The sun., 1908-10-04

rapidly that II seemed imposslble for
division was really made. If/the cards
wore really stacked the trick was done
with unbelievable cleverneSs. but despite
that Nolan was sure II had been done. ;,
Next. why had Lang done III, He had
not given himself hand, else he would
was not to be thought that he expected
any advantage TO himself II either Ding
Icy or Me- rick should win, andiyet Nolan
was certain that one Of them would win
this pot.
Suddenly he thought, and he smiled
grimly as he thought IL. that Lang Ths
deliberately testing him-taking his mea-
sure as player. Then he threw. down
his hand unhesitatingly, and could have
sworn that he saw admiration In Lang's
eyes.
Dingley looked at his cards and finding
he had made flush threw In $780, Then
MSrios picked up hs hand H and ISl,rd raised nS
Merrick showed down four queens.
Nothing was said but Nolan and Lang
felt that they had ICED each other, and
N Nolan dealt the next hand he knew he
had his antagonists respect II nothing
else. And he was sure that he understood
Lang.
II was not a situation In which sleight
Of hand could be safely relied upon by
either, but there was always chance
for superior play in any Of the opentn g.
that poker b constantly presen ting, end
Nolan was fired with the thought that
euch an opening might come at any mo:
ment And 1t was not long before one did
come.
Skinnirg his hand when Merrick dealt
10 q jackpot he found four straight
flush, jack high. and when Lang opened
the pot for the s,te Of It, under the guns,
he stayed, putting In his S25 against the
$50 already In. With approximately one
chance In three of bettering in the draw
the gamble,was fair.
Dingley dropped, Hornaday stayed and
merIick raised it S25, whereupon Lang
put in 500, making reraise OF $75 ana
forcing Nolan TO put up 500 more for cards
, should he stay,
There was now $3.50 in the pot, making
fair gamble ag in, 80 he stayed. As he
did 50 he thou gbt suddenly that Lang
would know, when he should take his one
card In the draw, what he had dNstayed on,
since he would not stay against a double
raise on two pairs or on four flush or
four straight.
At the same moment he remembered
the old story Of the player who laid down
four aces without betting when he was
certain that. the other man had filled his
straight flush, and the hope came also that
Lang might have four OF kind.
Whether 1t was fours or not there was
little doubt that the hand was Strong,
for when Merriok proceeded to: raise
again, pu utting in $275 instead OF the s1S
1t took for him to make good, Lang went
back at him with $500 more. II might be
q bluff, Of course, but Nolan did not be-
lieve it was, deeming Lang too skilful
to bluff ag sinst two whose strength he
could not yet gMge.
With SLIPS on the table he still felt
d ~, In, ut
Of $500, the more 30 as he did not believe
Merrick would raise again, and he him
self had already decided what to do later.
Accordingly he trailed again.
Merrick looked doubtful. but evidently
preferred To wait till after the draw be-
fore going further. and putting up the
$500 he closed the pot, making total
Of 81 .o25 to play for.
Lang stood pat Nolan drew one card
and Merrick stood pat, bat with no cheer
in his expression. Lang then threw in
white chip, and Nolan lifted the card he
had drawn, with an evident effort to con-
ceal his thoughts.
glance, and laid two thousand dollar bills
beside the chips and money already in the
middle of the table.
Merrick threw his cards down without
word and Lang lookei at Nolan for just
moment. but the latter's face was in
scrutable. Then he spread his hand on
the table.
Il opened on four tens. he said quietly.
and rose from his chair, too thorough
paced to continue in game after such a
defeat
Merrick seemed disgusted also and the
sitting was over.
I'm disappointed in the game. said
Nolan 70 Dingley. as they parted next day.
al thought you did fairly we'll in it, :
replied Dingley.
-Oh. the money part Of IL was salts
factory enough" said the other. but it
was hardly worth coming from New York
to play with a man who knows the game
30 preposterously well that he lays fours
IN n bl1fT