Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-20
through caught, dragged, halted.

| through caught, dragged, halted.
gasped aloud, but had time for nc
more than that. Scarface Charley's
revolver was already on the leap. Then
at last Johnny's derringer appeared
apparently as the result of desperate
effort. Almost with the motion II
barked, and the big man whirled tc
the floor, his pistol, already at halt
raise, Gathering away. The whole ep
ISOLDE from the beginning occupied the
space of two eye winks. Probably nc
one but myself and Danny Randall
could have caught the slight hitch In
Johnny's draw, and, indeed, I doubt II
anybody saw whence he had snatched
the derringer.
A complete silence fell. 1t could
have lasted only an instant, but John.
ny seized that instant.
HAS this man any friends here?" he
asked clearly.
His head was back, and his swapping
black eyes seemed to see everywhere
at once.
No one answered or stirred Johnny
held them for perhaps ten seconds.
then deliberately turned back to the
table.
"That's my bet on the even." said
he. LET her roll!'
The gambler lifted his face, white In
the brilliant illumination directly over
his head, and l thought to catch a
flicker Of something like admiration In
his passionless eyes. Then with his
left hand he spun the wheel.
The soft dull whir and tiny clicking
Of the ball as 1t rebounded from the
metal grooves struck across the tense
stiffness. AS though this was the re-
leasing signal, a roar Of activity burst
forth. Men all talked at once. The
other tables and the bar were desert
ed, and everybody crowded down to-
ward the lower end Of the room. Dan
ny Randall and his friends rushed de-
terminedly to the center Of disturb
ance. Some men were carrying out
Scarface Charley. Others were talk
ing excitedly. A little clear space sur
rounded the roulette table, at which,
as may be imagined, Johnny was now
he only player. Quite methodically
he laid three more bets.
+ 81 think that's enough for now he
told the dealer pleasantly and turned
away.
"Hullo, Randall! Hullo. Frank" he
greeted us. "I've just won three bets
straight Let's have a drink. Bring
your friends" he told Randall.
We turned toward the bar, and way
was instantly made for US. Johnny
poured himself big drink Of whisky.
A number of curious men, mere boys
most Of them. had crowded close after
us and were standing staring at John
ny with curiosity they made slight
attempt to conceal. Johnny suddenly
turned to them, holding high his whis.
ky in hand as steady as rock.
Heres to crime, boys" he said and
drank it down at a gulp. Then he
stood staring them uncompromisingly
In the face until they had skunk away.
He called for and drank another whis-
ky, then abruptly moved toward the
door.
II think I'll go turn in," said he.
At the door he stopped. II ,12.s
"Good night" he said to Randall and
his friends, who had followed us. mo,
I am obliged to you," he replied to q
suggestion, "but l need no escort" and
he said it so firmly that all but Ran
dali went back.
'I'm going to your camp with you,
whether you need an escort or not,
said the latter.
Without a word Johnny walked
away down the street very straight.
We hurried to catch up with him, and
Just as we did so he collapsed to the
ground and was suddenly and violent
ly sick. AS I helped him to his feet
I could feel that his arm was trem-
bling violently.
lord, fellows! I'm ashamed he
gasped little Historically. Il didn't
know l had so little nerve"
'"Nerve!' suddenly roared Danny
Randall; "confound your confounded
impudence! If ever hear you say an
other word like that I'll put head on
you, if it's the last act Of my life!
You're the Gamest little chicken in this
roost, and I'll make you beg like a
hound if you say you aren't"
Johnny laughed little uncertainty
over this contradiction.
"Did I kill him?" he asked.
mo, worse luck: just bored him
through the collarbone. That heavy
little derringer ball knocked him out
"Pm glad of that" said Johnny.
(Which 1 am not" stated Danny
Randall with emphasis. "You ought
to have killed him."
Thanks to you l wasn't killed my
self. 1 couldn't have hoped to get the
draw on him with my holster gun.
He is as quick as snake"
Il thought you were going to bungle
it." said Randall. "What was the mat
teri"
Front sight caught at the edge OF
my sleeve. I had to tear it loose by
main strength. I'm going to file 1t
off. What's the use Of front sight at
close ranger"