Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-08
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broke over his large. round facs as he
answered:
why. hello. Challoner!"
The momentary CLEAN Of triumph
did not escape the other. and 1t re-
quired supreme effort to force back
the blood that was rushing to his tenn
pie.
Il want word with you, colonelr'
And with wave of the hand, Room
A-will that suit you?'
Colonel Hargraves hesitated for a
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. 1t was for Pemmican to see
! and to know.
There was table in Room A, with
chairs about the table and stand
against the wall. There were also
two large. heavy leather lounging
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.
"Hargraves." he began with sinister
familiarity. you have $4,000 in your
pocket. believer
Colonel Hargraves repressed a
movement Of impotence with difficult
ty. BE nodded and unconsciously took
the attitude Of the counterfeit present
ment in the apartment Of Lefty Love.
"Ten thousand dollars" repeated
Challoner. with provoking GOODNESS,
and added somewhat ominously, And
I'm broke!"
Challoner rose. walked over to the
table. half filled two glasses and. plac-
ing them on the table. leaned far over
1t. declaring:
"And yet Colonel Hargraves. you
and ] are going to sit In a $4,000
game tonight!'
Challoner 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 withY"
with your ten thousand! It 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
/ Chailoner's past.
You must take me for foolv' he
burst out and started for the door.
But he had gone only a few steps
when he felt Challoner's clutch.
Turning. he felt the power Of Chal-
loner's eyes. and 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.
Increduiity 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, Chai-
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-Tm an uncertain
quantity = and women are blamed
queer. II ! win l keep the ten thou
sand and my chances."
and IL you don't winr' bit
breathlessly.
ne you win" went on Challoner,
you keep your ten thousand and I'll
quit without murmur."
In the pause Hargraves thought
hard. Never in his life had he thought
harder. The more he studied Chal-
Toner the better he liked the PROPOSE
ton. The moment was fraught with
something new and significant. In
more ways than one he feared Chal-
i9ner, for he was by no means certain
Of his own place in the woman's af.
fections. And then in his mind there
was one acknowledgements 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 tho
present time.
IF win," at last he said. with
great earnestness. ''you will swear to
leave me-you will leave us .alone?"
Challoner nodded.
"It's a co." said Hargrayes and
pressed a button.
With the same sense Of responsible
ty upon him Pemmican responded. and
on Challoner's order he went out and
returned with ten new packs Of cards.
"Cold hands," announced Challoner;
1--we hundred throw
Hargraves pulled forth his roll Of
bills and placed It on the table.
Pemmican left the room and closed
the door behind him. Chailoner smiled
across the table. and<a new. strange
expression crossed his features that
Hargraves did not, could not, under
stand.
Then they started in to play.
Twenty minutes later Pemmican
rushed psilmsll Into Room "A.
u -