The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-01-21

dence and humility, and was rightly
served. There was as little Of mercy
as Of sympathy in that curling nostril,
that rigid jaw, that cold blue eye
which never glanced my way. caught
up my hat l blundered TO my feet.
I would have gone without a word,
but Rallies stood between me and the
door.
Where are you goingg" said he.
That's my business" 1 replied. 81
won't trouble you any more"
Then how am to help youY'
Il didn't ask your help"
''Then why come to me?'
why, indeed?' echoed. "Win you
let me passE'
Not until you tell me where you are
going and what you mean to do"
cant you guess?" l cried. And for
many seconds we stood staring in each
others eyes.
Have you got the pluck % said he,
. breaking the spell in a tone so cynical
that it brought my last drop of blood
70 the boil
You shall seer said 1. as L stepped
back and whipped the pistol from my
Overcoat pocket. Now, will you let
me pass or shall I do il hereT'
The barrel touched my temple and
my thumb the trigger. Mad with eX-
element as I was, ruined, dishOnored
and now finally determined to make an
end Of my misspent life, my only sur
prise to this day is that did not do so
then and there. The despicable salts
faction Of involving another in ones
/ destruction added its miserable appeal
I to my baser egOism, and had fear or
| horror flown to my companions face
I shudder to think might have died
diabOlically happy with that look for
/ my last impiOus consolation. 1t was
/ the look that came instead which held
my hand. Neither fear nor horror was
I in it, only wonder, admiration and
/ such a measure Of pleased expectancy
/ as caused me after all to pocket my
/ revolver with an oath.
You devil" I said, 81 believe you
! wanted me to do it!'
Not quite" was the reply, made
with little start and a change Of col
or that came too late. ITO tell you the
truth, though, 1 half thought you
meant il, and l was never more fasci-
mated in my life. I never dreamed you
/ had such stuff in you, Bunny. No, I'm
/ hanged if 1 let you go now. And you'd
better not try that game again, for you
/ won't catch me stand and look on
second time. We must think Of some
way out Of the mess. I had no idea
you were a chap of that sort. There,
let me have the gun"
/ One Of his hands fell kindly on my
shoulder, while the other slipped into
my overcOat pocket, and I suffered him
TO deprive me of my weapon without a
murmur. Nor was this simply because
I Rallies had the subtle power Of making
! himself irresistible at will. He was
beyond comparison the most masterful
/ man whom have ever known, yet my
/ acQuiescence was due TO more than
the mere subsection Of the weaker ma
] tl1re to the stronger. The fOrlorn hope
which had brought me TO the Albany
was turned as by magic into an almost
staggering sense Of safety. Raf1es
/ would help me after all. A. J. Raffies
would be my friend. Il was as though
all the world had come round sudden
" to my side. SO far, therefore, from
resisting his action, caught and clasp
ed his hand with a fervor as uncon-
troIlabIe as the frenzy which had pre-
ceded it.
4God bless your' cried. Forgive
me for everything. will tell you the
truth. I did think you might help me
in nv extremity. though l we'll knew
that / had no claim upon you. Still,
for the old schools sake-the sake Of
old tines-I thought you might give me
another chance. II you wouldn't l
meant to blow out my brains, and will
still if YOU change your mind"
In truth feared that it was chang
ing. with his expression, even as l
spoke. and in spite Of his kindly tone
and kindlier use Of my old school nick
name. His next words showed me my
mistake
What a boy it is for jumping to con-
illusions, I have my vices, Bunny, OUT
backing and filing is not one OF then'
Sit down, my good fellow, and have a
cigarette to soothe your nerves. IN
sist. Whisky? The worst thing Tor
YOU. Here's some coffee that was
brewing when you came in. Now
listen TO me. You speak of 'another
chance What do you mean? AMOUR
or chance at baccarat? Not if know
if. You think the luck must turn
Sunpose it didu't We should only
have made bad worse. No, my GEAR
chap. you've plunged enough. DO you
nut yourself in my hands or DO you
mot? Very well. then you plunge no
more. and I undertake not to present
NV check. Unfortunately there are
10 otbar nen and still more unfortu-