Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1904-02-03
THE MISSISSIPPI
, BUBBLE
By EMERSON HOUGH
Author 1.-THE Story of the Cowboy"
Tho G>tl at the Halfway House. etc.
CHAPTER IV.-CoNrINuEp.

he cast on the table the Indian moe
'castn which had been shown the same
party at the Green Lion few evenings
before. Eager hands reached for it.
'Treachery!" cried Castleton. IL
bid Du Mesne four pounds for the shoe
myself
oh, ho!" said Pembroke. so you too
were after it. Well, the long purse
won, as It doth ever. | secretly gave
our wandering wood ranger, ex-galley
slave of France, the neat sum of G25
for this little shoe. Poor fellow
he liked i'll enough to part with it,
but he said, very sensibly. that the
f25 pounds would take him back to
Canada, and once there he could not
only get many such shoes, but see the
maid who made this one for him, or.
rather, made it for herself AS for me.
the price was cheap. You could not re-
place 1t in all the exchange for any
money. Moreover. to show my canni-
ness, I've won back its cost a score of
times this very night
He laughingly extended his hand for
the moCcasin, which Wilson was ex-
smining closely.
lis clever made" said the latter.
And what a tale the owner of il
carried. If half he says be true. we do
i'll TO bide here in old England. Let
us take ship and follow Monsieur du
.Mesne"
Twould be long chase, mayhap."
said Pembroke, refiectively. Yet each
of the men at that little table in the
gaming room of the Green Lion cof-
1ee-house ceased in his lingering tho
cards and gaZed upon this product of
another world.
Pembroke was first to break the ST.
lence, and as he heard football at the
door. he called out:
"Ho. fellow. Go fetch me another
bottle of Spanish. and do not forget
this time the brandy and water which
l told thee to bring half an hour age"
The step came nearer, and as it did
not retreat, but entered the room.
Pembroke called out again: Make
haste, man. and go on"
The footsteps paused, and Pembroke
looked up, as one does when a strange
presence comes into the room. He
saw, standing near the door a tall and
comely young man. whose carriage be-
tokened him not ill-born. The stranger
advanced and bowed gravely. Pardon
me. sir" he said. but | fear I am
awkward in thus intruding. The man
showed me up the stair and babe me
enter. He said that I should find here
Sir Arthur Pembroke. upon whom 7
bear letters from friends of his in tho
north"
Sir said Pembroke, rising and ad-
lancing, you are very welcome. and
esk pardon for my unwilling speech. "
II come at this hour and at this
place said the newcomer. "for rea-
sons which may seem good little
later. Ny name is John Law. Of Edin-
boro sir"
All those present arose.
Sir responded Pembroke. 81 am
delighted to have your name. ! know
Of the acquaintance between your
father and my own. These are friends
os mine, and / am delighted to name We
10 each 9th er. Mr. Charles Castlcton.
MI Edward Wilson. We are all here
10 kill the ancient enemy. time It's
an hour Of night when one gains an
appetite for one thing or another.
cards OF cold Joint / know not why
we should not have a bit Of both?"
With your permission. ] shall Boz
glad 30 join Sc a. either" said John
Law y nave still the appetite of q
trayeler-in faith, rather a better appe-
tite than most travellers may claim. for
swear I've mad no more 10 eat the
last day and night than could be pur-
chased Tor pair OF shilIngs"
pembroke raised his eyebrows.
scarce knowing whether TO be- amused
at his speech or netued by its cool
assurance.
Some ~ fortune ?'-he began DO
titely
There is no such thing as I'M for
tunss' QWGth John Law. I'VE fail al