Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-02-07
Smiths Furnishing Store
"That is for the winner"

lie threw open the revolver, dlspiay'
ing five empty shells and one loaded
cartridge Closing the weapon, he set
the hammer for the remaining load and
laid the revolver beside the noley.
"And that" he added quietly, "ls
for the loser"
McLane turned pale. "What?' lie
asked, bis voice shaking
The young man repeated: "lhat'
--pointing to the mnney-''goes to the
winner, aud that'-pointns to the re.
volver-"gocs to the loser. He uses 1t |
himself-you understand. Do you ac.
cept::"
He was as cool apparently as it be
were proposing game of cards for the |
drinks. McLane moved unensily in his |
chair, making no response. Melville
spoke again;
"Yuu have called me Il coward. Let
these gentlemen here see who shows
the white feather, Now. put up or shut
up"
There was a solemn hush in the room
The crowd stared admringly at the
tenderfoot and then expectautly at the
gambler, whose eyes had dropped Ola
Dad Grayson, who stood in the font
row, broke the silence:
"Tho kids seen your bluff, Mac and
raised you. You got to call him, He's
dead game, all right. "
MclIane studied for a moment and
finally said hnskily:
"I'll 60 you.
The tensity that had held tue crowd
relaxed, and there was confused min
| Cling of voices as one turned to another
| in comment.
| Melville called the proprietor
"Bring me drink of Hennessy, MI
Johnston, and please send over to the
drug store for IA box of new cards. We
will have fresh deck for each deal y
The chips were counted and the play
began Melville was much the cooler
of the two He had smoked very little
and dranl, nothing during the night.
while his opponent had "braced' him
self repeatedly and had smoked inces
sanity, leaving his nerves shattered
McLane's lack did not desert him,
and as he gradually lowered Melville's
|
latter's cautious play, be became az
gressive and confident He called for
whisky Frequently, but Melville drank
no more. lie won occasionally, but his
losses exceeded his gains for long
time. Then he drew big hand and
won back all that be had lost. The chips
were coming to bis side OF the table
now.
The nv ed spectators were gathered
AROUND the table watching as tho two
men played in silence They had stop.
ped to see stiff poi.tr game. Instead
they were witnessing duel.
1t was Mclvilles deal There were
several raises before the draw, and then
Mcl4ane took two cards. Melville tossed
the deck aside and said, 81 ii play
these" Stacking up his chips, he showed
them to the center. 81 II tap you, he
said. Without moments hesitation
the gambler Pat in Lis pile and called
his oppon,nt.
81 guess I've got you" he said, with
assurance "Straight fiusheS don't 90
here, and | le,kun that's good, and
be turned over three kings and two aces.
Melville leaked straight at him and,
without a word, spread out his hand
four queens and small card. ] h. gam
bier. who Was leaning over The table
eager to sweep in the chips, dropped
back in bis chair and paspcd;
"My God. I'm a dead mani
"1his belongs to me, | believe, " said
; | Melville li-lng from his chair anC
gathering up th@ money. land this, >
picking up lhe revolver, "goes to you
Bob McI..ne. But as the proposition
was mine and since have woii | shall
take the liberty
, He pointed the six shooter at the cell
| ing, pulled the trigger aud handed thu
empty weapon to its owner. -trahl
, Lnndy Webster in Lawrence (kan.
Gazette.