Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-28


lively. for he was likewise impressed
with barrels superiority and feared he
might refuse the favor.
II shall be happy to do what 1 can"
replied the young man and imme-
diately went up notch in the others
estimation.
"Then come this way" said the pro-
prietor, turning and making for rear
room. ut amt much you'll be asked
to do an yer kindness II be appre-
ciated."
Darrell presently found himself in a
little back room where administered
man lay grooming on cot, his right
arm in splints and bandages.
Got a man for ye, Hasbrook," said
the proprietor cheerily; then added,
facing Darrell: "Hasbrook's boss played
out hyer an I give him another, the
best had. The bronx threw him"
Il can ride with the best of 'em,"
groared Hasbrook, breaking in, "but
the brute is regular devil"
'"The bronx threw him." continued
the proprietor, needless of the inter-
ruption, IAN Hasbrook's laid up with
busted arm. He was carryin mes
sage to Sandy Bar an if you'll take it
he'll be obliged"
Whats the message?" queried OAR
rel.
"1t's for Murgatroyd," said Has
brook.
"Who is Murgatroyd, and where will
find him?" asked Darrell, artfully.
Hes gambler at Sandy Bar an
reckon anyone can tell where he is.
Tell him Cowperthwait says Nate OAR
rel is in Anacondy and maybe intends
comm to the Bar"
''Is that all?"
eyes, 'ceptin' you might add that
Hasbrook started with the message, but
got hung up at the Half Way House"
''I'll deliver the message" said OAR
| rel.
"Murg III make it right with YOU"
Darrell threw up his hands deprecat-
ingly and returned to the office.
The fortune teller had just finished
with the prospector and swerved in
curing eyes on the young man.
"Your fortune, senor?" she whim-
pered. For four bits tell you what
has happened
II know what has happened"
"Uf! Then tell you what is to
come, senior. Four bits"
very we'll" said he.
She shuffled and shuffled and he cut
the pack into three piles Then she
ran over the cards with great care and
elaborate show of knowledge.
| "Marde mia! Senior it is malo, muy
| malo. Forswear the cards and keep
away from Sandy Bar. That is what !
read. Trouble awaits you at the min
| ing camp, ah, mucho, mucho. What
| I see, senior, cannot understand, but
here it is: You are to die and after
| that you are to live"
He laughed, but she flashed him the
indignant look of deyotee of an exact
science and continued.
"The second time you live you prove
your innocence of crime by fastenine
it upon yourself. Is it not strange
~ Seipo youi lo1 tune, Seuors Out lnere
| it is, plain to see And, look! there
10 a queen of hearts; a fair youne
senorita whose fate links with
/ yours
'That will do"
! The silver rang as he threw it down
on the table and turned away. He
mad not taken two steps before the old
| woman had him by the arm.
"You make your living with the
cards, senor," she breathed harshly;
have care that you do nothing
wrong"
He pulled away from her and drew
himself up.
II play an honorable game said he
CURLY.
| "Ojala!" she mumbled; "you may be
honest, but you cannot be honorable
and follow the cards. Beware of three
knaves and two red sevens, senor."
"Why?"
when you hold that hand you never
leave the table alive!"
"Gracias, senora," he said. a fine
scorn lurking in the words; "the flu
ture is riddle and a riddle you have
read me. AS for the jacks full on red
sevens, it is good hand in any game
and I shall be glad to receive it.
Adios!"
Thereupon he left the office and or
dered the hostler to biting his team.