The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1915-05-15


Jewel shop. Drum was still smiling
as his eyes followed her out Of sight.
then the smile disappeared as move
ment OF his hands brought the fatal
inventory OF debts to light again.
Not more closely did the closely
meshed cage shut him away from
those outside than his position de-
barred him from raising such an
amount Of money.
Even A. he thought Of substantial
mems opinion of him, his BRAIN by
some strange quip peculiar to those
closely harassed, flew to Fred Will
liams-his brother-in-law. Their &C
quantance was but casual. The man
was a gambler, a sporting man of
character such as would have made
closer acquaintance impossible for
bank teller Still, he had taken
liking to the man on the night OF
that wedding supper that had lasted
till dawn. He had noticed that the
gambler touched no liquor; that he
skillfully managed to handle the other
guests who had imbibed too freely
inc hours dragged their intermina-
BILE length across the clock dial. He
thought the hands would never point
to three. In those hours the teller
seemed to pass lifetime. But they
finally came to an end and, before
the doors We're even closed he was
upon the street, strding swiftly to-
ward a certain cigar store, which he
knew was used as blind for the
gambling house in the rear which
Williams visited.
The gambler made explanation sim
pie by cutting squarely to the point
From under his brows he appraised
Drum, in that swift. incisive glance
which faro dealer gives the players
about his bank, most keenly and de-
cisively appraising of all looks.
'F'los great Jane, Drum" the
gambler admitted slowly. She's been
dandy sister to me. But she GER
tainly does throw up the coin. She's
got you on the bum already. How
much are you in for?"
He whistled as Drum thrust the list
of debts into his hand his eyes squirt
ing narrowly from it to the harassed
teller. Suddenly he came to a de-
cision.
Well, you're nailed hard, old man.
and you've got to make a cleanup to
break loose. That's all | can see to
do and, believe me, il there's a loop
hole from any scrape l don't need a
spyglass to find it. You've got six
hundred beans and you've gotta have
ten thousand dollars. Take chance
that's the only answer"
It's the only way l can see"
Sure. Well, I've got a sweet little
thing bottled up at this very moment,
Drum. I was going down on it hook,
line and sinker myself, but I'll turn
it over to you. Balamour starts in
the third race tomorrow. She'll be
long shot because she's a dog by
birth and by performance But she's
prepped to win. The owners have
been laying back months for this hog
killing. Give me five hundred bucks
and I'll distribute it tonight SOS 1t
won't aHect the betting. II she don't
cop the coin or if she's disqualified,
you stand about where you are"
III.
Restlessly. feverishly he performed
his duties the following day. The
evening had been one of agony to
him, the inability to meet his wife's
calm. tender eyes, the failure to bring
his thoughts away from the impend
ing transaction that meant SO much
to him.
Belamour-on bank notes, on the
paper bands that held the packages
together, on his ledger the name of
the mare spelled itself out before him.
On the bank steps outside he hesitated
q moment.
Dark fear was tugging at his coat
tails and, at the same time, urging
him forward. Across the street a
newsboy peddled his papers. He
caught Drums eye and darted through
the traffic toward him.
BEHAVIOUR WING At En- To