The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-10-11

CHAPTER II.

whose turn 1t was to cut in, Coast
lighted cigarette and wandered
round the dining-room of Blackstock's
apartment, idly inspecting the half
dozen hunting prints that adorned the
green burlap walls.
Unspeakably bored. he went to the
buffet, where he poured very little
Scotch into a tall glass, drowning 1t
with icy charged water. He had re-
fused to drink up to that moment, and
was thirsty, but as he sat slipping and
watching the players, Van TuyPs I'M
natural pallor, moist hair and fixed
smile affected him with faint dis
gust, and he put the glass aside, not
half-emptied 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
of would restrain him: he was as I'M
manageable as wild horse, and as
spirited.
Slender, graceful. high lord OF
Devilmay-Care, Van Tuyl sober was
inimitable, more loved than feared In
spite of, perhaps because Of, the wit
he welded like a whip-1ash- Elk
cesses famed that brilliancy to a
burning frenzy; at such times he knew
no friends, and those who knew him
avoided him; his wits, submerged,
frothed with a satiric humor that
etched as indelibly as an acid when
he did not lay on with a bludgeon OF
vituperation. A dangerous foil
to Blackstock, Coast thought, com,
pairing them, wondering that they
were so much together. Contrasting
| them he thought: fire and tow, rapier
and broadsword!
Blackstock was the broadsword OF
/ that comparison, heavy and cumber
| some If capable. Without an effort he
dominated the others. Van Tuyl al
ways excepted; the sheer weight OF
! Blackstock's personality forced them
into the background Little Dundas,
| with his deferential smile. delicately
pink face and permanently rounded
| shoulders, seemed the veriest shadow
of a man: Blackstock's shadow he
| had apparently constituted himself.
Truax, round of face and blandly prac.
teal, If unquestionably independent
was only less dwarfed by his host.
"A good Observation-Disclosures in
the current slang: giving himself
| wholly to the game, playing to win
"wolfing the tricks" Van Tuyl told
him.
The comment brought a darkisb
smile to the mans face.
What d'you want me to do with
'em?" he growled simultaneously
| Tipping a card from his hand and as
swiftly making his play from dummy.
Make you a present of EN-?
Play to that, now; come through with
that ten-spot" He chuckled as he
gathered in the trick and led the
you to double my original make,
4 guess. Game and rubber
| Dummy: six without, doubled, and g
little slam. Got that DOWN."
/ Yes" replied Dundas, grinnine
feebly as he jotted down the score.
Tough luck, partner" Truax OBJ
served to Van Tuyl. "You couldn't
help doubling on your hand. of course
and equally of course l had to be
chicane In hearts"
Brains, rather observed Van
Tuyl blandly, shuf1ing.
\ Blackstock interposed hastily THAT
fourth-best spade Of yours certainly
did lead him up to slaughter" He
| reached over and took up the deck al
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
Tuyi pursued
Truax pushed back his chair, nod
ding cheerfully to Coast. But for a
heightened tint of color he showed nc
trace of being aware of Van Tuyl's In.
science. "Cut In, Garrett; It's your
turn. Unless" he added
"you-an want to quit. It's pretty late
I think I'll drop, for one"
Drop" said Van Tuyl sweetly. land
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
IL. Hes q prudent man who be
comes conscious of chilled extremities
when ahead of the game
Crimson with resentment, Truay
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-aIl can send your
checks II I am anything ahead"
Well try not TO forget, thanks" A
satiric smile on Van Tuyls 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 Tuyl's 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
| prpfpssiOnaI dummy" He nodded &c