Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25

Ioulie-that he can pump that mine dry,
can buy up all the stock practically for
nothing except ours, and he lets our little
bundle keep him from pumping, he's crazy.
And if he pumps we shall have an income.
It's gamblers chance, and | am going to
take it,
ayes, sounds gambly," l commented,
"what the poker players call a bluff"
"I'm not bluffing; I'm standing pat" 10
reminded me. "And I'm taking the chance
because | want to end this work OF yours,
Dear. and these sily-accusations.'
WIE had walked to the end of the wide
w hallway, and | dropped down in
windowseat, grossly neglecting my duties
nd forgetting that my friends were apt to
get mixed. The prospect of going back to
that tidy little life 10 and | once led sud-
denly appalled, me.
Il don't want you TOTO end it," stam-
rnered, and, seeing JOS amazed expression,
| hurried on, Being Secretary OF Frivolous
Affairs isn't important, know; but it's my
life now | can't go back to things as they
were | should never be satisfied.
"You can't seriously mean that YOU want
to keep on with this, being well paid ser
want of the rich?' she asked.
"Yes,' l admitted.
JOS eyelashes swept her cheeks for mo-
nent. am sorry, Dear she said softly.
"Why sorry9"
"It's dangerous.
"Why dangerous? I'm quite capable of
taking care of myself. You said So
you're already in trouble
ayes; but my hearts broken now, and
there isn't anything more to worry about
I'll never love anyone else. | have good
-, To- fic To And
when the Hazards don't want me any longer
the Dykemans do, and there's a long list of
others | won't bother you to name. I've
made good in my job-which reminds me
that if don't go look after it may not have
it very long" | rose; it never occurred to
me that was pushing 10 out of my scheme
Of life use the stock to finance the dress
making Dear and take little tip from me
you take care of YOURSELF
"Why, what do you mean?' 10 asked; but
I'm sure she knew what | was going to
answer.
"John Crowninshield never looked twice
at a woman in his life He has looked at you
| don't know how many times, for | don't
know how many interviews have been neces-
sarv about that stock; but" thrust out a
rigid forefinger dramatically, @beware!'
TT was perhaps ten o'clock when 10 took a
notion to see the gallery. The notion was
quite sudden, too. She even interrupted
John to say SO apropos of nothing. We met
Hap on the stairs as we went up. | remem-
bered afterward that he looked puzzled and
was flushed a little. He shouted to Bur-
rows from the stairs.
"Who locked the cardroom?'
"No one, Sir
"It's locked. Have it unlocked! Where
is Thomas?'
IL don't know, Sir.
There was more anger in the way he
spoke to Burrows than such simple thing
warranted. He came up to the gallery with
us, glaring at the cardroom door as we
passed.
whats the natter | asked. "Do you
want to play poker!'
NO; but want the room unlocked. It's
not supposed to be locked.
We climbed upward in silence.
"Well, you might quit looking like a thun-
dercloud,' suggested presently. Il haven't
been horrid, have II
He glanced up to where 10 and John
Crowninshield were disappearing into the
gallery, and apropos of nothing he seized my
hand and pressed it to his lips.
Inside the picture gallery was Thomas,
the footman about whom Hap had asked
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