The times., 1900-12-23

| unbroken. Larry sat motionless. the blue
smoke ascending from his pipe in long,
! spiral curves, watching through half-ciosed
lids the sinking man. He wondered
whether he would have the obstinate cour-
| sge to compel him to get him out. his aim
| unattained. But he allowed no shadow OF
| such thought to appear on his face.
| Meanwhile, Drayton had sunk almost to
the knees. His face was twitching, alter
| natsly flushed with rage and paled in fear.
You're scoundrel,' he screamed, at
length. as Larry's impervious. complacent.
patient regard met his.
Il know it, replied the other. in tones
studiously humble. But are you going to
sign or be sucked down and down among
the little worms?"
The suction was gaining in strength.
Drayton could hardly keep his balance. He
was afraid every moment of falling on his
face
STEADY me with a pole. for the love Of
Heaven" he gasped.
Larry held out tough sapling-just be-
yond his touch.
Sign" he asked again, In the same
even. cRllous tone.
Curse youi Yes,'' screamed Draytcn, as,
swaying forward. he clutched the pole.
Sensible mani" replied Larry. Don't
be in hurry. You shall sign first and
get out afterward l will pass them to
you with this forked slip. You will sign
and pass them back. Fooling only spells
delay"
Dravton received them with a Iivid face
and trembling fingers. AS he passed them
back and pocketed the check an exulting
smile lurked round the corners Of his
mouth.
Larry gave him a peculiar grin mo
witnesses you think, eh?' he remarked,
quizzingly. Now, please you'll throw the
mortgage deeds right out into the sands.
Then we shall not want any.
DrGyton sullenly obeyed. He had no
choice. and he was getting terribly afraid.
The heavy bundle sucked in by the ooze
was out Of sight IN three minutes. Then
with Gexterous raDidlty Larry ran out the
bamboo raft along the surface of the quick
sand so that either end of it rested on the
firm ground.
CLASP the poles" he called. bend for
ward, Get your knees on to the cross
work, That's right Now YOU have only
yourself. and in an hour you'll be none the
worse. I'm sorry to inconvenience you.
You'll find the check all right"
Then. while Drayton climbed fearingly
out. Larry sped round the angle. replaced
in .ts position the cornerstone he had nov
ed. and regalned his horse tethered near
the bush
BY the time Drayton recovered his tenn
per and his mustang Larry was a speck
in the distance.
That evening there was Joy in the bung
allow. For Larry. being master Of the sit
uation. was formally accepted as master
of Lotus. and joint owner with her father
Of the Devaine estates. But neither then
nor when three months later be and Lo-
tus were safely married. would he ever
divnlge the means by which he had per-
suaded Roger Dravton TO yield his mort
CAGES. Il set trap. and he walked right
into IT," he said but beyond that he would
give no explanation.
AS 70. nrayton. he never told anyone.
save his solicitor, and that astute man was
so touched by the picture of his rotund
client in such q predieament that he in
dulged in a fit OF lsughter. which so Of
Tended the irate little man that he trans
ferred his affairs to another Office. And
I believe il was in a momentary st of NAL
ice that that same amiable. yet jealous at
torney related the story to me.-Basbu
Marnan in the Strand Magazine.