Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-06-29

lou surely luteuu 10 10 80
"Oh. yes; l suppose So"
"If you don't you'll LOSE
I'm not sure we can ever win"
NONSENSE ~
I'm not sure that it's wise to put
more good money into those coal
claims" said Gordon. This ruling
will doubtless be reversed as the 9th
ers have been. One never knows what
the land Office policy will be two days
at time"
"You know your own business"
O'Nell remarked after a pause, but
unless you have inside information or
bigger pull In Washington than the
rest of us I'd advise you to get busy.
I'll be on my way to Kyak In the morn
ing with gang OF men" Gordon's at
titude puzzled him, for he could not
bring himself 10 believe that such In
difference was genuine.
1t was difficult TO escape from the
hospitality of Hope. and O'Neil sue
ceeded in doing SO only after an argu-
ment with Natalie and her mother.
They let him go at last only upon his
promise TO return on his way back
from the coal fields. and they insisted
upon accompanying him down to the
dock. whittier Gordon had preceded
them In order to have his motorboat in
readiness.
An IL o'clock twilight enveloped
Cortez when O'Neil and Slater land
ed, but the town was awake. The re-
cent railway and mining activity in
the neighborhood had brought con-
siderable influx OF people TO King
Phillip sound, and the strains of mu-
sic from dance hall doors, the click OF
checks and roulette balls from the sa-
looms, gave evidence Of an unusual
prosperity.
O'Neil had no difficulty in securing
men Once he was recognized, the
scenes at Hope were re-enacted, and
there was a general scramble TO enlist
upon bis payroll. Within an hour.
therefore. his arrangements were
made. and he and Tom repaired TO
Callahan's hotel for q few hours sleep
A stud game was going on in the
barroom when they entered, and O'Neil
paused to watch it while Slater spoke
TO one of the players. a clean cut.
blond youth of whimsical countenance-
When the two friends finally faced the
bar for their "nightc3p" Tom eS
planned:
That's Appleton. the fellow Gordon
fired today | told him Ia left the old
man fiat"
rs ne a friend of yoursy
"Surc. Nice boy; good engineer too"
lymph. That game is crooked"
mo-" Happy Tom displayed fash
OF interest.
Yes Cortez is fast becoming
metropolis. see The man in the
derby hat is performing n little feat
that once cost me $1,000 10 learn"
I'D better split Dan away" said
Tom hastily
Wait. Education is n good thing.
even IL 1t Is expensive at times.
fancy your friend is bright enough TO
take care of himself Let's wait
bit"
Amt that just my blamed luck?''
lamented Slater. NOW, If they were
playing faro / could make a killing
I'd copper Appleton's bets aud open
the ones he coppered.'
O'Neil smiled, for Happy TOMS eau
ton in money matters was notorious.
You know you don't believe in gam
bling" he said.
"It's not a belief. it's a disease" de
clared the fat man. 81 was born 10 be
a gambler, but the business is too IN
certain. Now that I'm getting so old
and feeble ! can't work any more, Ia
take It up, only l broke three fingers.
and when ! try TO deal | drop the
cards. What are we going to do?"
Just wait" said O'Neil
Unobserved the two friends watched
the poker game. which for a time pro
ceeded quietly. But suddenly they
saw Appleton lean over the table and
address the man WITH the derby hat:
then. thrusting back his chair, he rose
declaring in a louder tone:
II tell you saw It. ] thought was
mistaken at first" His fHce was
white. and he disregarded the efforts
OF his right hand neighboF 10 quiet
him.
Don't squeal." smiled the dealer
"lll leave IL to the boys If did any
thing wrong"
You pulled that king from the be-
tom II may not be wrong. bur e.
mighty peculiar
"Torget it" one OF the othen~
claimed Denny Wouldn't io6b'e
cross you
Hardly" agreed Mr.. Denny evenly
You're in $50. but If you're sore you
can have it sack.'
Appleton flung his cards into the
middle OF the table and turned away
disgustedly. Its hard thing 10
prove. and I'm not absolutely sure |
saw straight ord take 1t back fast
enough"
Denny shrugged and gathered in the
discarded hand. You've been drink
ing too much. that's ah Your eyesight
Is scattered"
Appleton's face flushed as he beheld
the gaze of the company upon him and
heard the laughter which greeted this
remark He turned to leave when
O'Neil, who had continued to watch
the proceedings with interest, crossed
to the group and touched Denny on
the shoulder. saying quietly:
"Give him his money"
"Eh?" The smile faded from the
fellows face. He looked up with star