The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1908-04-29
asked Bluntly.

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. didn't
tell Leila. What is wrongE"
/ "I'm-I'm dead broke" said Morti
mer harshly. BILLY Fleetwood took
my paper. Can you help me out? Its
due tomorrow"
Plank looked at him gravely, but
made no answer.
"Can you?' repeated Mortimer vio-
lently. Haven't l done enough for
you? Haven't | done enough for cv-
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 nave done for you the-the
most vital thing-the most sacred ia
vOr one IN; can do for another
He halted. stammered something in
coherent, his battered eyes wet with
/ Tho n u-raHE
stamina. mind on the very verge of
collapse.
I'll help you. of course" said Plank.
eying him GO 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 you"
But Mortimer had fallen into chair.
! HIS ravagcd face Graded i'm his hands.
He began to ramble and even to laugh
weakly, passing his puffy, shaking
hands across his eyes.
Its good of you, Beverly. ap-
preciate it. But I've been good TO
you. You're all to the good. my boy.
Understand? All to the good. fixed
! it. ] did i 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 / told you
that day ut Black FelIs. when we were
riding. I told you you had a chance to
win out. Now the chance has come
same'S told you. Start in, and by the
time you're ready to say 'WhenF she'll
be there with the bottle"
Il don't think you are perfectly
sane yet" said Plank slowly.
Let il 60 at that, them" staggered
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 cab?"
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 a 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 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
with no response, and presently he de-
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 Plank's
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:
''I wanted to say something to you,
Howard"
Agatha passed them, going into Syl-
Was room for her wraps, and Quar-
rier turned to Sylvia.
"Well1' he said. with the slightest