The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-06-11
CHAPTER XIV.
A Bit Of a Lark.

"oiioN gave 1IdIS one VI HIS ldVOI-
lite cigars. The gambler turned it
over and inspected the carnelian label.
realizing that this was expected of
him. Mallow smiled complacently.
They might smoke as good as that at
the government house, but he rather
doubted it. Trust a Britisher to know
a good pipe-charge; but his selection
Of cigars was seldom to be depended
upon.
Don't see many of these out here"
was Craig's comment, and he tucked
away the cigar in a vest pocket.
They cost me forty-three cents
apiece. without duty" The vulgariaE's
pleasure lies not in the article itself
30 much as in the price paid for it.
On the plantation Mallow smoked
Burma cheroots because he really pre-
ferred them. There, he drank rye
whisky, consorted with his employees.
gambled with them aud was not above
cheating when he had them drunk
enough. Away from home, however,
he was the man of money; he bought
vintage wines when he could. wore
silks, jingled the sovereigns whenever
he thought someone might listen. bull
lied the servants, all with the childish
belief that he was following the foot
steps of aristocracy. hoodwinking no
one, not even his kind. I'm worth a
quarter Of a Million" he vel on.
Luck and plugging did it. One of
these fine days I'm going to sell out
and take a whack at that gay Paris.
There's the place to spend your pile.
You can't get your moneys worth any
place else"
Paris. Craig's thought flew back to
the prosperous days when he was ply
ing his trade between New York and
Cherbourg, on the Atlantic liners. the
annual fortnight in Paris and the
Grand Prix. He had had his diamonds.
then. and his wallet of yellow-backs;
and when he had called for vintage
wines and choice Havanas it had been
for genuine love of them. In his heart
he despised Mallow. He knew himself
to be a rogue, but Mallow without
money would have been a bold preda-
tory scoundrel. Craig knew also that
he himself was at soul toe cowardly to
be more than d~espicably bad. He
envied Mallow's absolute fearlessness,
his frank brutality. his strength upon
which dissipation had as yet left no
mark: and Mallow was easily forty
five.
when you go to Paris, Id like to go
along"
You've never let on why they sem
you hiking out here" Mallow sug-
gested.
"One Of my habits is keeping my
mouth shut"
Regarding your own affairs. yes.
But you're willing enough to talk
when it comes to giving away the
other chap"
You can play that hand as well Is
l can" Craig scowled toward the
dining room doors.
"Ha! There they come" said NAL
low, as a group OF men and women Is
sued out into the cafe veranda. by
CAD: she is q beauty. and no mistake.
And will you look at our friend. the
colonel, toddling behind her?"
If you could get . good look at her
wnen she's angry. you'd change your
tune"
Mallow sighed audibly. Most WON
On are tame. and that's why I've
fought shy Of the yoke. Yonder's the
sort for me. The man who marries
her will have his work U out. It'll
take . year or two to find out who's
boss: and II she wins. lord help the
mani"
! Craig e1sd the group which was
now seated. Two Cinnamon were
serving coffee and cordials. Mallow
kas right: beautiful was the word. He
poured out for. himself Z stiiY per and
drank Is with very little soda.
Haven't seen the crow anywhere,
havN your.