Tombstone epitaph., 1916-07-23
iy as him as ever aimed at anything

miss II the nrst time Tor c long time. Did you see the body?"
 No. They covered it up with the blanket too quick for me to see. Why?'
 ''I wonder if it's possible that we both plugged him"
 That's got nothing to do with it. claim one of us. Play your hand. Up ton, What ails you?"
 "Nothin'. only I'd like to bet that if you killed him he's got two bullet holes in him. must say don't like the idea of havin' a clean miss set down against me-takin' up the widow. are your"
 For Kynaston. the play passing to him. quietly laid down his hand and picked the five cards from the center of the table.
 | Wouldn't have me stand on two small pairs with the stakes we're play. in for. would you?"
 There was little mirth in the jest. Just so do men jest who. standing on the Peaks of Peril. look down into the Valley of the Shadow. Just so have Anglo-Saxon men tested from time i'm i memorial. playing with death as boys do with marbles. holding it indeed to be little thing where honor is to be i gained.
 The older man speculated. Then he threw down card. This gave him the right on the next play to throw down one card and pick up two.
 Shall We turn up the cards?"
 The sweat had started again on Kynastons face. but he summoned a laugh-it was the poorest imitation that was ever heard-and flung down his hand face up. It was one ace. one king, one seven and-two fours,
 If you've got anything at all in your hand as it is. you have me beaten. I cant better my hand from what threw down. In the name of Heaven. Upton. show down."
 Upton. with a quick look at his young opponent laid his hand quietly upon the table. Three jacks peered out from behind a seven spot
 "I was aiming to speculate again on the next round if you hadn't dropped out an then try for the four jacks. Want drink"
 Kynaston nodded. smiling wanly at his host.
 Its all right, old man. he said presently Its as 1t should be. You see you've got Dorothy to look after -and-rd have liked that job myself ] ha rd Fatt ha afh way"
 Upton whistled.
 Good Heavens, boy. Does she know"
 Kynaston shook his head softly.
 No. It came too late for me to tell her. She must never know, Up. ton. Not a word of this. IT so down at dusk. You must get the ladies in the back room on some pretext They would raise the deuce and all fl they knew-and then I'll walk on down.
 T shall not take rife with me but l will take that little thirty-eighi automatic Of yours. IL may come in handy in the time of need. and I can hide that where a heavy gun would be detected. And now. if you dor: mind, old fellow, I'll trouble you fol a sheet or two of paper.
 If I am reported as killed over ! here the American papers would jump . to the conclusion that I had deserted Then I'll have couple of notes tha, I'd like you to deliver when-when- 1. when I've gone down there" "Kynaston, l don't like to ask you . this-but. man and boy, I've knowr the army for fifty years, and l know that an officer doesn't get chance tc put by any money. Were your peo pie army people?"
 Yes. Why?" 3 'Is your sister dependent upon yor in any way"
 3 None of your business, Mir Upton. said the youngster. No one need bs l concerned in this matter but you ana !. me. We played the game I lost, and 1 I mean to pay"
 j. There was no mistaking the teari f steadily at his opponent.
 'I know" he said slowly, fiidlins f with the pack, though his hand. shook. 'I know. I won't insult yol l. by offering to trade places with you You have answered my question, boy If it is any small comfort to you, yol 8 can rest assured that your sister shal 5 be provided for. Where're yo, goin'?"
 ITO my room a moment. I'll ses you when I come back" q To Kynaston as he passed out o l the great main room the world seemed { awhirl. The game was fair enough e but he had not counted on his nervoul { system failing him. r It is one thing to contemplate deatt n as possibility; it is one thing ever to contemplate it as a certainty at ths e end of a specified time, but to gamble s life away as if it were a dollar wa. a something that the cavalryman wa. Q not prepared for. Y He would pay-of course he would pay, just as he knew in his heart ol :. hearts that old Upton would have paid had he lost Rut tO save hia aoul Rv