The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-17
CHAPTER n.

h6S1SulQB WIN NILI0 TSluCI&uCo ulb
place at the card table to Dundas,
whose turn it was to cut in, Coast
lighted a cigarette and wandered
round the dining-room Of Blackstock's
apartment, idly inspecting the half
dozen hunting-prtnts that adorned the
green buriap walls.
Unspeakably bored, he went to the
buffet, where he poured a very little
Scotch into q 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 Tuyls IN
natural pallor, moist hair and fixed
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 un-
manageable as q wild horse, and as
spirited.
Slender, graceful, high lord Of
Devi[may-Care, Van Tuyl sober was
inimitable, more loved than feared In
spite Of, perhaps because Of. the wit
he welded like a whip-lssh. Elk
cesses famed that brilliancy to
burning frenzy; at such times he knew
no friends, and those< sho knew him
avoided him; his WITH submerged,
frothed with a satiric humcr 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 q man: Blackstock's shadow he
| had apparently constituted himself.
| Truax, round Of face and blandly prac-
teal, II unquestionably independent,
was only less dwarfed by his host.
"a good bridger"-Blackstock in
the current slang: giving himself
wholly to the game, playing to win.
"wolfng the tricks" Van Tuyl told
| him.
The comment brought q darkish
smile to the mans face.
What d'you want me to do with
emf" he growled simultaneously,
Tipping a card from his hand and as
swiftly making his play from dummy.
Make you a present of 'em? {.
Play to that, now; come through with
that ten-spot" He chuckled as he
gathered In the trick and led the
final card from dummy. "ThatIl teach
you to double my original make,
guess. Game and rubber,
Dummy: six without, doubled, and 6
little slam. Got that DOWN."
Yes" replied Dundas, grinning
feebly as he iotted 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
chicanA in hearts"
Brains, rather" observed Van
Tuyl blandly, shutting.
Blackstock interposed hastily THAT
fourth-best spade of yours certainly
did lead him up to slaughter" He
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 Van
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 Tuyrs in
science. Cut n, Garrett; It's your
turn. Unless" he added,
"you-all want to quit. It's pretty late.
think I'll drop, for one"
'Drop." said Van Tuyl sweetly, "and
be damned"
What do you mean By that?" Tru-
ak, On bis 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. He's q prudent man who be-
comes conscious Ct chilled extremities
when ahead Of the game"
Crimson with resentment Truax
hesitated, the retort on the tip Of his
tongue only Kithheld e4causa- Qt