Mexico weekly ledger., 1909-12-30

that he possessed, called out;
Colonel Hargravesr'
Hargraves turned. and, seeing Chal.
loner. a self congratulatory smile
broke over his large, round face as he
answered:
why. hello, ChallonsrT
The momentary CLEAN Of triumph
did not escape the other, and ii re-
CURED a supreme effort to force back
the blood that was rushing to his tenn.
pie.
Il want a word with you, coloneip'
And with a wave Of the hand, Groom
A-wil that suit your"
Colonel Hargraves hesitated for a
moment. he shrugged his shoulders.
Finally he said:
"ob, very well"
Pemmican followed with decanters
Possibly he realized that the air was
charged with electricity. In any event
Pemmican was in charge Of Cradle
baugh's. 1t was for Pemmican to see
and to know.
There was a table in Room A, with
chairs about the table and a stand
against the wall. There were also
two large. heavy leather loungine
chairs with arms. Pemmican placed
his burden upon the stand against the
wall and then went softly out. When
each had seated himself at the table
Challoner got down to business.
"H~argraves," he began with sinister
familiarity, <.you have $4,000 in your
pocket, I believer"
Colonel H~argraves repressed q
movement Of impotence with Difficult,
ty. He nodded and unconsciously tool
the attitude Of the counterfeit present
ment in the apartment of Lefty Love.
Ten thousand dollars" repeated
C~halloner, with provoking GOODNESS
and added somewhat o~minously, "And
I'm brokei"
Challoner rose, walked over to tn,
table, half filed two glasses and, plac
ing them on the table. leaned far owe,
it, declaring:
sand yet, Colonel Hargrayes, 70,
and l are going to sit in a $1,000
game tonightr'
Challoner drained his glass. His ex
ample, however. was not followed b,
the colonel. Instead. fitting back hi
head, he said with an air of contempt
Indeed What WITH"
with your ten thousandp' 1t wa
well said. Challoner's cool, passion
less voice gave to the declaration tn
r character Of infallibility.
, Colonel Hafgraves rose. He thre'
into his glance all his knowledge {
Challenges past.
0 "You must take me for q fooli' /
o burst out and started for the door.
But he had gone only a few steI
when he felt Challoner's clutc
Turning. he felt the power Of Cha
loner's eyes, and presently under the
n compelling influence he found himse
once more taking his seat. He mao
no attempt to analyse his sensation
a but he realized that Challoner h,
IS made a new impression. Challon
had become a nan not to be disregar
1t ed-a man Of strength.
le my proposition Is a perfectly IA
lie one" went on Chailoner. "You put
"a ten thousand cash.
e, And tnen-go on
10 Challoner lifted his arm and point
T; silently In tho direction Of the Dreli
he court.
IS Incredibly shone In the eyes of HI
graves. His scorn found vent in
r. attempt at levity.
Rather like putting up somethi
that doesn't belong to you, eh, Oh
be loner?"
he at looks thar way, Hargraves," a
d. suddenly thrusting himself forwa
re "but l can make it uncommonly d
he agreeable for the other claimant Y
d. don't know me-Tm an uncert'
re quantity and women are blan
he queer. If l win I keep the ten tn,
IN, sand and my chances"
on "And If you don't winT a
IN. hreathlessly.
ul 'Tf you win," went on Challor
Ich you keep your ten thousand and
lat quit without a murmur."
rat In the pause Hargraves thou
cir hard. Never in his life had he thou
eft harder. The more he studied Cl
Toner the better he liked the prop
ton. The moment was fraught W
something new and significant.
MS, more ways than one he feared q
mi. loner, for he was by no means cert
mt of his own place In the woman's
i'm fections. And then in his mind II
was one certainty-Hargraves XII
that the game was already his; X
nm that Challoner, stesdy though he Sc
be ed. was unquestionably drunk. M
was victory more certain than at
ked present time.
am. 'Tf l win," at last he said,
'ay; great earnestness, you WIN 49,
10 leave me-you will leave US aloneF
Challoner nodded.
"a ats a 60" said Hargraves
pressed q button.
With the same sense OF responsI
Jan ty upon him Pemmican responded
ght' on Challoner's order he went out
rom returned with ten new packs Of ca
Dur. "Cold hands," announced ChalI'
by "hve hundred a throw"
|ara, Hargraves pulled forth his ro
49,. bills and placed It on the table.
Pemmican left the room and G.
niu the door behind him Challcner 81