The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-01-29

ner ranke in his mind. more Than the
prospect ofhk felicity soofhcd II.
"Baerds nochrs, Senior john" said a
John looked up. a trihe surprised.
"Hullo. Apodoca, that your"
Apodoca responded that IL was undoubt.
eddy himself. and invited John 10 a game
OF cards. John looked at his watch in
ten or fifteen minutes he must be starting
for Van Duzen's. Ii had been the Posy's
sovereign desire 10 leave there about ten
o'clock and come home bv moonlight
moreover, he knew that the Mexican hated
him. and that his reputation as am honest
man had not been improved since he left
Sandy Gulch. liz vas rumored that he
was wanted in san Simeon and Los An
geles for "A little horse-stealing. or worse.
so John tipped back a little more i'm his
chair. and said he couldn't; had promised
Langsdale and the Posy 10 ride home
with them from Van Duzen's that night.
Apodoca smiled serenely, and said
lone little game; it takes but a few min
utes.'
"Come, JOHN said the Doctor, .'I'min
good luck tonight: you and | against
Slippery Jack and Jose"
"I'm dead broke" said John.
al lend | have plenty gold-dust.
See :" and Jose drew Il a bag, which
looked comfortably plump. He insisted
on lending John an ounce, and the game
began. On the first deal Apodoca and
Jack were winners, and the former yolun-
teered 10 treat. John began 10 get inter-
ested in the game. then excited. then alb
sorbed. He called for more drinks. he
borrowed more gold dust he forgot the
Posy and her moonlight ride. His brain
seemed TO he on fire; % he won. now
he lost. Ills losings were the greater. for
lhe must always borrow more dust FROM
the "Greaser's" bag, so comfortably full.
slippery Jack and the Doctor slipped out
Of the game. somehow, and he and Apo
doca played alone. Sim Jim looked on
contemptuously. commiseratingly. Con
founded foolv' he said TO Bald Pete
Johns former partner-"he never had no
luck ought 10 know it.-
Meanwhile the Posy rode home over
the mountain trail, in the silver moon
light. under the Swaying pines with their
mysterious whispers. in avery bad TEMPER.
Her father rode before her; where was
THAT John. who osght to have been only
too happy TO have the honor Of riding be-
hind herr She had intended To be so
pleasant 10 him, too, When they passed
the New Orleans saloon. il was brilliantly
lighted il was always brilliantly lighted.
all night.
Ask what time it IL, papa" said
Phoebe.
Langsdale asked Bald Pete. who stood
by the door.
1.-TWO o'clock he answered.
What are they so still in there forg
asked Phoebe. accustomed TO hear the most
uproarious noises in the saloon.
"Apodoca and John are playing re-
piled Bald Pete.
Come her " said the Posy. imperi-
ously. Bald Pete came, obedienily a. be-
came a faithful subject. "Whar are the
stakes. Johns cot nothing 10 play with.
When did Jose get back. Who j. win
niRg?r
Bald Pete answered all the questions.
but the one about the stakes he evaded.
But she made him tell how John had Dor
rOwed gold-1ust until Jose would lend no
more; that he had risked his claim and
lost II; his watch. his pick. the very
clothes upon his back. He's clean gone
crazy" said Bald Pete clean outeTn his
Wits
What's he playing for now?' said the
Posy.
Bald Pete hesitated. and tried again to
evade b question. IN vain.
IL you don't tell me" sid she, All 90
right in and ask EN-"
Well" said Pete. peering up in the
darkness to get alook at the Posy's round.
pretty face. he's staked his chances ter
git you agin the dust he's borrowed OF
JOSE
And who's winning"
I'm bound TO say as yOse's winnin','
said Pete, sorrowfully. John never had
nc luck at keards.-
Phoebe whipped up Robin a little. and
followed her father up TO the cabin in
silence. Once inside her room she took
from the shelf the nugget which had been
a present from Jose. and. stepping outside
the door. she threw 1t withall her strength
into the thick underbrush, whispering.
There. blood-thirsty villain.'' Then she
went back. took the rest Of her nuggets
gathering up the corners Of her apron.
that none might roll out-slipped out OF
the door. and ran at full speed down to the
saloon. the silver moonlight shining upon
her as she went. Bald Pete stood at the
door.
my eyer he cried, when he saw the
Posy.
Are they playing YETI she whis-
pered.
He nodded assent. She took his hand
ard clung to 1t like a child. drawing him
into the room after her. Jose looked np
when she came in. and started John saw
her, too. and let the cards drop from his
hand. Never mind EN-. john she said
in : o low a voice that he hardly heard her.
I'm going TO pay Jose for your debt -
and she emptied the nuggets upon the
table. between the I've pistols which lay
there. one upon each side, ready to the
band OF each player. she put her arms
around Johns arm. clinging TO il. "a If she
loved IL. and tried 10 lead him away.
Apodoca flung his cards upon the floor.
and, quick a. a flash. Phoebe heard the
crack OF his pistol-once, twice. John
fell back against the wall with a groan. the
oom was full OF smoke and the smell of
ll. rnI lalNL.. I'm .h.rc - - -