The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-09-07

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afraid OF him"
Tailentyre did not answer: he
moved q little nearer TO where Jlil
sat. She was very flushed. and her
hands moved nsrvousiy az she dealt
the cards. She glanced up once,
and met his eges. she called 10 him
chailengfngiy:
Not playing. Mr.. Taiiensyre7 How
very duiiT'
lie did not answer: but when some
one moved from q chair beside her.
he slipped quietly into H. forestaliinx
Rigden.
The whole scene was 90 familiar 10
him-the rows OF excited faces-the
piles Of money--the green cloth. and
the incessant shuffiing Of the cards.
Once. years ago. the gambling fever
had run riot In hls veins. but Il had
long since burnt itself out. and now
the sight Of u all merely bored him
and made him feel sick.
lie hated TO see jill sitting there.
With that wide. eager look In her
eyes. Who would have believed tina,
a year ago she had been n shabby
little city typlsi. trudging 20 and fro
from the dreary house in Acacia Ter
racer
SO much water had gone thru the
mill since then--so many emotions
had torn their hearts apart
His eyes met hers.
-You are iosingg'' he asked
She laughed.
II always DO: I have rotten luck
at cardA ought 20 be lucky In
love. oughtnt lii tho old saying
10 TO be believed"
He ala not answer. There was .
hint OF mockery In her words.
I, was long past midnight before
anyone thought Of going home
somewhess In the room clock was
striking one when i'm threw down
the last cards.
I'm broker she said isushiAsiy.
someone else npst take the
bank. She rose from her chair.
passsnk Taiientyre. Risden would
haye followed. but Taiientyre barred
his way. II vas dons accidentally TO
all appearances. but Risdens face
darkened-
"if you win allow me-" he said
stiffiy.
But by the time he was free 70
pass Jiil had left the ROOM .
Taiientyre rot his hat and coat.
ana went out Of the house. A row
Of cars were waiting In ths street;
he sought out one which he knew 70
be Jlu's. and spoke to the chauffeur.
The man listened. then shook his
head agisasesiiy. protesting.
II shouldn't dare. sir"
Nonsense, promise you shanf
be blamed. You'll lose nothing II
you do this"
Their hands touched. and presently
the big limousine was slipping away
thru the night.
Tailentyre went back TO the house.
He met Merredew In the hall.
Tin going TO give Risden the
slip" he said quickly. in an under.
tone. Don't ask any question II
you see me borrow your car" He
moved away.
-Merredew nodded. but he looked a
little perpiexed.
Jill was standing q few PAGES from
him. shs looked tired 10 death. and
her eager flush had faded; she
seemed hardly 20 be listening TO what
Risden was saying TO her.
isn't my car herc7" she asked,
impaticntly. do please inquire. !
want TO 20 home"
Tailentyre half smiled as Rigden
slipped away intofthe crowd. Pres
entity nc came back.
'1t's not here yet. Perhaps they've
had a breakdown. Would you like
me 20 send for n taxi. 'or shall We
wsit7"
He spoke In proprietary tone
that sent the angry blood TO fallen
tyres face. but he moved forward
calmly enough.
MY car is at your disposal" he
said. IL shall be only too delighted
70 driys you home"
He wondered II II were his ina ri.
nation that shs>turned TO him with
an air Of relief. II made his heart
ache 20 see the WEAKNESS OF her
face. n this was what the life she
had ionged for had done for her. how
much better off she had been in the
old days.
"You are very kind-thank you.
am tired"
She laid the tips OF her fingers on
his arm. Rigden was following close
behind.
Out on the pathway Tailcntyrs
turned to him.
IL am sorry." he said cooily. but
there's no room for q third. Rigdcn.
dare say you'Il have no difficulty
in getting a taxi. lie followed Jill
into the little brougham, flung
word TO the chauffeur. and they had
started before there was time for
Rigden 10 protest.
jill laughed nervously.
II didn't know you had a car" she
said. Have your fortunes i'm.
proved. or what IL it7"
mo: quite the reverse--and the
car Is not mine. anyway. II belongs
To Merredcw. L Communicated it,