The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-10

IA King Full Easily Beat His Pair
of Threes-.Iim Left the Girl and
the Claim to Pete and Never Told
Them the story of His Discard.
From the Philadelphia Times
They were partners" and whether the
claim was paying" or losing it mattered
not; both were apparently happy and con
tented. Occasionally Pete would start out
on Jag to do the town. but Jim would
scurry around and eventually carroll his
companion before serious trouble had com
menced, One night, after a particularly
hard days work, Jim noticed that his
pardner was quieter than usual, seemingly
lost in a study-something quite unlike his
nature
What yer thinking about, Peter"
Fine gal at the Big Ruby cafe. Just
came up on the boat this morning. | am
dead stuck on her Tod her my prospects
but couldn't get next She SAID l looked
like boozer and wouldn't tie up to any
thing but steady Well, l did have a
wind on me to-day. and the ticker wasn't
particularly good, either; but it's the best
at the diggings, and a Teller can't be too
particular way out here"
1t was Pete's turn to get breakfast the
next morning, bur after starting the fire
and putting on the coffee he excused him
self on the plea of not feeling well and
went out for a short walk. Thinking he
simply needed a "bracer," Jim said moth
ing and finished getting the meal. Late in
the morning he hunted him up. slowly
wandering up and down the avenue"
CHANGING occasionally into the saloons and
dance halls en- route and winding up at the
big Ruby" He found Pete, however,
where he eXpecied-talking to the new girl
His pardner did not notice him until he
came up, bowling awkwardly to the girl
and apologizing for the intrusion No won
der Pete was gone" The girl was tail
and 1.-THE, with a beautiful figure, and her
sunburnt checks and neck were as mould
ed bronze. Her hair. jet black and wavy
was caught carelessly In a loose knot at
the backbone of those striking effects
which Is the despair Of the professional
beauty Her eyes-well, Jim only caught
a glance and it fairly noored him
Il like your pardner, Pete, she said
after Jim had gone. HE seems like a
steady fellow, and they're the only kind
that's any good nowadays" with tinge
of sadness in her voice
Time sped on. Pete's visits to the big
Ruby" grow less frequent, and he even
stopped drinking for a while Patty-for
that was the name she gave-seemed to
take quite a fancy 10 Pete, and strove to
keep him straight, but with little success
Things went from bad to worse and final
ly one night after supper Pete broke out:
ITS no use. The gal won't have me-
and | amt got sense enough 10 see 1t. If
it wasn't for the booze. Guess we'd bet
ter light out, pard, and stake another fur
Their up the creek"
Jim for a moment was lost In study.
During the fast fitting weeks he had
learned to love Patty, but in the soIicita-
ton for his pard he did not realize how
far his passion had carried him. Pete no
ticed his hesitation.
II guess l know your reason" he said
bitterly after a long pause. Eyer kind
o stuck on Patty, too but yer don't want
to tell me. IT'S all right, though, old
man. Yer never tried to do me. and yer
square as they make EN-. Now. look
a-here. Patty said she'd marry me IL
took the pledge, and ! know she'd have
you, too, If you'd ask her Wen just
deal cold hand, and the Teller as makes
the strike will take the gal and the claim"
Done" said jim, seemingly relieved by
the frank manner Of his pard.
Patty was willing, and quietly said she
really liked Jim the best, but thought she
ought to stick to Pete, and keep him
straight
1t didn't take long to get up the game.
They went up to the shack where the men
lived, and Patty was the audience The
loser agreed 70 quit the claim and get out
the next morning.
Deal 'em up" said Pete, "and don't
forget the stakes" smiling a Patty, who
seemed by this time to more fully realize
the situation.
Jim thumped the greasy old pack. and
after splitting on the edges for luck, smiled
at Patty and said, Here goes, and fair
deal"
Pete picked up each card nervously as
il was dealt, and either by accident or de- |
sign dropped one which, falling face up |
showed it to be the king of spades. He
gathered IL uD quickly and commented on |
the weather, evidently hoping 10 divert his |
opponent from the incident Jim skinned |
his cards down carefully and fixing his |
eyes steadfastly on Pete said slowly and |
almost painfully: Give me FIVE cards" |
They were dealt to him and ne seemed |
to brighten up a bit
only want one" said Pete. quite cheer |
fullys as the dead wood was put at the |
bottom of the pack.
Patty, who was standing behind Jim and |
observing the run of the cards. turned |
and looked over Petes hand. The latter
faced up very slowly and carefully the last
card and with a flushed face and tren-
bling hand laid 1t quickly with his
hand"
1T amt much use to keep up the sus-
pense." said Pete, after moments pause.
They's too much in the pot and a blun |