Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1907-12-06
CHAPTER XIII,
sOR a long time Cherry Malotte
sat 0uiefly thihkinp ra,novo.l


= infinite distance from the music
and turmoil beneath that she was con-
sciOus OF 1t only as formless clainor
She had tipped chair back against
the door, wedging 1t beneath the knob
SO that she. might be saved from inter
ruption, then flung herself into an
other seat and stared unsceingly. As
she sat thus and thought and sclemed
harsh and hateful, lines seemed to eat
into her face. Now and then she
moaned impatiently, MS though fearing
lest 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 name which
caused her to start. listen. then drop
her preoccupation like mantle A
man was speaking of Glenister Ex-
element thrilled his voice.
81 never saw anything like It sine.
McAlaster's night in Virginia City.
thirteen years ago He's right"
well, perhaps so.' the other replied
doubtfully. "but | don't care to back
you. never 'staked' man In my
life."
Then lend me the money. III pay
1t back in an hour, but for heavens
sake be quick. tell you he's as
right as n 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 boy-eyery sport in
camp will be here
'I'll stake you to fifty" the second
man replied, in 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 aud excite the
greed of every gambler in camp. News
of his winnings had gone out into the
street, and the sporting men were COM
Ing to share his fortune, to fatten like
vultures on the adversely of their fell
lows. Those who had no money to
stake were borrowing, 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
fddlcd Justify In vain endeayor to draw
from the rapidly swelling crowd that
thronged the gambling room and
stretched to the door. The press was
thiekest about table midway down
the hall. Cherry could see nothing Of
what went on there, for men and wo-
men stood ten deep about 1t and 9th
crs perched on chairs and tables along
the walls. A roar arose suddenly. fol
lowed 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. 1.-THE field or the
favorite. He's made eighteen straight
passes. Get your money on the line"
There ensued another GREATNESS In
slant wherein she heard the thud of
dice; then followed the shout of trl-
umph that told what the spots reveal
ed. The dealer paid of. Glenister
reared himself head and shoulders
above the others md 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. Mexico
Mullins approached Cherry. and she
questioned him.
HE just broke the crap game" Mul:
Inns told her. Nineteen passes withou,
losing the bones" q
How much did he win?''
ooh, he didn't win mAeh himself.
but it's the people betting with him
that does the damage! They're gam.
blers, most Of them, ind they play the
limit. He took out the black jack bank
roll first. $1,000. then cleaned the Tub
BY that time the tin horns began to
come In. It's the greatest run ever
see.''
Did you get ins''
.Now. don't you know that I never
play anything but bank? II he lasts.
long enough to reach the faro layout.
I'll get mine."
The excitement Of the crowd began
to infect the girl, even though she
looked on from the outside. The cx-
uitant voices. the sudden hush. the
.ensity Of nerve 1t all betokened, set
her a-thrill. A stranger left the throng
and rushed to the spot where 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 toward them like some furtive,
frightened little animal, unnaturally
excited.
e Il guess that isn't SO bad for three
bets" He shook a sheaf Of banknotes
at them.
why don't you stick 2" inquired Null
Inns.
II am too wise. Ia! know when
to quit. lie can't win steady-he don't
play any system,
"Then he has a good chance" said
the girl.
There he goes now" the little man
cried as the uproar arose. Il told You
he'd lose" At the voice OF the multi
tude lie wavered as though affected by
some powerful magnet
But he won again." said Mexico.
mo! Did he? Lord! quit too
soon!''
He scampered back into the other
room, only to return, hesitating, his
money tightly clutched.