The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-01-26
CHAPTER Il.-(contlnued.)


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
Truaxs elbow, spreading the cards
with a 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 Tuyl's in
science. Cut in, 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 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. He's 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 a lift of his plump
shoulders he turned away, nodding TO
his host, Dundas and Coast.
Goodnight" he said brusquely, and
30 betrayed the effort HIS self-control
cost him. 'You-all can send your
checks IL am anything ahead"
Well try not TO forget, thanks" A
satiric 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.
1Ours, Dundas told him.
And" Van Tuyl interjeeted 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.
Il sincerely trust so. didn't come
here 20 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
tempts to be insolent. van?" he in.
quired as Blackstock 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 Tuyl's dark eyes met his stead
fly in sardonic stare I'm the heav-
lest loser here" he said You've
played like raw amateur every time
you've played with me. Interpret that
to your liking"
II shall" Coast got up. white 10
the lips. 1T spells good might to me"
Blackstock struck in with a heavy
note OF insincere suavity. "Oh. come
now! It's early yet Van doesn't
know what he's saying"
II was Van Tuyl's turn TO rise: he
accomplished the action with surpris-
Ing dignity II with a slight unsteadi.
ness Since when did | appoint a
bounder like you 10 read my mean
lng?" he asked crisply.
Blackstock hesitated. swaying a III. |
tie as his temper strained at the
cash. "T'll take that from you IN /
YOUR present condition. Van Tuyl." be
said slowly.
In his nervous anxiety 20 avert the \
1uarrel. little Dundas blundered and /
1recipitated t. "Oh. say now!" be
,lped We're all good friends. Don't
cts Us slang one another Come on.
Jan Tuyl-let's have a drink and /
make up"
A. the suggestion Van TuyPs wealth.
.ryane humor veered. "All right" ne
scented; that listens like sense"
10 turned TO the buffet. Dundss with
n.
Goodnight. Blackstock." Coast Of.
red bis hand. I'm OF now