West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1907-12-05
CHATTER KILL

ON ipiE Alitlt
L. sat quietly thinking, removed
by her mental stress 10 such an
n infinite distance from the music
and turmoil beneath that she was con-
scious of It only as n formless clamor
She had tipped n 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 . name which
caused her to start, listen. then drop
her preOccupation like n mantle. A
man was speaking Of Glenlster. Ex-
citement thrilled his voice.
81 never saw anything like II since
MeMaster's night in Virginia City.
LII gthAS h-ps Ilt IiSuls
well, perhaps So" the other replied
doubtfully, "but I don't care to back
you. / never 'staked' "a man in my
life"
Then lend me the money. I'll pay
II 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 I'm four bets In
fifteen minutes more we can't get close
enough TO a table to send in our money
with messenger boy--every sport in
camp viii be here"
"Tll stake you TO fifty" the second
man replied, In tone that, showed n
trace OF his companions excitement.
So Glenister was gambling, the girl
learned, and with such luck as 10 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 10 share bis fortune. 10 fatten Ike
vultures on the adversely Of their fell
lows. Those who had 10 money 10
stake were borrowing, like the man
next door.
She left her retreat and. descending
the stairs, was greeted by strange
sight. The dance han was empty of
all but the musicians. who blew and
1ddled Justify I'm vain endeavor 20 draw
from the rapidly swelling crowd that
thronged the gambling room and
stretched 20 the door. The press was
fhickest about a table midway down
fbe hall. Cherry could see nothing Of
what went on there. for men and wo-
men stood ten deep about &c and 9th.
ers perched 0n 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 o. The dealer 'Tha Geld or tIe
favorite. Hes made eighteen STRAIGHT
passes. Get your money Oh Tho line"
There onsucd another breaiIios fn.
start wherein she heard tIe fhuI OF
dice. then followed The shout of fri.
umph that told what The spots reveal.
ed The dealer paid IN. Clonfter
N.'i'.A AHaA HII SHOULDERS
above TIE others and pushed out
through ihc ring % tie roulette wheel
The rest followed Behind ha 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
gaasti0ned him.
"iIe just broke the crap game" Null
hns told her. nineteen posses without
losing The bones"
How much did Dc wlnT'
ooh, De didn't win much himself.
hat its tbe people betting with him
that docs the damage! They're gam.
blcrs. most ~ them. and they play the
limit Tie took out the black Jack bank
roll frst 5000, then cleaned the Tub