Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-28
cHAPTER AK.
At the Occidental.

-
At the Occidental
Hampton slowly picked his way back
through the darkness down the silent
road, his only guide those dim yellow
lights fickeriug in the distance.
IL was Saturday night. and the min
Ing town was already alive. The one
long. irregular street was TANNED with
constantly moving figures. the numer-
Gus saloons ablaze. the pianos sound
ing noisily. the shutting Of feet in the
crowded danCc-halls incessant
Riot reigned unchecked, while the
quiet. sleepy town of the afternoon
blossomed under the nickering lights
into a saturnalia of unlicensed pleas
ure. wherein the wages OF sin were
death.
Hampton pushed bis way through
the noisy throng with eyes ever watch
ful for the faces. His every motion
was that OF a man who had fully de-
cided upon his course. He swung up
the broad wooden steps OF the Occi-
dental and entered the barroom. which
was crowded by jostlng figures. the
ever-moviug mass as yet g0od-uatured.
for the night was young. AT the lower
end Of the long. sloppy bar he stopped
for a moment to nod to the fellow be
hind.
Anything going on tonight worth
while. Jim ?" he questioned quietly
Rather stin game. they tell me. just
started IN the back room" was the
genial reply. 1.-TWO eastern suckers
with Red Slavin sitting In"
The gambler passed on. pushing
rather unceremoniously through the
throng OF perspiring humanity. The
large front room upstairs was ablaze
with lights, every game in fun opera
ton and surrounded by crowds Of de-
voices. He walked directly toward the
rear Of the room. A thick. dingv red
curtain hung there; he held back It's
heavy folds and stepped within the
smaller apartment beyond.
Three men sat at the single table.
cards in hand. and Hampton invol-
UNFAIRLY whistlcd softly behind his
teeth at tho glimpse Of the money
openly before them. This
was m ot so bad for a start
er. a. g interest revived. A
red-l o.. sitting so as 10 face
the need up quickly az his
entr -1arso mouth instantly
TAXI .emblance OF n smle
"Ab Dob. me exclaimed. with an
evident EFFORT 40 cordially: been Won
dcring n you wouldn't show up before
the night was over. You're the very
fellow TO make this a four-handod az.
fair provided you carry snlclent
stuff"
Hampton came easily forward into
the fun glow Of the swinging oil lamp.
his manner coolly deliberate. his face
j feel no desire 20 in
trude," he explained. quietly. watching
the uplifted faces. Il believe I have
never before met these gentlemen"
Slavin laughed. his great white
fingers drumming the table.
1T Is an acquaintance easily made"
he said. provided one can afford to
trot IN their class. for Il IS money that
talks az this table tonight MT. Hamp-
ton, permit me 20 present Judge
Hawes. Of Denver. and Mr.. Edgar WI
lis, president OF the T. =. & K. I have
no idea what they are doing In this
hellhole OF town. but they are dead
game sports. and have been trying
my best 70 amuse them while they're
here"
Hampton bowed, instantly recognlz-
ing the names.
Glad 70 assist" he murmured. sink
ing into a vacant chair. What llmit?"
we have had no occasion 20 discuss
that matter as yet" volunteered
HAYES, sneeringly. However, II you
have scruples we might settle upon
within reason.
Hampton ran the undealt pack care
lessly through his fingers. his lips
smiling pleasantly. "Oh, never mind.
II it chances to go above my pile III
drop out Meanwhile, I hardly believe
there is any cause for you to be mod
est on my account"
The play opened quietly and with
some restraint. the faces OF the men
impassive. their watchful
glances evidencing nothing either OF
success or failure. Hampton PLAYED
With extreme caution for some time.
MS eyes studying keenly the others
ABOUT the table, seeking some deeper
OF the nature OF his Cd
ponents' their strong and weak points.
and whether OF not there existed any
prior arrangement between them. He
was there for a purpose, a clearly de-
nned purpose, and he felt no inclina-
hon to accept unnecessary chances
with the tickle Goddess of Fortune. To
one trained in the calm observation Of
small things, and long accustomed to
"eigh his adversaries with care, II was
not extremely difficult TO class the two
strangers, and Hampton smiled softly
On observing the size OF the rolls
rather ostel tatiously exhibited by
mem. His satisfaction was in noways
essened by the sound of their voices.
when incautiously raised In anger
over some unfortunate play. He i'm