The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-04-16
CHAPTER XIV.
A Bit of a Lark.

Mallow gave Craig one of his favor
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 II. 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 Craigs comment, and he tucked
away the cigar in vest pocket.
( They cost me forty-three cents
apiece, without duty" The vulgarian's
pleasure lies not in the article itself
so much as in the price paid for 1t.
On the plantation Mallow smoked
Burma cheroots .beear E be really pre-
-ferred th IN There. Ire dranks<Sye
whisky, consorted With bis employees.
gambled Wills hem and 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 went 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 bold preda-
tory scoundrel Craig knew also that
he himself was at soul too cowardly to
be more than despicably 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 90 to Paris, I'd like to GO
along"
You've never let on why they sent
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 tall
when 1t comes to giving away the
other chap"
you can play that hand as we'll as
I can" Craig scowled toward the
dining room doors.
HAL There they come" said Nal
low, as a group of men and women is
sued out into the cafe veranda "B!
CAD! she is a beauty, and no mistake
And will you look at our friend, tn,
colonel, toddllng behind herr"
IF you could get good look at he
when she's angry, you'd change you
tune"
Mallow sighed audibly. Most won
en- are tame. and that's why w
fought shy of the yoke. Yonder's tn
sort for me. The man who marie
, her will have his work cut out tt
take year or two to find out who
boss and IL she wins. lord help tn
mani"
Craig eyed the group which wa
now seated. Two Cinnamon wer
serving coffee and cordials. Malloy
was right; beautiful was the word. II
poured out for himself stir peg AM
drank II with very little soda.
Haven't seen the crow anywhere
have your"