The Delta independent., 1912-07-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

In tho Composite Car.
II was the gentle strangers turn
to miss his guess. He beIt over the
chair into which Mallory had Topped.
and said in a tense. low tone: You
look like a thoroughbred sport. I'm
trying to make up game Of stud
poker VIII you join me?"
Mallory shook his heavy head in re-
fusal, and with dull eyes watched the
man, whose profession he no longer
misunderstood, saunter up to the bliss
full Doctor from Ypsilanti, and mur.
muir again:
will you Join me?"
Join you in what eir?" said DR..
Temple, with alert courtesy.
"A little game"
81 don't mind" the doctor smiled,
rising with amiable readiness. The
checkers are in the next room"
"Quit your kiddin'," the stranger
coughed. How about a little freeze
out?''
"Freeze-out said DIR. Temple. TT
like authors?"
The newcomer shot a quick glance
1t this man, whose innocent air he
suspected. But he merely drawled
We'll, you play 1t with cards."
Would you mind teaching me the
rules?" said the old sport from Ypsi-
lanti.
Of this too, too childlike innocence.
He whined: Say. what's your little
game, eh?" but decided to risk the
venture. He sat down at table, and
DR.. Temple, bringing along his glass.
drew up chair. The gambler took
pack of cards from his pocket, and
shuffled them with a snap that startled
DR.. Temple and a 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 to
comply, the gambler did not insist. He
took up the pack again and ran on
fve cards to each place with a grace
that staggered the doctor.
Mallory was about to intervene for
the protection Of the guileless physi-
Clhu WuCu tuc COuuuCtOT CuduCcu u
saunter in.
The gambler, seeing him, snatched
DR.. Temples cards from his hand and
slipped the pack into his pocket.
What's the matter now?" DR.. Tenn
pie asked. but the newcomer huskily
answered: wait a minute. Wait a
minute"
The conductor took in the scene
at a glance and. stalking up to the
table, spoke with the grimness of a
sea-captain: 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' at?"
you know all right" the conductor
growled. and then turned on the be-
fuddled old clergyman. "and you. too."
me. tool" the preacher gasped.
yes, you too" the conductor re-
peated, shaking an accusing forefnger
under his nose. your actions have
been suspicious from the beginning.
/ We've all been watching you"
| DR.. Temple was 80 agitated that he
nearly let fall his secret. Why, do
you realize that I'm a"
"Ah. don't start that" sneered the
conductor. II can spot a gambler as
far as l can see one. You and your
side partner here want to look out
that's all. or I'll drop you at the next
tank" Then he walked out, his very
shoulder blades uttering threats.
DIR. Temple stared after him. but
the gambler stared at DR.. Temple
with a homage. 80 you're one OF US,
he said, and selling the old mans
limp hand. shook 1t heartily: II got
to slip 1t to you. Your makeup IL
great You nearly had me for q 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 thai
whatever else anybody might be. no
body apparently desired to be a 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:
my good man. you do me grave
injustice"
The conductor snapped back: "Yo,
say a word to me and III do you worse
than that. And II spot you with
pack Of cards in your hand again. II
tie you to the cow-ketcher."
Then he marched off again. Th'
doctor fell back into chair. trying t.
a