The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-01-04


ut his post Of observation waiting. 1t
was past midnight when Colonel Har-
graves finally appeared. Challoner,
summoning all the suavity of manner
that he possessed. called out:
Colonel Hargravesv'
Hargraves turned. and. seeing Chal-
loner. a self congratnlatory smile
broke over his large. round face as be
answered:
why. hello. Challoner!"
The momentnry 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 tenn
pie.
II want word with you. colonel!'
And with a wave Of the hand, Room
A-will that suit you?''
Colonel Hargrnves hesitated for a
moment. He shrugged his shoulders.
Finally he said:
"Oh. very WE'LL"
Possibly he realized that the air was
charged with electricity. In any event
Pemrnican 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 Ind seated himself ut the table
Challoner got down to business.
''Hargraves." be BEGIN with sinister
familiarity, you have $4,000 in your
pocket. believer"
Colonel Hargraves depressed q
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
Challoner. with provoking coolness
and added somewhat ominously, "And
I'm broke!"
Challoner rose. walked over to the
table, half filed two glasses and. pIac-
ing them on the table. leaned far over
1t. declaring:
And vet. Colonel Hargraves, you
and are going to sit In $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 with?'
with your ten thousand!" 1t was
we'll said Challoner's cool. passion
less voice gave to the declaration the
character Of infaIlibility.
Colonel Hargraves rose. He threw
into his glance all his knowledge OF
Challoner's past
You must take me for fo6Ir' 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. 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
Ny proposition is perfectly fair
one" went on Chailoner. you put up
ten thousand CASH
And then--go on
Challoner lifted his arm and pointed
silently In the direction Of the Drelin
court
lncredulity shone in the eyes Of Har-
graves His scorn found vent in an
attempt at leyity.
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 it uncommonly dis
agreeable for the other claimant. You
don't know me-I'm an uncertain
quantity and women are blamed
queer. If win keep the ten thou.
sand and my chances
And if you don't winr a Bit
brea thlessly.
If you win" went on Chnlloner
you keep your ten thousand and I'll
quit without Il 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
loner. for he was by no means certain
OF his own place In the woman's al
fections. And then in his mind there
was one certainty-Hargraves knew
that the game was already his: knew
that Chalioner. steady though he seem
ed. was unquestionabiy drunk. Never
was victory more certain than at tbs
present time.
II win.' at last he said. Will
great earnestness. you will swear I,
leave me--you will leave us aloneT"
Challoncr nodded
Its a so. said Hargraves ant
pressed n button.
With the same sense Of responsible
Is upon him Pemmicau responded, ant