The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-26

NJ
stop. just when we had you vul-
nerable, tool"
We'll keep the same score and
20 on from here tonight" one of
the others volunteered, picking up
the cards. We're not afraid of
being vulnerable, eh Hugh?"
Sure we're notp
TN the hurry Of reaching for hats
Il and coats no one noticed the
forced quality to Hugh Rolland's
hearty rejoinder, or that his ready
attractive smile stopped short of his
eyes. "Lucks got to change some
time" he added.
Vulnerablel The word beat on
his brain to the rhythm of his foot
steps as he walked down the plat
form. Drake was up to his usual
tricks of getting them vulnerable,
and then using all his uncanny skill
: to set them!
Crazy word to use in game;
vulnerablel" Hugh thought impa-
tiently.
Vulnerable, vulnerable, vulner-
able" the subway sang noisily as
he swayed at the strap. "Vulner-
able hummed the elevator, sweep
ing him up to his Office.
With the mechanical precision of
routine, Hugh went through his
mail and lined up his work for the
day.
A RENT you feeling WELL Mr..
IA Rolland?" Miss Kent, the
boss secretary, stopped for mo-
ment on her way past his desk.
Sure. I'm WE'LL" Hugh mated
the sound of his laugh. Why was
that girl so observant? Was it
showing already in his face?
With set lips Hugh turned to his
work, but the inner argument that
had been torturing him for the
last three days went on; his mind
against his conscience.
What a fool he was to make
such a fuss about nothing at all!
He'd be able to put the money hack
at the end of the week when he got
his payl If his bad luck at bridge
held, he'd make some excuse about
paying Drake and his partner, even
II It was a debt of honor.
Debt of honorl Hughs mouth
twisted as his conscience rose to
challenge the hackneyed phrase.
EETI1ot 1N,tcttoNer IiI Hax vii,
debts of honor2 With Nancy slav-
ing and saving every penny for
Juniors school, he had no right to
gamble. Hard as it was to appear
a t'cntwad and break away from
Sne crowd, he'd do it.
THIS business about breaking
l. even" was all blrkl
Hugh's handsome, rather weak
face broke into a smile as the old
adage, Lucky at cards, unlucky
in love- flashed in his mind.
He was lucky in love, all right
Nancy wasn't the nagging kind.
She'd much rather not have him
play bridge for money. but when
he told her Drake had asked him
to make fourth she'd understood
how much he wanted it. Drake
was a pretty important fellow and
it was a compliment to be singled
out by him,
Hugh could see Nancy now as she
had run her hand through her black
curls and smiled. Boys will be
boys, 1 suppose" she'd said. but
keep the stakes low, Old Topl"
That was the trouble! He hadn't
been able to keep them low! And
when Drake had been rather I'M
pleasant about what he owed him
last Monday, he'd yielded to the
temptation to borrow his salary in
advance from the cash drawer and
wipe that sheer off the older mans
face.
"OH, what the heckl' Hugh gave
~ an impatient mutter and
plunged into his figuring, with an
inner mo sense making noun
tain out OF molehill! / won't do
1t again. and that's thatw
A hard mornings work and a
good bunch put Hugh in more
cheerful mood. He whistled as he
hung up his hat, and nodded ge-
nially to Miss Kent on the way to
his desk.
ooh, Mr.. Rolland!"
"Yes?" Hugh paused.
We've just had word that the
accountants are coming over for
their monthly checkup this after
noon. They're making it week
earlier because Mr.. Jennings is go
ing off on a vacation"
The easy, friendly smile on
Hugh's lips froze to CHASTITY grin.
He could feel the blood beating in
his ears and there was a cold, sick
feeling at the pit of his stomach.
Miss Kent's expression braced
him to a stupendous effort.
No, no: I'm all right" he put
aside her solicitous inquiry with
stiff lips. Just a cold coming on,
] guess"
a T last he was at his desk, with
II the realization that he was
caught In a trap.
Where. at this last minute, could
he raise $40 TO replace lin the draw
er?
1t would look too suspicious If he
tried TO borrow 1t in the Office. even
supposing he could. He didn't dare