Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-11-04
In SAINTS TORTURE.

lhh plThulus ike inc clthutl HditS ol SONIC
fair realm our childhood's dreams have
painted The haze that hung over the val
ley marked themwi only slightly deep
ened tint; little more haze and they are
gone, melting from view before you like a
mirage on the desert. Northward, the Gu
charas meadows rolled with ripples of YER
dure to meet the stream. Between the
mountains and the lowlands the mesa
stretched level plain.
The soft hnze of evening was thickened
| by the darkening twilight. The plains
seemed vaster with each deepening shadow;
| the grim, gaunt cactus stalks looked more
and more fierce and unfriendly; of deep
| purple, almost black, in the south rose
| Wahatoya, no longer soft Of tint and lur-
| ing, but dark and frowning barrier.
Through the twilight delicate figure
| moved. Down the road from the noun
tain he came, and pick on his shoulder
indicated him from the mines. He entered
| the settlement and, seldom spoken to or
speaking, he traversed the length Of the
street and entered cabin somewhat mean
er than the rest as regards architectural
beauty, but neat and clean withal.
The boys general appearance was OF one
sad, yet desiring to be sociable-perhaps
even heartbroken, yet facing the stern re-
alities Of life with an effort at cheerfulness.
Since no one took the trouble to ask, his
name was not known, but some genius
dubbed him Miss Bill, aud that strange
appallatiou chung TO him ever.
He had first appeared at Saints Torture
some II months before, and seemed then to
be three and twenty years Of age.
A claim was soon located, cabin built
and work commenced. The boy was fairly
| pupragEfu1 Init flint xtfag bat.1ly ovnidal1a
for gold was not scarce on the peaks in
those days.
Miss Bills retiring nature and steady
| going habits were enough to place him be-
| yond the pale of our social coterle, but my
innate principles OF western hospitality
compelled me to call on him
watched him pass the saloon as he re-
! turned from the mine, and following him
shortly after knocked at the door of his
cabin.
My reception was most cordial, but re-
| served. The cabin was rudely furnished,
| but had au air OF ncatness about II never
before seen in Torture. At my mention OF
this fact he blushed; yes, actually blushed;
and his large, melting gray eyes gave me
quick, half startled look
l talked on every subject permitted west
Of the range, but Bill was not much inter
ested. No, he didn't care for company. He
didn't drink. He played cards--a little.
| That was all
As soon as l had safely slowed away these
| valuable bits Of information, l hustened
| to Dutch Pete's saloon for the purpose Of
communicating them to the choice band OF
spirits who nightly congregated there TO
hold communion with other land far strong
er spirits and to enjoy felicitous game OF
| draw poker
About two months after the period Of my
visit to Miss Bill another and far different
stranger came to Saints Torture.
He was n tall, handsome man, with keen,
Villainous eyes, q regular practitioner at
| the bar Dutch Pete'sl, and a remarkably
lucky gambler, as u number Of us dlscov-
cred to our sorrow. He had an olInand
way Of betting his ounces that was decid-
edly refreshing, and he soon earned an en-
vinble reputation RS a sporting man.
One night entered the Bucket of Blood,
our leading gambling hall, when, much to
my surprise, | saw Miss Bill and the stran.
ger seated alta table together playing poker.
l wns tempted to demonstrate with the lat
ter, for it seemed sheer robbery for him to
win the hard earnings Of the gentle Miss
Bill. / remarked something to that effect
to friend, but he surprised me with tho
rejoinder:
No use to interfere, pard for the meek
little cuss Is skinningthe black eyed stran.
ger outrageous
What, Miss Bill beating himYr
You can chance your ducats on that,
pard. just look at him"
did look, and never in all my experience
had seen so skilltul apoker player as that
boy. He bet recNlessly, and almost inya-
riably won, much to the surprise of every
one aud 10 the strangers disgust.
Tho scene attracted quite a crowd, and
as our meek eyed friend drew ounce after
ounce of the yellow gold toward him low
mnrmurs Of applause ran over the room.
The cards were again shuifled, dealt and
the betting began.
u see your 10 ounces and raise You cor
said Miss Bill
I'm have to call you, pard, and if you
holl over me I'm gone, for I'm down TO the
hard pan, sure"
Very well, What have your" asked the
smooth faced miner
-Four kings.n
Fair, but not good enoughJ
What, can you beat itf" and for once the
stranger lost control OF himself.
Pour noes nnd--a queen" said the win
ner as he spread on the table four aces and
an-old photograph. AS the gamblers ewes
rested upon 1t his face became distorted,
and great beads Of perspiration started ON
his brow.
DO you know her'" Missed Miss Bill.
Yes, but who are youin
Her sisterlp
The hall was silent as the grave, but in n |
moment the oppressive silence was broken |
by the voice OF Miss Bill.
Jack CASTOR, when you ruined my sis.
Ter, you thought her death would save Won
But swore to ayenge my sisters wrones |
and III keep my oath. Now, both our niles
are on the board and the best hand winsp
It ALL way 'n'ousu
Miss Bill looked like devil to me now.
Gone was the old sad smile and frightened
look in the eyes. Tho one was cunning
and cruel; the other steely and hard.
Have you anything to say for yourselfip
queried the girl.
The stranger made no audible reply. but
shook his head and rubbed his hand across
his forehead as il to collect his scattered
thoughts.
In an instant the girl leveled pistol at
ms breast and fired. Without an cutlery
he Tell heavily TO the floor. In the trlnuit
t tlli ensued Miss Bill disappeared from the