The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-10-29
CONTINUED from Page 81

lent one at Quarter, and the game
went on in silence, Leila and the ma
5or still losing heavily under the sneer-
ing gaze Of Mortimer.
At last, who's carrying your he
broke out, exasperated. and in the
shocked silence Leila. very white,
made a movement to rise. but Quar-.
rier laid his long finger across her arm
pressing her backward.
you don't know what you're say
Ing" he remarked. looking coldly at
Mortimer
Plank laid down his cards, rose aid
walked over to Mortimer
"May | have 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
Flank. "At the club they told me you
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.
"Can you?" repeated Mortimer vio-
lently. Haven't | done enough for
you? Haven't 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 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 / 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. "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, l tell you!"
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.
"It's 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
1t. did 1t 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! l 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 When? she'll
be there with the bottle"
II don't think you are perfectly
sane yet" said Plank slowly.
"Let 1t go at that. them" staggered
Mortimer. struggling to his feet
Bring Leila back. I'm all in. I'm 60
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
raised his head and. encountering the
curious gaze of a servant. trudged of
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 mutterine
and fussing with a check book. The
others were in Sylvia's apartments.
A few moments later Kemp Ferral
arrived in the best Of spirits, very
much inclined to consider the night al
still young. but his enthusiasm me-
with no response. and presently he de
parted with his wife and Marion II
their big car.
Leila, in her wraps. emerged In {
few moments, looking at Plank out Of
serious eyes, and they made their brie1
adieus and went away tn Plank.
brougham.
II When Agatha's maid arrived Quar-
rier also started to take his leave. bu
Sylvia, seated at card table, Idly
arranging the cards In geometrical de
signs and fanciful arabesques, looket
up at him, saying:
II wanted to say something to you
Howard"
! Agatha passed them, going into Syi
Was room for her wraps, and Quar-
rier turned to Sylvia.
"WellY' he said, with the slightes
hint Of impotence
"Can't you stay minuteT asket
Sylvia, surprised.
agatha is going in the motor will
me. Is 1t anything importantT'
She considered him without replying