The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-11-28

on observing the size OF the rolls
rather SYSTEMATICALLY exhibited by
thom. His satisfaction was IN noways
lessened by the sound OF their voices
when incautionsly raised IN anger
over some unfortunate play. He lm.
mediateiy recognized them as the lden.
teal individuals who had loudly and
gaialy protested over his occupancy OF
the best rooms At the hotel. He
chuekied grimiy.
But what bothered him particularly
was slavin. The cool. gray eyes. glanc.
ing with such apparent negligence
across the cards in his hands, noted
every slight movement OF the red.
bearded gambler. in expectation OF de
tecting some sign OF trickery. or some
evidence that he had been selected by
this precious trio for the purpose Of
easy ~plucking. Knavery was Slavin's
style, but apparently ne was now
playing a straight game, no doubt real
izing clearly. behind his impassive
mask Of a face, the utter fntiFty OF
seeking to outwit one Of Hampton's
enviable reputation.
Il was, unquestIonably. a fairly
fought four-handed battle. and at last.
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 a gulp OF water. always
! gripping IN uniighted cigar between
his teeth. He was playing now with
apparent recklessness, never hesitat
ing over a card. his eye rs watehful as
that Of a hawk. HIS betting quick, con.
adent, %audaclous, The c~ontagion OF
his spirit seemed to affect the others.
to force them into desperate wagers.
The Precipitation was beading Slavin's
forehead. and now and then an oath
burst unrsstrained from his hairy lips.
Halves and Willis sat white-faced. bent
forward a%nxiously over the table. their
fingers shaking as they handled the
fateful cards, but Hampton played
without %perceptible tremor. his utter
ances few and m~OnOsyllabic, his calm
face b~etraying not the faintest emo
ton.
And he was steadily winning. Occa.
sionally some other hand drew in the
growing stock OF gold aud bank notes.
but not often enough 70 Offset those
continued gains hat began to heap up
in such IN alluring pile upon his por-
ton OF the table. The lookers-on who
had come in began to observe this. and
gathered more closely about hts chair.
fascinated by the luck with which the
cards came floating into hls hands. the
cool Judgment Of his critical plays. the
reckless abandon with which ne forced
success, Suddenly be forced the hght
TO q finish. The opportunity came ia
a Jackpot which Halves had opened.
Tho betting began with a cool thou
sand. Then Hampton's turn anne
Without drawing. his cards yet lying
downward before him on the board.
his calm features as immovable as the
Sphinx. he quietly pushed his whole
accumulated pile 10 the center. named
the sum-. and leaned back IN his chair,
his eyes cold. impassive. HAYES
threw down his hand. wipinE his
streaming face with his handkerchief;
Willis counted his remaining roll. hest
tated. looked again at the faces OF his
cards. flung aside two. drawing 10 an.
and called loudly for a showdown, his
eyes p~rotruding. Slayln. cursing
fercely under his red beard. having
drawn one card. his perpiexed face in
stantiy Frightening as he glanced at
Il. zen back into his hip pocket for
every cen he had. aud added his pro
fame demand Tor a chance at the
money.
A fortune rested on the table. q for
tune the ownershlp Of which was 20
be decided In a single moment and by
the movement OF a hand willis was
gasping. hts whole body quivoring;
slayin was watching Hampton's hands
as a cat docs a mouse. his thick lips
parted. his fingers twitchlng ~nervously.
The latter smiled grimly. bis motion
deliberate. his eyes never ~wayorlng.
slowly. ono by one. be turned up his
cards. never oven dclgning 10 glance
downward. HIS entire manner that Of
unstudied indifference. One-two-
three. willis uttered a smart ike a
stricken wild beastt. and sank back IN
MS tiAitf hh N9Na AiN4NAs ms NHNthH
CHASTITY. -Four, slayin brought down
his great cienchod FIRST with q crash
on the table. a string Of oaths bursting
unrestrained from his lips. Five.
Hampton. never stirring q muscle, sat
there like a statue, watching. Ills
right 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 new
moved. but slavin rose u~nsseRdily 10
his feet. gripping the table hercely
with both hands,
"Gentiomen." said Hampton. graye-
~. his clear voice sounding like the