The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1907-11-29

rather OStentatlOuSly eAnlDlleu py
them His satisfaction was in noways
lessened by the sound Of their voices,
when incautiously raised in anger
over some unfortunate play. He inn
mediately recognized them as the iden-
tical individuals who had loudly and
vainly protested over his occupancy of
the best rooms at the hotel. He
chuckled grlmly.
But what bothered him particularly |
was Slavin. The cool, gray eyes, glanc-
ing with such apparent negligence |
across the cards in his hands, noted |
every slight movement of the red |
bearded gambler, in expectation of de-
tecting some sign of trickery, or some |
evidence that he had been selec ed by |
this precious trio for the purpose of
easy plucking. Knavery was Sllvin's
style, but apparently he was now
playing a straight game, no doubt real
lzing clearly, behind his impassive
mask of face, the utter futility of
seeking to outwit one of Hampton's
enviable reputation.
1t was, unquestionably, a fairly
fought four-handed battle, and at last,
thoroughly convinced of this, Hamp-
ton settled quietly down, prepared to
play out his game. The stakes grew
steadily larger. Several times drinks
were served, but Hampton contented
himself with a gulp of water, always
gripping an unlighted cigar between
his teeth. He was playing now with
| hoGffDt-
ing over a card, his eye as watchful as
that of a hawk, his betting quick, con-
! fdent, audacious. The contagion of
! his spirit seemed to affect the others,
TO force them into desperate wagers.
The perspiration was beading Slavin's
forehead. and now and then an oath
burst unrestrained from his hairy lips.
Halves and Willis sat white-faced, bent
forward anxiously over the table, their
fingers shaking as they handled the
fateful cards, but Hampton played
without perceptible tremor, his utter
ances few and monosyllabic, his calm
face betraying not the faintest emo
ton.
And he was steadily winning. Occa-
|
growing stock of gold and bank notes,
but not often enough to Offset those
continued gains that began TO heap up
in such an alluring pile upon his por-
ton of the table. The lookers-on who
had come in began to observe this, and
gathered more closely about his chair
fascinated by the luck with which the
| a., inf
cool judgment of his critical plays, the
reckless abandon with which he forced
success. Suddenly he forced the fight
to a finish The opportunity came III
a Jackpot which Hawes had opened
The betting began with a cool thou
sand. Then Hampton's turn came
Without drawing, his cards yet lying
downward before him on the board
his calm features as immovable as the
Sphinx. he quietly pushed his whole
accumulated pile to the center, named
the sum, and leaned back in his chair
his eyes cold, impressive. Halves
threw down his hand, wiping hi!
streaming face with his handkerchief
Willis co.uted his remaining roll, hest
tated. looked again at the faces of hi
cards, flung aside two, drawing to NIL
and called loudly for showdown, HI
eyes protruding. Slavin, cursini
fiercely under his red beard, havini
drawn one card his perplexed face in
stantly Frightening as he glanced a
il. went back into his hip pocket TO
every cent he had, and added his pro
fame demand for a chance at tn
money.
A fortune rested on the table, fol
tune the ownership of which was I
be decided in a single moment, and b
the movement of a hand. Willis wa
gasping, his whole body quivering
Slavin was watching Hampton's hand
as a cat does a mouse, his thick lip
pafted. his fingers twitching nervousl!
The latter smiled gTimly, his motto
deliberate, his eyes never waverini
Slowly, one by one, he turned up hi
cards. never even deigning to glano
downward, his entire manner that
unstudied Indifference. One-tWo-
three. Willis uttered snarl like
stricken wild beastt, and sank back
at his chair, his eyes closed, his cheeE
D. chastity. Four. Slavin brought dow
ye his great clenched first with a cras
H. on the table, string of oaths burstir
We unrestrained from his lips. Fiv
is Hampton, never stirring a muscle, 81
d. there like a statue, watching. IA
lg right hand kept hidden beneath Il
re table. with his left he quietly drew
the stack of bills and coin, pushing Il
H. stuff heedlessly into the side pocket
his coat, his gaze never once wande
X. ing from those stricken faces frontii
?" him. Then he softly pushed back b
&C chair and stood erect. Willis new
ed moved, but Slavin rose unsteadily
ON his feet, gripping the table fierce
ON with both hands.
Gentlemen" said Hampton, gray
re- w. his clear voice sounding like G
DIS sudden peal of bell, 81 can only thar
Id. you for your courtesy in this matte
III and bid you all goodnight. Howev'
we before | go it may be of some intere
3D. for me to say that l have played