New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-02-06

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I've just seer his picture myself
to remember" answered the boy. She
showed it to me the day | left. There
in the shabby parlor-her in her old
fashioned black silk in honor OF my
going-she showed me his picture and
talked of him. He was handsome
enough. | guess: keen eyes-gray, she
said-and curly black hair. Hand
some, but the chin was weak.
She told me he talked like the
books he read-always about queer
people and places he'd got out OF
them. Nobody in G%reensburg could
make him out. And every now and
them she says. he'd pass his hand
quick before his eyes, like a man
brushin' strange dreams away. I'd
know HIM in a million by that she
says. He a a good man, your IA
Their was she says, and ] can't be-
lieve, somehow, that the years have
changed him. If he's dead ! want to
know it. and if he's alive-I want him
back. | love him in spite of all, and
want him back.'"
Mr.. Sharp took out a vile-looking
cigar, and lighted it.
Hard luck" he remarked. so you
got to go back without him-without
even news of him. That's tough"
1T is" said the boy. And there's
the mortgage to be paid-God knows
how that's to be done, And, whether
he came back or not, | wanted her to
have a little finery, and some comfort,
these last years of her life. She's
wanted her to put on a decent dress
and sit down in a chair with a tidy
on il. and rest-just rest-to the end
of her days. And now"
The boy sat. his mouth twisted into
bitter lines. his eyes fixed on the
shacks lying in hot despair on the
bosom of the desert. No sound broke
the stiffness. for Doc Haywood's snore
was silenced. and he slept peacefully.
his head far forward on his breast.
Mr.. Sharp, looking at him, envied him
his obliviousness to the heat and to
the tragic condolences of the youth
from Indiana.
In a spirit OF broad hospitality. Mr..
Sharp suggested a drink. His offer
was brusquely refused-so brusquely.
in fact, that he postponed his own
visit to the bottle. He had o
to his dirty handkerchief to cover his
disappointment.
Then they sat, silent as the desert.
Mr.. Sharp seemingly as hot, while
minute after minute licked by. and
the hands of the scratched and mutt
lated clock, back of the gambling look
empty chair, crept on toward
the hour that must start the boy on
his long. unhappy pilgrimage back to
Indiana-alone. No sign of life was
visible in the picture before them. In
the shade of the station the agent was
huddled, as soundly asleep as Doc
over his week-old news.
Finally Mr.. Sharp rose, and, walk
ing over to the faro layout, examined
carefully the little box of cards. Then
he glanced back at the boy: but the
latter made no sign. Heavily Mr..
Sharp plodded on to the roulette
wheel. over which his hand passed
with the soft caress of a lover.
Want to try the wheel?' he asked
suddenly. a bit startled at the sound
of his own voice echoine through the
stiffness.
The boy laughed harshly.
Not me" he said. Il don't care to
buy a gold brick, either"
Mr.. Sharp assumed a bearing OF of,
dignity.
You think the wheels fixed" he
said in a hurt tone
There was no reply.
They say that-some OF EN-" went
IN the landlord. IT'S a lie. They lose.
then they go away and lie. Your
is as good as mine"
Forget it." answered the boy. rive
got my ticket and all Of eleven dollars
,esides."
Mr.. Sharp's tone became wheedling.
\ coaxing smile crept evilly out from
is hiding place in the watery eyes.
Il don't want your money" he
softly. IT'S Just to pass the
to forget the heat. It's the
excitement I'm after. Always start
omething. Always have something
loing. That's my motto"
He spur the wheel invitingly.
In his search for Henry Stubs in
yron0n nactnrac tho hay h,I -.;naJ
ONE knowledge of those who browsed
He felt. now, that Benny
harp spoke the truth-that, obviously
man whose resort was at regular in.
the scene of wholesale gam.
ling could have no mercenary motive
q drawing into a game a boy whose
Drtune consisted of eleven lone and
recious dollars. 1t was the thrill of
he game Sharp craved. the boy de-
ided. He would play with his oppo.
as a cat with a mouse, stretch
lg the contest e as long a period
( time as he could. And why. young
tubbs asked himself. might not the
louse. by some chance, outwit the
at? In Mr.. Sharp's bloated face
lere were no evidences of uncon-
cunning. ,
The boy rose from his chair and
alked over to the wheel. with which
r. Sharp still toyed fondly. ,
Il reckon | couldn't be much worse -,
r than | am" he said. Give me ten ,
1llars' worth for a starter. I'll keep ,
le dollar for a reserve fund" t,
Joy surged into the face of Mr.. =
harp as he counted out the chips. He i
IN his long. thin fingers over the {
heel.
What's the word?" he asked. !
I'll stick to the colors," said the r
,ung man. Il don't understand all