The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-12-27
CHAPTER XIII.

sat quietly thinking, removed
by her mental stress to such an
u infinite distance from the music
and turmoil beneath that she was con-
| scious Of it only as formless clamor.
She had tipped chair back against
the door, wedging it beneath the knob
so that she might be saved from inter
| ruption, then flung herself into an
other seat and stared unseeingly AS
she sat thus and thought and schemed
harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat
| into her face. Now and then she
moaned impatiently, as 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 a 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 since
McMaster's night in Virginia City,
thirteen years ago. He's right"
"Well, perhaps So" the Other replied
doubtfully. "but I don't card to back
you / never 'staked' a man in my
life"
"Then lend me the money. III pay
it back in an hour, but for heavens
sake be quick. tell you he's as
right as a 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-every sport in
camp will be here"
'I'll stake you TO fifty" the second
man replied, in tone that showed q
trace Of his companions excitement.
So Glenister was gambling, the girl
learned, and with such luck as to break
the black jack game and 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
fiddled Justify In vain endeavor to draw
from the rapidly swelling crowd that
thronged the gambling room and
ctp N ,Ha
thickest about table midway down
the hall. Cherry could see nothing of
what went on there, for men and wo-
men stood ten deep about it 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 it's 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 eusued another breathless in
slant wherein she heard the thud of
dice; then followed the shout of tri-
umph that told what the spots reveal
ed The dealer paid off. Glenister
reared himself head and shoulders
above the others and 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 without
losing the bones"
"How much did he VIM
ooh, he didn't win much himself,
but it's the people betting with him
that does the damage! They're gam
blers, most of them, and they play the
limit. He took out the black jack bank
roll first, $4,000. then cleaned the Tub
BY that time the tin horns began to
come In It's the greatest run ever
see.'
did you get IMP"
"Now, don't you know that I never
play anything but bank? If 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 ex-
ultant voices. the sudden hush. the
.tenslty OF nerve Il an 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 ratlilze through his dry
lips. and his voice was shrill. He
narted toward them like some furtlve,
frightened little animal, unnaturally,
excited.
II guess that isn't so bad for three
betsw He shook a sheaf OF banknotes
at them.
"Why don't you stick?" inquired Mul-
lns.,
II am too wise Fla! I know when
to quit. He can't win steady-he don't
play any system"