Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-04-18
CHAPTER ,l.-(contlnued.)

S''SF Gn tJs"\SOuSIuOSOsJ
Blackstock interposed hastily THAT
tourth-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 therc
are some skins too thick ."VaI
Tuyl pursued.
Truax pushed back his chair, nod
ding cheerfully to Coast. But for
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-all want to quit. It's pretty latc
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
". Hes q prudent man who be-
comes conscious of chilled extremities
when ahead OF the game"
Crimson with resentment. I'ruax
hesitated, thu 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
big host, nundes and Coast.
Goodnight" he said brusquely, and
20 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
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 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
professional dummy" He nodded to
Indicate the departing Truax 'I care
euliy 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.
y sincerely trust so. didn't come
here to 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, Want" he In
quired as Blackstock reappeared. 'Tt
happens rye been your partner thil
evening more frequently than anybody
else"
Precisely"
"And you think yourself Justified IN
suggesting that I've played against
your"
Van Tuyl's dark eyes met his stead
lily in sardonic stare. I'm the heav
lest loser here" he said. you've
played like q raw amateur every time
yo,i'v played with me. Interpret .hs.
TO your liking"
II shall" Coast got up, white t.
the lips. ''It spells goodnight to me-
! Blackstock struck In with a heavy
note Of insincere suavity. "Oh, come
now! It's early yet. Van doesn'
know what he's saying"
| It was Van Tuyl's turn to rise; h%
accomplished the action with surpris
ing dignity II with slight unsteadi
ness. "Since when did appoint I
bounder like you to read my mean
ing?" he asked crisply.
| Blackstock hesitated, swaying lit
4 tie as his temper strained at tn.
leash. '.I1l take that from you IL
! your present condition, Van Tuyl." b
said slowly.
i n his nervous anxiety to avert tn
quarrel, little Dundas blundered an,
pfecipitated Il ''Oh, say now!" n
piped. We're all good friends. Don
lst,S N slang one another. Come on
4 Van Tuy lst's have ! drink IN,
i make u"
At the 0uggostinn Van Tuyrs weatt
sfvAne humor veored. '.A1l right." b
assented; that listens IKE sense.
] Haa turned. 70 thA bu6et. DunAaa nj
.s ..fsrr1a r1a.nishf me- .tee,, II 49, : i,