Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-08-02
oHAprea u.

1tODJ80A0B VIII UttlO I0kVSSAAC0 0AD
blace at the card table to Dundas.
whose turn it was to cut in. Coast
lighted . cigarette and wandered
round the dining.room Of Blackstock's
apartment. iAly Inspecting the half
doosn hunting-prints that adorned the
green burlap wallA
Unspeakably bored, he went to the
buffet, where ho poured very little
scotch into . tall glass. drowning it
with icy charged water. He had ne
Fused 70 drink up to that moment, and
was thirsty, but as he sat slipping and
watching the players, Van TuyFs I'M
natural pallor. moist hair and fixed
smile affected him with faint dis
gust. and no put the glass aside. not
haff.smptisd. His brows knitted in
his concern for the man. who had
been drinking heavily and would pur-
sue that madness until satiated or
sodden: no influence that Coast knew
uk would restrain him: he was as I'M
manageable % . Wild horse, and a.
spirited.
Slender, graceful, high lord Of
Dsvilmay.Care, Van Tuyl sober was
inimitable. more loved than feared in
spite Il. perhaps because Of. the wit
he welded lite a whip-lash. Elk
cssses famed that briiliancy to q
burning frenzy; at such times he knew
no friends. and those who knew him
avoided him; his wits. submerged.
9rothed with a satiric humor that
etched % indelibly as an acid when
he did not lay on with bludgeon Of
vituperation. A dangerous foil
20 Biackstock. Coast thought. com.
pairing them. wondering that they
were 20 much together. Contrasting
them he thought: fre and tow. rapier
and broadsword!
Blackstock was the broadsword Of
that comparison. heavy and cumber.
some II capable. Without an effort he
dominated tho others. Van Tuyl al
ways excepted; the sheer weight OF
Blackstock's personality forced them
into tho background. Little Dundas.
with his deferential smile, delicately
! pink face and permanently rounded
shoulders. seemed the veriest shadow
sof man: Blackstock's shadow he
had apparently constituted himself.
Fruax, round Of face and blandly prac-
;tical, II unquestionably Independent,
was only less dwarfed By his host.
"A good bridge" in
the curzeat slang: giving himself
wholly to the game, playing to win.
''weiAns tAs tricks" Van Tuyl told
hin.
The comment brought . darkish
omile to the mans face.
what d'you want mo to do with
'em!" hs growled simultaneously,
Tipping Q card from his hand and as
Swiftly making his play from dummy.
MAKE you . present Of EN-? +.
Play to that, now: come through with
that ten-spot" He chuckled as he
lsatherSd IN tho trick and led the
dnal card from dummy. ''That'll teach
you to double my original make. l
guess. Game and rubber,
Dummy: six without. doubled, and o
uttJo slam. Got that DOWN."
YES" replied Dundas. grinning
tbebly a. no jotted down the score.
Tough luck, partner" Truax Oh.
0erved to Van Tuyl. "You couldn't
help doubling ON your hand, Of course,
\ and equally Of course had to be
nieane in hearts"
brains. rather" observed Van
fuyl blandly. stunning.
Blackstock interposed hastily THAT
burth-best spade OF yours certainly
i I'D lead him up to slaughter" He
y seached over and took up tho deck at
fruaxs elbow. spreading the cards
nth Q dextrous sweep Of his strong.
Sluut fingers. New game. Cut. you
Sllows."
'"Ths invitation tempts; but there
" some skins too thick ivan
tuyl pursued.
Truax pushed back his chair, nod
tng cheerfully to Coast. But for
eightened tint Of color he showed no
race Of being aware Of Van Tuyrs in
blenos. "Cut in. Garrett; its your
hrn. Unless" he added,
tou-all want to quit It's pretty late.
think I'll drop. for one"
s"Drop." said Van Tuyl sweetly. and
j damned"
H"what do you mean by that?" Tru-
r. on his feet, turned upon his tor
Il Sptoe with IN imperceptible tremor
" his voioa
prudence 10 the better part OF
A5dee." Van Tuyl explained careful
~ Hes . prudent man who be-
ohos conscious oe chilled e1tremittss
IN ahead Of tho game"
imson with resentment. Truax
ltateA, the retort on the tip Of his
sgue only withheld because OF
1Sst's appealing and sympathetic
~. Thsn with lift Of his plump
Huldors he turned away. nodding to
host Dundas and Coast.
aood.night." he said brusQuely, and
Gbetrayed the effort his self-control
e him. "You-all can send your
kks Il I an anything ahead"
ven " not 70 forget, thanks" A
he smile on Van Tuyrs thin hps
vSged To Parthian dart.
usx did not reply, but left the
50 abruptly, Blackstock accompany
shim to the door. In his absence
1T cut IN % Van Tuyi's partner
a6Stook tho chair Truax had just va
80.
s1salf'' he inquired
Akoms," Dundas told him.