San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-09

how the thing ends Come in with me,
but be careful the boy doesn't catch a
sight of you. 1t might rattle him. I'll
get you place at the back, where you
can see without being SEEN"
They rose. and the banker led the
way ON tiptoe through between the cur
tains into large room filled with silent
men earnestly watching player at a
billiard table in the center of the apart
ment Temporary seats had been built
around the walls, tier above tier, and
every place was taken. Saunders no
ticed his son standing near the table in
his shirt sleeves, with his cue butt
downward ON the ground. His face was
pale and his lips compressed as he
watched his opponents play like man
fascinated Evidently his back was
against the wall, and he was fighting a
hopeless fight, but was grit to the last.
Old Saunders only family understood
the situation, but his whole sympathy
went out TO his boy, and he felt an in
stinctive hatred of the confident oppo-
nent who was knocking the balls about
with reckless accuracy which was
evidently bringing dismay to the hearts
of at least half of the onlookers.
All at once there was burst of ap-
plause, and the player stood up straight
with laugh.
by Jovep' cried the banker. Hes
missed. Didn't put enough stick behind
it. That comes of being too blamed
sure Shouldn' I wonder but there is 60
ing to be turn of luck. Perhaps you'll
prove a mascot, Mr.. Saunders.
He placed the old man on an elevated
seat at the back. There was a buzz of
talk as young Saunders stood there
chalking his cue, apparently loath to be-
gin.
Hammond mixed among the crowd
and spoke eagerly now to one, now to
another Old Saunders said TO the man
next him:
"What is it all about? Is this an i'm
portant match?"
Important You bet it is. suppose
there's more money on this game than
was ever up on billiard match before
Why, julie Hammond alone has $40, 600
on Saunders.
The old man gave quivering sigh of
relief He was beginning to understand.
The $4,000, then, was not the figure
of defalcation.
Yes, continued the other, "it's the
great match for the cup. There's been a
series of games, and this is the culmi-
mating one. Prognor has won one and
Saunders one. Now this game settles it.
Prognor is the man of the High Fliers'
club. He's good one. Saunders won
the cup for this Grub last year, so they
can't kick much if they lose it now.
They'venever had man to touch Saun-
ders in this club si9ce it began. Idoubt
if there's another amateur like him in
this country. He's man to be proud
of, although he seemed to go to pieces
tonight. They'll all be down ON him to-
morrow if they lose their money, al.
though he doesn't make anything one
way or another. believe it's the high
betting that's made him so anxious and
spoiled his play.
"Hush, hushl" was whispered around
the room. Young Saunders had begun
to play. Prognor stood by with supe.
rior smile ON his lips. He was certain
to go out when his turn came again.
Saunders played very carefully, TAX
ing no risks, and his father watched
him with absorbed, breathless interest.
Though he knew nothing of the game,
he soon began to see how points were
made. The boy never looked up from