( Provarsk read the message again. 1 and piv~Vred. while gazing at the | sheet. Then he laid it on the table, impolitely yawned while holding his finely shaped hand over his mouth, excused himself and drawled, "That was rather neat of you. All rght! I’ll have it sent," and arose to reach for the bell on the far side of the table. "Just a moment,” the American in terrupted. "Why- are you so willing to destroy Marken. your native state?" i Provarek laughed heartily. ' "Destroy nothing!” he retorted, contemptuously. ”1 am merely amused | at the bewilderment which wilt be sustained by the Austrian minister on receipt of this message! I “ter be Continued Neat Week| BELFAST QUIETER, EXPECTED Sill. Disorders Slacken As British Cavalry Arrives, But Feeling 13 Very Tense — More At tacks in South. Dublin, July .24.—The Ban bridge Orangemen have refused to work in the same shops with Catholics and all factories there have been closed. The Catholic shops were attacked and many of them burned Friday night. The Orangemen paraded through the town singing loyalist songs and preparing to attack the premises of Daniel Monaghan, a house furnisher. Sinn Feindrs fired from the premises and in the skirmish that followed, one youth was killed and many wounded. The military arrived later and after a brush captured the prem ises making two arrests, the other occupants escaping. Belfast, July 23—A crowd of unionists set fire to the convent here late Friday night. A furious battle ensued be tween the crowd and police, the latter using their batons mer cilessly. Troops also were rushed to the scene and fired several volleys into the rioters, wounding four. Colonel Spender, who has tak en over the command of the Uls ter volunteers, issued a summons Friday to “all loyalists” to report to their respective batallions. BRITISH CAVALRY ARRIVES IN BELFAST Belfast, July Z4.—A large force of British cavalry have arrived here, and other troops are momentarily ex pected. Three of those wtio were wounded in the rioting of Thursday night died in the hospital Friday. Together with reinforcements which are understood to be on their way to Belfast the troops here should be sufficient to check any further attempt at civil war such as that of Thursday night. The city has quieted down after 48 hours of terror. Boy Is Killed. .From the south of Ireland come reports that renewed attacks by Sirin Feiners are being made in villages and towns throughout that country. In Banhridge the Sinn Feinners tired on a crowd killing one boy. In Skibbereen the village halt is reported to have been destroyed by dynamite. ‘‘President'’ De Valera of the Ir sh "republic” cabled the labor republi cans in the Belfast town council Fri day as follows: “Surely the Belfast workmen wilt not allow themselves to play the ex ploiting game of British capitalis's who aro endeavoring to send the workers at each others “throats.” While the city was quiet there wu noticeably tense feeling throughout. The fearful bitterness showed Thurs day was likely to break out again it any moment. Catholics Driven Out of Work. The situation has been made worse by the fact that 10,000 Catholics have been driven out of work in the last three days and they are beoomuuj desperate with hunger. Rnqinpgg jo «f»r1nn*4lv a.ftV»«’t**4~l h-» ing at a complete standstill in many districts. A number of shops »r> closing and their owners clearing out the stocks in preparation for mov ng. Furniture vans are seen here and there loaded. At Newtonards Falls Koad there was a revolver battle. One matt killed outright and another mortally wounded. A police patrol was am bushed at Ballina. County Mavo and Sergeant Armstrong was killed. A constable also was wounded A hundred armed men attacked the coast guard station at Howeg and after a two hour hand to hand battle onverpowered the garrison of ma rines capturing rifle3 and ammuni tion. One of the raiders was killed. At several times the rioting be- am" a pitched battle with machine guns tiring into mobs and the latter , re turning* the fire from rifles and re volvers. aided by snipers on roof tops Reports were current that the. Sinn Feiners were gathering reinforce ments. to cart;/ the body of one of the d -ad Train service was bad today a a * result of railway workers refusing to move trains carrying soldiers or am munition. Three unionists were shot dead by Sinn Fein snipers and another mart's bead was blown off. A man helping men into a house was shot dead The soidieTs complain they were tired on from a monastery and allege that Sinn Fein seouts ot* bicycles en gaged In bringing up reinforcement* to the monastery. An Irish volunteer named Seamus CogUn was shot through the hea i and two other soldiers were danger ously wounded, when the m dor car in which they were speeding past a military cycling party was tired on by the soldiers today. CCLTRA IS SACKED. London. July 24.