Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-04-28


His words ard manner treasured the
gambler, who drew his Colt from its
holster and passed IL over to Melville
without further question. The engineer
glanced at the weapon, walked to the
rear Of the nom and, opening the Lack
door, fred five shots In rapid success
sion into the ground.
"Put mp your money" be said, adj
dressing McLaue as hu returned to the
card table. The gambler sat down and
counted 81 600 in bills aud gold, ia he'd
the pile to one esd q the green cloth
covered table aud !o.ied mp isquirinaly
at Melville. who yrs still on his 1T.
The latter placed Lis rioney GA Nc
Lsne'a, saying:
"That H. for THO winner"
lie threw open tha revolver, display.
ing FIVE erayty she!is ara cue loaded
cartridge. Ol0sinS the weapon, he lot
the hammer for the remaining losl and
laid the revolver beside the morcy.
"Apd TINT" he added quietly, sis
for the Lesser"
McLaua tanned Pale. "What?' be
asked, bis voice shaking.
The young man repeated: THAT"
pointing to The morey-'goes to tho
winner, aud thnt'-point;ng 20 tho re-
volver-"socs to tbs loser. 10 uses IL
himself-you understand. Do you ac-
cert?'
He was as cool apparently Gs Il ho
were proposing u game If cards for the
drinks. NcLaIe moved uneasily IN his
chair, making nc response. Melville
spoke again:
"Yoa have called no n coward. Let
these Esntlemcn here see who shows
the White feather. Nov. pat up or shrt
ap."
Jtcre wasa colercA hGah in the soorn.
TIC crowd stared adiniringly SO the
tenderfoct aud then exp~cctantly 1t the
gambler, whose eyes bad dropped. Old
Dad Crayson, who stood in tie f-Crt
row, broke tho %siiencs:
"The Lids stem year Bluff, Mac, AID
raised you. iou got to CAL Lin Ee's
Gead game, all right"
MoLano ttuGied Cor a moment and
finally said husiily;
"Ill 90 you"
The tensity that had held tao crowd
relaxed, and there was n confused min
Cling Of voices as cne turned to another
in comment.
Melville called the proprietor.
"Bring ne q drink CT Hennessy, Mr
Johnston, aud please send over to TIC
drug store for a box Of new cards. We
will have q fresh deck fer each deal"
The ohips we're counted and the play
began. Melville was much the cooler
OF She two. 10 had smoked worry littlC
and drank nothing daring the night,
while his opponent had "bracod' him.
self repeatedly aud had smol;od iGces
sanity, leaving his nerves shattered.
GcLGno's lack did net desert him
and as LIE gradually lowered Melvillo'i
stock Of ohips, Notwithstanding tht
l~atter's cautious play, he became az
greGsiye and confident. Ee called fol
whisky frequently, but Melville dranl
no moro. He wen occasionally, but bis
losses exceeded his gains for q lonl
time. Then he drew q big hand and
won back all that bo had lost. The chip!
were coming to his side Of the table
now.
The awed spectators were gathered
around the table Watching as the twC
men played in silence. They had stop.
ped to see n stiff poker game. Instead
they wcro witnessing a dael.
1t was Melville's deal. There were
several raises before the draw, and thei
MoLaEe took two cards. L'elville tossed
the deck aside and said, "I'll pla.
these" Smoking up his chips, be shoyot
them to tho center. "I'll tap you" h
said. Without a moments hesitation
the gambler put in Lis pile and callet
, his opponent.
~ guess I've got you," no eaid, Wit
assurance. straight Pushes don't g
here, and l reckon that's good, " an
/, he turned over three kings and two aces
Melville looked straight at him and
without a word, spread out his hand
four queens and a small card. The gam
bier, who was leaning ever tho tabl
, eager to sweep in the chips, droppa
4 back in bis chair and capped:
: my God, I'm a dead mani"
! This belongs to me, / believe" sci
|, Melville, rising from his chair an
: gathering mp tho money. "And this,
picking up the revolver, "goes to yoJ
Bob McLane. But as tho propositio
was mine and since ! hayo won | shs
take the liberty
He pointed the six shooter at tie cei
8 ing, pulled the trigger aud banded ii
empty weapon to its owner.-FEan
. Lundy Webster in Lawrence (Kan
/. Gazette.
t Not Unlikely.