Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-10
AS DEEP AS
THE SEA
Continued from page s

all, and if the other man that didn't matter any
more than you, wasn't alive, and hadn't child
that does matter, l shouldn't be asking you
peaceably for two thousand dollars as my fee
for getting you off two cases that might have
sent you to prison for twenty years, or maybe
hung you to the nearest tree"
The heavy body pulled itself together, the
hands clinched. "Blackmail! You think I'll
stand it?"
"Yes, think YOU will. I want two thou
sand dollars to hep friend in hole, and l
mean to have it, if you think your neck is
worth it."
Teeth wonderfully white showed through the
shaggy beard. "If l had to go to prison or
swing as you say do you think I'd go with my
mouth shut" hateful, grisly leer made his
face that of a devil I'D not pay up alone.
The West would crack l know enough to
make it sick. Go on and see. I've got the West
in my hand" He opened and shut his hand
with grimace of cruelty that shook Rawley
in spite of himself.
Rawley had trusted to the inspiration of the
moment He had had no clearly defined plan;
he had believed that he could brighten the old
man and by force of will bend him to his pur-
poses. 1t had all been more difficult than he
had expected. He kept cool, imperturbable,
and determined, however. He knew that what
the old quacl said was true. The West might
shake with scandal concerning few who, no
doubt, in remorse and secret fear had more
than paid the penalty of their offenses But he
thought of Di Weldon and of her criminal
brother, and every nerve, every faculty, was
screwed to its utmost limit of endurance and
capacity.
Suddenly the old man gave new turn to the
event. He got up, and rummagng in an old
chest drew out dice box. Rafting the dice. he
threw them out the table before him, a
strange, excited look crossing his face
PLAY for itl' he said, in harsh, croaking
voice. Play for the two thousand Win it if
you can! You want it bad. l want to keep it
bad. It's nice to have; it makes a man feel it
warm, money does. I'd sleep in ten-dollar
bills, I'd have my clothes made of them, if l
could I'd have my house papered with them;
I'd eat them Oh, know, by all the fires of
hell! know about you, and her, Diana Well
don. You've sworn off gambling, and you've
kept your pledge for nearly year. Well, it's
twenty years since l gambled-twenty years
dice in the box. 81 gambled everything had
away, more than two thousand doars-rnore
than two thousand dollarsl'' He laughed
raw mirthless laugh. We'll you're the great
est gambler in the West So was l, in the East
1t pulverized me at last, when I'd nothing left
night and came out West. l started doctoring
here. I've got money-money-plen of
mines-land got it for me-
I've been lucky. Now you-you come to bluff
meme! You don't know old Busby-I'm
not to be bluffed. | know too much. Before
they could lynch me- I'd talk. But to play
you, the greatest gambler in the West, for two
thousand doars-yes, I'd like the sting of it
again-twos, fours double skies, the gentle
mans game" He ratified the dice and threw
them with flourish out on the table, his evil
face lighting up as by flame of fire. Come
you can't have something for nothing" he
growled.
AS he spoke change came over Rawley's
face. 1t lost its cool imperturbabiit it grew
paler, the veins on the fine forehead stood out,
a new, faring light came into the eyes. The
old gamblers spirit was alive. But even as it
rose, sweeping him into that area of fiery abb
straction where every nerve is strung to fine
tension and the surrounding world disappears,
he saw the face of Diana Weldon, he remem-
bered her words to him not an hour before. and
the issue of the conflict, other considerations
apart, without doubt. But there was her
brother and his certain fate, if the two thousand
dollars was not paid in by midnight. He was
desperate. 1t was in reality for Diana's sake
He approached the table, and his old calm re-
turned.
Il have no money to play with" he said
quietly. With gasp of satisfaction the old
man furnbled in the inside coat and drew out
layers of hundred dollar bills. 1t was lined
with them. He passed pile over to Rawley,
two thousand dollars. He placed similar pile
before himself.
AS Rawley laid his hand on the bills, the
thought rushed through his mind you have