Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-06-12

tn game 1t was to look into a we'll
aimed revolver and see behind it's
steady barrel the flashing eyes full of
hatred.
Toss up thet there cash. thec whul
eighty, and be quick, tool"
1t was a tight box TO" the gambler.
for anyone could see that Dorsie meant
business. All his life this man had
gambled, and it was no new thing for
him to be in place where he must
lose everything just because some one
had the upper hand. So it was with a
smooth tone and with an expression
of injured innocence that he met the
conditions.
why, Dork. what's ther matter.
I've gut no money 'cept what's mine,
and low you'll let me hav' thet.
What's up, anyhow"
The calm voice. the injured air. had
its effect. and ere Dorsie could wink
there was flash of light straight at
| his breast. the whole room swan
around, the lights grew dim. and the
| great confusion in the room seemed
to subside as he felt himself sinking
away, just as though he was going TO
sleep.
In those days a man had to act
quickly. By being always ready it
soon became 2 sort of second nature
to act on the slightest impulse, and
so, when the shot had been fired there
was instant confusion. and the gam
9 Laa i
was ast-ide fast horse and good
distance up the road before "the
| crowd" were half aware of it. Still,
as quick as he was, the boys never
allowed the grass to grow under their
| feet on an occasion like this. 1t was a
good three miles to the station, and it
| was almost train time. Both pursued
and pursuers knew this. and it was
the train or nothing for the fleeing
man. 1t would be useless to make any
stand. or try to evade his followers
in this open country. but if he could
catch the train as 1t rolled out of the
station, he was safe.
| AS though to spur them to greater
eXertions, they could hear the locomo-
bifO . OIL III w NHlollt DIS II uedTeu Ile
town. 1t was dark. with the moon
hidden behind the clouds so it would
| be comparatively easy matter for
man to throw himself from his horse
and upon the outward moving train,
and get away without a bullet in him,
| if-well. of course there was always
an eff" to be considered in such cases.
Tharn oh
sary noise. nothing but the quick hoof
beats and the breathing of the horses
as the boys rushed along in pursuit,
but every man had his eyes on that
dark object flying in advance. and
every man knew what would happen
even If the fugitive reached the train
ere they did.
The train was Just gathering head
way as the runaway turned the sharp
turn at the station and his horses
hoofs plowed into the sand and dust.
He slid so deftly and easily from his
| plunging mare that the pursuers could
with difficulty make him out against
| the trains dark background In
moment more he would reach the
middle coach. He dared not wait for
| the last one. as the trains speed was
increasing uncomfortably now. He
reached out his arm, his ragged and
torn shirt sleeve showing dimly
against the coach. Perhaps he STUN
bled-one never can tell what occurs
at such times-but simultaneously
there were two distinct and sharp re-
| ports, and the gambler had played his
last card.
The train never stopped. It wasn't
worth while. The boys gathered
around the huddled up heap in the
centre of the track as the signal lights
on the rear car were disappearing in
the distance. One stopped in bust
ness-like way and fumbled among the
torn shreds of clothing and recovered
what remained of the stolen fund.
Then the boys held little conference.
Sis was bending over the cot where.
on lay Dorsie stretched at full length.
The boys had Just pulled up at the
door. Quietly they gathered about the
doctor.
ooh. he'll pull through. but it's
mighty close shave"
Then the leader went IN to sis. His
rough features looked less hard than
usual and his keen eyes glistened.
Sis" he said. Here's yer money.
He's gone ter parts unknown, an
won't be back right away. either. so
don't yer worry. Well settle with the
doc"
He dropped into her brown palm a
wad of bills that must have counted
out pretty rich. The boys never did
things by halves.-Waverley Maga-
zine.