The Tupelo journal., 1912-06-28
CHAPTER II.

Resigning with little reluctance his
#lace at the card table to Dundas,
those turn II was to cut In, Coast
Sighted a cigarette and wandered
acund the dining-room of Blackstock's
apartment, idly inspecting the half
Mlozen hunting prints that adorned the
Green burlap walls.
Unspeakably bored. he went to the
buffet, where he poured a very little
Scotch into a tall glass, drowning 1t
With Icy charged water. He had re-
used to drink up to that moment. and
vas thirsty, but as he sat slipping n
watching the players, Van Tuyls I'M
natural pallor, moist hair and fixed
smile affected him with a faint dis
gust, and he put the glass aside, not
Saalf-emptied. His brows knitted in
bis 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 a wild horse, and as
spirited.
Slender, graceful, high lord OF
DeviLmay-Care, Van Tuyl sober was
lnimitable, more loved than feared In
spite of, perhaps because Of, the wit
he welded like a whip-lash. 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 = 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, napier
and broadsword!
Blackstock was the b~roadsword 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, d~elicately
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 Gwarfed by his host.
"a good bridger"-Blackstock in
the current slang: giving himself
wholly to the game, playing to win,
"wolfing the tricks" Van Tuyl told
him.
The comment brought a darkish
smile to the mans face.
What d'you want me to do with
'em?" he growled simultaneously,
fiipping a card from his hand and as
swiftly making his play from dummy.
Make you a present Of EN-! :.
Play to that. now; come Though with
that tenspot" He chuckled as he
gathered IN the trick and led the
1lnal card from dummy. "Thatll teach
you to double my original make. l
guess. . Game and rubber,
Dummy: six without. doubled, and a
little slam. Got that DOWN."
! "Yes," replied Dundas. srinning
seebly as he jotted down the score.
Tough luck, partner" Truax OBJ
served 70 Van Tuyl. "You couldn't
help doubling on your hand. Of course.
and equally of course l had to be
schicane in hearts"
brains, rather" observed Van
Tuyl blandly, stunning.
Blackstock interposed hastily THAT
Sourth-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 a dextrous sweep of his strong.
blunt fingers. New game. Cut, you
Fellows"
The invitation temrts; 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
HOlenCe. CuI III, ddIIelly Ns youA
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 NEAR by that?" Tru-
ak, on his feet, turned upon his tor
snentor with an imperceptible tremor
In his voice.
Prudence Is the better part OF
bridge" Van Tuyi explained careful
ny. Hes a prudent mar 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
aook. Then with q lift Of his plump
shoulders he turned away. nodding to
his host, Dundas and Coast
Goodnight" he said brusquely, and
% betrayed the effort his s~elf-control
cost him. "You-all can send your
checks If l am anything ahead"
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