New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-10
AS DEEP AS
THE SEA
Continued from page 8

ali, and if the other man that didn't matter any
more than you, wasn't alive, and hadn't child
that does matter, | shouldn't he asking YOU
peaceably for two thousand dollars as NV fee
for getting you of two cases that might have
sent YOU TO prison for twenty wears. or maVbe
hung you 10 the nearest tree.
The heavy body pulled itself together the
hands clinched. Blackmail You think I'll
stand IL
&c Yes | think You will ! want two thou
sand dollars to help friend in q hole and
mean to have H. II You think Your neck Is
worth II"
Teeth wonderfully white showed through the
shaggy beard. If had to go to prison or
swing as YOU say do you think ID 60 with my
mouth shut" hateful, grisly leer made his
face that of a devil I'd not pay up alone
The West would crack ! know enough to
make it SICK. Go on and see. I've got the West
in my hand" He opened and shut his hand
with a grimace OF cruelty that shook Rawlcy
IN spite OF himself.
Rawley had trusted to the inspiration OF the
moment He had had no clearly defined plan
he had believed that he could brighten the old
man and by force Of VIII bend him TO ms puT-
poses. 1t had all been more difficult than he
had expected. He kept cool, imperturbablc
and determined however. He knew that what
the old quack said was true. The West might
shake with scandal concerning ! few who, no
doubt, IN renorse and secret fear, had more
than paid the penalty OF their oftenses But he
thought OF ID Weldon and Of her criminal
brother, and every nerve. every faculty. was
screwed to its utmost limit Of endurance and
capacity.
Suddenly the old man gave a new turn TO the
event. He got up, and rummaging IN an old
chest drew out a dice box. Rafting the dice. he
threw them out on the table before him, a
strange. excited look crossing his face
PLAY for II =" he said, III Il harsh, croakng
voice " Play for the two thousand Win II ].
you cant You want It bad ! want to keep it
bad. Its nice TO have il makes man feel II
warm money does. I'd sleep IN ten-dollar
bills I'd have my clothes made Of them, If !
could. I'd have my house papered with them;
I'd eat them. Oh, | know, by al the fires Of
he'll! ] know about you, and her, Diana Well |
don. You've sworn off gambling. and you. We
kept your pledge for nearly year Well 1t S
twenty years since | gambled-twcnty years
gambled with these then" He shook the
dice in the box " ! gamblcd everything had
away, more than two thousand dollars-Trore
than two thousand dollars" He laughed
est gambler IN the West SO was /, in the East
II pulverzed me at last, when I'd nothing lett,
and drink, drink, drink gave up both one
night and came out West. ! started doctorlng
here. I've got money-plenty OF
mines-land got it for me. |
I've been lucky. Now you-you come to bluff
me-rnel You don't know old Busby-l m
not to be bluffcd. | know too much. Before
they could lynch me- I'd talk. But to play
YOU the greatest gambler IN the west, lor Two
again-twos, fours double SKIES, the gentle |
mans game" He ratified the dice and threw |
them with a flourish out on the table his evil
face lighting up as by flame of fire; Come
YOU can't have something for nothing he
growled n-,-.,-
. As he spoke change came over Rawey,s
face. 1t lost its cool imperturbability; IT grew
raler. the veins on the fine forehead stood out,
a new. faring light came into the eyes. The
old gambler spirit was alive. But even as 1t
rose sweeping him into that area OF flery abb
straction where every nerve IS strung TO fine
tension and the surrounding world disappears
he saw the face of Diana Weldon, he remem- |
bered her words TO him not an hour before and
the issue Of the conflict, other considerations
aDart. was without doubt But there was her
brother and his certain fate, If the two thousand
dollars was not paid in by midnight. lie was
desperate. 1t was in reality for Diana's sake
He approached the table, and his old calrl re-
turned. .., >, !. ia
quietly With a gasp OF satisfaction the ola
man fumbled in the inside coat and drew ,. out
LAYERS of hundred dollar bills. 1t was lined
with them. He passed pile over TO Rawley'
two thousand dollars. He placed a similar pile
As Rawiey laid his hand the bills. the