The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-07-15
CHAPTER XIV.
A Bit of a Lark.

Mallow gave Craig one Of his favor
lite cigars. The gambler turned 1t
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 Britisher to know
a good pipe-charge; but his selection
of cigars was seldom to be depended
upon.
'Don'tNsee many of these out here,
was Craig's 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 because he really pre-
ferred them. There, he drank rye
whisky, consorted with his employees,
gambled with them 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
quarter of a million" he went on.
Luck and plugging did 1t. 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 few 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 1t 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 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 go to Paris, I'd like to go
along"
You've never let on why they sent
Won hiking out here" Mallow sug
gested.
Zone 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 as
can" Craig scowled toward the
dining room doors.
"Ha! There they come" said NAL
low, as group of men and women Is
sued out into the cafe veranda. by
CAD! she is a beauty, and no mistake.
And will you look at our friend, the
colonel, toddling behind herr"
IF you could get good look at her
when she's angry, you'd change your
tune"
Mallow sighed audibly. Most WON
en- 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 cut out It'll
take year or two to end out who's
boss; and If she wins. lord help the
mani"
Craig eyed the group which was
now seated. Two Cinnamon were
serving coffee and cordials. Mallow
was right; beautiful was the word. He
poured out for himself stiff peg and
drank it with very little soda.
Haven't seen the crow anywhere.
have your"