Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-28
SATURDAY. DECEMBER %. 'O7
snvia6Te reputation.


thoroughly convinced OF this, Hamp-
ton settled quietly down. prepared to
play out his game. The stakes grew
steadily larger. Several times drinks
were served. but Hampton contented
himself with n gulp OF water. always
gripping an unlighted cigar between
his teeth. He was playing now with
apparent recklessness, never hesitat-
ing over a card. his eye as watchful as
that OF a hawk. his betting quick. con-
hdent. audacious. The contagiou OF
his spirit seemed TO affect the others.
90 force them into desperate wagers.
The Precipitation 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 percepuble tremor. his utter.
ances few aud 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 bcgan 20 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 ne forced
success. Suddenly he forced the fight
20 a finish. The opportunity came In
a Jackpot which Eawes had opened.
The betting BEGAN with a cool thou
sand. Then Hampton's turn came.
Without drawing. his cards yet lying
downward before him on the board.
his calm features as immoyable as the
Sphinx. he quietly pushed his whole
accumulated pile Co the center. named
the sum. and leaned back in his chair,
his eyes cold. impassiye. Halves
threw down his hand. wiping his
streaming face with his handkerchief:
Willis counted his remaining roll. hesi-
tated. looked arain at the faces Of his
cards, fung aside two. drawing 10 en-.
and called loudly for a showdown. his
eyes protrudiug. Slavin. cursing
1orccly under his red beard. having
drawn one card. his pernlexcd face in
-,c,s.7tly brishtcning as he glanced at
a. went back into his hip pocket for
every cen, be had. and added his pro-
fame demand f.. chance az the
money.
4 fortune rested ON the table a for
tune the ownership OF which was 20
be decided ia q s'nrlc moment aud by
the movement OF a hand. Willis was
gasping h.s whole body quivering;
Slaviu was watcr.a- Eempton's hands
as cat does "a mouse. his thick lips
parted. his FINGERS twHcaine ncrvously.
The latter smiled grim.v. his motion
deliberate. mis- eyes never wavering.
Slowly, one hv one. he turned zap his
cards. never even dcigning to glance
downward. his entire manner that OF
unstudied Indifference. Oue-twO-
three. Willis uttered 2 snarl like a
stricken wild beastt and sank back in
his chair. his eyes closed, his cheeks
CHASTITY. -Four. Slavln brought down
his great clenched first with crash
on the table. string of oaths bursting
unrestralned from his lips. Five
Hampton. never stirring a muscle, sat
there Ike a statue. watching His
night 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
bis feet. gripping the table fercely
with both hands.
Gentlemen" said Hampton, grave
~. his clear voice sounding like the
sudden peal Of a bell Il 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 I have played my
last game"
Somebody laughed sarcasticalIy, a
harsh hateful laugh. The speaker
whirled. took one step forward; there
was the fash Of an extended arm. a
dull crunch. and Red Slavin went
crashing backward against the wall.
AS he gazed up, dazed and bewildered,
from the floor. the lights glimmered
along a blpe-steel barrel.
mot a move. you red brute" and
Hampton spurned him contemporary
with his heel. This is no variety
show. and your laughter was In poor
taste. However. II you feel particu-
larly hilarious tonight III give you
another chance. I said this was my
last game; I'll repeat it--this was my
last game! Now. damn you! If you
feel like Ii. Taught"
He swept the circle OF excited faces,
his eyes glowing Ike two diamonds.
his thin lips compressed into a single
straight line.
MIR. Slavin appears to have lost hts
previous sense OF humOr." he re-
marked. calmly. Il viii now make my
statement for the third time-this was
my last game. Perhaps some OF you
Couflaunav afcn NAV dsccoyc- fhfq n