The Prescott daily news., 1912-04-17

look like thoroughbred sport. I'm trying to make up a game or stuu poker. Will 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 ful Doctor from Ypsilanti, and mur- mur again:
 "Will you join mel" "Join you in what, sir?" said Dr. Temple, with alert courtesy.
 "A little game"
 "I 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 little freeze out?'
 "Freeze-out?" said pr. Temple. Ut sounds interesting. Is it something like authors?"
 The newcomer shot a quick glance
 1t this man, whose innocent air he suspected. But he merely drawled; Well, you play it with cards"
 "Would you mind teaching me the rules?' said the old sport from Ypsi- lanti.
 The gambler was growing suspicious 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 a pack of cards from his pocket, and shufled them with a snap that startled Dr. Temple and q dexterity that de | lighted him.
 Co 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 off | five cards to each place with a grace that staggered the doctor. Mallory was about to intervene for the protection of the guileless physi- elan when the conductor chanced to saunter in.
 The gambler, seeing him, snatched l|i' LlPlC . NeiloS lIOAn lllS ndllQ tAliG slipped the pack into his pocket. Whats the matter now?" pr. Tenn l pie asked, but the newcomer huskily answered; Wait a minute. Wait minute"
 The conductor took in the scene at a glance and, stalking up to the table, spoke with the grimness of leo tai 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, too?" 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 so agitated that he
 nearly let fall his secret. Why, do you realize that I'm a" "Ah. don't :starrt that" sneered the conductor, '1 can spot a gambler as | far as l can see one. You and your | side partner here want to look out, that's all, CT I'll 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. Temple
 with a homage. 80 you're one Of us,"
 he said, and seizing the old mans | limp hand, shook it heartily: "I got
 to slip it to you. Your makeup is | great. You nearly had me for a 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 him
 away. He was not quite convinced | himself. He was convinced only that | whatever else anybody might be, nc
 body apparently desired to be a clergy
 man in these degenerate days. l 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 a grave injustice"
 | The conductor snapped back: You
 say a word to me and I'll do you worse
 than that. And if I spot you with a
 pack of cards in your hand again, I'll
 tie you to the cow-ketcher."
 Then he marched off again. The
 doctor fell back into chair. trying to
 figure it out. Then Ashton and Eos
 dick and little Jimmie Wellington and