CHAPTER IX.ARLINGTON TAKES A HAND.
Arlington rose and stepped out from behind the shrubbery, standing where he could watch the two figures passing beneath the glow of the many Japanese lanterns. He saw Sparkfair mount the steps and enter the house without once turning his head toward the chap who kept so close at his heels. Hanks brazenly followed, and likewise disappeared beyond the hospitable door of Meadwold.
“Well,” said Chet, taking his cigar from his lips and tapping it to knock off the ashes, “my friend Spark seems to have gotten himself into a deuce of a mess. Reminds me of myself in the old days. I was always getting into some sort of a scrape like that. I sympathize with him, hanged if I don’t! Spark is a jolly good fellow. He is reckless and regardless of consequences, and that’s the way I used to be. Used to be? Perhaps I haven’t fully gotten over it yet. I’m hoping I have, but one never can tell. If deviltry is in the blood, it’s liable to break out any old time. Evidently this blackmailer has Sparkfair dead to rights. He caught Dale in a position that makes Spark look like a sneak thief. He’s got Spark going, and he’s bound to squeeze him good and hard. I think I’ll have to take a little interest in Mr. Hanks.
“I think I’ll have to see what I can do for my friend. From what I overheard it’s evident that Hanks is something of a card sharp. I should say he has been skinning Sparkfair and other fellows at Harvard. Probably he thinks he’s too clever to make a slip and be exposed in his crookedness, although Sparkfair claims to have caught him. It’s likely Spark couldn’t provehis claim that Hanks was cheating. I’ve been up against card sharps all over the country, and I think I know their tricks. Although I should prefer to forget it, I’ve practiced a few tricks myself. Really, I’d enjoy a nice, sociable little game with Mr. Hanks. I’d enjoy having him try some of his slick tricks on me. Yes, I have decided that I’ll cultivate the acquaintance of Hanks.”
Flinging away his partly smoked cigar, Chester returned to the house. The music of a two-step and the rhythmical sound of gliding feet came from the ballroom. Arlington slowly sauntered in that direction, keeping his eyes open for Hanks. He found the fellow just inside the door, watching the dancers. Without hesitation, Chester spoke to him.
“Hello,” said Chet, “you don’t seem to be dancing.”
Hanks showed some surprise in being addressed in this manner.
“No, I’m not dancing,” he answered. “You see, I’m a late arrival here, and I haven’t met many of the young ladies.”
“Then you weren’t at dinner? Somehow, I didn’t remember seeing you.”
“No. I missed the spread. By Jove! that’s a peach of a pretty girl!”
“Which one?”
“The one my friend Sparkfair is dancing with. Do you know her?”
Chester’s eyes found Dale and his partner in the moving throng upon the floor.
“Oh, yes, I know her,” he answered.
“What’s her name?”
“June Arlington.”
“Well, that’s a pretty name. On my word, she’s the queen to-night. I’d like to meet her.”
“Would you?”
“You bet I would!”
“Perhaps your friend Sparkfair will give you an introduction?”
Hanks chuckled.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” he confessed. “You see, Spark and I have lately been mixed up in an unfortunate tiff. Of course, it doesn’t amount to anything, but he might be narrow and refuse to give me a knockdown to that girl.”
“Have you any other particular friends here this evening?” asked Chet.
“Well, there’s Randall—I know him. He’s a Harvard man. I’m a Harvard man, you understand. I suppose you’re an Eli?”
“Not yet. I expect to enter Yale next fall.”
“Well, say, couldn’t you put me next to that stunning girl with the dark eyes?”
“I might if we were better acquainted,” said Chester. “Let’s go up to the smoking room and have a little chat. There’s plenty of time to dance later. Come on, old man.”
He passed his arm through that of Hanks, and led the fellow away. They mounted the stairs and entered the smoking room, where they found one of Casper Steele’s chums, Fred Harmford, enjoying a cigarette. Harmford was the only fellow in the smoking room.
“Hello, Arlington!” called Fred. “Going to smoke? Have a coffin nail out of my collection.”
He proffered his cigarettes.
“No, thank you,” smiled Chester. “I’ve cut those things out. I prefer cigars when I smoke now, and I’m careful not to hit them up too hard. Getting back into form, you understand. Expect to enter Yale in the fall, and I’m going in for athletics.”
By this time he had found Steele’s well-filled cigar urn, and offered it to his new companion.
“Excuse me,” said Hanks, as he took a cigar, “did I get your name right when that fellow spoke to you? Is your name Arlington?”
“I believe it is.”
“Any relation to the beautiful girl with the glorious dark eyes?”
“Brother.”
“Oh, by Jove! this is one on me!” laughed Hanks. “Here I was asking you if you knew her! Say, a fellow with a sister like that ought to feel proud enough to blow up. I think she’s the handsomest girl I ever set eyes on.”
“You’re quite extravagant in your admiration,” said Chester, waving Hanks to a comfortable chair, although he felt like punching him in the eye. “Sit down, old fellow. But first hadn’t you better shake hands with Mr. Harmford? Harmford, this is Mr. Hanks, of Harvard.”
They made themselves comfortable before the faintly glowing embers on the hearth of the open fireplace. The music, softened and subdued by distance, floated faintly to their ears.
“How does it happen you’re not dancing, Harmford?” inquired Chet.
“Don’t care much for dancing—never did. I prefer some less strenuous form of amusement. Now, if some one would only start up a set at bridge.”
“Or poker,” laughed Arlington. “That’s the game for genuine amusement.”
Hanks had pricked up his ears, and was showing the greatest interest.
“Poker is a good game,” he said. “A man’s game.”
“Do you play?” asked Chester.
“Oh, occasionally—just for amusement, you know.”
“I understand. Of course, we all play just for amusement. We don’t play to stick our friends, or anything of that sort. If we had a crowd, and were certain of no intrusion, I’d like to play a little game now. Would you come in, Harmford?”
“If the limit was made reasonable, I might sit in for a short time.”
“Well, here’s three of us,” said Chet. “That’s better than no crowd at all. Of course, it isn’t as good a game as more would make, but it will do. None of the girls will come here, and I don’t think we need to mind about the fellows.”
“Steele might object,” said Harmford apprehensively. “I wouldn’t think of starting a game without his permission.”
“Well, you and Hanks make yourselves comfortable and sociable while I look for Casper,” said Chester. “Perhaps he’ll join us.”
“Doubt it,” said Harmford. “He’s too much interested in a certain young lady. I don’t think he would venture to leave her long enough to play poker.”
Arlington left the room, but returned within ten minutes, bringing a fancy poker set, with a full supply of chips and several packs of cards.
“You were right about Steele, Harmford,” he said. “Casper said he couldn’t think of taking a hand. Said he would have to keep around with the guests, as it wouldn’t look well if he secluded himself for an hour or more. He was perfectly willing we should enjoy a little game here in the smoking room as long as we do not pull away enough of the fellows to leave any of the girls pining for partners. You know there are several fellows more than girls in the party. Now, let’s decline to take any one else into the game. Let’s make it a little exclusive, three-cornered go. We’ll playfor exactly an hour, and then we’ll quit. That’s long enough.”
While speaking he had pushed a card table into position beneath the softened glow of some electric lights. The trio gathered round that table and settled down for the game.