The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-05-24

49, 49,
sequent events had crimped that plan
and he fell back upon all the crooked
tactics that he possessed in gambling.
And now, If Wyatt
He was dealing the last card around
when Wyatt came in, and his Eyes III
up. Then his face stiffened, the light
changed to a CLEAN Of malevoIence.
Following Wyatt were the three part.
ners, taking open order as they came
through the entrance. about which the
space vas clear. Sandy in the middle.
Mormon on the right flank and Sam
IN the left. The two last smiled and
nodded 70 n or W. acquaintance.
Sandy's face was set in serious cast.
The players at Plimsoll's table turned
10 see what caused the suspension of
the game, others followed their ex.
ample. The Three Star men were
known personally to some of those in
the room. The story Of what had hap
pened during the day had buzzed in
everybody's ears, from Roaring Rus
sells discontinue to Flimsoll's failure
re- hold the claims and the eviction no.
tice served On him by Sandy.
Chairs edged back. the standing
moved FOR a better viewpoint, the room
focused on Plimsoll, Wyatt and the
three cow-chums. Then Wyatt stepped
aside. There was a malicious little
grin on his face. Mormon's sugges-
ton rs to his private grudge against
Pllmsoll was not without foundation.
Wyatt had been glad to find excuse
for severing relations with the gam
bier. He had done his hest and failed,
but his failure was not bitter.
The partners walked between the
tables toward Plimsoll who sat regard
ing them balefuIly, his teeth just
showing between his parted lips. cards
in midair, action in a paralysis that
was caused by the concentration
forced by Sandy's even gaze, by the
same sickening CONVICTION that bis
manhood shriveled in front of Sandy
and that Sandy knew IL. The placing
of bets ceased, there was M sound Of
clicking chips, the roulette dealer held
the wheel, ~expectant. dealer and case
keeper at the faro bank halted their
manlpulations, the presiding genius of
the craps layout picked up the dice.
Tragedy lowered, the shadow Of it's
wing was on the dirt floor Of the rude
Temple Of Chance.
THE chaps You sen up to move
wore tent an truck didn't make a good
job of IL, Plimsoll," drawled Sandy.
Il reckon they warn't the right soft of
help. Ef you-all are amin TO take
that stuff erlong with you I'd recon-
mend you tend to it yorese'f. It's get
tin erlong to'ards sunup, fast as a
clock can tick"
Silence held. Sandy stood noncom-
initial. at ease. His conversation with
Plimsoll might have been of the friend
Hest nature gagged by his attitude.
His hands were on his hips. Back of
him, slightly turning toward the
crowd, were Mormon and Sam, smiling
ly surveying the room. But not n
there but knew that. faster than the
ticking of a clock. guns might CLEAN
and squirt fire and lead in case Of
trouble.
"Ill attend to my own business in
my own way" said the gambler, know
ing the o weighed every word. Ii
was a ~noncommittal statement and a
light one, but ii passed the situation
for the moment.
SnnIY ntallAA .xtrf N 49, "a
~ make II half afteh one. Bout
three hours to sunrise, Plimsoll. I'll
be round later" He turned his back
on the gambler and saunrered toward
the. door. A few followed the three out
into the street, among them. Wyatt.
II got a hunch II amt extry healthy
TO me In there" he said. "A gamblin'
parlor where l amt welcome to stay
or play makes no hit with me-"
Many blocks away, men were watch
Ing the mesa whence came a high-pow-
cred car, rushing at high speed. mag
nificently driven, taking curve and pitch
and level with superb Judgment. Two
men were In the tonneau. One Of them
leaned forward. looking at the crowd.
a square jawed man. clean-sliayen hut
for the bristle Of a silver mustache he
meath an aggressive nose. above a firm
hard mouth and determined chin. The
mintage Of the East was stamped upon
his features. He was n man accus-
toned TO sway, II not to lead. His
companion was AS plainly an Eastern
product. but his manner was subordi-
late.
I'm looking for a man named Plim-
soll.' said the first If these two, his
voice an Indication that he was accus-
tened tn a quick answer. "He wired
me about some claims. Wherein
find himg"
"YouW likely fird him at his place.
answered a miner. "Up-street on the
left. Names outside"
They let the car go on in a lane that
was pressed out of their ranks. They
tell In behind or alongsldr OF II ms Ii
passed slowly IN the street. Sandy
turned to Mormon.
"You better see Miss sflrandy I'M Ia
her claim" he said. his voice casual
enough. Mormon started an appeal,
hut II died unvoiced. The SINISTER
knew nothing of the clash Impending
between Sandy and the gambler,