Part 40 (1/2)

The angry light was again in the rancher's bloodshot eyes.

”Why? Because she will marry me if you choose. She can't refuse--she dare not.”

”Then, by G.o.d, I'll refuse for her--”

He paused disconcertedly in his wrath. Lablache's cold eyes fixed him with their icy stare.

”Very well, John,” said Lablache, with a contemptuous shrug. ”You know the inevitable result of such a hasty decision. It means ruin to you--beggary to that poor child.” His teeth snapped viciously. Then he smiled with his mouth. ”I can only put your de--refusal down to utter, unworthy selfishness.”

”Not selfishness, Lablache--not that. I would sacrifice everything in the world for that child--”

”Except your own pleasure--your own personal comforts. Bah, man!” with scathing contempt, ”your object must be plain to the veriest fool. You do not wish to lose her. You fear to lose your best servant lest in consequence you find the work of the ranch thrust upon your own hands.

You would have no time to indulge your love of play. You would no longer be able to spend three parts of your time in 'old man' Smith's filthy bar. Your conduct is laudable, John--it is worthy of you.”

Lablache had expected another outburst of anger, but John only leered in response to the other's contempt. Drunk as he was, the rancher saw the absurdity of the attack.

”Piffle!” he exclaimed. ”Now see, when Jacky comes in you shall hear what she has to say.”

”Poker” John smiled with satisfaction at his own 'cuteness. He felt that he had outwitted the astute usurer. His simplicity, however, was of an infantile order.

”That would be useless.” Lablache did not want to be confronted with Jacky. ”My mind is quite made up. The Calford Trust will begin proceedings at once, unless--”

”Unless I give my consent.”

The satisfaction had suddenly died out of John Allandale's face. Even in his maudlin condition he understood the relentless purpose which backed the money-lender's proposal. To his credit be it said that he was thinking only of Jacky--the one being who was dearer to him than all else in the world. For himself he had no thought--he did not care what happened. But he longed to save his niece from the threatened catastrophe. His seared old face worked in his distress. Lablache beheld the sign, and knew that he was weakening.

”Why force me to extremities, John?” he said presently. ”If you would only be reasonable, I feel sure you would have no matter for regret.

Now, suppose I went a step further.”

”No--no,” weakly. There followed a pause. John Allandale avoided the other's eyes. To the old man the silence of the room became intolerable.

He opened his lips to speak. Then he closed them--only to open them again. ”But--but what step do you propose? Is--is it honest?”

”Perfectly.” Lablache was smiling in that indulgent manner he knew so well how to a.s.sume. ”And it might appeal to you. Pressure is a thing I hate. Now--suppose we leave the matter to--to chance.”

”Chance?” The rancher questioned the other doubtfully.

”Yes--why not?” The money-lender's smile broadened and he leaned forward to impress his hearer the more surely. ”A little game--a game of poker, eh?”

John Allandale shook his head. He failed to grasp the other's meaning.

”I don't understand,” he said, struggling with the liquor which fogged his dull brain.

”No, of course you don't,” easily. ”Now listen to me and I'll tell you what I mean.” The money-lender spoke as though addressing a wayward child. ”The stakes shall be my terms against your influence with Jacky.

If you win you keep your girl, and I cancel your mortgages; if I win I marry your girl under the conditions I have already offered. It's wholly an arrangement for your benefit. All I can possibly gain is your girl.

Whichever way the game goes I must pay. Saints alive--but what an old fool I am!” He laughed constrainedly. ”For the sake of a pretty face I'm going to give you everything--but there,” seriously, ”I'd do more to win that sweet child for my wife. What d'you say, John?”

There could be no doubt that Lablache meant what he said, only he might have put it differently. Had he said that there was nothing at which he would stop to secure Jacky, it would have been more in keeping with the facts, He meant to marry the girl. His bilious eyes watered. There was a sensual look in them. His heavy lips parted and closed with a sucking smack as though expressing appreciation of a tasty morsel.

John remained silent, but into his eyes had leapt a gleam which told of the l.u.s.t of gaming aroused. His look--his whole face spoke for him.