Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-06
CHAPTER TX.
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 flick
ering in the distance. He walked soberly,
his head bent slightly forward. absorbed in
thought. Suddenly he paused. and swore
savagely, his disgust at the situation burst
ing all bounds; yet when he arrived oppo-
site the beam Of light streaming invitingly
forth from the windows of the first saloon.
he was whistling softly, his head held erect.
his cool eyes filled with reckless daring.
1t was Saturday night, and the mining
town was already alive. The one long. IT.
regular street was damned with constantly
moving figures, the numerous saloons
ablaze. the pianos, sounding noisily, the
shutting of feet in the crowded dance halls
incessant Fakrs were everywhere indus
triously hawking their useless wares and
entertaining the lettering crowds. while the
roar of voices was continuous cowboys
from the wide plains, miners from the hid
den gulches, ragged, hopeful prospectors
from the more distant mountains. team
sters and half-naked Indians commingled
in the retless throng. passing and repass-
ing from door to door, careless III dress,
rough in manner, boisterous in language.
Here and there amid this heterogeneous
population of toilers and Adventures
would appear tnOSe dltlTeu III Tie HlOIc
conventional garb of the east-capitalists
hunting new investments, or chance travel
ers seeking to discover a new thrill amid
this strange life of the frontier. Every
where. brazen and noisy fitted women,
bold of eye, painted of cheek, gaudy of raj
ment. making mock of their sacred woman
hood. Riot regned unchecked, while the
quiet. sleepy town of the afternoon bios
Somed under t1le Pickering lights into
saturnalia of unlicensed pleasure, wherein
the wages of sin were death.
Hampton scarcely noted this marvellous
change: to him 1t was no uncommon. spec
tGcle." He pushed his way1hrough the
noisy throng with eyes ever watchful for
the faces. His every motion was that of
man who had fully decided upon his course.
Through the widely opened doors of the
Occidental streams of blue and red-shirted
men were constantly flowing in and out; a
band played strenuously on the wide bal
cony overhead, while beside the entrance a
loud-voiced barker proclaimed the many
attractions within. Hampton swung up the
broad wooden steps and entered the bar
room, which was crowded by jostling fig
ures. the ever-moving mass as yet good
natured. for the night was young. At the
lower end of the long, sloppy bar he stop
ped for moment to nod to the fellow be-
hind
Anything going on tonight worth while,
JIM he questioned, quietly.
Rather stiff game, they tell me, just
started in the back ROOM" was the genial
reply. Two eastern suckers, with Red
Slavin sitting in
The gambler passed on. pushing rather
unceremoniously through the throng of per-
spring humanity. He appeared out of
place amid the rough element jostling him,
and more than one glanced at him curious
ly. few swearing as he elbowed them
| aside. Scarcely noticing this, he drew
cigar from his pocket and stuck 1t unlighted
between his teeth. The large front room
upstair; was ablaze with lights, every game
in full operation and surrounded by crowds
of oh nko in oil do OH
cled to the low ceiling, and many of the
players were noisy and profane, while the
various calls of faro, roulette, keno and
high ball added to the confusion and to the
din of shutting feet and excited exclama-
tons. Hampton glanced about supercil-
iously, struggling his shoulders in oren
contemplate this was far too coarse, too
small. to awaken his interest. lie observed
the various faces at the tables-a habit one
naturally forms who has desperate enemies
in plenty-and then walked directly toward
the rear Of the room. thick. dingy red
curtain hung there; he held back it's heavy
folds and stepped within the smaller apart
ment beyond.
Three men sat at the single table. cards
In hand. and Hampton involuntarily whis-
tied softly behind his teeth at the first
fore them. This was apparently not so
bad for a starter. and his waning in
terest revived. A red-bearded giant, sit
ting to face the doorway, glanced I'D
quickly at his entrance his coarse mouth
instantly taking the semblance of a
smile.
"Ah. Bob" he exclaimed, with an evil
dent effort at cordality; "been wondering
if you wouldn't show up before the night
was over. You're the very fellow to make
this four-handed affair, provided you
carry sufficient stuff"
Hampton came easily forward into the
full glow of the swinging oil lamp, his
manner coolly deliberate. his face express
sionless Il feel mo desire to intrude," he
explained. quietly, watching the uplifte1
faces. II believe 1 have never before met
these gentlemen"
Slavin laughed. his great white fingers
drumming the table.
said. provided one can afford to trot in
their class, for 1t is money that talks at
this table tonight. Mr.. Hampton, permit
me to present Judge Halves of Denver and
Mr.. Edgar Willis. president OF the T. P.
& r. have no idea what they are doing
in this hell hole of town, but they are
dead-game sports, and I have been trying
my best to amuse them While they're
hele."
Hampton bowed, instantly recognizing
the names.
into vacant chair. What limit?"
I'VE have had no occasion to discuss
that matter as yet" volunteered Halves,
sneeringly However. If you have
scrupleS We might settle upon something
within reason"
Hampton ran the undealt pack carelessly
through his fingers, his lips smiling pleas
antly. "Oh. never mind, IL it chances to
go above my pile I'll drop out. Mean
while, l hardly believe there is any cause
for you to be modest on my account
The play opened quietly and with some
restraint, the faces of the men remaining
impassive. their watchful glances evidenc-
ing nothing either of success or failure.
Hampton played with extreme caution for
some time, his eyes ,tudying keenly the
others about the table. seeking some
deeper understanding of the nature of his
opponents, their strong and weak points.
and whether or not there existed any prior
arrangement between them. He was there
for a purpose, clearly defined purpose,
and he felt no inclination to accept unnec-
essary chances with the tickle Goddess of
Fortune. To one trained in the calm OBJ
servation of small things, and long accus-
toned to weigh his adversaries with care
it was not extremely difficult to class the
two strangers and Hampton smiled softly
on observing the size of the rolls rather
ostentatiously exhibited by them. He felt
that his lines had fallen in pleasant places,