Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-21
~ Rallies,
 &S$a> :! &e Amateur lNNh2a2| CraCkSfnan 7 Z4MuQAW~ N By E. w. EoRNUNG
By E. w. HORNUNG

which never glanced my way. caught up my hat. I blundered to my feet. would have gone without a word, but Rallies stood between me and the door.
 Where are you going?" said he.
 That's my business," I replied. "l won't trouble you any more."
 "Then how am to help you?'
 'I didn't ask your help."
 "Then why come to mel"
 "Why, indeed Y' I echoed. twill you let me pass?''
 Not until you tell me where you are going and what you mean to do.'
 Cant you guess?' 1 cried. And for many seconds we stood staring in each others eyes.
 Have you got the pluck?" said he breaking the spell in q tone so cynical that it brought my last drop of blood to the boil.
 "You shall see," said I. as 1 stepped back and whipped the pistol from my oyercoat pocket. "Now, will you let me pass or shall do it here?"
 The barrel touched my temple and my thumb the trigger. Mad with ex- citemcnt as 1 was, ruined, diShonored and HOW finally determined to make an end of my misspent life, my only sur prise te this day is that did not do so then and there. The despicable satis faction of involving another in ones de;truction added it's miserable appeal to my bascr egosn, and had fear or horror flown to my companions face l shud,er to think might have died diab olicaliE happy with that look for my last iElp.Otis consolation. It was tbe IGok that came instead which held my hand. Neither fear nor horror was in it, only wonder admiration and such d measure of pleased expectancy as caused mn after ail to pocket my revolver With all oath.
 You devil ] said. "I believe you wanted me to do it!'
 Not ouite.'' was the rr.1!y. made with little start and q change of col or that came too late "I'9 tel you tbe truth, though. l half tlioEg.lt VOL meant it, and Was never more fasc. mated in my life. l never dreamed yon had such stuff in you, Bunny. $o Im hanged if 1 let you go HOW .tua vorti better not try that game a"1in. for vo" won't catch me stand and book on 4 second time. We must think of soune way out of the mess. l had no ltiea you were a chap of that sort There let me have the gun"
 One of his hands fell kindly on my c1 %ho f., my overcoat pocket. and suffered him to deprive me of my weapon without a murmur. Nor was this simply because 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 acquescence was due to more than the mere subjection of the weaker na ture 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. Rallies would help me after all. A. J. Rallies would be my friend It was as though all the world had come round sudden ly to my side. So far. therefore, from resisting his action l caught and clasp ed his hand with fervor as uncOn trol.able as the frenzy which had pre- ! ceded it.
 "God bless you,' I cried. Forgive me for everything. I will tell you the truth. did think you might help me in my extremity, though well knew that l had no claim upon you. Still for the old schools sake-the sake ot old times-I thought you might give me another chance. If you wouldn't meant to blow out my brains, and vii still if you change your mind" .=
 In truth I feared that it was chang ing. with his expression, even as 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 cluSionS, l have my vices, Bunny, but backing and filling is not one of them Sit down, my good fellow, and have a cigarette to soothe your nerves l in sist Whisky? The worst thing fol you Here's some coffee that l was brewing when you came in. Now listen to me You speak of another chanee' What do you metln? Anoth CT chance at baccarat? Not if l know it. You think the luck must turn Suppose it didn't. We should only have made bad worse No. my dear chap, you've plunged enough. Do you put yourself in my hands or do, you not? Very well. then you plunge Eo more, and l undertake not to present my check. Unfortunately there arc the other men, and still more unfortu nately. Bunny, I'm as hard up at this moment as you are yourself"
 It was my turn to stare at Rallies. "You" vociferated You hard up? How am to sit here and believe that:'
 "Did 1 refuse to believe it of you?' he returned. smiling. And with your own experience do you think that be- cause q fellow has rooms in this place and belongs to club or two and plays