Page:Hard-pan; a story of bonanza fortunes (IA hardpanbonanza00bonnrich).pdf/233

Rh The unexpected caress made the old man forget the game, and his face flushed with pleasure. He leaned toward her with the content of a forgiven child.

"It was nothing—just a little turn like I had the other day. First a pain, and then something comes fluttering up near your throat. The heat knocked me out. But it scared Corinne."

"He got the color of the pitcher," said Corinne, not moving her eyes from the cards, but sparing enough time to give a jerk of her head in the direction of a white china water-pitcher on the table.

"You ought to have seen Corinne. She went out in the passage and made a noise as if there was a fire."

"I was scairt," said Corinne, "and hollered for mommer. I don't want you to scare me that way again, colonel."

The colonel and Viola laughed.

"I 'll try and not have it happen again," said the old man. "You know, I always do what you tell me."

"Mostly always," Corinne absently agreed. "I 'm going to put this ten-spot here. Look, colonel, is n't that the best move?"

The old man leaned forward, studying the contemplated move. Viola drew back, watching him. She had noticed his pallor when she came in. Now his face, settled into lines of gravity,