Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-04-20
TARRYING WITH FLUIDS
By JOHN STEPHENS.


Of the Grand Pacific Hotel. His mel III
bors, two gentlemen of strikingly hand
some appearance, made themselves par
ticulariy agreeable. A waiter Brought a
telegram addressed to James Drummond,
the address on which re read in an audi
BILE voice. The two gentlemen exchanged
significant glances.
One of them, Col. Lamont, q urge
portly man with fund of anecdo.e and
Hn unctuous laugh, renewed his attentions
to Mr.. Drummond, at whose jokes he gave
the ready compliment of the laugh.
The other guest at the table was Charles
Burrows, tall, thin, and refined, with a
pleasant SIN le, though into his eyes at
times would come hungry, keen look
that was not altogether pleasant.
Both gentlemen were evidently old
friends, and judging by their conversation
were capitalists who had many dealings
together in cattle and real estate.
Whenever Drummond asked question or
made remark they listened with respect
full attention. He came to the conclusion
that they were by long odds the most
pleasant and we'll gentlemen he had
met since his arrival in the West.
After a cigar in the Office a game of
cards to pass away the time was suggested
by the Colonel, to which proposition
Drummond readily acceded.
1t was q pleasant game, and after few
honrs amusement Mr.. Burrows pulled out
his watch and remarked:
Colonel, business before pleasure. You
know We are to be up early tomorrow to
meet Williams on at the stock yards and
close that deal"
y es, had forgotten about that. Mr..
oh h. 20 n,f
you some other evening, when we have no
earl, engagement in the morning, but
yol will have to excuse u now, and give
us our revenge at some other time"
Drummond retired with his winnings.
which we're not very extensive, and Left his
carj-table companions cogitating evil
IDENTIFY over some important matter of
business.
Colonel, 1 think, by the looks of things,
that he game is working to perfection.
Yes, Charlie, and that was q good
move of yours to dismiss him early.
Business before pleasure, you know"
At this recollection the Colonel gave
hearty laugh, and, lighting a cigar, pro-
ceeded to deal from the pack of cards.
Il have got it at my finger ends-can do
it every time" he exclaimed.
- IS, was the response from his COM
pani"n, you are all right if you keep
sobe but you make most bungling mess
of it when you indulge in liquor.
The Colonel tilted his cigar and e1-
claimed, Now, Charlie, give US a rest
on lecturing. Didn't I tell you he was
the man? You Saw by the telegram that
bis name was James Drummond. He is
the cattle-king of Montana and takes a
pride in his prowess at the card table.
Few of the men in the Rockies, am told,
can get away with him. But it's my opin-
ion that with your aid. my dear Charlie,
we will show him the higher mathematics
of poker and give him college degree
that will cost-well. considerable.
L ere is one thing that struck me as
unacrountable, said Burrows, that
mentioned the stock-yards, and the deal
we were having on hand, he took but
little notice and conducted himself like q
man who was in DO wise interested"
There he showed his shrewdness," said
the Colonel. You uon't think he was
going TO enter into any discussion with US
when he supposed by our conversation
that we were in the same trade. These
cattlemen are not in the habit of giving
their business away"
Here tap was heard on the door, and
in response to the cheerful come in" of
Mr.. Burrows the door opened and beau
tiful girl OF about ten came bounding in
and threw herself into his arms.
oh, Tapa!" she exclaimed, breathlessly,
Mrs. Randolph has asked me to 60 to the
matinee to- morrow afternoon. May go?"
Yes, you may, but don't let your fool
ish little tongue run away with your good
sense, and you mustn't let late hours and
dissipation take the bloom off your cheek
which you acquired on our ranch in Mon
tana."
Our ranch in Montana!" exclaimed the
girl, in establishment.
Charlie" said the Colonel, in q dis
Rusted tone, that game won't work.
There is too much truth in those eyes"
You were too young. my dear. to re-
member" continued Burrows, taking no
notice of the Colonefs remonstrarce, but
you had many happy days in the far West
on our ranch, where the cattle, like those
of Scripture, were on q thousand hills. If
Mrs. Randolph asks you any questions
about me, say that your father is q large
dealer in cattle, and what tell you is SO,
because say it's So"
The girl looked incredulous, but kissing
her papa goodnight, said, artlessly:
uOu IcCOAAcCe, pokop Va SoA..S 49,
ranch, but know was there because
dear, kind old papa knows best where l
vas long ago.
After she was gone the two men put on
their overcoats and left the hotel by the
Jackson street entrance.
Next evening at dinner Drummond
found himself in the company of the in
teresting companions Of the previous even
ing. and, after cigars, accompanied them
10 their rooms.
The game was little moro interesting
to him, and about nine o'clock he found
himself about $3.50 out Of pocket, but for
tunately a waiter brought 3 telegram which
required his immediate presence at the
Sherman House on matter of business.
He arose, and explaining that he could
not afford himself the pleasure Of spending
. longer time in such agreeable company,
but promising to, take his revenge next
evening. bowed himself out.
-Deuced unlucky," growled the Colonel.
Il was in the best possible shape and
could deal out any hand to order. I could
see he was getting hot at losing. and Vas
On the point of proposing in careless way
70 douhle tho stakes.
we have got him fast" responded