Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-12-05


wholesome look in Durnovos eyes. He
looked shaken and failed to convey
a suggestion of personal dignity
"Hello" exclaimed the proprietor of
the decanter. you look bit chippy.
I've heard you've got smallpox up at 1
Msala"
$50 have 1. I've just heard it from
Meredith"
Just heard 1t! Is Meredith down
here too:'
Eyes, and the fool wants to go back
tonight. l have to meet him on the
beach at 4 o'clock
Maurice Gordon sat down, poured
out for himself a glass of sherry and
drank 1t thoughtfully.
do you know. Durnovo," he said
emphatically, Il have my doubts about
Meredith being fool"
"Indeedw with derisive laugh.
Eyes"
Maurice Gordon looked over his
shoulder to see that the door was shut.
you'll have to be very careful" he
said. "The least slip might let it all out.
Meredith has quiet way of looking
at one which disquiets me. He might
find out"
Not he." replied Durnovo confident.
ly, especially If we succeed, and we
shall succeed; we shall.'
Maurice Gordon made little move.
ment of the shoulders us indicating
certain uneasiness. but he said moth
ing.
There was n pause of considerable
duration, at the end Of which Durnovo
produced q paper from his pocket and
threw it down.
That's good business" he said.
1.-TWO thousand tusks," murmured
Maurice Gordon. YES that's good
Through AHMED, l supposed"
yes. We can Guido these Arabs at
their own trade"
An evil smile lighted up Durnovo's
sallow face. When he smiled his droop-
ing, curtain-like mustache projected In
a way that made keen observers of
the human face wonder what his
mouth was like.
Gordon, who had been handling the
paper with the tips Of his fingers as If
it were something unclean, threw 1t
down on the table again.
"Ye-es," he said slowly, but it does
not seem to dirty black hands as it
does white. They know no better"
''Lord!" calculated Durnovo. Don't
let us begin the old arguments all over
again. thought we settled that the
trade was there. We couldn't prevent
it, and therefore the best thing is to
make hay while the sun shines and
then clear out of the country"
But suppose Meredith finds out?'
reiterated Maurice Gordon, with the
lamentable hesitation that precedes
loss.
"If Meredith finds out it will be the
worse for him."
aroused Maurice Gordon's attention,
and he glanced uneasily at his com
panion.
NO one knows what goes on in the
heart Of Africa said Durnovo darkly.
''But we will not trouble about that.
Meredith won't find OUT yEiIIIiBtI
''Where is he now?" 3tijII lIlIIi,
with your sister at the bungalSw.F
A lady's man--that is what he Is"
On hearing that Jack was ut the
bungalow with Jocelyn, Maurice Cor
don glanced ut the clock and wonder
ed how lie could get away from his
present visitor. The atmosphere of
Jack Merediths presence was prefer
able to that dffused by Victor Durno.
vo There was Il feeling of personal
safety and dignity in the very sound
of his voice which set weak and
easily led man upon his feet.
But Victor Durnovo had something
to say to Gordon which circumstances
had brought to crisis.
Look here" he said. leaning for
ward and throwing away the ciga-
rette he had been smoking, this simia-
cine scheme Is going to be the biggest
thing that has ever been run Oh this
coast"
Yes" said Gordon, with the indif-
ference that comes from nonDarticipa-
ton.
"And Pm the only business man in
1t, significantly.
Gordon nodded his head, awaiting
further developments.
(Which means that could work
another man into it. l might find out
that we could not get Oh without him"
The black eyes seemed to probe the
good natured, sensual face of Maurice
Gordon, so keen, so searching was
their glance.
And I would be willing to do it, to
make that mans fortune. provided
that he was my brother-in-law."
What the devil do you mean?"
asked Gordon, setting down the glass
that was half raised to his lips.
II mean that want to marry .Joce-
lyn."
And the modern school Of realistic,
mawkislly fou! .noyelists. who hold
that love eXcuseth all. would have
taken delight in the passionate render
ing of the girls name.
Want TO marry Jocelyn. do you?
answered Maurice. with Il derisive little
laugh. On the first impulse of the mo-
meat he gaze 10 thought 10 himself or
his o:?i :.iterests and spoke with I'M
disguise! contempt. lie might hav"
been speaking to Il beggar on The road
side.
Durnoyo's- eyes flashed dangerously