Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-18

uAiocclASlys AS buS SAT CnuS anu
thought, and schemed, harsh and hate.
full lines seemed to eat into her face
Now and then she moaned impatient
~, as though fearing less the strategy
she was plotting might prove futile;
then she would rise and pace her
narrow quarters. She was unconscious
of time, and 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 preoccupa-
ton like mantle. A man was speak
Ing of Glenister. Excitement thrilled
his voice.
II never saw anything like 1t since
McMaster's Night in Virginia City,
thirteen years ago. He's right"
We'll, perhaps So" the other re.
piled, doubtfully, but don't care to
back you. l never 'staked' man in
my life"
Then lend me the money. I'll pay
1t back in an, hour, but for Heavens
sake be quick. tell you he's as right
as golden guinea. It's the lucky
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 table to send in our
money with messenger-b oy-every
sport in camp will be here
It'll stake you to fifty" the second
man replied, in q tone that showed
trace Of his companions excitement.
So Glenister was gambling, the girl
learned and with such luck as to
break the Black Jack game and ex-
cite the greed of every gambler in
camp. News of his winnings had gone
out into the street, and the sporting
| men were coming to share his for
tune, to fatten like vultures on the
adversely Of their fellows. Those who
had no money to stake were borrow
Ing, like the man next door.
She left her retreat, and, descending
the stairs, was greeted by strange
sight. The dance-hall was empty Of
all but the musicians, who blew and
| fiddled 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 table midway down
the hall. Cherry could see nothing Of
what went on there, for men and
women stood ten deep about 1t and
others perched on chairs and tables
along the walls. A roar arose sudden
ly, followed by utter silence; then
came the clink and rattle of silver A
moment, and the crowd resumed Its
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"
II 4,
slant wherein she heard the thud of
dice, then followed the shout Of
triumph that told what the spots re-
vealed. The dealer paved off. Clients
ter reared himself head and shoulders
4 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 coin In his rack. Mevico
Mullins approached Cherry, and she
questioned him.
HE just broke the crap game" Null
lin told her; nineteen passes without
losing the bones
"Ok, 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
run ever see.'
: did You get in?"
Nov, don't you know that / never
play anything but bank? If he lasts
long enough to reach the faro layout,
I'll get mine"
I. The excitement of the crowd began
to infect the girl, even though she
looked on from the outside. The ex.
ultant voics, the SUDDEN hush. The
tensity OF nerve 1t all betokened, set
her a-thrill. A stranger left the
strong and rushed to the spot where
4 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 towards them
like some frrtive, frightened little
animal, unnaturally excited.
II guess that isn't SO bad for three
bets!' He shook q sheaf of bank
4 notes at them.
why don't you stick?" inquired
4 Mullins. ~
l II am too wise. Ha! know when
to quit. He can't win steady-he don't
4 play any system"
Then he has a good chance said
the girl.
There he goes now the little man
cried as the uproar arose. II told 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.
4 mo! Did he? Lord! / quit toe
soon!"
4 He scampered back into the other
i room, only to return, hesitating, his
money tightly sclutched.
do you s'pose it's safe? I never
saw a man bet so reckless. l guess
4 I'd better quit, chr He noted the
d sheer on the woman's face, and with
out waiting a reply dashed off again
They saw him clamourously fight his
way in towards a post at the roulette
table. LET me through! I've got
!. nonny and want RI NAV {fiO