The bee., 1908-08-06
CARDS and
BROWN EYES

I e"Nubhb yOui iuch was 0ALEAOIOlnhlys
he said.
The girl let the cards in her hand
fall ia heap to the table and Gov
cred her face. 81 had to--for Ted,
was her broken explanation.
Hartley slowly knocked his cards
together and began to shufie them.
For Ted?"
Yes, you see he has to have doc
tors and medicines and a good room.
quiet and light"
Hartley stopped shuffiing the cards.
who is Ted? Tell me about It,"
She raised her eyes, wet with tears.
my husband"
"Well?"
"He was hurt soon after we were
married-run down by truck and
his back injured. Now he's a paralytic
He's the son of-I won't tell you his
name-a weH-known broker. Ho was
disinherited because he made me his
wife. But he wasn't like other rich
mems sons. He was a compeS~qt
architect, and we were happy as coul0
be for two months, then he was in.
jured. Now he can't move hand or
foot. not even speak. He has to have
doctors continually, and there's no one
to pay. l can't make enough by work
ing, and then besides must be with
him as much as possible, so 1 took
to this. II played fair might lose"
'Hartley smiled.
FYou don't believe meY
Il didn't say 30" he protested.
But you don't. It does sound
fictitious enough, know, but" she
paused and leaned across the table,
come and see for yourself"
They turned into a narrow, sleepy
street and stopped before brick
building that had attained to the age
Of doting staidness. They silently
mounted the wide, comfortable steps
and came to stand at the top. wait
here until I've told him he's to have
q visitor" the girl directed, otherwise
you might excite him."
Hartley leaned against the banisteP
railing and followed her with admir-
ing gaze. Her figure was trim and
neat and her face unusually pretty
and refined. He was particularly i'm
pressed by her eyes. They were a
deep rich brown.
After lapse Of several minutes the
girl beckoned him into the room
neat and trim like. the girl. A man
lay on a white iron bed. His face was
immobile and perfectly white.
"An old friend of mine, Ted, come
to see you" the girl said, leaning over
the bed.
The mans features remained mo-
tionless. but a faint sparkle came into
his sunken eyes. Hartley cautiously
shook the emaciated hand on the
sheet and uttered few rambling SEN
tences.
In the hall Hartley turned to the
girl, his face slightly flushed. Il beg
your pardon for having doubted you"
he said. 81 did doubt don't now.
You are very brave woman. You
must let me help YOU"
The girl shook her head. II couldn't
do that"
But IT'S for him. You must"
Half way down the steps he looked
back at her. you are = very brave
woman" he rOpeatsd.
Hartley slowly laid down his coffee
cup and looked at the middle-aged
man across the table from him. IL
had most unusual experience yes.
terday," he said. 81 wandered into q
cosy, quiet saloon on some drowsy
street. forget the name, about four
o'clock. Adjoining 1t was a room
with several tables. A girl was at
one OF the tables. stunning a pack of
cards. She had"
Il know" the elder man interrupted.
She had the most wonderful brown
syes in the world. and after awhile
you couldn't tell why you discovered
yourself playing cards with her. and
hen you found a card In her sleeve,
Ind she told you about a paralytic
disinherited son of a
broker-you doubted, and
'he took you to see Ted, and you were
thoroughly convinced"
Hartley looked at the older man In
complete surprise. How did you
now"
My boy, l had the same expert .
nee four years ago. Hardly a week
'asses that some one doesn't" I
You don't mean" /
But / do And Ted is no more q {
'aralytic than am. But by the way, !
low about the parting in the hallt q
forced $50 OF my good money on =
Ter. And your"
Hartley stirred his coffee slowly
SO did l."
A Presldsnt's eabY cIothss. .