The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1907-12-08

note in q yell, while the drummer
fired a forty-four Colt into box OF
saeElust beside his chair--all In
Ainas al ii the swinging spirit Of the
tune
! The 1en, who were mostly young.
danced Ike college boys, while the wo-
men, who were all young and good
dancers, fioated through the measures
with the ease of rose leaves on sum-
mer stream Faces were flushed. eyes
We're bright, and but rarely voice
sounded that was not lad. Most Of
the noise came from the men, and, al
though one caught here and there a
hint of haggard lines about the girlish
faAos and glimpsed occasional eyes
that did not smile, yet as a whole the
scene was one of genuine enjoyment
Suddenly the music ceased, and the
couples crowded to the bar. The wom-
en- took harmless drinks, the men most
ly whisky. Rarely was the choice of
rotations criticised, though occasional
iy some rudy eschewer of sobriety in
sisted that his lady take the same"
avowing that .hootch," having been
demonstrated beneficial in his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, and in
variably the man failed to note her
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person Of
ginger ale for whisky or of plain wa
ter for gin In turn the mixers collect
ed 81 from each man. Tipping to the
girl a metal percentage check, which
she added to iTer" store. In~the curtain
ed boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the cerks, and then
subterfuge on the lady's part was idle,
but, on the other hand. she was able to
pocket for each bottle a check redeem
able at So.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked first upon the
good music. next upon the good looks
of the women and then upon the shah
by clothes of the men, for some Of
them were in ssmullluk,'' others in
sweaters. with huge initials and wing
ed emblems, and all We're collarless.
Outside In the main gambling room
there were but sfew women Men
crowded in dense masses about the
faro layout, the wheel, craps, the Klon-
dixie game, pangingi and the card ta
bles. They talked Of business, Of
home. of women, bought and sold
mines and bartered all things from
hams to honor, The groomed and
clean, the unkemnt and filthy jostled
shoulder to shoulder. equally affected
by the license of the gold fields and the
exhilara ton of the new. The mystery
Of the north had touched them all. The
glad. bright wine of adventure filled
their veins. and they spoke nightly of
things they had resolved to do, or re-
counted with simple diffidence the
strange stories of their accomplish
r. It.
The Bronco Kid. familiar from Atlin
to Nome as the best bank" dealer on
the Yukon. wo. Aed the shift from til
p He was slender man of thirty
dexterous in movement, slow to smile
soft of voice and own as a living
dame among women. He had dealt
the biggest games OF the early days
and had no enemies. Yet. though
many called him friend. they wondered
inwarGly:
1t was a strong play the Kids had
ton s,ht.. Tor Swede Sam of Dawson
ven1ured many stacks of yellow chips.
and he was quick. assNess-re gam
bier. A jew sat at the iAng end with
ten neatly creased $1,000 bills before
him, together with pilessof smaller cur
reafy. He adEemured wiet9us'ys and
Will mt system. wil.4e outs ,4kiss to the
number of four or five cut IN sporadic
ally with SIT all. bets The game was
difficult to follow. consequently. the
lookout. from his raised dais. was lean
ing forward. el3in ia hand while the
group was heJged about by eager on
lockers
Faro is a closed book to most people.
for its intricaces are confusing. Lucky
is he who has never persevered in soIv-
ing its mysteries nor speculated upon
the systems" Of beating it. From
hose WHO hay learsied H. the game de-
tnanels practice. dextepity and cool
ness The dealer must run tie cards.
watch the many shifting bets. hasIle
tha neatly piled checks. fgare light
niegll Ike the prolts and losses. 1t was
his unerring clocklihe regularity in this
that had Won the Kid his reputation.
This night his powers We're taxed. He
dealt silently. scowlingly. his long white
fingers neryousiy caressing tile cards
This preoccupation prevented his no
tfcing the rustic and stir of new
coner who had crowded up behind him
until he caught the wondering glances
of those in front and saw that. the
fsraelIte was staring past him, his
money forgotten, his eyes beatly and
sharp. his ratlike teeth showing in
grin of admiration. Swede Sam glared
from under his unkempt shock aud felt
uncertainty toward the open collar of
his flannel shirt where a kerchief
should have been. The men who were
standing gazed at the newcomer. some
with surprise, others with a half smile
of recognition.
Bronco sglanced quickly over. lis
shoulder and as he did so the breath
caught in his throat, but for only an
instant. A girl stood SO close beside
him that the lace Of her gown brushed
his sleeve. He was shutting at the
moment and dropped q card. then nod
ded to her. speaking quietly as he
stopped to regain the pasteboard:
'Howdy, Cherry r
She did not answer, only continued
to look at the layout" What q
woman be thought. She was not too
tall, with smoothly rounded bust and
hips and long waist, all well displayed