The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-15
Our Daily Sbcrt Story

toothpick! This Is too tame. It's just
 like playing casino in a hayloft. Let's
 have smell ante,> Tom, to make it
 appear more like a game of cards and | not so much like a committee meetin'.
 Whats the matter with . two-bit | bet? It looked suspicious. but the touch
 of the cards, -the clink of the chips
 and the spirit of the game brought
 feeling Tom had not known for many days, so he acquiesced again Once more the cards were shuffed and dealt. Dick had won every game while there was no money in sight, but now, even though the ante
 was pigmy. luck. the golden-winged goddess that had so often lowered
 over him, again returned. He could feel the touch of her wings and with the touch his blood grew warmer and | his heart beat faster.
 Three times Tom won. then. on the next game. when he glanced at his cards. he said, quietly: I'll just go you one better and double the bet" l Dick examined his cards and return- ed: Good! I'll go you still better and make 1t half an eagle" Well. Dick. you're getting rather blooded for a quiet little game like | this but If you insist on running 1t up. I'll make it hundred"
 Dicks red face flushed yet more red. Both men pulled their pouches and placed their cards face down on the table.
 This is getting interesting. blamed | If 1t ain't, Dick remarked. Just to | show you how I stand, I'm goin' to | put all this in the pot. There's $2,ooo here-my whole summers cleanup;
 weigh It if you want. but that's the amount"
 Your words are true as any scales, Dick" Tom answered. but he shudder-
 ed to think of covering the pile. He had never backed down, and he would | not now. He knew luck was with him. T can just cover your bet, DICK, he continued. and threw his pouch on the table.
 By this time all in the saloon knew Of the game. and were crowding about the table. eager for the outcome. For little while there was silence. then, Tom said: T call you" Dick turned his cards. He had four aces. The crowd lost it's breath, and each man looked at his neignbor open eyed Four aces. all declared. was a
 mishty hard hand to beat.
 But through it all Tom remained
 cool and unconcerned. Again there
 was silence and he turned his cards.
 lie had straight flush! How the
 crowd yelled! The golden -wfnred goddess had indeed returned to him
 The red flush left Dicks face, and Tn It's stead an ashen palor came, He
 pushed his cards, chips and buckskin
 pouch all over to Ton, showed hack
 his chair and left the saloon without
 a word - ss
 After treating all round Tom went to his room to spruce up'' little and later ind Lucy. He had won the money squareiy. as gambling goes, but he would not keep it. He would give it to her. e''
 Just as he was ready to go. there came gentle rap at his door, and when he opened it Lucy stood before him, trembling and crying.
 Don't cry, Lucy, don't cry" Tom pleaded very gently. Your brother did gamble, but won his money. Here it is. don't want it-it is
 "0h, it isn't that, It isn't thatr eiie erred. Something has happened 10 Dick. Come at oncep'
 something happened to Dick?r Ton, yelied. and snatching his hat, followed Lucy to her brothers cabin. Ton threw open the door, and there stretched at full length on the floor revolver clutched in his hand. A bui. let hole in his temple. lay Dick Ma son.
 Dick! Dick! My old bard. what nave you done? God have mercy on | me- 1t was my faultw Tom kneeled | over the dead man and raised the life- | less head on his arm. Then he arose | and took the weeping girls hand, |
 Ihls Is my crime, Lucy" said he q led him into 1t and won his moneN l have broken the promise I made won ana here. over Dicks body. I swear I'll never do it again. You've heard | what I've said and may I be damned 1T do not keep my word. will he true to myself this time, Lucy-and true to you.' anu
 Tom did prove true to himself. true 10 her' and she proved true to him.