Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1899-01-26
A GAME OF BLUFF.

Marion. The next honleht
he repented his words, when he noted
the hurt look, accompanied by the flash
OF resentment, in Warren's eyes.
Marion meant to be sympathetic,
after the manner OF men. by uttering
philosophical platitudes as balm Tor
sentimental heart troubles. but he
quickly realized that the case before
him was too genuine and severe to be
cured by such superficial ointment as
quotations from cynical Kipling. so
he took another tack.
'Of course, old man. there are women
and women. Some can be had for the
asking, while others play for all the
line they can get. It's Just Ike fish,
ing'-hls metaphor suggesting an IL
| lustration from out his sporting pro-
cllvIties--"a hornpout win bite at al
most anything. but gamy trout In
sIsts on nice fly for an attraction,
and even after you've got one really
hooked you've got TO play 1t until your
patience is almost gone. Now, you'd
rather have a girl with some spirit,
one who'd stand you Off for time,
than one who was all the time throw
ing herself at your head, wouldn't
your
Warren vouchsafed weak, doubtful
eyes"
"By the way. have you asked herT
"No. That's the difficulty. | don't
really get a chance. Just as get my
self spurred up TO the mark some con-
founded interruption interferes. or she
switches me off on sidetrack with
some remark or other"
"You think the girl really cares for
your" asked Marion, dropping his rail-
| lery and becoming serious
Il think she does" frankly answered
| Warren, although sometimes / feel
as IL didn't know whether she did or
not" he continued, somewhat dubi-
ously.
"Well, there's only one way to find
out" remarked Marion, "and that Is
to-say, have n plan," breaking
abruptly into his sentence. Il have a
PLAN" he slowly repeated, "and | be
lieve 1t viii work II you follow my ad-
vice. Put yourself In my hands," he
continued, his face Frightening as his
plan was unfolded to his mind, .''and
I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you'll
win out" Then he buttonholed War
ren, pulled him into a corner, and ad-
dressed him in low, earnest tone. In
terspersing his remarks with emphatic
gestures. When he had finished War
rem still looked dubious, but somewhat
more hopeful.
"Oh, good evening, Mr. Warren. I'm
so glad to see you. We're just pack
ing up. getting ready to go to the noun
tains."
"Indeedl Lovely weather. Hope
you'll have pleasant time" But he
might have been photograph. or a
Punch-and-Judy operator, for oil the
expression he put into his words.
"Oh, I've no doubt we WILL" she an
swered, with toss Of her head.
"Thcre's so much going on there all
the time, and so many interesting peo-
pie to meet" she continued, with a
bored air, as IL her immediate sur
roundIngs were productive Of nothing
but ennuI
YES" he assented, In llstless mono
tone, which might mean anything or
nothing.
She pretended not to notice his abb
stracted manner, and ratified on.
my friends write me there are ever
so many nice people there, and with
golf and driving and dancing therell
be no end Of fun"
"Yes."
Again that tone OF polite Indifference.
"Well. I'm going for trip myself"
he added, rousing himself fiom his letll-
argy, and almost blurtlng out his re-
, mark.
; "Indeedi WhereT
This was her turn, and she countered
forcIbly In the matter of polite lndif.
ference.
'gTo Hongkong"
ITO HongkongY'
This time she was interested, in spite
Of herself. She repeated his remark,
with distinct emphasis on the words,
and rising infection on the end OF
each. "0h, come, now, you're Joking.
You're"
mo, really" he asserted; there's nm
opening there in our house. They want
young man to take charge of their
/, branch clearinghouse there, and can
have the place. It looks like good
opening, and thought I'd take It. OF
course, 1t means clearing his thBoat
I -"tearing ones self away from ones
friends, but then, probably will not be
, greatly missed
"Oh, Mr.. Warren broke In the girl