—About 2 o’clock this morning. Ooltra. near liallin asloe. Ireland, was visited by jjitee and military who wrecked many houses in the town. ineiudV-t the Sinn Fein halt, which was hutted to cries of "Up Ttiam." according to A message from the prows association’s correspondents in Baiiinasloe today. There was much shooting, but no loss of life is reported. The slogan "Up Tuitm" evidently refers to a Sunday night's incident when Team Sns sacked. Rushing Troops. Upon receipt of the gravest news from Ireland which declared that the island is virtually in the throes of olrll war. the government developed sudden military activity A ha Haitian of royal tuattler* hurriedly left Aldershot for shipment to Ireland and several other bodies of troop* are to l»o rushed there at once, ___ — And sprinkle In the Poot-{ Ba'h. It takas the sting! can of Corns, Bunions,} Blisters and Callouses! and gtres rest and com-1 fort to hot, tired, smart-’ log, swollen tcet. Hors than 1,300,100’ ijl pounds of Powder for> \Jlthu Feet were need !>y{ our Army and Nary. Safe, during the war, ) Allen's Foot-, Jf l Ka.se. the pow-i Opr (nr the feet.! token thft Motion from the shoe, fresh-] one tbo foet and nuuj walking a da- J '^othtnfc tallowes the pain of tight or} now shone #o quickly or thoroughly.] Try ft fco-d*y. Bold eyery where. J M.mey back wtthont qaeation u mvtnra salve faiU in the treatment of ITCH. ECZEMA. RXMawORM.TETTERor Other Prlila* akin diseases. Price 75c at arnfgtsts, or dime! from LO. HatiHt * Mules Ci., leers*., La. RecdghlXlng Her Likeness. Lucy was Saving through the wtn dasr of the local photographer, her syne gtaed on a certain picture. It was tlu» annual procession of School children through the village. “Mary I" alio shrieked excitedly to her friend “Come ’ere!” “What's the matter, Lucy?" asked the other. “ton see the photo of Annie Smith tn the third row there?” *7**,” replied Mary. “An' yon see the pair o* boots be hind AnnleT* “7o*” “Well, (hat's ma.'’—Los Angelas Time*. Possible Substitute. “Education,” sternly said the horse fticcd gent, “is a better safeguard than a standing army, and—” “tow mean ‘elocution,’ don’t you?” Impolitely lutcnrupt-'cl J. Fuller Gloom. —Kansas Olty Star. Ma -Wants a Change. “Going away this summer ?” “Guosa not. Pa and ma can’t agree” “\Vbet’s Hi© matter?’’ “Pa wsuffi t© go somewhere where be run jtfsy golf, atid ma insist* oa going to « place where gslf has never been played.” Women Made Young a%hte^s,td«*r skin and a body RiH of yoodi and beak's may b« yuum if yon will keep your system In order by regularly taking COLD MEDAL lh* world's standard rtmsdy for ItUnif, Ivor, bbadtlar and uric acid troubtaa, tha eweuaiwi cC Itla and look*. la an since IMW Alt dmiggisw, thrsa alias. Iad» fas A» smm Gald Madal •» svo* baa awl tocwt m iaifirtwi “Cwft Cut Off My Leg” Says Railroad Engineer *'L S!!f i r*Mrnnri enarinaer; Ahniii 21) VAAVM ago injr las was aertouaiy Injured In an ■odtwt out West Upon my refusing to itHosr Uk* doctor to amputate It l was told t» wowlil be Impassible to heal the wound. I han-e tried all kinds of salve* and Im<I many doctor* In the past SO yuartt, but to no avail. Finally l resolved to uue PETItRaoN’S OINTMENT on my lore You cannot tmaxlner my aatonHh WBjit tvl f ft»uml It waa doing what aver Ml tte£wr* had failed to do. My log nowr emifNetelf cured."—Ona Hauft.. 7W MTyrtta avenue, Brooklyn. N Y. Great far pit **v rvTi*nm. old aore* and all *Mn tttsmupfMA cents Mall orders filled IVtfrlMn OtQtment Jo In * . Buffalo N Y DAKV £g V Sf || i ca plaosd anywhehs DltKoI 0.1 flULLCn ArTHACTSANDKlLLa iu.ii VL1C.O. in oar. A ^aa.ornani-.'ntal, •«*<*. M »«n«nr. *h«ar>. t aaf* all Duon. Qda<ij of HI metal, can't ap>U or III tipov.*r ; will no- oil «|Sor ininra anythin*. |u Gnaremtged efr.-irtnM, ■ Sol<i by d*»aVr*. or ^ 5 by BXPRBSS. kJ* ci- *oaul. t; BAttJUl W Oo ttuib A**.. Brooklyn. N. Y. We Have FARMS of Ail Sizes hi MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN. DAKOTA Customers for ail prices. OONXILf US before buying or selling LAOSON LAND AGENCY Tinrr \--r' minneapoui s- -i- . ** w* «BOk-Bhte| S| ias foaUA onrv etcl co, no, 31-1020 r ’ '