The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-22

81
as a cat does a mouse, his thick lips
parted, his fingers twitching nervously.
The latter smiled grimly, his motion
deliberate, his eyes never wavering.
Slowly, one By one, he turned up his
cards, never even deigning to glance
downward, his entire manner that of
unstudied indifference. One-two-
three. Willis uttered a snarl like a
stricken wild beastt, and sank back in
his chair, his eyes closed, his cheeks
CHASTITY. Four Slavin brought down
his great clenched first with crash
on the table, string of Oaths bursting
unrestrained from his lips. Five.
Hampton, never stirring muscle, sat
there like a statue, watching. His
right hand kept hidden beneath the
table, with his left he quietly drew in
the stack of bills and coin. pushing the
stuff heedlessly into the side pocket of
his coat, his gaze never once wander
ing from those stricken faces fronting
him Then he softly pushed back his
chair and stood erect. Willis never
moved, but Slavin rose unsteadily to
his feet. gripping the table fiercely
with both hands.
Gentlemen" said Hampton, grave
ly, his clear voice sounding like the
sudden peal Of bell, Il can only thank
you for your courtesy in this matter,
snd bid you all goodnight. However.
before I go it may be Of some interest
for me to say that I have played my
last game"
Somebody laughed sarcasticafly, 8
harsh, hateful laugh. The speaker
whirled, took one step forward; there
was the fash of an extended arm, a
dull crunch. and Red SSavtn went
crashing backward against the wall.
AS he gazed up, dazed and bewildered,
from the floor, the lights glimmeTe ed
along blue-steel barrel
Not a move, you red brute" and
Hampton spurned him CONTEMPORARY
with his heel. This is no variety
show, and your laughter was in poor
taste. However, If you feel particu-
larly hilarious tonight I'll give you
another chance l said this was my
last game; I'll repeat it-this was my
last game! Now, damn you! if you
feel like it, taught"
He swept the circle of excited faces,
his eyes glowing like two diamonds,
his thin lips compressed into a single
straight line.
Mr.. Slavin appears to have lost his
previous sense of humor," he re
marked, calmly. Il win now make my
statement for the third tine-this was
/ my last game. Perhaps some of you
| gentlemen also may discover this tc
| be amusing"
The heavy, strained breathing of the
motionless crowd was bis only answer
and half smile of bitter contemp'
curled Hampton's lips, as he sweep
over them last defiant glance.
Not quite so humorous as it seemed
to be at first, reckon" he commented
dryly. "Slavin," and he prodded the
red giant once more with his foot
I'm going out; If you make any at
tempt TO leave this room within the
next five minutes I'll kill you in you
tracks. as l would a mad dog. You
stacked cards twice tonight, but th'
last time beat you fairly at your owl
game"
He held aside the heavy curtains
with his left hand and backed slowl!
out facing them, the deadly revolve
shining ominously in the other No
q man moved Slavin glowered at hin
from the floor, an impotent curse upoI
his lips. Then the red drapery fell
While the shadows of the long nigh
still hung over the valley, Nadia, toss
ing restessly upon her strange be-
within the humble yellow house at tn,
fork Of the trails, was aroused t,
wakefulness by the pounding of
horses hoOfs on the plank bridg
spanning the creek She drew asid
the curtain and looked out shadin,
her eyes to see clearer through tn,
poor glass. All she perceived was
somewhat deeper smudge when TIL
rider swept rapidly past, horse an,
man a shapeless shadow. Three hour
later she awoke again, this time to tn
full glare of day. and to the remem
brance that she was now facing a new
life. AS she lay there thinking. he
eyes troubled but fearless, far ava,
on the sun-kissed uplands Hampton
was squirting forward his horse, a.
ready beginning TO exhibit signs o
WEAKNESS.
CHAPTER x.
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