, 1908-06-25

n wnen Luck once finally lets go OF
Q victim. he's bound to drop straight
to the bottom before he stops. That's
the sum and substance of all my
philosophy. old fellow. consequently |
never kick simply because things hap.
pen to go wrong. What's the use ?
They'll go wrong just the same. Con
~sequently. upheld by my acquired
philosophy, I'm merely holding back
finale to this f%andango, and another for
that little girl out yonder."
These words were uttered slowly,
the least touch of a lazy drawl appar-
emit in the low voice. yet there vas an
earnest simplicity %pervading the
speech which somehow gave it i'm
pressiveness. The man meant exactly
what he said, beyond the possibility of
a doubt. The old soldier, accustomed
to every form of border eccentricity,
sszed at him with disapproval.
Either you're the coolest devil I've
met during 30 years OF soldering" he
commented. d%oubtfully, or else the
craziest. Who are you, anyhow? l
half believe you might be Bob Hamp-
ton, Of Placer"
The other smiled grimly. you have
the name tolerably correct. old fellow;
likewise that delightful spot so lately
hopored by my residence. In brief.
you have succeeded in calling the
turn perfectly, so far as your limited
information extends. In strict conf
dence I propose now to impart to you
what has hitherto remained a pro-
found secret. Upon special request Of
a number of influential citizens of
Placer. including the city marshal and
other officials, expressed in mass
meeting, / have decided upon desert
ing that sagebrush metropolis to its
just fate. and plan to add the infiu-
ence of my presence to the future de
velopment of Glencaid. learn that
the climate there is more salubrious,
more conducive to long living, the citi,
ems Of Placer being peculiarly eXcit-
able and careless with their FIRE
arms"
The sergeant had been listening
with open mouth. The hell you say"
he finally CALCULATED.
1.-THE undefled truth, every word OF
It. No wonder you are shocked. A
fine state Of affairs. isn't 1t, when q
plain-spoken. pleasant-mannered gen
tleman, such as | surely ana uni,
versity graduate. by all the gods, the
nephew OF a United States senator
and acknowledged to be the greatest
exponent of scientific poker in this ter
ritory.-should be obliged to hastily
change his chosen place Of abode be
cause of the threat OF an ignorant INT
depraved mob. Ever have a rope dan
gled in front of your eyes, sergeant
and a %gun-barrel biting into your cheei
at the same time? Accept my wort
for 1t, the experience is trying or tn,
nerves. Ran a perfectly square game
too, and those ducks knew 1t; blu
there's no true sporting spirit left IL
this territory any more. However
spilled milk is worth sobbinl
over, and Fate always contrives t.
play the final hand in any game, ane
stocks the cards to win"
"A breath of good, honest prayer
would serve better than anything
else" groaned the sergeant, soberly.
The gray eyes resting thoughtfully
on the old soldiers haggard face b.
came instantly grave and earnest.
Sincerely l wish l might aid you
with one the, man admitted. but
fear, old fellow, n prayer coming
from my lips would never ascend very
far. However. | might trv the com
lCnutiuurd Next Week.