The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-03-19

asssl:sss @fs . @Sev. !
sNt hsSt." smiled the propssetor.
well double the limit I
Thu II became possible to wager
500 Oh q csrd. and the Kid begen, n,reai.
iytd play. Glenister nov lost steadily,
not 10 large amounts. but with tam
talking reSularHy. Cherry had never
seen cards 'plsIsd like. this. The gam.
bier was q revelation to her. His work
was wonderful. III luck seemed to fan
the crowds eagerness. while. to add to
It's impatience. the cases came. wrong
twice In succession, 80 that those who
would have bet heavily upon the last
turn had their money given back.
Cherry saw the confusion Of the
"hearse driver" even quicker than did
Bronco. Toby was growing ratified.
The dealers work was too fast for
him. and yet be could offer no signal
Of distress for fear Of annihilation at
the hands Of those crowded close to his
Of the game could make no objection
to his helpers incompetence for fear
that some bystander would volunteer
to ell the mans part. There were
many present capable of the trick. He
could only glare balefully across the
table at hts unfortunate confederate.
They had not gone far on the next
game before Cherry's quick eye de-
tected a sign which tie man misinter.
preted. She addressed him quietly,
you'd better brush UP your plumes."
In spite Of his anger the Bronco Kid
smiled. Humor IN him was strangely
withered and distorted. yet here was a
thrust he would always remember and
recount with ,glee in years to- come.
He feared there were other faro deal
ers present who might understand the
hint. but there was none save Mexico
Mullins. whose face was study
mirth seemed to be strangling him. A
moment later the girl spoke to the case
keeper again.
"Let me take your place; your reins
are unbuckled." 80. *
Toby glanced inguiringiy at the Kid,
who caught Cherry's reassuriag look
and nodded, 80 he arose and the girl
slid into the vacant chair. This wo-
man would make no errors. the dealer
knew that: her keen wits We're sharp
ened by hate-it showed In her face.
II Glenister escaped destruction to-
night 1t would be because human
means could not accomplish his down
fall.
In the mind Of the new case keeper
there was but one thought-Rey must
be broken. Humiliation. disgrace, ruin.
ridicule were to be his. II he should
be downed, dlscredited and discourag.
ed, then perhaps he would turn to her
as he had In the bygone days. He
was slipping away from her-this was
her last chance. She began her du-
ties easily, and her alertness stimulat-
ed Bronco till his senses, too, grew
sharper. his observation more acute
and lightning-like. Glenister swore be-
meath his breath that the cards were
bewitched. He was like drunken
man, now as truly intoxicated as
though the fumes Of wine had be-
logged his brain. He swayed In his
seat, the veins of his neck thickened
and throbbed, his features were con-
gested. Aftef awhile he spoke.
II want bigger limit. Is this some
boys game? Throw her open"
The gambler shot a triumphant
glance at the girl and acquiesced. Cali
right. the limit Is the blue sky. Pile
your checks to the roof pole" He be-
gan to shuttle.
Within the crowded circle the air
was hot and fetid with the breath Of
men. The sweat trickled down Glen
ister's brown skin. dripping from his
Jaw unnoticed. He arose and ripped
of his coat, while those standing be-
hind shifted and scuffed their feet I'm
patiently. Besides Roy, there were but
three men playing. They were the
ones who had won heaviest at first.
Now that luck was against them they
were loath to quit.
Cherry was annoyed by stertorous
breathing at her shoulder, and glanced
back to find the little man who had
been so excited earlier in the evening.
His mouth was agape, his eyes wide,
the muscles about his lips twitching.
He had lost back, long since, the hun
dreds he had won and more besides.
She searched the figures walling her
about and saw no women. They had
been crowded out long since. 1t
seemed as though the table formed the
bottom Of sloping pit Of human faces
eager, tense, staring. 1t was well
she was here. she thought. else this
task might fail. She would help to
blast Glenister, desolate him, humiliate
him. All, but wouldn't she!
Roy bet s1OO>on the popular card.
On the third turn he lost. He bet 500
next and lost. He set out a stack OF
800 and lost for the third time. For
tune had turned her face. He ground
his teeth and doubled until the stakes