Bob Younger's Fate — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. : 29 began to sing in rich and cultivated tones one of the simple old songs Theo loved so well to hear. ‘Bravo!’ cried Julian, clapping his hands gayly; “I never heard you sing better,’’ while Theo sat in silent admiration of the artist and the song. After a few more selections the Queen, as we shall sometimes call her, arose from the instrument, and, in answer to a significant look from Stark, said, with a charming smile: “Now, you are doubtless ready for the cards, but it must not be merely a cold game. You will cer- tainly allow me to enliven it with refreshments.”’ ‘“Your presence will certainly atone for the ab- sence of anything else, Give us that and we will be more than content,’’ exclaimed Theo, oblivious, for the time, of his loyalty to the only girl he had ever loved. “T am opposed to drinking wine asa general thing,’? supplemented Stark, gravely; ‘‘while in it- self it may be innocent enough, its effect is bad on weak natures.” ‘““A drive at me,” cried Theo; ‘“‘that’s his style, Miss Trainer, but I can show him that my nature is not so weak as he takes it to be. Let us have the wine, if you please.’’ ‘Certainly; it is mild, and will hurt no one.”’ A moment later a waiter entered the room with wine and other refreshments, which the party were soon discussing along with the game; Stark, how- ever, in accordance with his custom, partaking very sparingly. Under the siren’s lead Theo drank long and deeply.. It seemed for the time that he was bewitched by comicbooks