Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-27

THE WEDDING
poker. VIII you SoIn m.?'
Mallory shook his heavy head IN re-
fusal, and with dull eyes watched the
man. whose profession lie no longer
misunderstood, saunter up to the bllss-
full Doctor from Ypsilanti, and muir
muir again:
will you join me?'
Join you in what. sir?" said Dr.
Temple. with alert courtesy.
"A little game"
az don't mind" the doctor smiled
rising with amiable readiness. The
checkers are in the next room.
Quit your kiddn'." the stranger
coughtd. How about little freeze
QUIZ"
"Free2e-out?" said Dr.. Temple. ut
sounds interesting. Is il something
like authors"
The newcomer shot quick glance
At this man, whose innocent air he
suspected. But he merely dra~led:
Well, you play It with cards"
Would you mind teaching me the
rules?" said the old sport from Ips!-
lanti.
The gambler was growing suspicious
Of this 100. too childlike innocence.
He whined: Say, what's Your little
game, EN-" but decided TO risk the
venture. He sal down at table, and
DR.. Temple, bringing along his glass,
drew up a chair. The gambler took
4 pack Of cards from his pocket, and
shufled them with Il snap that startled
Dr. Temple and deXterity that de-
lighted him.
Go on, it's beautiful to see" he
explained The gambler set the pack
down with the one word cut. but
since the old man made no effort 10
comply, the gambler did not insist He
took: :. up. the pack again and ran on
five cards to each place with ID grace
that staggered the doctor.
MALLORY was about To intervene for
tile protection of the guleless physi-
cian when the conductor CHANGED to
saunter in.
The gambler, seeing him, snatched
Dr.. Temples cards from his hand and
slipped the pack into his pocket.
Whats the matter now" DR.. Tenn
pie asked. but the newcomer husklly
answered: wait minute. Wait a
minute"
The conductor took in the scene
at IL glance and, stalking up 10 the
table, spoke with the grimness OF a
sea -captun: Say. I've got my eye
on you. Don't start nothin"
The stranger stared at him wonder
ingly and demanded: why, what you
drivin' att"
You know all right" the conductor
growled. and then turned on the be-
fuddled old clergyman, land you, too. y
ME. too" the preacher gasped.
Yes. you too" the conductor re
peated, shaking an accusing foretinger
under his nose. Your actions have
been suspicious from the beginning
We've all been watching you"
DR.. Temple was so agitated that he
nearly let fall his secret. Why, dc
you realize that I'm a"
"Ah. don't start that" sneered the
conductor. Il can spot a gambler as
far as can see one. You and your
side partner here want TO look out
that's all. or III drop you at the next
tank" Then he walked out, his very
shoulder blades uttering threats.
DR.. Temple stared after him. but
the gambler stared at DR.. Teml.e
with a homage $50 you're one OF us,
he said. and Selling the old man:
limp hand, shook it heartily: Il go'
to slip it to you. Your makeup j:
| great. You nearly had me for come
on. Great"
And then he sauntered out. leaving
the clergyman's head swimming. DR.
Temple turned to Mallory for explana
tions, but Mallory only waved hin
away. He was not quite convinced
himself. He was convinced only tina
whatever else anybody might be. no
body apparently desired to be clergy
man in these degenerate days.
The conductor returned and threw
into DR.. Temple the glare of two basil
isk eyes. The old man put out be
seeching hand and began:
ny good. man, you do me gray;