The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14

the courthouse pillars; he'd tear 'em
in two!''
Here's to cur better fortunes, them"
said the old soldier, filing glass for
Tappingham; and, Here's to our. bet
ter fortunes,' echoed the young men,
pouring off the gentle liquor heartily.
Having thus made libation to their par
ticular god, the trio separated.
But Jefferson did not encounter the
alacrity of acceptance he expected from
Crailey, when he found him, half an
hour later, at the hotel bar. Indeed, at
first Mr.. Gray not only refused out
right to go, but seriously urged the
same course upon Jefferson; moreover,
his remonstrance was offered in such
evident good faith that Bareaud, in the
act of swallowing one of his large doses
of cuinine, paused with only half the
powder down his throat, gazing nom
pluss11, at his prospective brother-in-
law.
My immortal SOUL" he gasped. rs
this Crailey Gray? What's the trou-
bIe?p
Nothing replied Crailey, quietly.
"Only don't go, you've lost enough
'Well, you're beautiful one." Jeffer-
son exclaimed, with an incredulous
laugh. You're master hand; you, to
talk about losing enough"
81 know, l know" Crailey began,
shaking his head. but"
you've promised Fanchon never to
go again, and you're afraid Miss Betty
will see or hear us, and tell her you
were there
IT don't know Miss Carewe."
'Then you needn't fear; besides, she'll
be out when we come, and asleep when
we go. She will never know we've been
in the house"
THAT has nothing to do with It," said
Crailey, impatiently; and he was the
more earnest because he remembered
the dangerous geography of the Carewe
house. which made it impossible for
any one to leave the cupola-room except
by the long hall which passed certain
doors. II will not go, and what's more,
/ promised Fanchon I'd try to keep you
out Of 1t hereafter"
Lord. but we're virtuous!" laughed
the incredulous Jefferson. "fsll come
for you at a quarter to nine"
II will not go. tell you."
Jefferson roared. "YeS. you will. You
couldn't keep from II II you tried!" And
he took himself off. laughing violently,
again promising to call for Crailey on
his way to the tryst, and leaving him
still warmly protesting that 1t would be
a great folly for either of them to go.
Crailey looked after the lads long,
thin figure with an expression as near
anger as he ever wore. He'll co." he
said to himself.
"And-ah. well-I'll have to risk It!
I'll go with him, but only to try and
bring him away early-that is, as early
as it's safe to be sure that sthey are
asleep downstairs. And I won't play.
No, I'll not play: I'll not play"
He paid his score and went out Of the
hotel by side door. Some distance up
the street, Bareaud was still to be seen.
lounging homeward in the pleasant sf-
ternoon sunshine, he stopped on a COR
ner and serenely poured another aui-
nine powder into himself and threw the
paper to couple Of pigs who looked Up
from the gutter maliciously.
"Confound himv" said Crailey. laugh-
ing ruefully. "He makes me mission
ary-for I'll keep my word to Fanchon
in that. at least! I'll look after Jeffer-
son tonight All. / might as well be
old Tom vanrevel, indeed!"
Meanwhile, Mr.. Carewe had taken
possession Of his own again. His
daughter ran to the door to meet him:
she was trembling q little and bIash.