Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-09
GOLD
BY STEWART EDWARD WHITE
(Continued.)

drawing from the sleeve. The motion
started clean and smooth, but half
through caught, dragged, halted. l
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 whirled to
the floor, his pistol, already at half
raise, Gathering away. The whole ep-
ISOLDE 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 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 rollw
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 whlr 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. roar of activity burst
forth. Men all talked Mt 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.
''I think that's enough for now," he
told the dealer pleasantly and turned
away.
"Hulo, Randall! Hullo Frank he
greeted us. I've Just won three bets
straight. Let's have 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 a curiosity they made slight
attempt to conceal. Johnny suddenly
turned to them, holding high his whis-
ky in n hand as steady as rock.
"Here's to crime, boys!" he said and
drank 1t 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 th-
door.
II 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,
l am obliged 10 you," he replied to Il
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 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
~ sick. As helped him to his feet
| could feel that his arm was trem-
bling violently.
Lord, fellows! I'm ashamed" he
gasped little Historically. 81 didn't
know had so little nerve!'
"Nervew suddenly .roared Danny
NOHlOhhu sOhi
impudence! If ever hear you say an
other word like that I'll put a head on
you, If it's the last act of my life!
You're tho eamest little chicken IN this
roost, and IL. make YOU beg like a
hound IL you say you aren't!'
Johnny laughed n little uncertainty
over this contradiction.
"Did kill him?" he asked.
"No, worse luck; just bored him
through the collarbone. That heavy
little derrlnger ball knocked him out. !"
I'm glad of that" said Johnny.
(which l am not" stated Danny
Randall with emphasis. you ought
to have killed him."
Thanks to you l wasn't killed my
SELF couldn't have hoped to get the
draw on him with my holster gun.
lie is as quick as n snake"
II thought you were going to bungle
It," said Randall. "What was the mat
ter?'
Front sight caught at the edge Of
my sleeve. l had to tear 1t loose by
main strength. I'm going to file 1t
Off. What's the use Of a front sight at
oIa