The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-10-20

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Qut,sd
"Nons whatsvse. The banks won't
listen to me. and can't interest any
private part3es."
$50 hsre." volunteered Fraser. why
don't you let mo sell some Of your
stockf TN thees With the big talk"
Emefson turned on him suddenly.
"Yca have demopstxatec hat II you
bad kept your mouth shut we'd have
been Of SEA BY now"
The fellows face palsd sl1gAtly - b
replied. II told you once that didn't
tip your uttt."
"pon't keep that upr' cried Boyd. his
much tried temper ready to give way.
II can put up with anything but .
ue."
Noting the signs Of . rising storm.
Ing. "wsl. I think I'll be going" He
picked up his hat and stick and hur-
riedly left the room. followed In every
movement by the angry eyes Of Fra
ser. who seemed on the point Of an ex-
plnsion.
''You are tired and overweight"
said Cherry quietly to Boyd. 1.-THE sue
cess Of this enterprise, with any hap
piness It may bring you. iss't worth a
human life. nor II It worth what you
are suffering"
Perhaps not, from your point Of
view." he said roughly. then struck
his palm with his closed fist What
an idiot was to begin all this-to
think could win with no weapons
and no aid except . half mad fisher
man. an addle Drained imbecile, a con-
hdence man.
"A1d a woman" supplemented Cher
~. I'm the one to blame"
mo; blame no one but myself.
Whatever you're responsible for there's
only one person you've harmed-your-
self"
"What do you mean?" asked Cherry
Her surprise left him unimpressed.
Lets be frank" he said. 1T Is best
to have such things out. traded my
friendship for money. and am ruined
You are stalking your honor agains'
billiards. banknotes." Her silenc
only made him the more derce!y deter
mined to force an explanation. 'Oh.
I'm In no mood to speak gently" he
said: then added, with a sting Of con-
tempt IN his tone, II didn't think you
would pay quite that price for your
copper mine"
Cherry Malotte paled to her lips.
Kindly be more explicit; don't know
what you are talking about"
'.Then. for Jour own good, you'd bet
ter understand. According to accepted
standards, there II one thing no wo-
man should trade upon. fou have set
yourself to trap billiard. and from
what 1 hear you are succeeding. He is
q married man. He is notorious. and
Jet you have deliberately yHSided your
self to him for . price"
Suddenly he found the girl standing
ever him with burning eyes and quiv-
ering body.
what right have you to say such
4 things to me-" she cried. "A moment
ago you acknowledged yourself a muir
derer-at least In thought You said
you would sacrifice anything or every
thing to gain your ends. Do you think
I'm like that toof Are my methods to
be called shameful because your own
are criminal? And suppose they were?
Do you think that you and your love
for that unfeeling woman. who sent
you out to toll and suffer and sweat
your soul dry in the solitude of that
horrible country, are the only issues
in the World?"
I'VE won't speak Of her." he broke in
sharply.
"Oh. yes. we VIII. You say I have
set q price on myself. Well, she can
set q price on herself. but you can't
see it. Her price was your honor. that
has erumbled: your conscience. that
has rotted. You have paid it. and you
would pay double II she exacted it.
But one thing you shall not do: you
shall not Judge Of my bargains nor de-
eide what have paid to any man."
Never before had Boyd seen a wom-
an 30 transformed by the passion Of
anger. She was the picture Of defiant
fury. The mask had slipped. and he
caught q glimpse Of the naked. pas
sionate soul. upheaved to its depths.
OC6 OuI P0IuOos NC 00AO. Ou
are your own mistress. and you have
the right to make any bargain you
choose
He saw that her eyes were misty
with tears. II want you to know"
she said. that I understand your posi-
ton perfectly. If you don't succeed
you not only lose the girl. but ruin
yourself. for you can never repay the
men who trusted you. That Il a very
big thing to man, know. yet there
must be way out-there always Is.
Perhaps 1t will present itself when you
least expect it." She gave him q tired
little smile before lowering her veil.
He rose and laid his hand on her
arm. Forgive my brutal bluntness.
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