Connecticut western news., 1919-10-16

CHAPTER 1.-Living with his father on Elden has reached the age of eighteen with few educational advantages. An ac-
 to the aItS sin Wheh and P his ter Irene, are touring the country. brings r new element into his life. Dr. Hardy's nned to his bed. Friendship, and some-- David.
 unconventional freedom of ranch life, and her acquaintanceship with David ripens the young people part, with the under standing that David will seek to improve his position in life and they will meet again.
 "The trick is to locate the black eard," Dave's companion explained. 'Tt's easy enough if you keep your eye on the card, but the trouble with these rubes is they name the card and then start to get out their money, and while they're fumbling for it he makes change so quick they never see it. There's just one way to beat him. Get up close, but don't say you're getting interested. Then when you're dead sure of a card crack your fist down on it. Glue yourself right to 1t and get out your money with the other hand. When he sees you do that he'll try to bluff you, say you ain't fin on it; but you just tell him that don't go, this is an open game, and he's got to come through, and the erowd'll back you up. I stuck him 0nce-a whole hundred first crack and then he barred me. Watch him."
 Dave watched. Saw the black card go down at one corner of the board; saw a bystander fumbling for a five dollar bill; saw the bill laid on the card; saw it turned up-and 1t was red.
 That is smooth" he said. "Pd "a sworn that was the black card"
 ''So it was-when you saw it." his companion explained. "But you were just like the sucker that played him. You couldn't help glancing at the jay getting out his money, and it was in that instant the trick was done. He's too quick for the eye, but that's how he does it."
 Dave became interested. He saw two or three others lose lives and tens. It was plain his companions tip was straight. There was just one way to tbeat this game, but it was simple enough when you knew how. He lgidled close to the table, making great tpretense of indifference, but watching the cards closely with his keen black leyes.s The dealer showed his hand; made a few quick passes, and the lblack card flew out to the right. This was Dave's chance. He bounced on it with his. left hand, while his other plunged into his pocket.
 "Sixty dollars on this one," he cried, and there was the triumphant note in his voice. of the man who knows he has beaten the other at his own game.
 'You ain't piayin'," said the dealer. AYou ain't in on this."
 ''That don't go," said Dave very quietly. "You're playin' public game here, an I chose to play with you this once. Sixty dollars on this card" He was fumbling his money on the table.
 'sYou ain't playin'," repeated the dealer. You're butt-inv You ain't in this game at all.'
 "Sure he's in," said the crowd
 '"That ain't right" whined the dealer, ''but you got it on me. Turn Fer up."
 The card was red.
 Dave looked at it stupidly. It was moment or two before he realized that his money was gone. Then, re- gardless of those about, he rushed Through the crowd, fiinging bystand- CTS right and left, and plunged into the night.
 He walked down a street until it lost itself on the prairie; then he fol- lowed prairie trail far into the coun- try. The air was cold and few drops of rain were falling in it, but he was unconscious of the weather. He was 1n rage through and through. SlOp- eye was now dream, memory, gone-gnne: Everything was gone; only his revolver and few cents re- mained. He gripped the revolver Again. With that he was supreme. No man in all that town of men schooled fn the ways of the West was more than his equal while that grip lay in his palm. At the point of that muzzle he could demand his money back-and get it.
 Then he laughed. Hollow and empty it sounded in the night air, but 1t was laugh, and it saved his spirit. ~Why, you fool" he chuckled, 'you came to town for to learn somethin', didn't you? We'll, you're learnin'. Sixty dollars a throw. Education comes high, don't 1t? But you shouldn't kick. He didn't coax you Tn, an gave you every chance to back away. You butted in and got stung. Perhaps you've learned somethin' worth sixty dollars"
 In his innocence of the ways of the