Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-17

QlI0 10 0Id" Tue CIOWQ lUIO tnclT GAINS
it would be difficult to say. but twice
more they permitted him to win.
Newmark pIuclred his sleeve
You're $50 ahead" he nuttrred.
"Quit IL"
what limit do you put on this game
anyway asked Orde.
"How much do yeu want to bet?'
would you stand for S5Oo?" 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 you?" countered Orde.
The man nodded. "I'll go you. bub,"
said he. Lay out your money"
Orde counted out nine fifty-dollar
bills and Eve tens.
"All right" said the gambler, taking
UP the cards.
Hold onY cried Orde where's
yours?'
"Oh. that's all right" the gambler
treasured him. 'I'm with the house.
McNeflPs credit is good"
I'm putting up my good money. and
1 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-
lions. The rivermen were scattered
back of Orde. although Orde's own
friends had gathered at his shoulder.
The mercenaries and gamblers had d.
vided and 1anked 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 rivermen 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.
"Oh. is it?" sneered the dealer
well, turn it over and let's Sec
mo-" 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 Il jack the card on
which he now held his fist and then
had attempted to prove cheating Il cry
of robbery and lively fight would
have given opportunity for making
way with the stakes. But McNeil's
could not afford 10 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
your jack"
ITS the way l. play it," replied
Orde sternly These gentlemen heard
the bet" He reached over and dex-
terously dipped over the other two
cards. You see. neither of these is
the jack. This must be-
You win" assented the gambler
after n 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 Il
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 card
to the ga amber.
"All to the barr yelled Orde.
Orde poured his drink on the floor
and took the glass belonging to the
man next him.
Get them to give you another. |
Tim said he. mo knockout drops if
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 go alone. |
And let's get out right off,