Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-04
CHAPTER XVI.

Cash had been drinking heavily all day
but there was no sign that 1t had weakened
his faculties On the contrary, the exhil-
aration OF the liquor served to strengthen
his logged humor as he compelled the in.
mates OF the saloon, strangers and all, ia
do his bidding.
by Jove, Di, we are in for it, Sill
John muttered. Then he turned irritably
TO Henry, who was close to him. You have
let US get in for nice mess up He was
not afraid. but more than anything In the
world he disliked a scene. He had tray
eled enough to know that they were at the
mercy OF the rough humor OF these men.
When occasion warranted he could match
others in decision and courage but he also
knew that the consequences of the present
situation were apt to be needessly unpleas-
ant. From the beginning he had been ad-
verse to Henry's allowing Diana to come
with them: however. they must find a way
out of It. He began to survey the crowd
of men critically.
Jim. who was watching Diana, spoke,
though still hidden among the crowd at
the bar.
There are some outsiders Hawkins. from
the train. You don't care to mix them up In
our festivities, 1 suppose" BY humorlns
Cash he also hoped to find a way out for
Diana and the others. His voice attracted
Sir John g attention.
Quite So" he rejoined. I'VE have had a
delightful time. don't you know" Then he
turned 10 the desperate. who, with the
smoking pistol still In his hand, was leaning
against the center table and laughing at
the strangers discontinue 'Awfully jolly
or you TO invite US. but circumstances over
which we have no control, don't you
know He grew painfully muddled.
That's right, pane IN the face" said
Cash.
Sir John dropped his eyeglass in disgust.
circumstances over which you have no
control. sneered Cash. You describe the
situation accurate. I'm a-runnn' this here
garden-party, and l amt agoin' to let any
body mss the fun-savvy?''
Jim's Intervention had only hurt their
chances OF escaping from the saloon. Cash
motoned his men, with their drawn guns
TO stand close at the entrances Jim saw
Diana turn pale. He forgot everything: he
only knew that she stood there-that at
this moment Henry and Sir John were pow
erless to help her. He must get her away
from the place; he would agree-promise
Cash whatever he wished In return-only
Diana must be allowed to leave.
But the lady-you won't detain the lady
against her will?' He knew the weakness
OF Cashs nature: to appeal to him as a
gallant might be efficacious In his
earnestness to carry his point Jim stepped
out from among the men around the bar.
Almost simultaneously a low cry of Jim
broke from Henry and Diana. 1t was fol-
lowed by an ejaculation from Sir John. 1t
passed unremarked, and Jim determined 10
Ignore what his impetuous folly had
brought upon him. Cash was Oblivious OF
everything save his revenge. He bowed
low TO Diana-he would be polite to the
lady. even II the request came from Jim.
Il am going 10 give the lady the chance
10 see. how an Englishman looks when he
has 10 take his medicine" He looked al
Diana. She's sure a thoroughbred-she
ain't batted an eye nor turned a hair. III
bet a hundred TO one she stays.
Diana could at that moment have passed
out of the saloon. leaving Henry and Sir
John there, but she only Jim. Il was
J!m-Jim in those strange clothes-Jim so
hronzed. so strong. so masterful. What a
contrast to Henry!
Cash waited for her answer. He adored
playing to the gallery-this was heighten-
'nS the situation beyond all expectation.
She stays, he finally said. Good,
Gents this Is TO be nice, quiet, sociable