The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-10-24

ped hla cllpB on the ieit ufOut, tOH
tempated his choice an instant-aud
suddenly whirled on his heel in Hight
ming about face.
Although mOmentarily startled bf
this unexpected evidence that JOhn1s
was not so far on guard as he haI
seemed, the dcsperado's hand droppe'
swiftly to the butt OF his pistol. 81
the same instant Jobnny's arm snap
ped forward in the familiar motion Of
drawing from the sleeve The motion
started clean and smooth. but half
through caught, dragged, halted.
gasped aloud, but had time for no
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 it
barked, and the big man whlrled to
the floor his pistol. already ut half
raise. clattering away. The whole ep-
isode from the beginning occupied the
space OF two eye winks. Probably no
one but myself and Danny Randall
could have caught the slight hitch In
JOhnny's draw, and, indeed, doubt II
anybody saw whence he had snatche1
the derrfnger.
A complete silence fell 1t could
have lasted only an instant, but John
ny seized that instant.
HAS this man any friends hereT 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.
"Thats my bet on the even" said
he. "Let her rollr'
The gambler lifted his face, white in
the brilliant illumination directly over
his head, and thought to catch
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 it rebounded from the
metal grooves struck across the tense
stiffness. AS though this was the re-
leasing signal, 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 1ower 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 We're talk
Ing excltedly. A little clear space sur.
rounded the roulette table, at which,
as may he 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. 1--WE 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 toscOnceal. Johnny suddenly
turned to them, holding high his whis.
ky In hand as steady as a rock.
Here's to crime, boysr' he said and
drank it down at a gulp. Then he
stood staring them uncompromisiDgly
In the face until they had SUNK away.
He called for and drank another whis
ky. then abruptly moved toward .hs
door.
"I think I'll go turn in," said he
At the door he stopped.
Good night" he said to Randall and
his friends, who had followed Us. "No,
/ am obliged TO you" he replied to
suggestion, "but 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 q word Johnny walked
away down the street very straight
We hurried to catch up with him, and
3ust as we did so he collapsed to the
ground and was suddenly and violent
ly sick. AZ 1 helped him to his feet
I could feel that his arm was trem-
bling violently.
Lord, fellows! I'm ashamed" he
gasped little Historically. ii didn't
know I had 80 little nerve!'
"Nerver' suddenly roared Danny
Randall; "confound your confounded
impudence! II 1 ever hear you say an
other word like that I'll put head on
you, IL it's the last act Of my life!
You're the gamest little chicken in this
roOst, and I'll make you beg like
hound If you say you aren'tP'
Johnny laughed little uncertainty
over this contradiction.
"Dld l kill him?" he asked.
"No, worse luck; just bored him
through the collarbone. That heavy
little derringer ball knocked him out"
"Im glad of that" said Johnny.
(which ! am not" stated Danny
Randall with emphasis. "YOu ought