Mower County transcript., 1907-09-11
CHAPTER TX.
At the Occidental.


Hampton slowly picked his way back
through the darkness down the silent
road, his only guide those dim yellow
lights Pickering in the distance.
1t was Saturday night, and the min
ing town was already alive. The one
long, irregular street was jammed with
constantly moving figures, the numer-
GUS saloons ablaze, the pianos sound
ing noisily, the shuffling of feet in the
crowded dance-halls incessant.
Riot reigned unchecked, while the
quiet, sleepy town of the afternoon
blossomed under the Pickering lights
into saturnalia of unlicensed pleas
ure, wherein the wages of sin were
death.
Hampton pushed his way through
the noisy throng with eyes ever watch
full 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 jostling figures, the
ever-moving mass as yet good-natured,
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 stiff game. they tell me, just
started in the back room," was the
rop11, or c,1oIorc
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 full opera
ton and surrounded by crowds of de-
votees. He walked directly toward the
rear of the room. A thick, dingy 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 whistled softly behind his
teeth at the first glimpse of the money
openly displayed before them. This
was apparently not so bad for start
er, and his waning interest revived. A
red-bearded giant, sitting so as to face
the doorway, glanced up quickly at his
entrance, his coarse mouth instantly
taking on the semblance of smile.
"Ah, Bob" he exclaimed, with an
evident effort at cordiality; "been won
dering if you wouldn't show up before
the night was over. You're the very
fellow to make this four-handed af-
fair, provided you carry sufficient
stuff" ..r
Hampton came easily forward into
the full glow of the swinging oil lamp,
his manner coolly deliberate, his face
expressionless. II feel no desire to in
trude," he explained, quietly, watching
the uplifted faces. Il believe 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 it is money that
talks at this table tonight. Mr. Hamp-
ton, permit me to present Judge
Hawes, of Denver, and Mr.. Edgar Will
lis, president of the T. P. & R. I have
no idea what they are doing in this
hell-hole of q town, but they are dead.
game sports, and have been trying
my best to amuse them while they're
here" ..r g.g
Hampton bowed, instantly recogni3-
ing the names.
"Glad to assist" he murmured, sink
ing into . vacant chair. What limit p
We have had no occasion to discuss
that matter as yet, volunteered
Hawes, sneeringly. However, II you
have scruples we might settle upon
something within reason. !" h. U
Hampton ran the undealt pack care
4 lessly through his fingers, his lips
smiling pleasantly. oh. never mind