The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-11-09
CHAPTER II.-(contlnued.)

reached over and took up the deck at
Truax's elbow. spreading the cards
with dextrous sweep of his strong,
blunt fingers. New game. Cut, you
fellows"
THE invitation tempts; but there
are some skins too thick ivan
Tuyl pursued.
Truax pushed back his chair, nod
ding cheerfully to Coast But for a
heightened tint OF color he showed no
trace Of being aware Of Van Tuyl's in.
science. "Cut In, Garrett; It's your
turn Unless" he added.
'you-all want TO quit. It's pretty late.
think III drop, for one"
Drop" said Van Tuyl sweetly, "and
be damned"
What do you mean by that?" Tru
ak, on his feet. turned upon his tor
mentor with an imperceptible tremor
in his voice
Prudence is the better part OF
bridge" Van Tuyl explained careful
ly Hes a prudent man who be.
comes conscious Of chilled extremities
when ahead Of the game"
Crimson with resentment, Truax
hesitated. the retort on the tip of his
tongue only withheld because OF
Coasts appealing and sympathetic
look. Then with lift of his plump
shoulders he turned away. nodding to
his host. Dundas and Coast
Goodnight" he said brusQuely, and
so betrayed the effort his self.control
cost him. "You-all can send your
checks II am anything ahead"
Well try not to forget, thanks" A
satIrlc smile on Van Tuyrs thin lips
winged the Parthian dart.
Truax did not reply. but left the
room abruptly, Blackstock accompany
Ing him to the door In his absence
Coast cut In as Van Tuyls partner
and took the chair Truax had Just va.
Gated
"Deal?" he inquired.
Yours" Dundas told him.
And" Van Tuyl interjected as
Coast took up the cards. ''let us trust
you've more bridge sense than that
professional dummy" He nodded TO
indicate the departing Truax 81 care.
fully told him, early in the evening,
that when | doubled wanted not his
highest heart, but the highest card of
his weakest suit Do you think you
can remember that?"
Yes" said Coast shortly. annoyed
by the others offensive manner
u sincerely trust so. | didn't come
here 70 be rocked by everybody. by in
competent partners included"
Coast quietly put down the cards
without completing the deal. Aren't
you spraining something in your at
tempis to be insolent. Van!" he in
qulred as Backstock reappeared. 1T
happens I've been your partner this
evening more frequently than anybody
else"
Precisely"
And you think yourself justified In
suggesting that I've played against
you?"
van Tuyls dark eyes met his stead.
lly In sardonic stare. I'm the heav-
lest loser here" he said. You've
played like a raw amateur every time
you've played with me. Interpret that
to your liking"
snail. Coast got up. white to
he ups. 1T spells goodnight to me-"
blaekstock struck in with a heavy
note oil insincere suavity. "Oh, come
now It's early yet Van doesn't
know what he's saying"
II was Van Tuyrs turn to rise: he
accomplished the action with surpris.
Ing dignity II with a slight unsteadj.
ness Since when did appoint a
Oounder like you to read my mean.
ing he asked crisply.
hIackstock hesitated, swaying n M.
we as his temper strained Mt the
'eSsn' I'll take that from you IN
your present condition, Van Tuyl," he
said slowly. '' "
!" MS nervous anxiety to avert the
Vuartel, little Dundas blundered and
p,eclpilated It, "oh, say now," he
p'peu' We're all good friends. Don't
,e'S US slang one another. Come on
,an luyl-lets have drink and
make up"
AT the suggestion Van Tuyps wealth.
er'ane humor veered. "All right" ne
1sSehted; that listens like sense. =
him "'u's Win
uoou'nlght, Blackstock." Coast of.
Why cood -.
SUCKS mouth smiled, but his speech
n "as mechanical and his eyes, slightly
iauat iuilhent and magnifed by thick
,uses' met Coasts with an opaoue
"" aTuA singularly suggesting a cast
60 sorry our party has to break up
100, LOOK here!" Van Tuyl swung
cum. nu with a glass half-full of raw
~ sT.Gu , IN his hand. Aren't you going
.n,u uInk you no." said Coast dryly.
oa,N' NO said Blackstock. And" he
,bo, u | were you, Van, I'd chop
Of good" w you ~oriu
"nona van Tuyl smiled acidly.
noO u you know | reserve the priv.
se 5, Oh acting as my own wet.nurse ?"
wm,n uuv'sed you as a friend, but I'm
Won s 70 push the trespass and tell
Know 9Onething you evidently don't
ugly" uiihh makes you
sudden,, lingering In anxiety, detected
NNNnly the plaan, 80 l....,. =.