Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-10-27
Copyright. 1908. by 7. 9. Mcclure

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Pass said Dugan laconically, lay
ing down his cards.
THAT puts me out" remarked the
lean Yankee from the Cross Triangle
outfit. The third man, Davies, as he
called himself, raped the table with
his knucklcs indiiferently. He was
ahead of the game and could afford to
lose the pot.
There remained old man Lorry. To
him Gentry looked with surprising in
souciance. Having dealt the cards, the
gambler was disturbed by no doubts as
to Lorrys action He would raise and
| promptly. Iorry had cut before the
deal, it is true, but Gentry had reversed
the cut adroitly, unobfrusiyely.
Nevertheless, to the gamblers sur
prise. Lorry was uncommonly slow.
He vacilIated mentally between eau
ton and cupidity; his weak, red rim
med eyes shone feverishly behind the
iron bound glasses, and he chewed
nervously upon one end of his ragged,
tobacco stained mustache. Finally he
slammed his hand upon the table.
Gentry arched his brows inquiringly.
"Out?" he asked. motioning toward
the discard.
Old man Lorry swore abandonedly.
"Nawy lie replied. "See yer twenty
an go yer a hundred better.'
From the interior Of his shirt he pro
duced roll of bills which the gambler
appraised with amazement. He had
not thought to find such rich prey
Lorry, conscious that he was creating
sensation. threw two bills upon the
table with an air.
"Steddy. pop cautioned Healy. pro-
prietor of the saloon.
"AIind yer own business" responded
old man Loly sharply.
"And FIVE hundred BETTER" Gentry
remarked softly
s.An' five hundred"
again"
Lorry glanced defiantly about the ta
BILE. Healy had turned his back. As
for the rest, startled out of their com
posture by this abrupt change in the
complexion of the game. they watched
breathlessly.
"Call yer." exclaimed the old man,
depositing the remainder of his for
tune in the pot.
aces up an queens" he added, with
an oath. as Gentry displayed his cards.
Better N my kings up an jacks He
broke off. staring blankly at the gam
bier as he calmly raked in his spells
and passed the cards to Dugan- The
latter shook his lead. with an mir or
fnality.
Nope he said "No more for me-"
'None in mine,' agreed the lean Yam
kee briefly. and Davies nodded assent
to the judgment of the others.
Lorry shambled dispiritedly toward
the bar Gimme some ski. Billy" he
demanded.
Gentry arose and placed fifty In the
bartenders hands. You can pay for
the drinks out Of that. I'm going to
take little walk to cool off. See you
later, gentlemen" He paused on the
threshold, but none answered him, and
he passed on out into the Infinite silent
peace of the mountain night.
He walked a few steps along the
apology for road which formed the
main street of the half deserted mining
village, then halted suddenly.
"Old fool" he muttered impatiently,
comforting himself against the thought
of the wrong he had done old man
Lorry. 'He should have known bet
ter. Well. what's his loss is my gain.
If l hadn't got it some other fellow
would"
Gentry lighted a cigar. stuck his
hands in his trousers pockets jauntily
and retraced his steps toward Healy's.
But he did not stop there. Through its
open windows fragments of an argu-
ment foated to his ears. punctuated
with old man Lorry's voice. bleating
that he had been shorn. That was
quite true, but Tie gambler did not
wish to discuss the question with him
since of necessity it would mean even
tual bloodshed. He stepped quickly past
the fan of light which the doorway
threw across TIE road and began an
ascent of the mountain trail. He would
return ere long. when things were
quoted. saddle his horse and ride on
to the next camp.
The night air was warm and sooth-
ing with the balm of the pine scent.
The gambler strolled beneath a high.
broad arched, brilliant sky fretted with
bright stars. But from these he kept
his face. His thoughts were too near
to the earth for contemplation of the
armament. AS lie left the struggling
village behind him he entered upon a
great sweet solitude whose essence was
in the mystery of night upon the noun
tains The road wound temptingiy on.
a forest aisle empty. dusty. now white
in the glare of the heavens. now black
ly Swallowed by massed pines. through
whose interstices the starlight fell.
Presently the gambler came upon a
little clearing in which, set at dis
lance back from the road and sur
rounded by dilapidated picket fence.
was small cabin. vine clad. Its win
uoNs sAOHe ullli} Nlth gtitoW la1IJ-
light. this although the. hour was
past midnight. AS he stopped. putting
speculatively upon his cigar. voice
hailed him-a feminine voice. singular
" rich in inionation and clear-and at
that be made out a slender figure sway
ing upon the gate of the fence He
tossed away his smoke, removed his
slouch hat and approached.
Good evening"" he said courteously
'sHowdy. stranger Be you from
Hammels. down yonder?v
Gentry failed to repress a start. The
uncouthness OF the words. the strong
touch Of dialect, was so distinctly out