Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-05-19

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He was so big. and his beard glisten-
ed like the gold-leaf on the Shwe
Dagon Pagoda. She understood. The
white to white and brown to brown:
it was the law.
Warrington went up to his room.
He was welcomed by a screech from
the parrot and dignified salaam from
James, who was trimming the wick
of the oil-lamp. For the last year
and a half this room had served as
| headquarters. Many a financial puz-
zle had been pieced together within
these dull drab walls; many a dream
had gone up to the ceiling, only to
, sink and dissipate like smoke. There
were no pictures on the walls, no pho
tographs. In one corner, on the
floor, was a stack of dilapidated books.
These were mostly old novels and
tones dealing with geological and
mathematical matters; laughter and
tears and adventure, sandwiched be-
tween the dry positiveness Of straight
lines and squares and circles and
numerals without end; D'Artagnan
hobnobbing with Euclid! Warning
ton was an educated man, but he was
in no sense a scholar. In his hours
Of leisure he did not find solace in the
classics. He craved for good blood
red tale, with lots Of fighting and
love-making and pleasant endings.
James applied u match to the wick,
and the general poverty Of the room
was instantly made manifest.
"Well, old sober top. suppose We
square up and part like good
friends?"
Il am always the sahib's good
friend"
Right as rain." Warrington emp
tied his pockets upon the table; sill
yer and gold and paper. "Eh? That's
the stuff. Without it the worlds not
worth a tinkers dam. Count out
seventy pounds. James"
"Sixty-seven."
Seventy or nothing" declared
Warrington, putting his hands down
upon the glittering metals. Rupees
and sovereigns never lose their luster
in the east
Calmly, then, James took sovereign
after sovereign until he had with
drawn the required sum. Gold is
heavy, Sahib," he commented.
Hang it, your hands are steadier
than mine!"
You go back home?"
"Yes. Something like home. I am
going to Paris, where good people go
when they die. I am going to drink
vintage wines. eat truffles and mush-
rooms and caviar. and kiss the pretty
girls in Maxim's. I've been in prison
for ten years. I am free, free!"
Warrington flung out his arms. Good
by. jungles. deserts hell-heat and
thirsty winds. Good-by, crusts and
rags and hunger! I am going to live!"
THE Sahib has fever" observed
the unimaginative Eurasian.
That's the word; fever. I am burn
ing up Here; go to the boat and give
the purser these six sovereigns. Here
are three more. Go to the Standard
and get a bottle Of champagne. and
bring some ice. Buy box of the best
cigars, and hurry back. Then put
this junk in the trunk. And damn the
smell Of kerosene!"
James raised his hand warningly.
From the adjoining room came the
sound of a quarrel
Rupees one hundred and forty, and
l want it now, you sneak!"
But told you l couldn't square up
until the first of the month"
You had no business to play poker,
then, if you knew you couldn't settle"
who asked me to play?" shrilled the
other You did. Well, haven't got
the money"
You miserable little welcher That
ring is worth a hundred and forty"
You'll never get your dirty fingers
inside Of that"
"Oh, l shan't, eh?'
Warrington heard a scuffiing, which
was presently followed by a low chok-
ing sob. He did not know who occu-
pied the adjoining room. He had been
away for weeks, and there had been no
permanent boarders before that time.
He rushed fearlessly into the other
room. Pinned to the wall was a young
man with weak pale face. The 9TH
er man presented nothing more than
the back of his broad muscular should
ers. The disparity in weight and
height was sufficient to rouse Warning
tons sense Of fair play Besides, he
was in rough mood himself.
Here, that'n do" he cried, seizing
the heavier man by the collar 1T isn't
worth while to kill man for a hand
full Of rupees. Let go, you fool" He
used his strength. The man and his
victim swung in a half circle and
crashed to the floor.
With snarl and an oath, the gam
bier sprung to his feet and started to-
ward Warrington. He stopped short.
Good Cod" he murmured; and re-
treated until he touched the foot board
of the bed.
(To be Continued)
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