The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-05-21

voice. But your conditions must be re-
versed IF L win, win you; if I lose. ]
lose you. 1t is more-more gallant 500
She looked at him searchingly. Then
| in a low voice. she consented to the al.
tered conditions, and gave him the as.
surance, on her word of honor, that sh,
would abide by the issue, exacting The
like promise from him in return. HI
was eager now to have the matter settled
without delay-that very night, in fact
He swore that he could not sleep or eat
while his suspense endured. She hui
mored him in this, and upon reflection
she mentioned the names of her brother
and her sister in-law.
II am sure that Jim and Freda would
oblige us-for / suppose that you would
prefer bridge. I know that they are al
home tonight"
'Then, for heavens sake, let us 60 at
once," he implored her; and she con
scented, impelled as much by his eager.
ness as by her own anxiety.
They rose Immediately, and Cen min
utes later they were speeding back tc
| town in Evelyn's motor.
They found the Batesbys at home, as
she had promised him, Jim and Freda
waxing torpid in post-prandial, domes.
tic sluggishness, and only too willing tc
adopt the suggestion of bridge, which
Evelyn was not very long in making
True, Freda-a little fair woman who
by the time that she was 40 would most
certainly be fat-feigned reluctance
pleading her husbands usual crossness
as her reason; but she was given Harvey
Stone for partner-a matter on which
Harvey might congratulate himself, for
she played a game of remarkable sound
ness.
The game began, and at first it ran in
favor of Harvey and Freda; they piled
up five tricks; then the opponents won
the next three; the ninth trick fell to
Freda But now it seemed to Harvey
that lie and his partner had done all
that was possible. He had located the
cards, and, lying as they did, the odd
trick must belong to the opponents, and
the odd trick meant the rubber. Freda
led spade and Evelyn covered it with
the master. For just a second Harvey
hesitated in the throes of an overwhelm-
ing temptation. Then he succumbed
Holding spade, and knowing it, he de-
lihelat trumped the trick.
jim orlmbled that the rubber was lost.
They've simply fluked out, partner, y
he complained. And Harvey, in mortal
dread that the revoke should be discov-
cred, finished the game like man in a
dream.
Rubber to YOU" Jim announced in a
chagrined voice, and he began to add up
the score Harvey breathed more freely.
the revoke went undetected.
The score was added, and the trivial
prearranged stakes were settled Then
Jim proposed another rubber, but Eve
lyn objected. She pleaded that she felt
a headache coming on, and that Jim
played rather too seriously for her, and
She wondered whether they would mind
much if she went home.
at does seem shabby to run away like
this after disturbing your evening"" she
confessed, "but / am such a bore when
[ have a headache"
The Batesbys were all solicitude. But
Evelyn quietly treasured and pacifed
them, and having gained their rather sur
prised consent that she should go, she
turned to Harvey and begged him to
drive her home. They went in silence,
silence Evelyn could no longer under
stand, which endured until their hanson
was approaching the Marble Arch. Then
she turned to him.
Harvey, DEAR" she said at last, "dont
tell me that you regret what we have
done. Say that you are glad to have
won me. Don't leave everything to be
said by me. Are you glad, Harvey?"
"Glad?" he echoed gloornily, for re-
soul by now II am wretched." Then,
10
self-respect that I consented to that
camel" he exclaimed. Il had better be
honest, Evelyn, and tell you that 1 have
not won you" And, unable to contain
himself, he bluntly told the ugly truth.
II cheated-that time when I trumped
your spade in the last hand. I revoked
consciously and purposely. Esuppose we
all have our price," ne added cynically.
''In the old days I lost fortune with
out having my honesty shaken. But, to-
night, I was playing for more than |
could afford to lose. You had better say
good might, and let me get out here" he
suggested, his face rigid. II am afraid
you won't find it in your heart to for
give me- That I should marry you is
out of the question. I am cheat-that's
what | am"
But she didn't say goodnight. She
nestled up to him.
Harvey, dear" she whispered, with
nervous laugh, '1 am SO glad, for I cheat
ed, too-when I led that diamond in the
second game. I wanted you to win. I
had looked over your cards, and l had
seen the ace in your hand"
He turned to answer her, but before
he had time
please don't let Us talk about our dis
graceful conduct any more,' she begged
him. ''Your fault is counterbalanced by
mine. We are pair of cheats, Harvey,
a pair of common frauds, and I don't see
that there is anything for us to do but
get married. At least we are well
matched"
Harvey looked at her for a moment in
the uncertain light of Park lane, down
which they were driving. He smiled at
first, then he laughed outright. II sup
pose that my mistake lay in taking the
risk of cards. he confessed.
"But it turned out all right" said she,
'even if we have crossed the Rubicon on
bridge Of fraud"
And at the moment he felt too happy
to reprove the pun.-Rafael Sabatini in
The Sketch.