The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1910-03-10

Colonel HargravesT'
Hargraves turned. and. seeing Chal.
loner. self congratulatory smile
broke over his large. round face as he
answered:
"Why. hello. Challoner!''
The momcntary CLEAN Of triumph
did not escape the other. and II re-
quired a supreme effort to force back
the blood that was rushing to his TEN
pie.
~ want a word with you. colonel"'
And with n wave Of the hand. Room
A-wlll that suit you?''
Colonel Hargraves hPsitated for
moment. He shrugged his shoulders
Finally he said
"Oh. very we'll"
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. II was for Pemmican to see
and to know.
There was table In Room A. with
chairs about the table and a stand
against the wall There were also
two large heavy leather lounging
chairs with arms Pemmlcan 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.
"Hargraves." he began with sinister
familiarity. you have $4,000 in your
pocket. | believer
Colonel Hargraves repressed a
movement OF impatience with difficult
ty He nodded and unconsciously took
the attitude OF the counterfeit present
ment In the apartment of Lefty Love.
Ten thousand dollars" repeated
Challouer. with provoking GOODNESS.
and added somewhat ominously. "And
I'm broke"
Chtlloner rose. walked over to the
table half filled two glasses and. plac-
ing them on the table. leaned far over
II. declaring:
"And yet. Colonel Hargraves, you
and ! are going to sit In $4,000
game tonightr'
Chaloner drained his glass. His ex
ample. however, was not followed by
the colonel. Instead, fitting back his
head. he said with an air Of contempt
Indeed! What withg'
with your ten thousandp' II was
well said Challoner's cool. passion.
less voice gave to the declaration the
character of infallibility.
Colonel Hargraves rose. He threw
into his glance all his knowledge OF
Challoners past.
you must take me for foolr' he
burst out and started for the door.
But he had gone only few steps
when he felt Challoner's clutch
Turning, he felt the power Of Chal-
loner's eyes, aud presently under their
compelling influence he found himself
once more taking his seat He made
no attempt to analyse his sensations,
but he realized that Challoner had
made a new impression. Challoner
had become man not TO be disregard
ed-a man of strength.
MY proposition is a perfectly fair
one" went on Challoner "You put up
ten thousand cash.
"And then-go on
Challoner lifted his arm and pointed
silently In the direction OF the Drelin
court
Incredullty shone In the eyes Of Har
graves. His scorn found vent in an
attempt at levity.
Rather like putting up something
that doesn't belong to you. eh. Chal
loner?"
1T looks that way Hargraves." and
suddenly thrusting himself forward.
but | can make 1t uncommonly dis.
agreeable for the other claimant You
don't know me-I'm an uncertain
quantity - and women are blamed
queer. II | win | keep the ten thou
sand and my chances"
"And If you don't win" bit
breathlessly.
IF you win." went on Challoner,
you keep your ten thousand and III
quit without murmur'
In the pause Hargraves thought
hard. Never In his life had he thought
uuIueI, uc luOIS uS bbuuASd Nh"'
loner the better he liked the PROPOSE
ton. The moment was fraught with
something new and significant In
more ways than one he feared Chal-
loner for he was by no means certain
Of his own place in the woman's af
Iections. And then in his mind there
was one certainty-Hargraves knew
that the game was already his; knew
that Challoner, steady though he seem
ed, was unquestionably drunk. Never
was victory more certain than at the
present time.
IF l win" at last he said, with
great earnestness. you will swear to
leave me-you will leave us alonef"
Challoner nodded.
Its CO." said Hargraves and
pressed a button.
With the same sense of responsibili
" upon him Pemmican responded. anC
on Challoners order he went out anc
returned with ten new packs OF cards
Gold hands," announced Challoner
Eve hundred a throw"