The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-18
CHAPTER w. CONTINUED.
The Point Of Honor.

The iciness in the air seemed now an
actual thing. There was, in the nature OF
this play, something which no man at that
board. hardened gamesters as they all
WERE had ever met before 1t was indeed
as though fate were there, with her hand
upon the shoulder Of favored son.
You lose. Mr.. Castleton," said Law,
calmly, as the cards came again his way.
He swept his winnings from the coin
pushed out to him.
Now we have thee, Mr.. Law" cried
Pembroke. Zone more turn, and I hope
your very good nerve will leave the stake
on the board for so we'll see 1T all come
back to the bank, even as the sheep come
home al eventde Here your lane turns.
And It's at the last stage, for the next
Is the limit Of the rules Of the game. But
you'll not win it,
wager" said the other, with no excite
ment In his voice.
why, then, anything you like, yourself.
sir" said Pembroke.
Your little slipper against fifty
pounds?" asked John Law
''Why-yes-" hestated Pembroke, for
The moment feeling doubt Of the luck
that had favored him so long that eve
ming. I'D rather make it sovereigns, but
since you name the slipper, I even make
1t SO, for I know there is but one chance
IN hundreds that you win.
The players leaned over the table as
the deal went on. Once, twice, thrice, the
cards went round. A sigh, a groan. a long
breath broke from those who looked at
the deal. Neither groan nor sigh came
from John Law. He gazed indtfferently
at the heap Of coin and paper that lay on
the table, and which, by the law Of play,
! was now his own.
'Trente ct lie va" he said. II knew
that it would come. Sir Arthur, I half
regret to rob thee thus, but shall ask my
slipper In hand paid. Pardon me, too If
! chide thee for risking it in play Gen.
tlemen, there is much in this little shoe,
empty as it Is.
looking at the winnings that lay before
him. "'Tis monstrous pretty, this little
shoe" he said. rousing himself from his
half reverie
"Confound thee, man." cried Castleton,
''that Is the only thing we grudge. OF
sovereigns there are plenty at the coinage
but of q shoe like this, there is not the
equal this day In England!'
"So?" laughed Law. well, consider,
'tis none too easy to make the run of
frente. Risk hath it's gains, you know, by
I'll the original laws of earth and nature -
But heard you not the wager which
was proposed over the little shoe?" broke
in Casteton. Wilson, here, angered
when I laid him odds that there was but
one woman in London could wear this
shoe. I offered him odds that his good
friend, Kittie Lawrence"
Nor had We the right to offer such bet!
cried Wilson, ruffled by the doings Of the
evening.
Til lay you myself there's no woman in
England whom you know with foot small
enough to wear it," cried Castleton.
Meaning to me?" asked Law. politely
ITO any one" cried Castleton, quickly
''but most to thee. fancy, since It's now
Thy shoe!'
TN lay you forty crowns, then, that ]
know smaller foot than that Of Madam
Lawrence" said Law, suaveay. "In lay
you another forty crowns that TIL try II
. on for the test, though first saw the lady
this very morning. I'll lay GU another
forty crowns that Madam Lawrence can
not wear this shoe. though her I have
never seem"
These words ranked, though they were
said off-hand and with the license Of
coffee house talk at SO late an hour. Beau
Wilson rose, in a somewhat unsteady atti-
fude, and. turning towards Law, ad-
dressed him with tone which left small
option as to it's meaning.
''sirrah!" cried he, II know not who you
are, but would have word of two OF
good advice for you!"
'Sir. thank you" said John Law, but
perhaps l do not need advice" He die
not rise from his seat
Have 1t then at any rate, and be civil!'
cried the older man. You seem q swag.
|. tering sort with your talk Of love and
NICK, and such are sure to get their combs
cut early enough here among Englishmen
III not tolerate your allusion to lady vol
have never met, and one I honor deeply
sir deeply"
7 am but young man started out tt
seek his fortune" said John Law his eye
kintling now for the first time, "and
should do very i'll If evaded that fortune
whatsoever 1t may be-"
Then you'll take back that talk o.
Mrs. Lawrence!"
II have made no talk of Mrs. Lawrence
sir" said Law, land even had l. should
take back nothing for a demand like
! yours IT'S not meet, sir, where no Of
Tense was meant. to crowd in an offensive
remark"
Pembroke said nothing. The situation
was ominous enough at this point. A sud
den gravity and dignity fell upon the
young men who sat there. schooled in ar
/ etiquette whose first lesson was that OF
/ personal courage.
"Sifrahr' cried Beau Wilson, II per
ceiveI your purpose. If you prove goot
enough to name lodgings where you ma,
be found by my friends, + shall ask leave
TO bid you very good night"
So speaking, Wilson flung out Of thu
room. A silence fell upon those lef,
within. .a.1
sirs." said Law, moment later, SO
beg you to bear witness that this Is ne
matter of my seeking or accepting. Thi,
gentleman is a stranger to me. hardl,
| got his name fair"
Wilson is his name. SIR" said Penn
1 broke, "a very good friend Of us ALL HI
- Of good family, and doth keep his coacl