Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-04-22
The
Fighting
Chance.
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS.
Copyright. 100. by the CussAs Pubaishias
Company.
Copyright. 1905. by Robert w. Chambsrs.
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS.


Is virtually paralleling his own road
and why In the name OF common
sense, is he doing that? He'll XII IL.
that's what he'll do"
HE can afford to kill It," observed
Mortimer, punching the electric but
ton and making a significant gesture
toward his empty glass as the servant
entered. "A man like Quarter can ar
ford TO kill anything"
Eyes. but why kill Amalgamated
Electric? why not merger Why, It's II
crazy thing 10 do; It's devil OF thins
10 do. 10 parallel your own nne! IN
sisted O'Hara. "That Is dirty work
People don't do such things these days
Nobody tears up dollar bills for the
pleasure of tearing"
Nobody knows what Quarter VIII
do." muttered Mortimer, who had tried
hard enough to find out when the nrst
pminous rumors arose concerning
Amalgamated. and the first fractional
declines left the street speechless ana
stupetied.
O'Hara sat frowning and lingering
his glass. las a matter or fact, ne
said. "a little cold logic shows us that
Quarter isn't in II at all. NO sane man
would ruin his own enterprise When
there is no need to. His people are
openly supporting Amalgamated ana
hammering Intercounty, and, besides,
there's Ferral in it, Hnd Mrs. Ferral
rs Quarters cousin; and there's bei-
wether IN 1t, and Quarter Is engaged
10 marry Sylvia Lands, who Is Bel
wether's niece It's n scrap with Har-
rington's crowd. and the wheels In
aide of wheels are like Chinese boxes.
who knows what II means? Only It's
plain that Amalgamated Is safe, II
Quarter wants it to be. And unless ne
does he's crazy"
Mortimer. squirting sideways at
Plank and seeing him still occupied
with Fleetwood, turned bluntly on
O'Hara:
"See here, what do you mean by be
ing nasty to Plank?' he growled. "Pm
backing him. DO you understand
ct is curious" unused O'Hara cool
ly. show much OF a cad fairly de
cent man can be when he's out OF tenn
per-
"you mean PLANK or me?" demanded
Mortimer. daskening angrily.
mo; ! mean myself. I'm not that
way usually. I took him for a bound
or. and he's caught me with the goods
on I've been thinking that the men
who bother with such questions are
usually open to suspicion themselves.
Watch me do the civil now. I'm
ashamed Of myself"
'Wait n moment. VIII you be civil
enough to do something for him at the
Patroonsf That will mean some
thing"
as he up? Yes, l will" and, turn
ing IN his chair, he said to Plank
~Awfully sorry l acted like a boundel
1ust now after having accepted YOU
hospitality Mt the Fells. l did meal
to be offensive, and I'm sorry for tha
too. Hope you'll overlook 1t and b
friendly"
Plank's face took on the dark rec
hue of embarrassment. He looked
ouestioningly at Mortimer, whose Wis
age remained noncommittal. then di
rectly at OHara.
81 should be very glad TO be friend
with YOU" he said, with an ingenu
Gus dignity that surprised Mortimer
II was only the native simplicity o
the man, veneered and polished b.
constant contact with Mrs. Mortims
and now showing to advantage In tn
grain. And It gratifed Mortimer. b
cause he saw that II was going I
make many matters much easier fc
himself and his protege.
The tall glasses were filed and drain
ed again before they departed TO th
cold plunge and dressing rooms allow
whence presently they emerged
street garb to drive downtown an
lunch together at the Lenox clu
Plank as Fleetwood's guest.
Having O'Hara and Fleetwood
give him countenance, Mortimer ma
aged to make Plank known personal
TO several governors Of the club al
to a dozen members, then left him
his fate, whence presently Fleetwo'
and O'Hara extracted him, fate
that moment being personified by
garrulous old gentleman, one Pet
CaIthness, who divided with Maj
Belwether the distinction Of being 4
club bore, and together they pilot
him 10 the billiard room. where
beat them handily for dollar poi
at everything they suggested
"You play almost as pretty a gar
rs Stephen Siward used to play" ga
O'Hara cordially. you've somethi
OF his cue Notwithstanding
his Internal facility and touch. Has
he, FleetwoodT
"I wish Sfward were back herr
said Fleetwood thoughtfully, retui
ing his cue to his own rack. IL We
der what be does with himself-whs
he keeps himself all the whilef WI
the devil Is there for a man to do
he doesn't do anythingf He's not
ing out anywhere since his mothe
death He has no clubs to 20 to. I !
derstand. What does he do-go to
ONCE and come back and SIT In Il
shabby old brick house all day a
blink at the bum portraits Of his b
and distinguished ancestorsr
For awhile they talked of Siwi
and OF his unfortunate story and
pity Of II. and when the two n
ceased
do you know" said Plank mllt
Il don't believe no ever did It."
O'Hara looked up surprised, q
shrugged Unfortunately he doe'
deny H. you see"