Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-05-27
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS.

Mortimer.
Plank laid down his cards. rose and
walked over to Mortimer.
'May | have a word with your" he
asked bluntly.
"You may. And I'll help myself to
word or two with YOU" retorted Nor
timer. following Plank out OF the
room, down the stairs to the lighted
reception room, where they wheeled.
confronting one another.
what is the matter? demanded
Plank. AT the club they told me you
were asleep In the card room. l didn't
tell Leila. What is wrongT
"Im-Pm dead broke" said Morti-
mer harshly. "Billy Fleetwood took
my paper. Can you help me out? It's
due tomorrow"
Plank looked at him gravely. but
made no answer.
"Can you?" repeated Mortimer vio-
lently. Haven't / done enough for
you? Haven't l done enough for ev-
erybody? Is anybody going to show
me any consideration? Look at Quar-
rier's manner to me just now. And
this very day did him a service that
all his millions can't repay. And there
you stand, too, staring at me as though
were some importuning shabby gen
teel limiting around for an opening TO
touch you. Yes, you do! And this
very day l have done for you the-the
most vital thing-the most sacred ia
vor one man can do for another
He halted, stammered something In
coherent, his battered eyes wet with
tears. The man was a wreck-nerves
stamina, mind on the very verge of
collapse.
'I'll help you, OF course" said Plank.
eying him. $50 home now and sleep.
tell you I'll help you in the morning.
Don't give way. Have you no grit?
Pull up sharp, tell your
But Mortimer had fallen into chair,
his ravaged face Graded In his hands.
He began to ramble and even to laugh
weakly, passing his puffy, shaking
hands across his eyes.
Its good OF you, Beverly. l ap-
preciate It, But I've been good TO
you. You're all to the good my boy!
Understand? All to the good. I fixed
It. l did ii for you. You can have
your innings now. You can have her
when you want her, tell you"
"What do you mean" said Plank
menacingly.
"Mean, / mean what l told you
that day at Black Fells, when we were
riding. l told you you had chance to
win out. Now the chance has come
same's told you. Start in. and by the
time you're ready to say 'WhenT she II
be there with the bottle"
81 don't think you are perfectly
sane yet" said Plank slowly.
Let II go at that then" sniggered
Mortimer, struggling to his feet.
Bring Leila back. I'm all in. I'm go
ing home. You'll be around in the
morning Won't your"
YES" said Plank. Have you got
a cabT
Mortimer had one. The glass and
iron doors changed behind him, and
Plank, waiting a moment, sighed.
raised his head and, encountering the
curious gaze OF q servant, trudged off
upstairs again.
The game had ended at both tables.
Quarter and Agatha stood by the win
dow together, conversing In low voices.
Belwether, at a desk sat muttering
and fussing with a check book. The
others were in Sylvia's apartments.
A few moments later Kemp Ferrall
arrived In the best OF spirits, very
much inclined to consider the night as
still young, but his enthusiasm met
~vffl, he Ia.
parted with his wife and Marion In
their big car.
Leila, in her wraps, emerged In a
few moments, looking at Plank out of
serious eyes. and they made their brief
adieus and went away in Planks
brougham.
When Agatha's maid arrived Quar-
rier also started to take his leave, but
Sylvia, seated at a card table, idly
arranging the cards in geometrical de-
signs and fanciful arabesques, looked
up at him, saying:
81 wanted TO say something to you
Howard"
Agatha passed them, going into Syl
Was room for her wraps, and Quar-
rier turned to Sylvia.
"WellY' he said, with the slightest
hint Of impotence.
"Can't you stay a minuteT asked
Sylvia. surprised.
Agatha is going in the motor with
me. Is II anything importantr'
She considered him without replying
She had never before detected that
manner, that hardness in voice al
ways so even In quality.
"What Is it7" he repeated.
She thought moment, putting aside
for the time his manner, which she
could not comprehend. Then:
IT wanted TO ask you a question:
rather ignorant one perhaps. It's about
your Amalgamated Electric company
May ask il, Howardr
After a seconds stare, Certainly,
he said.
"Its only this: II the other peopl,
the Intercounty, l mean-are slowly
running Amalgamated. why don't 20,
stop itT'
Quarters eyes narrowed. "Ohl AND
who have you been discussing the mat
ter within
~Nr. Plank" she said simply. :"
asked him. He shook his head an,
said I'd better ask you. And / d.
ask you
For n moment he stood mufe. Tho,