Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-10-04

lne pest rOOms ~ tne n0tel he /
chuckled grimly.
But what bothered him particularly |
was Slavin. The cool, gray eyes, glanc.
ing with such apparent negligence
across the cards in his hands, noted |
every slight movement Of the red
bearded gambler, in expectation Of de- |
tecting some sign Of trickery, or some
evidence that he had been selected by |
this precious trio for the purpose of |
easy plucking. Knavery was Slavin's
style, but apparently he was now
playing straight game, no doubt real
izing clearly, behind his impressive
mask of q face, the utter futility of |
seeking to outwit one of Hampton's
enviable reputation.
1t was, unquestionably, a fairly |
fought four-handed battle, and at last,
thoroughly convinced Of this, Hamp-
ton settled quietly down, prepared to
play out his game. The stakes grew
steadily larger. Several times drinks
we're served, but Hampton contented
himself with a gulp Of water, always
gripping an unlighted cigar between
his teeth. He was playing now with
apparent recklessness, never hesitat-
ing over card, his eye as watehful as
that of hawk, his betting quick, con-
fident, audacious. The contagion of
his spirit seemed to affect the others,
to force them into desperate wagers.
The perspiration was beading Slavin's
forehead, and now and then an oath
burst unrestrained from his hairy lips.
Halves and Willis sat white-faced, bent
forward anxiously over the table, their
fingers shaking as they handled the
fateful cards, but Hampton played
without perceptible tremor, his utter
ances few and monosyllabic, his calm
face betraying not the faintest emo
ton.
And he was steadily winning. Occa-
sionally some other hand drew in the
growing stock Of gold and bank notes,
but not often enough to Offset those
continued gains that began to heap up
in such an alluring pile upon his por-
ton Of the table. The lookers-on who
had come in began to observe this, and
gathered more closely about his chair,
fascinated by the luck with which the
cards came floating into his hands, the
cool judgment Of his critical plays, the
reckless abandon with which he forced
success. Suddenly he forced the fight
to finish. The opportunity came in
a Jackpot which Halves had opened.
The betting began with 8 cool thou
sand. Then Hampton's turn came.
Without drawing, his cards yet lying
downward before him on the board,
his calm features as immovable as the
Sphinx, he quietly pushed his whole
accumulated pile to the center, named
the sum, and leaned back in his chair,
his eyes cold, impassive. Halves
threw down his hand, wiping his
streaming face with his handkerchief;
Willis counted his remaining roll, hest.
tated, looked again at the faces of his
cards, flung aside two, drawing to fill,
and called loudly for showdown, his
eyes protruding. Slavin, cursing
fiercely under his red beard, having
drawn one card, his perplexed face in
stantly frightening as he glanced at
it, went back into his hip pocket for
every cent he had, and added his pro-
fame demand for a chance at the
money.
A fortune rested on the table, q for
tune the ownership of which was to
be decided in single moment, and by
the movement Of hand. Willis was
gasping, his whole body quivering;
Slavin was watching Hamptons hands
as cat does mouse, his thick lips
parted, his fingers twitching nervously
The latter smiled grimly, his motion
deliberate, his eyes never wavering.
Slowly, one by one, he turned up his
cards, never even deigning to glance
downward, his entire manner that of
unstudied indifference. Onetwo-
three. Willis uttered a snarl like a
stricken wild beastt, and sank back in
his chair, his eyes closed, his cheeks
CHASTITY. Four. Slavin brought down
his great clenched first with a crash
on the table, string of oaths bursting
unrestrained from his lips. Five.
Hampton, never stirring muscle, sat
, there like a statue, watching. His
right hand kept hidden beneath the
table, with his left he quietly drew in
the stack of bills and coin, pushing the
; stuff heedlessly into the side pocket Of
his coat, his gaze never once wander.
ing from those stricken faces fronting
him. Then he softly pushed back his
; chair and stood erect. Willis never
moved, but Slavin rose unsteadily to
his feet, gripping the table fercely
with both hands.
Gentlemen" said Hampton, grave.
ly, his clear voice sounding like the
sudden peal Of bell. 81 Can only thank
you for your courtesy in this matter
and bid you all goodnight. However,
before go it may be Of some interest
for me to say that l have played my
last game"
Somebody laughed sarcastically, q
harsh, hateful laugh. The speaker
vhirled, took one step forward; there
) was the flash of an extended arm, q