The Benson signal., 1916-09-02

II did An without lynn more than
ordinarily do, can say that il did
miss it's the first time for a long time.
Did you see the body?"
"No. They covered it up with the
blanket too quick for me to see. Why?"
II wonder if it's possible that we
both plugged him.
That's got nothing to do with it,
said Kynaston roughly They only
claim one of us. Play your hand, Up
ton! What ails you?"
"Nothin', only I'd like to bet that
If you killed him he's got two bullet
holes in him. l must say don't like
the idea Of havin' a clean miss set
down against me-takin' up the
widow, are you?"
For KynastOn, the play passing to
him, quietly laid down his hand and
picked the five cards from the center
of the table.
wouldn't have me stand on two
small pairs with the stakes we're play.
in for, would you?"
SLs
Just SO do men jest who, standing on
the Peaks of Peril, look down into the
Valley of the Shadow. Just so have
Anglo-Saxon men jested from time i'm
/ memorial, playing with death as boys
do with marbles, holding it indeed to
be little thing where honor is to be
gained.
The older man speculated. Then
he threw down card. This gave him
the right on the next play to throw
down one card and pick up two.
Shall we turn up the cards?''
The sweat had started again on
Kynaston's face, but he summoned a
laugh-it was the poorest imitation
that was ever heard-and flung down
his hand face up. 1t was one ace, one
J king, one seven and-two fours!
IF you've got anything at all in
your hand as it is, you have me beaten.
l can't better my hand from what
threw down. In the name of Heaven,
Upton, show down.
Upton, with quick look at his
young opponent, laid his hand quietly
upon the table. Three jacks peered
out from behind seven spot.
Il was aiming to speculate again
on the next round if you hadn't
dropped out an then try for the four
jacks. Want drink?"
Kynaston nodded. smiling wanly at
his host.
Its all right, old man." he said
presently. TITS as it should be. You
see you've got Dorothy to look after
-and-rd have liked that job myself
if the cards had fallen the other
way"
Upton whistled.
Good Heavens, boy! Does she
know"
Kynaston shook his head softly.
mo 1t came too late for me to
tell her. She must never know, Up
ton. Not word of this. II go down
at dusk. You must get the ladies
in the back room on some pretext.
They would raise the deuce and all if
they knew-and then I'll walk on
down.
II shall not take a rife with me,
put l will take that little thirty-eight
automatic of yours. 1t may come in
handy in the time of need, and l can
hide that where heavy gun would
be detected. And now, if you don't
mind, old fellow, I'll trouble you for
sheet or two of paper
eff I am reported as killed over
here the American papers would jump
to the conclusion that had deserted.
Then I'll have a couple of notes that
I'd like you to deliver when-when-
when I've gone down there"
"Kynaston! don't like to ask you
this-but, man and boy, I've known
the army for fifty years, and l know
that an officer doesn't get chance to
put by any money. Were your peo-
pie army people?''
Yes. Why?"
"Is your sister dependent upon you
in any way?"
None Of your business, Mr.. Upton
|
concerned in this matter but you and
me. We played the game. lost, and
/ mean to pay
There was no mistaking the tears
in the old mans eyes as he looked
steadily at his opponent
II know" he said slowly, fiddling
with the pack, though his hands
shook. 81 know. 1 won't insult you
by offering to trade places with you.
You have answered my question, boy.
If it is any small comfort to you, you
can rest assured that your sister shall
be provided for. Where're you
goin'?"
ITO my room a moment. I'll see
you when come back"
To Kynaston as he passed out of
the great main room the world seemed
awhirl. The game was fair enough,
but he had not counted on his nervous
system failing him.
1t is one thing to contemplate death