The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-08-15

SICuC w AS OAC VI genuine enjoyment.
Suddenly the music ceased, and the
couples crowded to the bar The WON
en- took harmless drinks, the men most
~ whisky. Rarely was the choice Of
potations criticised, though occasional
~ some ruddy eschewer Of sobriety in
sisted that his lady take the same"
avowing that "hootcE,' having been
demonstrated beneficial in his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, and in
variably the man failed to note her
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person Of
ginger ale for whisky or Of plSin wa
ter for gin. In turn the mixers collect
ed 81 from each man, Tipping to the
girl a metal percentage check, which
she added to her store. In the curtain
ed boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the corks, and then
subterfuge on the lady's part was idle,
but, on the other hand, she was able to
pocket for each bottle a check redeem
able at So.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked first upon the
good music, next upon the good looks
of the women and then upon the shah
by clothes Of the men, for some of
them were in 'mukluk," others in
sweaters with huge initials and wing
ed emblems, and all were collarless.
Outside in the main gambling room
there were but few women. Men
crowded in dense masses about the
faro layout, the wheel, craps, the Klon-
dixie game, pangingi and the card ia
bles. They talked Of business, of
home, of women, bought and sold
mines and bartered all things from
hams to honor. The groomed and
clean, the unkempt and filthy jostled
shoulder to shoulder equally affected
by the license of the gold fields and the
eKhilaratlon of the new. The mystery
of the north had touched them ALL The
glad bright wine OF adventure filed
their veins, and they spoke nightly Of
things they had resolved to do, or re
counted with simple difadence the
strange stories of their accomplish
ment.
The Bronco Kid, familiar from Atlin
to Nome as the best ''bank" dealer on
the Yukon, worked the shift from till
2 He was a slender man OF thirty,
dexterOus in movement, slow to smile,
soft Of voice and known as a living
flame among women. He had dealt
the biggest games of the early days
and had no enemies. Yet, though
many called him friend, they wondered
inwardly.
1t was a strong play the Kid had
tonight, for Swede Sam Of Dawson
ventured many stacks of yellow chips,
and he was a quick, aggressive gam
bier. A Jew sat at the king end with
ten neatly creased 81 600 bills before
him. together with piles of smaller cur
rency He adventured viciously and
without system, while outsiders to the
number OF four or five cut in sporadic
ally with small bets. The game was
difficult to follow, consequently the
lookout, from his raised dais, was lean
ing forward, chin in hand, while the
group was hedged about by eager on
lockers
Faro is a closed book to most people,
for its intricacies are confusing. Lucky
is he who has never persevered in Solv-
ing its mysteries nor specialized upon
the systems" of beating it. From
those who have learned it, the game de-
mands practice. dexterity and cool
ness. The dealer must run the cards,
watch the many shifting bets, handle
the neatly piled checks, figure light
; ninglike the profits and losses. It was
his unerring, ciocklike regularity in this
that had won the Kid his reputation.
This night his powers were taxed. He
| dealt silently, scowlingly, his long white
fingers nervouSly careSsing the cards.
This preoccupation prevented his no
ticing the rustic and stir OF a new.
conner who had crowded up behind him
until he caught the wondering glances
Of those in front and saw that the
lsraelite was staring past him, his
money forgotten, his eyes beady and
sharp, his ratlike teeth showing In q
| grin Of admiration. Swede Sam glsred
| from under his unkempt shock and felt
uncertainty toward the open collar OF
| his flannel shirt where a kerchie1
nave DGCn- uG IuGu VINO were
standing gazed at the newcomer. some
with surprise, others with half smile
| of recognition.
Bronco glanced quickly over his
shoulder, and as he did so the breath
caught in his throat, but for only an
instant A girl stood so close beside
him that the lace of her gown brushed
| his sleeve. He was shutting at the
moment and dropped a card, then nod
ded to her. speaking quietly as he
stopped to regain the pasteboard:
"Howdy. CherryT'
She did not answer only continued
to look at the layout" What q
woman he thought. She was not toe
| tall. with smoothly rounded bust and
hips and long waist, all well displayed
| by her perfectly fitting garments. Her
| face was oval, the mouth rather large
The eyes of dark. dark blue, prominent