Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-25
The Spoilers.
BY REX e. BEACH.
- copyrisht. 1905. by REX E. Beach. -
By REX E. BEACH.
CHAPTER XIII.

and turmoil beneath that she was con-
scious Of 1t only as n formless clamor.
She had tipped a chair back against
the door, wedging 1t beneath the Knob
so that she might be saved from inter-
ruption, then flung herself into an
other seat and stared u~nseeingly. AS
she sat thus and thought and schemed
harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat
into her face. Now and then she
moaned impatiently, rs though fearing
lest the strategy she was plotting
might prove futile; then she would
rise and pace her narrow quarters.
| She was unconscious of time II had
spent perhaps two hours thus when
amid the buzz of talk in the next
compartment she heard a name which
caused her to start. listen, then drop
her preoccupation like a mantle. A
man was speaking of Glenister. EX-
| element thrilled his voice.
II never saw anything like 1t since
, McMaster's night in Virginia City.
thirteen years ago. He's right"
"Well perhaps So" the other replied
OOuDlluily, Dul 1 uohI NoAS S
YOU. / never 'staked' a man In my
life"
Then lend me the money. III pay
It back in an hour, but for eaven's
sake be quick. l tell you he's as
right as a golden guinea. It's the lucky
J night Of his life. Why, he turned over
the black jack game in four bets. In
fifteen minutes more we can't get close
enough to a table to send in u money
with a messenger ~boy-every sport Ill
camp will be here"
"Tll stake you TO fifty" the second
man replied, In n tone that showed a
trace Of his companions excitement.
So Glenister was gambling, the girl
learned, and with such luck as to break
the black jack game and excite the
greed Of every gambler in camp. News
Of his winnings had gone out into the
street, and the sporting men were COM
Ing to share his fortune, to fatten like
vultures en- the adversely of their fell
lows. Those who had no money to
stake were borrowing, like the man
next door.
She left her retreat and, descending
the stairs, was greeted by a strange
sight. The dance hall was empty OF
all but the musicians. who blew and
Gddled Justify in vain endeavor to draw
from the rapidly swelling crowd that
thronged the gambling room and
stretched to the door. The press was
thickest about a table midway down
the hall. Cherry could see nothing of
what went on there, for men and wo-
men stood ten deep about it and 9th
ers perched on chairs and tables along
the walls. A oar arose suddenly. fol
lowed by utter silence; then came the
| clink. and rattle of silver. A moment
and the crowd resumed fits laughter
and talk.
"All down, boys sounded the level
voice of the dealer. ''The field or the
favorite. He's made eighteen straight
passes. Get your money on the line"
There ensued another breathless in
stant wherein she heard the thud of
dice: then followed the shout of tri-
umph that told what the spots reveal
ed. The dealer paid off. Glenister
reared himself head and shoulders
above the others and pushed out
through the ring to the roulette wheel.
The rest followed. Behind the circu-
lar table they had quilted, the dealer
was putting away his dice, and there
was not a coin In his rack. Mexico
Mullins approached Cherry, and she
questioned him.
"He just broke the crap game" Null
Inns told her. nineteen passes without
losing the bones"
"EIow much did he win?'
"Oh, he didn't win much himself.
but it's the people betting with him
that does the damage! They're gam
blers, most Of them, and they play the
limit. He took out the black jack bank
roll first, $4,000, then cleaned the Tub
BY that time the tin horns began to
come in. It's the greatest I ever
| see."
Ibid you get in"
"Now, don't you know that l never
play anything but bank? If he lasts
long enough to reach the faro layout,
III get mine.
The excitement Of the crowd began
to infect the girl, even though she
looked on from the outside. The ex.
nltant voices, the sudden hush, the
tensity Of nerve it all betokened, set
her a-thrill. A stranger left the throng
and rushed to the spot where Cherry
and Mexico stood talking. He was
small and sandy, with shifting glance
and chinless jaw. His eyes glittered,
his teeth shone ratlike through his dry
lips, and his voice was shrill. He
darted toward them like some f%urtive,
frightened little animal, u~nnaturally
excited.
81 guess that isn't so bad for three
betsw He shook a sheaf Of banknotes
at them.
"Why don't you stick?" inquired Null
Inns.
81 am too wise. Ha! l know when
to quit. He can't win steady-he don't
play any system"
'Then he has a good chance" said
the girl.
"There he goes now" the little man
cried AS the uproar arose. Il ole you
he'd lose" AT the voice Of the multi
tude he wavered as though affected by
some powerful magnet.
But he won again" said Mexico.
no. Did he? Lord! | quit too