Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-17

had been alleged repeatedly that he
WAS. Those who had made the charge
in his hearing. however. had move,
been known to make II again.
All this was well known To the
three players who engaged him in the
present contest. and they watched him
kcenly as lie shunicd and Tipped out
the pasteboards with the regularity
and precision OF an engine in the mint.
but they saw nothing 10 which they
could take exception. So cockSurc In
decd was Mr.. B,aisdell that the deal
was entirely regular that. finding three
aces in his hand before the draw. he
considered il worth while to open the
pot under the guns and even To rails"
back once after Winterbottom had
boosted il and the one-cycd man had
trailcd alonoG.
REALIZES Hi: MUST
BE WARY IN THE PLAf
Mr.. Blaisdell. however, had no, lost
his head. He was convinced that il II"
should get TIE forth ace in the draw
it would dcvoIvc upon him to be cx-
trcmcly wary in the play that would
almost certainly follow. Much would
depend on what the onc-eycd man
would take in the draw, and he noted
with DISTINCT disappointment that the
onc-cycd man took one card only.
1t was impossible to predicate any
thing positively on Il one card draw.
lie mad drawn to the strength of his
hand himself, and he let his two cards
lie face down when he threw Il white
chip in the pot and awaited develop
memts
Wintcrbottom had also taken two.
but the gentle boost he gave was to
hc considered entirely irrespective OF
the merits of his hand. Whether he
had filed or not. his proper play was
manifest. BY raising lie gave Blaisdcll
a chance TO play in any way he might
choose when his turn should come
again.
Pears;ll was not in II. and the one
eyed man trailed. 1t was not an
Indication of great strength, but il was
possible that he was merely fishing.
and Blaisdell looked at his draw anN-
iously, finding a pair or lights. II
was extremely puzzling.
IL the cards were stacked it was as
easy for the one-eycd man 10 give him
four aces or an ace full and equally
easy to give himself the winning hand.
II they were not stacked, AN ace full
was Il hand to back heavily. He had
wat ched the deal and believed II was
regular. but he remembered the one
eyed mans reputation. Balancing the
chances. they seemed about even. and
he bet out.
ACE FULL. TFMPTS HIM.
AND HE YIELDS no TT
Winterbottom was absolutely relia
BILE in Il poker game. He held only
three little ones. but he knew from
Blaisdelrs play tina, help was needed
and he boosted it again
Then the one-eycd man put his wao
In the pot. and Blaisdell studied long
but his ace full tempted him. and he
fell. Digging deep. he called for all
he had. and Winterbottom dropped.
The onc-cyed man showed down -four
ten. and justified his reputation fot
uuickncss by the way he gathered ur
the pot.
Ensucd a rookus. The one-eycd man
succeeded. by reason OF his agility. in
reaching the street door OF the saloon
unscathed despite the barking OF one
rush that Elaisdcll and Pcarsall made
simultaneously, but AT the door he met
Bassctt.
At the same instant old man Green
law approached him from ono side
with his bunGstartcr poised for II blow
Pearsall was close behind him with a
knife appraised in his hand and CLEAN
of fury in his eye, while a little fur
Their back Baisdcll and Winterhotton,
were rcservinE their fire Until they
should be able to shoot without hitting
the wrong man.
STOPPING ever so slightly. the one
eyed man Glided smoothly under Bas-
sott's arm, what time the lattcr's fist
shot out directly at his head meeting