Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-02-10
The Argyle Case On: Stories :" E5 sc' w 25;ss
BY J. W. M'coNAUGHY .
the game--tust little bad luck. It will

the game--just little bad luck! 1t will
| pass
am growing too old to play the
game! exclaimed the woman. Her voice
| was tense as wire. He kissed her ON top
OF the head and laughed softly
mat will never be-" he declared ten
oerly. 1T is not we who grow old--it is
the little fat life that gathers gray mould
ike cheese, You and I've keep young
with living Fear. trouble love, wealth,
prison, disgrace. separation, poverty,
| happiness, hope-that is to live!'
| on, know, Friedrich" she cried.
raising her head. You love the gamble
the danger-you love it better than safety
OF happiness. Now, when we could have
each other and little money to live on,
youA go ahead this way and risk your
HE and mine. If we're caught it's
nothing but the snap of "a trigger to you
But, to me! 1t would be years and years
Of hateful, empty life, alone"
He was silent for moment and held
her closer to him. When he spoke again
1t was with world of gentleness.
How shall man change himself?"
ne asked. You think you could be con-
tented with she little soft man like an
oyster In life like a shel-way down
deep where it is safe, sticking fast to
has rock? MOI 1t is the adventure in
me that you love-you have the gypsy
i spirit"
Mono" she protested quickly. ut
isn't that ] wouldn't go through anything
with you and for you--but this means that
I'm risking YOU You would kill Your
self without a thought that you would be
leaving me"
THAT is not sol"
| death by Inches"
1T is-it isl she cried, half hysteri-
cally, and broke away from him. For
maybe half minute there was no sound
but the hard, dry sobs that the woman
strove in vain to suppress. Then Krels-
Ter drew near and very slowly and sternly
and deliberately said
Il tell you I can never go to prison
again with those brutes-to be logged
and degraded" he declared 81 came out
after those ten years to get even with
the world, and they shall never put their
dirty hands on me again while l am
alive.'
The next instant she was clinging to
him. 'Oh, Friedrich, promise me that
you won't kill yourself!' she begged, des-
perately. Il can't have this fear hang
ing over me! Promise met
He pressed her to his breast and kissed
her again and again
My dear heart" he said, with sad and
infinite tenderness, what difference
would it make? If they catch me now
they would never let me free to be with
you again. would die there by inches"
"Oh, if you'd only listen to mel" she
moaned. IF you'd only come away If
you'd only come away"
Bzzr-r-r! warned the buzzer from above
the door
Who is that?" she demanded quickly
He could feel her turn rigid as stone in
his arms, and he patted her cheek with
his hand
1T must be Sl1idd." he said quietly
and releasing her he went to the door anC
softly opened it, listening to the sounds
from below.
Yes, it is he" he said, and frownet
slightly, Gage is with him. I'm afraiC
Skidd has been drinking"
The entrance Of the two weaker mem
bers of the confederacy was somewhat
tumultuous. Gage burst into the room
chattering incoherently like a monkey
He was followed by a thick-set, coarse
young man. very much the worse fol-
Greenwich village whisky.
Mrs. Martin and Kreisler eyed then
coldy, unmoved until Gage managed tc
sputter out:
This house is watohedi
"Friedrichl" gaspel Mrs Martin Al
the word her constant fears became full
filed prophesies of evil. But Kreiser's
pale gray face remained calm
Nonsense" he said. II do not be-
lieve it,
Gage, without waiting for comments
began feverishly opening secret caches
and packing his belongings in a suit case
Skidd Iurched forward against the ia
BILE and brought down his fist with q
crash that spattered acid about.
Don't you?" he demanded, drunkeny
well, do you believe I'm drunk?"
The Germans disguised growl was suf-
ficient answer,
Well went on Skidd, they didn't gel
me so drunk l couldn't keep my eyes
on them
He dropped into a chair, grumbling de-
family Mrs. Martin approa ched him
TREMENDOUSLY.
Skidd's Story.
What is it? What has happened2'
Some ones on to U.S." snapped Gage
without turning his head. Skidd waved
his hand for silence and told his story
/ with the exaggerated impressiveness OF
the Importantly drunk. But it was nong
, the less alarming
Continued In Next Issue.