Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-05-02
MAY MoRELAND.
CHAPTER VIII.
BY NJ. A. RIED.

a Both handsome, and finely dress
ed, with heavy gold chains hanging
from their watch pockets, and heavy
set rings upon their hands. They were
betting One of them was dreadfully
excited; the other cool and calm.
From the temples of the excited one
the veins swelled out and his breath
came hard and hurried. He was play
ing>desperately, drinking furiously,
while his opponent sat calmly, winning
stake after stake. 1t was getting very
late. The crowd which had filled the
saloon from dark till midnight, began
to dispense. Several fingered yet,
lounging round the room. Watching
the progress OF the game, stood several
others. After time the cool man
camly gathered up his winnings, and
rose from The table.
Hold on" said the other, and
drawing ring from his pocket he
placed it upon the table. "Pli stake
that against fifty; will you play"
a tiny ring it was-a lady's ring
and a pure, frst>water diamond caught
and cast the light as he laid it on the
table.
The cool man hesitated a moment
then resumed his seat.
LET me see it. What is it worth 2
and he stretched out his hand to take
it.
No, said the other, laying his hand
upon the ring, you can see it where i
lies. | stake it against fifty, will yol
play"
II don't like that. | can't stak,
money for nothing"
See" said the other, holding "
the gem to the light, "don't you see
Tuscan gold, solitaire set"
"Thars so Bob" said man ut the
cool mans back, 1.-The man says truly
play with him.
"All right, said the cool man, anC
they played. The excited man won
and the stakes we've doubled he VOL
again, and again they were doubled
yet still he won.
The man who had spoken from be
hind the calm gentleman's chair, turn
ed away and left the room. The play
ing went on, the cool man lost b,
thousands, yet he kept his composure
and his fine eyes shone with sharp
eager lustre. The stakes were enor
nous. The fewremaining bystander
crowded round the men, watching tn
progress of the game. The excitec
man won-won again.
"Well," he said, "this will do 70
tonight" and he made movement t
rise from his chair.
go mol" said the other quietly
"give me a showing; I'll bet fv
thousand against that ring. What d
you say?"
"No," said a voice from behind tn
winner, this will do for tonight. Com
away Strayton,"
The excited man hesitated, looking
steadfastly at his opponent. agreed,
he said at length, unheeding the voic
which babe him come away.
The cards were dealt, and the by
ISLANDERS gathered still closer arounC
the players. Five thousand dollar
for that ring-a ring which could b.
bought anywhere for fifty dollars. The!
evidently thought the gentleman crazy
The game went on, the last care
fell upon the table, the cool gentleman
had won. His opponent snatched tn,
ring and sprang to his feet, muir
muir of disapproval ran among the by
ISLANDERS.
The calm gentleman arose quietly
but there was dangerous light in hi
eyes as he said.
81 demand that ring sir, 1t is mine
these gentlemen know l won it fairly.
"Well, let me tell you, you vii
never get it. don't want your money
I'll return your five thousand If yol
wish, but l tell you, you shall no
have the ring"
81 wish no difficulty with you sir
hut | lCU have what is Justly mine,