The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1943-03-04

could get a cup OF coffee and q
roll, or tea and a muffin. He re-
membered, in dim perspective
that mullins were heavy and
filling" He had turned the
corner into one of the more Sc
date streets and was passing the
entrance of a fashionable club
house-the name was on the door
over a brass knocker-when two
young men suddenly emerged
Their exit was so abrupt thai
they nearly collided with Mark
and they both stopped short
staring at him with the eagerness
of men seeking a long lost &C.
quaintance.
"Stewed!" Mark thought, anc
pursued his way, looking for
restaurant.
He found one at the other end
of the street, with teapot on the
swinging sign. It was down a
few steps below the sidewalk
and, as he descended, he was
surprised to find the two young
clubmen at his heels. It annoyed
him, as it could not annoy anoth-
er man; it recalled the unforgot-
ten days before his arrest, when
he was "shadowed." He took a
seat near the door and ordered
his tea and mullins. The heavy
things would at least assuage his
hunger. But he felt resentment
when he found the two young
men had seized upon the table
next to his and, without much
pretense of eating, themselves,
were unquestionably watching
him drink his tea and eat his muf-
fin.
They were both young, one
big, about his own build, the
other small and fat with red
cheeks, and they were both fash
ionably and extensively dressed;
they had the air of idle wealth.
They were evidently disputing
something between themselves,
and Mark got the impression
that he was their chief interest.
1t nettled him; he hurried his
food down, drank his tea and
paid his bill. It left him twenty
cents. AS he counted his change
and thrust it back into his pocket
he laughed bitterly to himself.
How would Fosdick like to face
his night in the city. with twenty
cents? He was just rising from
the table when his two young
neighbors suddenly rose, came
over, and pulling out the two
empty chairs opposite, sat down,
unlimited: at his table.
Mark looked at them coldly,
appraisingly; their effrontery be-
gan to amuse him; but sat still;
thrusting his hands into his peck
cts he stared at them.
The stout young man leaned
forward confidently, his red
cheeks growing redder.
pardon me-" he said courte-
ously, smiling across at Mark;
It's a Wager-my speaking to
you, | mean. If you've ever made
wager, you know how a fellow
feels. hope you don't mind our
butting in this way. You see, it's
all part of a bally bet I've made
with my chum here"
II see"-Mark still studied the
pair. Il don't mind. In fact, /
rather like it. What's the bet?"
"Oh, it's a thousand dollars,
/"
Shut up!" Archie broke in
suddenly, YOU'RE only babbling,
Ted. Let's get to business" He
turned a little haughtily and fac
ed Mark. cts this way. My
pal here has been getting into
trouble with lady, an elderly
and exclusive lady ,one of the
smartest of the smart set; she
won't have a man in her house
who drinks too much, or gam
bles, or -" he shrugged-"you
know the usual things! Teddy
was a prime favorite, but she
caught him gambling, and then
got staWed, two of the cardinal
sins. She's forbidden him the
house, and he's sore. There's 60
ing to be an exclusive afternoon
today, a big affair. Ted has no
card. He's raw about it, and he's
laid a wager with me that she's
all bunk about her rules, that she
doesn't really know what her
guests do, that any fellow-the
first man we met in the street
given a clean shirt could pass
muster. I've taken the bet. I
don't believe she'll receive anyone
without credentials, she'll find a
way to freeze the newcomer out,
even if fellow took him in, I'M
less she knows he's all right.
Ted's bet me a thousand dollars