Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-10-05

When / returned, he and Alan had
laid the cards aside and were questioning
a gillie: and the chief turned about and
spoke to me in the Gaelic.
Il have no Gaelic, sir, said l.
Now since the card question, everything
| said or did had the power OF annoying
Cluny. Your name has more sense than
yourself, then" said he, angrily; for it's
good Gaelic. But the point is this. My
scout reports all clear in the south, and
the question is have We the strength to
go?"
/ saw the cards on the table, but. no
gold; only heap of little written papers.
and these all on Cluny's side. Alan be-
sides had an odd look. like man not
very well content; and | began to have a
strong misgiving.
Il do not know if l am as well as |
should be- said |, looking at Alan; but
the little money we have has long way
to carry us.
Alan took his underlip into his mouth,
and looked upon the ground.
David said he. at last, I've lost it;
there's the naked truth.
MY money, too" said |.
''Your money, too,' says Alan, with a
groan Eye shouldnae have given it me.
I'm daft when | get to the crates
1T was all dating; it's all non
sense. Of course, yell have your
money back again. and the double of 1t,
if yell make so free with me. 1t would
be a singular thing for me to keep it.
It's not to be supposed that | would be any
hlndrance to gentlemen in your situation;
that would be a singular thingv cries he,
and began to pull gold out of his pocket,
with a mighty red face
Alan said nothing, only looked on the
ground.
will you step to the door with me,
sir?' said l.
Cluny said he would be very glad, and
followed me readily enough, but he looked
flustered and put out.
And now.' says |. Il must first ac-
knowledge your generosity.
''Nonsensical nonsense cries Cluny
where's the generosity? This is just
most unfortunate affair; but what
would We have me do-boxed up in this
beeskep of a cage of mine-but just set
my friends to the crates, when l can get
them? And if they lose, of course, it's
not to be supposed And here he
came to pause.
Yes said l. ''if they lose, you give
them back their money; and if they win,
they carry away yours in their pouches!
osity; but to me, sir. it's very painful
thing to be placed in this position.
There was a little silence, in which
Cluny seemed always as it he was about
to speak, but said nothing. All the time
he grew redder and redder in the face
i am young man." said /. land | ask
your advice. Advise me as you would
advise your son. Ny friend fairly lost
the money, after having fairly gained a
far greater sum of yours: can [ accept it
back again? would that be the right part
for me to play? Whatever I do you can
see Tor yourself it must be hard upon a
man of any PRIDE
Its rather hard on me too, Mr.. Ball
four: said Cluny, and We give me very
much the look Of man that has en-
trapped poor people to their hurt.
Wouldnae have my friends come to any
mousse OF mine to accept affronts: no. he
cried. with sudden heat of anger, nor
yet to give them
And so We see, SIR said |, ''there is
something to be said on my side: and this
gambling is very poor employ for gentle
folks. But I am still waiting your opin,
ion."
am sure if ever Cluny hated any man.
1t was David Balfour. He looked me all
over with warlike eye, and | saw the
challenge at his lips But either NV
youth disarmed him, or perhaps his own
sense of justice. Certainly, it was a
mortlfylng matter for all concerned. and
not least for Cluny: the more credit that
he took it as he did.
Mr.. Balfour,' said he, 81 think Won
are too nice and covenanting, but for all
that you have the spirit of very pretty
gentleman Upon my honest word. We
may take this money-it's what I would
tel my ,son-and here's my hand along