The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-02-21

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"Thts Is Cherry Malottc."
hands. beautifully soft and white.
flashed over the board. She dealt re-,
idly, unfalterhgly, with the finish
one bred to the cards, handling CHI
and coppers with the peculiar mannc
isms that spring from long practice
1t was seer that she never looked {
her check rack hut when a bet T.
CURED pay ag picked up stack with
out turning her head, and they sa'i
further that she never reached twice
nor took large pile and sized 1t ui'
against its mate removing the eXtHA
disks. as is the custom. When Ghf
stretched forth her hand she grasle~
the right number Unerringly. This =
considered the acme Of professional
fnisl. and the Bronco Eid smiled q
ligh1 eddy as he saw the wonder spreae
from the lookout to the spectators am
heard the speech Of the men who stoiki
on chairs and tables for sight of the
woman dealer.
For twenty minutes she continue,
until the place became congested. ana
never once did the lookout detect an
error -
While she was busy Glenister ente,-
ed the front door and pushed his way
back toward the theater. He was woi-
ried and distract, his manner perturJe
and unnatural Silently and without
apparent notice he passed friends WHO
greeted him.
what ails Glenister tonightT' asked
a bystander. "He acts funny"
"Ain't you heard? Why, the Midas
has been jumped. He's in bad way
all broke up"
The girl suddenly ceased without fin
fishing the deck and arose.
. Don't stop" said the Kid, while
murrnur of lismay came from the spec
tators. She only shook her head and
drew on her gloves with show Of
ennui
Gliding through the crowd, she
threaded about aimlessly. the recipient
Of many stares though but few greet
ings, speaking with no one, certain
dignity serving her as a barrier even
here. She stopped waiter and ques-
toned him.
"He's upstairs in a gallery box"
"Alone?"
"Yesm. Anyhow. he was minute
ago. unless some of the rustlers has
broke in on him"
A moment later Glenister, watching
the scene below, was aroused from his
gloomy absorption by the click of the
box door and the rustic of silken skirts.
go out, please" he said. without
turning 81 don't want company.
Hearing no answer, he began again, y
came here to be alone"-but there be
ceased for the girl had come forward
and laid her two hot hands upon his
cheeks.
"Roy," she breathed and he arose
swiftly
Cherry! When did you Gomez"
ooh. days ago" she said, impatiently.
from Dawson. They told me You
had struck it. | stood 1t as long us
could-then came to YOU. Now, tell
me about Yourself Let me see yo1
first. quick
She pulled him towards the light and
gazed upward devouring him hungr. =
with her great languorous eyes. She
held 10 his coat lapels. standing close
beside him, her warm breath beating
mp into his face
"Well" she said. kiss me!'
He took her wrists in his and loosed
her hold, then looked down on hcr
gravely and said:
"No-that's all over. I told you so
when left Dawson"
"All overt oh. no. It isn't boy. You
think 20. but It isn't--it can't be.
love you too much to let you CO.
"Hushr' said he. There are people
In the next box"
~ don't carel Let them hear" sll,
cried, with feminine recklessness. "!'ta
proud Of NY lore for you. I'll tell Il
10 them-to the whole world"
Now. see here, little girl" he said
quietly, I'VE had long Talk in De-
son and agreed that II was best to di-
vide our ways. was mad over you
once. as good many other men have
been, but came to my senses Moth
Ing could ever result from-it, and I
told you So"