The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-11

T have your four aces, sir" he announced. T kept three and a kicker"
 MT. Cray loked at the cards for a moment and nodded slowly.
 Twice three hundred and eighty four are seven hundred and sixty eight" he calculated, - "that is thirty-eight pounds, eight shil- lings."
 He counted out forty pounds from his poeketbook, received the change and replaced the book in his pocket. Then he rose to his feet.
 ''If you boys will excuse me-" lie said, T guess I'll taKe a turn on deck. The atmosphere in here is trifle thick. I'll be with you again presently You can leave me out for 8 deal or two"
 Amidst a nervous and portentious silence, Mr., Cray left the room He walked slowly along the. deck, heed less of the drizzling rain and the wind. He was depressed and miser- able, yet at that moment it seemed to him that only one course was pos sible. He was within few yards of the captains room when he heard light footsteps behind him and felt his arm grabbed. He turned around to find Blanche Esholt by his side, her hair streaming in the wind, her lips parted, her eyes filled with half terrified curiosity.
 ent," she continued. prope11ing him
 Have you finished playing, MT. Cray?" she asked.
 For the present." he answered 1ifelessIy.
 Where are you going nowP"
 T was just stepping in to say good evening to the captain"
 Her fingers were still gripping his arm. She drew him to the rail of the ship. MT. Cray found himself welcoming these few moments res- pite.
 "Tell me about the game" she begged.
 T would rather not" he replied.
 Did they win?" she faltered. "Those boys, I mean-Dick and tho others?"
 Yes, they won." he admitted.
 "Muchg
 Getting on for hundred pounds. I was just going to see the captain about it."
 "Why?" she almost screamed.
 MT. Cray glanced around to be sure Chat they were not overheard.
 Because they cheated he an- swered graveiy.
 She commenced ato sob then. She was incoherent, but somehow or oth- CT she managed to tell her story.
 "I knew they'd be found out" she declared. Tt was the stupidest, most idiotic thing. MT. Cray, will you believe me when I tell you some- thing?"
 q guess so," he promised.
 There isn't one of those boys," Cha ra si al nlu before done dishonorable act. Jack Graham, Sidney Leach and Phil Thomson are all just in the same boat as Dick and I. They gave up their work for the war and they can't pick it up again. Not one of them has been able to find reasonable job since. Dick and I haven't got 50 pounds between us, and not a soul in the world to look to, and the others are in the same box. They were talking it over the other night. and Phil Thomson said suddenly that he was tired of being honest, he meant to get the money to live on, somehow or other. Then the others joined in. and Dick explained how easy it was to cheat at cards. And then some one said you were mill lionaire. and they've been practising tnlS pOker game Tn tnelr StaIerOOmS every minute of the day since"
 Somehow MT. Cray's heart began to grow lighter. He patted the girl on the back, then he began to laugh.
 Miss Esholt," he said, "I believe every word oe what you have said. l never in all my life-and I've had some experience-saw such a darned poor. bungling attempt at cheating! Why. your brother don't know enough about palming cards to de- ceive the kids at children's party. and that other young man. Thomson why, he trembled like baby when he showed his hands,"
 You won't go to the captain?" She begged piteously.
 T will not" he promised, that is if my talk with the young men themselves is satisfactory"
 A dark form sloomed up through the shadows. A hand fell upon MT. Cray's shoulder.
 "T heard you were on deck, look ing for me, MT. Cray" a familiar voice observed. T just went down for moment to put on my gol oshes."
 Mir. Cray was speechless. Blanche EshClt, conscious of her rel eyes, stole away. a proceeding waich Mrs. Green watched with satisfaction.
 "A forward child, that" she said. "Mt. CIsy. I am sure you will te glad 10 know that I have decided to join your game of poker"
 "To do what?" MT. Cray fal.crsd.