The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1918-01-02

new empire would take shape and
wealth would pour inevitably into the
United States from its frozen treasure
house.
The view held by Macdonald was
one common to the whole Pacific coast.
Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, were
a unit in the belief that the govern
ment had no right to close the door
of Alaska and then put a paddock
upon it.
Feminine voices drifted from the
outer office. Macdonald opened the
door to let in Mrs. Selfridge and Mrs.
Mallory.
The latter lady, Paris-shod and
glOved, shook hands smilingly with the
Scotch Canadian. "Of course we're
intruders in business hours, though
you'll tell US we're not" she suggested.
1--WE just been reading the Transcon-
tinental Magazine. A writer there says
that you are a highway rObber and a
gambler. I know you're a robber be-
cause all the magazines say so. But
are you only big gambler?"
He met her raillery without the least
embarrassment.
'Sure / gamble. Every time i take
a chance I'm gambling. So does every
body else. We've got to take chances
to live"
"How true, and 1 never thought Of
it," beamed Mrs. Selfridge. "What a
philosopher you are, Mr.. Macdonald"
The Scotsman went on without pay
ing any attention 10 her effervescence.
1--WE gambled ever since I was q kid.
1 bet 1 could cross Death valley and
/ get out alive. That time l won. 1
| bet it would rain down in Arizona
/ before my cattle died. l lost. An
other time 1 took a contract to run a
+ tunnel. In my bid 1 bet l wouldn't run
into rock. My bank went broke that
! trip. When Joined the KlOndike
rush l was backing my luck TO stand
up. Same thing when 1 located the
( KamatlaS sle.d. The coal might be
/ poor quality. Maybe 1 couldn't inter-
est big capital in the proposition. Per-
/ haps the government would turn me
down when came to prove up. l was
betting my last dollar against big
odds. When 1 quit gambling it viii
be because I've quit living"
"And 1 suppose I'm a gambler, too?"
Mrs. Mallory demanded with a little
tilt of her handsome head.
"Of all the women l know you are
the best gambler. It's born in YOU"
Mrs. Mallory did not often indulge IN
the luxury of a blush, but she changed
color now. This big, blunt man some
times had an uncanny divinatiOn. Did
he" she asked herself, know what
stake she was gambling for at Ku-
siak?"
"You are too WISE" she laughed with
a touch of embarrassment very becOm-
ing. "But 1 suppose yea are right. ]
like excitement"
1--WE all do. The only man who
doesn't gamble is the convict in stripes,
and the only reason he doesn't is that
his chips are all gone. It's true that
men on the frontier play for bigger
stakes. They back their bets with all
they have got and put their lives on
top for good measure. But kids in the
cradle all over the United States are
going to live easier because Of the
gamblers at the drOpping-Off place"
She moved with slow grace toward
the door, then over her shoulder
flashed a sudden invitation at him.
Mrs. Selfridge and are doing a little
betting today. Big Chief Gambler.
We're backing our luck that you two
men will eat lunch with US at the Blue
Bird inn. Do we WING"
, Macdonald reached for his hat
promptly. you win"