Life — August 10, 1899 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TIGHLANDS . 227 YOS “ETRE AND LAND ON THE GREEN. Beyond His Powers. ¢¢€ AH, my dear Diabolus,” I A said, as I became con- scious that he was sitting across the library table from me," how do you do? I was on the point of summoning you.” “Tthougut [ would drop in and sco if there wasn't some little thing I could do for you in the few minutes before our positions aro reversed. 1 ale ways like to make it as pleasant. 4s possible before—it heightens the—but we will not antict- pate,” said Diabolus, suavely, although an evil smile flickered on his lips, the same smile of triumphant greed which I so detested in Clodpole when he raked in a fat jack-pot, His Majesty should squirm for that, even if the plot I had con- cocted for my escape from bis clutehes failed. “How kind and thoughtful,” I murmured, through tho smoke from my cigarette, “About renewal, now? An ox- tension for another year, my dear fellow ?” “Impossible. Awfully sorry, you know, but against my rules, and quite out of the question,” replied Diabolus, apolo- gotioally, “At midnight exnetly, unless, of course, I have failed to perform any of your commands, No? If I might venture to advise, my dear sir, make the best of the time remaining during which you can call your soul your own.” “It's two hours,” I said, lazily puffing rings of smoke across the table. ‘And two hours— well, Paul Morphy won a certain game of chess in less." And I siniled significantly. “T have other business than bartdying fool ancedotes that are absolute inventions of the—I mean, absolutely untrue,” he said, acrimontously. “Isn't itsingular,” Lobserved to the bust on tho bookcase, “what contradictions a litte heat will involve us in?” “Speaking of heat, do you want anything of me before your bond falls due?” “Why, yes, my dear Diabolus, there is one thing more, a mere trifle for you,” I responded, air- ily. “Sorry to trouble you, but I expect, after I full into your hands, to have other things to think of —" Diabolus grinned. “So I'm curious to know now what tho Administration really will eventually do about the Phil- ippines,” I concluded, placidly. His sudden consternation was most amusing. “Oh, come, cried. play fair!” no “Confound it, how can I tell what's been ‘decided when nothing has been de- cided?” “1 NEVER DID Ca! THE DOUBLE-BASS ON THE “ DIGH C." “A fallure to execute a command vitiates tho bond,” I remarked. dreamily. For several minutes Diabotus remained mut- toring disjointed ojacutations like, If McKinley himself know... If they'd any minds to make up... A hundred chances may sway 'em... Darn opportunism, anyway!” ... ete. “I'm waiting,” I said, sharply, Diabolus reluctantly drow the bond from his Pocket, and slapped it down on the table be- fore me. “There, cancel it, you—you—" ho snapped. “This Administration is certainly a great boon to the country,” Iobserved.. _ Alex. Kacketts,