Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-08-11

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 your"
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 jested from time i'm
memorial, playing with death as boys
do with marbles, holding it indeed to
be little thing where honor is to be
gained.
The older man speculated. Then
he threw down a 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
Kynaston's face, but he summoned a
laugh-it was the poorest imitation
that was ever heard-and flung down
his hand face up. 1t 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.
l can't better my hand from what l
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 seven spot
Il was aiming to speculate again
on the next round If you hadn't
dropped out an then try for the four
jacks. Want a drink?"
Kynaston nodded. smiling wanly at
his host.
IT'S all right, old man." he said
presently. ITS as it should be. You
see you've got Dorothy to look after
-and-Id have liked that job myself
If the cards had fallen the other
way"
Upton Wh1Stled.
Good Heavens, boyl Does she
know?"
Kynaston shook his head softly.
"No. 1t came too late for me to
tell her. She must never know, Up
| ton. Not a word of this. II go down
at dusk. You must get the ladies
in the back room on some pretext
They would raise the deuce and all If
they knew-and then I'll walk on
down.
Il shall not take a rife with me,
but will take that little thirty-eight
automatic of yours. 1t may come in
handy in the time of need, and can
/ hide that where heavy gun would
be detected. And now, If you don't
mind, old fellow, I'll trouble you for
sheet or two of paper
"If / am reported as killed over
here the American papers would jump
to the conclusion that had deserted.
Then I'll have a couple of notes that
I'd like you to deliver when-when-
when I've gone down there"
"Kynaston! l don't like to ask you
this--but, man and boy. I've known
the army for fifty years, and know
that an officer doesn't get a chance tc
put by any money. Were your peo
pie army people?"
Yes. Why?"
'1s your sister dependent upon yor
in any way?"
None of your business, Mr.. Upton,
said the youngster. mo one need be
concerned in this matter but you anC
me. We played the game. l lost, ant
l mean to pay"
There was no mistaking the tear
in the old mans eyes as he looked
steadily at his opponent.
81 know" he said slowly. fiddlint
with the pack, though his hands
shook. 81 know. l won't insult yoi
by Offering to trade places with you
You have answered my question, boy
If it is any small comfort to you, yol
can rest assured that your sister shall
be provided for. Where're yol
goin'?"
ITO my room moment. I'll Sc,
you when come back.
To Kynaston as he passed out o
the great main room the world seemet
awhirl. The game was fair enough
but he had not counted on his nervou
system failing him.
1t is one thing to contemplate dealt
as a possibility; it is one thing evel
to contemplate it as certainty at tn
end of specified time, but to gambl
life away as If it were dollar wa
something that the cavalryman wa
: not prepared for.
: He would pay--of course he woul
pay, just as he knew in his heart Q
hearts that old Upton would have pai
had he lost. But to save his soul Ky
naston could not help rejecting thai
|. had the end been different, he Nigh
have had his chance at winning DorC
thy.