The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-02-20
TheSpoilers.
BY REX E. BEACH.
Copyright 1905. by Rex E. Beach.
CONTINUED from page 2.l
CHAPTER VII.

7 ATE In July 1t grows dark as mid
night approaches. 50 that the
many lights from doorway and
- window seem less garish and
strange than they do month earlier.
In the Northern there was good busi-
ness doing. The new bar fixtures.
which had cost a kings ransom or
represented the one nights losings Of
q Klondike millionaire. shone rich.
dark and enticing. while the cut glass
sparkled with irldescent hues. reflect
Ing In a measure the prlsmatic moods.
the dancing spirits Of the crowd that
crushed past. halting at the gambling
games or patronlzing the theater In
the rear. The old bar furniture.
brought down by dog team from up
river" was established at the rear e1-
tremity Of the long bL.lding. just In
side the entrance to the dance hall.
where patrons of the drama might,
with a modicum Of delay and lncon-
venience, quaff as deeply Of the bea-
ker as of the ballet.
Now, however, the show had closed.
the ball had been cleared Of chairs
and canvas. exposing a CLASSY. tempt
Ing surface. and the orchestra had
moved to the stage. They played
roIlicking. blood stirring twostep. while
the hoor swan with dancers.
At certain intervals the musicians
worked feverishly up to crashing
crescendo. supported by the voices OF
the dancers, until all joined at the top
note in q yell. while the drummer
fred a forty-four Colt into a box OF
wet sawdust beside his chair-all In
time, all in the swinging spirit Of the
tune.
The men, who were mostly young,
danced like college boys, while the wo--
men, who were all young and good
dancers, fioated through the measures
with the ease Of rose leaves on a sum-
mer stream. Faces were flushed, eyes
were bright, and but rarely voice
sounded that was not glad. Most OF
the noise came from the men, and. al
though one caught here and thEs
hint Of haggard lines about the gifiish
faces and gllmpsed occasional eyes
that did not smile, yet as a whole the
scene was one Of genuine enjoyment.
Suddenly the music ceased, Vnd the
couples crowded to the bar. The wom-
en- took harmless drinks. the men most
" whisky. Rarely was the choice OF
potations criticised, though occasional
" some ruddy eschewer OF sobriety In
sisted that his lady take the same
avowing that 'hootch," having been
demonstrated beneficial In his case,
was good for her also. Invariably the
lady accepted without dispute, and In
yariably the man failed to note her
glance at the bartender or the silent
substitution by that capable person OF
ginger ale for whisky or Of plain wa
ter for gin. In turn the mixers collect
ed 81 from each man. dipping to the
girl a metal percentage check, which
she added to her store. In the curtain
ed boxes overhead men bought bottles
with foil about the corks, and then
subterfuge on the lady's part was Idle,
but, on the other hand. she was able to
pocket for each bottle a check redeem
able at IS.
A stranger straight from the east
would have remarked frst upon the
good music. next upon the good looks
OF the women and then upon the shah
by clothes of the men. for some Of
them were In "mukluk." others in
sweaters with huge initials and wing
ed emblems. and all were collarless.
Outside In the main gambling room
there were but few women. Men
crowded In dense masses about the
faro layout. the wheel. craps. the klon-
dixie game. panSingi and the card ta-
bles. They talked Of business, OF
home, Of women. bought and sold
mines and bartered al! things from
hams to honor The groomed and
clean, the unkempt and filthy jostled
shoulder to shoulder. equally affected
BY the license Of the gold fields and the
exhilaration of the new. The mystery
OF the north had touched them all. The
glad. bright wine OF adventure filled
their veins. and they spoke nightly OF
things they had resolved to do. or re-
counted with simple diffidence the
strange stories Of their accomplish
ment.
The Bronco Kid. familiar from Atlin
to Nome as the best bank" dealer on
the Yukon. worked the shift from till
3. He was a slender man Of thirty.
dexterous in movement. slow to smile,
soft Of voice and known as living
fame among women. He had dealt
the biggest games Of the early days
and had no enemies. Yet, though
many called him friend. they wondered
inwardly.
1t was a strong play the Kid had
tonight, for Swede Sam Of Dawson
yentured many stacks Of yellow chips,
and he was q quick. aggressive gam
bier. A Jew sat at the king end with
tar- neatly creased 81 900 bills before