The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-04-03
CHAPTER XIII.
TOR a long time Cherry Malotte
caf oufotlv Thinking removed


sat quietly thinking, removed
by her mental stress to such an
4 infinite distance from the music
and turmoil beneath that she was con-
scious of it only as formless clamor.
She had tipped a chair back against
the door, wedging it beneath the knob
90 that she might be saved from inter
ruption, then flung herself into an
other seat and stared unseeingly, As
she sat thus and thought and schemed
harsh and hateful lines seemed to eat
into her face. Now and then she
moaned impatiently, as though fearing
lest the strategy she was plotting
might prove futile; then she would
rise and pace her narrow quarters.
She was unconscious of time and had
spent perhaps two hours thus when
amid the buzz of talk in the next
compartment she heard name which
caused her to start, listen, then drop
her preoccupation like a mantle. A
man was speaking Of Glenister. Elk
element thrilled his voice.
IT never saw anything like 1t since
McMaster's night in Virginia City.
thirteen years ago. He's right"
"Well, perhaps So" the other replied
doubtfully, "but l don't care to back
you. / never 'staked' a man in my
life"
Then lend me the money. I'll pay
It back in an hour, but for heavens
sake be quick / tell you he's as
right as a golden guinea. It's the lucky
night OF his life. Why, he turned over
the black jack game in four bets In
fifteen minutes more we can't get close
enough to table to send in our money
with a messenger bOy-every sport in
camp will be here"
"Pn stake you to fifty" the second
man replied, in a tone that showed
trace of" his companions excitement.
So Glenister was gambling, the girl
learned, and with such luck as to break
the black jack game and excite the
greed of every gambler in camp. News
of his winnings had gone out into the
street, and the sporting men were com
ing to share his fortune, to fatten like
vulturRs on the adversely of their fei-
lows. Those who had no money to
stake were borrowing, like the man
next door.
She left her retreat and, descending
the. stairs was greeted by a strange
sight. The dance hall was empty of
all but the musicians, who blew and
fddled Justify In vain endeavor to draw
from the rapidly swelling crowd that
thronged the gambling room and
stretched to the door. The press was
thickest about a table midway down
the hall. Cherry could see nothing of
what went on there, for men and wo-
men stood ten deep about 1t and 9th
ers perched on chairs and tables along
the walls. A roar arose suddenly, fol-
lowed by utter silence; then came the
ciink and rattle of silver. A moment
and the crowd resumed its laughter
and talk.
"An down, boys" sounded the level
voice OF the dealer. THE Geld or the
favorita.. He's made eighteen straight
passes. Get your money On the line"
There ensued another breathless In
slant wherein she heard the thud Of
aice; then followed the shout OF tri-
umph that told what the spots reveal
ID. The dealer paid or. Glenister
reared himself head ana shoulders
above the othsxs ana pushed ont
through the ring 20 the rouletts wheel.
The rest followed. Behind the eircu-
lar table they had Quilted, the dealer
was putting away his dice, and there
was not q coin IN his rack. Mexico
Mullins approached Cherry, and she
questioned him.
"He just broke the crap game" Mul.
Tins told her. "Ninsteen passes without
AOainR the boneas