Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10

one over tnere. tanO L tell you, Opdl, L WANT
that money now Do you hear l want it
now!" He smashed his heavy fist down on the
table, and off flew the ash of his cigar.
What will you do if refuse?' the gambler
asked him coldly Wait! Hold on! Don't
forget, my friend, that Culvers murder is up
to you, and I'll give you up in mlnute!'
The lumberman rose. Every moment that
passed increased the danger to them both.
Look a-here!" he said in threatening voice
of anger. Il amt a-goin' to fool with you no
much me. You stole the Laughin' Water
claim. There's things a-sizzlin' down the street
right now-down to Lawrence's If YOU don't
cough up ten thousand bucks pretty prompt
$50, Larrv-so you We split me alreadv!
the gambler interrupted, rising and narrowing
his gaze on the bloated face You've peddled
it, maybe, and now you come to me"
81 amt peddled nothin'!' Trimmer cut in
angrily. &c didn't tell no one but Barger, and
he amt no friend of Van Burens. But Law
renee is caught Pratt run out the line, and
it's me that stands between you and trou-
ble and want the money to Stand!
McCoppet far less calm than he ap-
peared How much was already really known
to the town matter wholly of conjecture.
Trimmer's haste to cash in thus and probably
vanish excited his gravest suspicious. He said,
Larry, Wen wait and see how much you've
maybe leaked"
nothin', understand" corrected Trimmer ag-
gressivey. Il amt a-trustln you, Opal, no
more! You done me up at every turn, and
now you're goin to come to terms! he
pulled an ugly, rusty gun and thumped with
its muzzle on the table. You'll never leave
this room alive, if l don't git the money! Ring
fer it, Opal, ring the bell, and order it in with
the drinks!"
McCoppet would have temporized. 1t was
not SO much the money now as the state OF at
fairs in the street. How much was known and
what was being done? These were the ques-
lions in his mind.
Don't get excited, friend" he said. :" If
things are out, and you and | are caught with
the aces in our sleeves, we may have to hight
back to back" He was edging around to draw
his pistol unobserved.
But Trimmer was alert. Stand still, there,
Opal! I've got the drop!" he said. I'm
lookin' out fer number one this morning, un-
derstand? You ring the
A SUDDEN loud knock at the door broke in
"A upon his speech, and both men started up
in alarm
Opal! Opal" called muffled voice in ac-
cents of warning just outside the door. " Christ
ler's on your trail Come out! Come out and
Too late! You'll have to get out the window!
The roar and excitement of the coming
crowd, aroused to wild Indignation, broke even
to the den. An army of citizens, leading the
way for Christler's deputies storming Nc
Coppets saloon.
He heard and little understood. He knew
too much to attempt to explain, to accuse even
Trimmer to a mob In heat. Nothing but flight
was possible, and perhaps that risk.
He started for the window. Trimmer leaped
before him.
mo, you don't!" he said. Il told you,
Opal"
Take that!" the gambler cut in sharply.
His gun leaped out with flame at its end, and
the roar, fire, bullet and all seemed to bury in
the lumberman's body A second shot, and a
third, did the same-and Trimmer went down
like log.
His gun had fallen from his hand. With all
his brute vitality he crawled to take it UP. One
of the bullets had pierced his heart; but yet he
would not die.
McCoppet had snatched up chair and with
it he beat out the window. Then Trimmer's
gun crashed acknowledgement Opal sank
against the sill.
He faced his man. A CHASTITY pallor over
spread his countenance. He went down slowly,
like of melting snow, his cigar still hang
ing on his lip. He saw the lumberman shiver.
But the fellow crowded his cigar stump into his
mouth with fire and all, and chewed it up as he
dying.
Good shot!" said McCoppet family. His
head went forward on his breast and he crum-
pied on the floor.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Wasted Time