Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-20

were asleep in the card room. didn't tell Leila. What is wrong?"
 'I'm-I'm 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
 Gan you?" repeated Mortimer vio- lently. Haven't I done enough for you? Haven't done enough for ev. | erybody? Is anybody going to show me any copsiderationg Look at Guar. rier's manner to me just now. And this very day did him service that aii his millions can't repay. And there you stand, too, staring at me as though l were some importuning shabby gen teel limiting around for an opening to touch you. Yes, you do! And this very day have done for you the--the most vital thing-the most sacred fa- vor one man can do for another'-
 He halted. stammered something in- coherent, his battered eyes wet with tears. The man was wreck-nerves, 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 MortiTer had fallen into a chair, his ravaged face cradled 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. 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 1t. 1 did it for you. You can have your innings now. You can have her when you want her. 1 tell you"
 What do you mean?' said Plank menacingly.
 Mean! I mean what I told you that day at Black Fells, when we were riding. 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 'When?' she'll be there with the bottle"
 q don't think you are perfectly sane yet" said Plank slowly.
 Let 1t go at that, then," 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 you!'
 "Yes," said Plank. Have you got a cab:"
 Mortimer had one. The glass and iron doors changed behind him, and Plank. waiting moment, sighed, raised his head and, encountering the curious gaze of servant, trudged off upstairs again.
 The game had ended at both tables. Quarrier 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 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  When Agatha's maid arrived Quar- rier also started to take his leave, but Sylvia, seated at a card table. idly 1 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- l via's room for her wraps, and Quar- | Tier turned to Sylvia.
 Well" he said, with the slightest | hint of impatience. Cant you stay a minute?' asked Sylvia, surprised.
 tTo be Continued.