News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1909-12-22
Ole
RivGr'Tl1a:Il
BY STEWART
EDWARD WHITE
Copyright, 1908. by the Mcclure Com.
pany Copyright, 1907, 1908. by
Stewart Edward White
ICoNTINUED.l

ndt Illull 90 you put on lnlS gam
anyway" asked Orde
GLOW much do you want to bet?"
'Would you stand for S500?" asked
Orde.
The gambler pretended to deliberate
his cool, shifty eyes running over the
group before him A small door i'm
mediately behind him swung slowly
aJar an inch or so.
"GOt the money!" he asked
"Have your countered Orde.
The man nodded I'm go you. bub,"
said he, Lay out your money"
Orde counted ont nine tifty-dolar
bills and five tens.
"All right said the gambler. taking
up the cards.
Hold on cried Orde Where's
yours"
"Oh, that's all right" the gambler
treasured him. I'm with the house
McNeil's credit is good"
I'm putting up my good money. and
] expect to see good money put up in
return" said Orde.
Finally the gamblers yielded and put
up the money.
The audience now consisted of the
dozen Of Orde's friends, nearly twice
as many rivermen. eight hangers-on
of the joint. probably fighters and
"bouncers;" half a dozen professional
gamblers and several Mattresses The
four barkeepers still held their posi-
fipnG Tho riVnpDlnn Cr0ttnrnd
back Of Orde. although Orde's own
friends had gathered at his shoulder.
The mercenarieS and gamblers had di.
vided and thanked the table at either
side. NeWmark a growing wonder
and disgust creeping into his usually
inexpensive face. recognized the stra-
tegic advantage of this arrangement.
A determined push would separate
the riyermen from the gamblers long
enough for the latter to disappear
through the small door at the back.
A gasp of anticipation went up as
coolly the gambler made his passes.
Orde planted his great red fist on one
of the cards
THAT is the jack he cried.
cob, is it?' sueered the dealer.
'Well, turn it over and let's see.'
mol" roared Orde. you turn over
the other two"
A low oath broke from the gambler,
and his face contorted in a spasm.
For moment the situation was tense
and threatening. The dealer with a
sweeping glance again searched the
faces of those before him. In that
moment probably he made up his
mind that an open scandal must be
avoided Force and broken bones.
even murder, might be all right enough
under color of right. If Orde had
turned up for a jack the card on
which he now held his fist and then
had attempted to prove cheating a cry
of robbery and a lively fight would
have given opportunity for making
way with the stakes. But McNeil's |
could not afford to be shown up be-
fore thirty interested rivermen as run
ming an open and shut brace game.
"That isn't the way this game is
played" said the gambler. "Show up
SOuI JttNh'
"1t's the way I play it." replied
Orde sternly 'These gentlemen heard |
the bet" He reached over and dex- |
terously tipped over the other two
cards. "You see, neither of these is
the jack. This must be-"
"You win," assented the gambler
after a pause
Orde. his fist still on the third card.
began pocketing the stakes with the |
other hand, The gambler reached |
across the table.
"Give me the other card" said he
Orde picked it up, laughing. For a
moment he seemed to hesitate. hold
ing the bit of pasteboard tantalizingly
outstretched. as though he was going |
to turn also this one face up. Then
quite deliberately he handed the caro-
to the gambler.
"All to the barr yelled Orde.
Orde poured his drink on the floor
and took the glass belonging to the 4,
man next him.
Get them to give you another,
Tim," said he. mo knockout drops if
i can help it.
"Tim." said Orde. low voiced. "get
the crowd together and we'll pull out
I've a thousand dollars on me, and
they'll sandbag me sure If l go. alone.
And let's get out right off,"