The Holly chieftain., 1923-07-19

oHu uc AcA udCA upon dil Qle CtOOhtu
tactics that he possessed In gambling.
And now. II Wyatt =.
He was dealing the last card around
when Wyatt came in, and his eyes lit
up. Then his face stifrened, the light
changed to q CLEAN Of malevolence.
Following Wyatt, were the three part
ners, taking open order as they came
through the entrance. about which the
space was clear. Sandy In the middle.
Mormon on the right flank and Sam
on the left. The two last smiled and
nodded to one or two acQuaintances.
Sandy's face was set in serious cast.
The players at Plimsoll's table turned
to 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 buxzed in
everybody's ears, from Roaring Rus
sells discontinue to Plimsoll's failure
to hold the claims and the eviction no
ttce served on him by Sandy.
Chairs edged back, the standing
moved for 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-
tion as 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 best and failed,
but his failure was not bitter.
The partners walked between the
tables toward Plimsoll who sat regard
ing them balefully, 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 conyiction that his
manhood shriveled in front Of Sandy
and that Sandy knew 1t. The placing
Of bets ceased, there was no sound Of
clicking chips. the roulette dealer held
the wheel, expectant, dealer and case
keeper at the faro bank halted their
manipulations, the presiding genius of
the craps layout picked up the dice.
Tragedy hovered, the shadow Of Its
wing was on the dirt floor Of the rude
Temple Of Chance.
''The chaps you sent up to move
yore tent an truck didn't make a good
job Of 1t. Plimsoll," drawled Sandy.
II reckon they warn't the right so't Of
help. Ef you-all are amin to take
that stun erlong with you I'd recon-
mend you tend to 1t yorese'f. It's get
tin erlong to'ards sunup, fast as a
clock can lick" --~.e....,.@
Silence held. Sandy stood noncom-
initial, at ease. His conversation with
Plimson might have been Of the friend
Hest nature gauged 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 one
there but knew that, faster than the
ticking Of clock, guns might gleam
and squirt flre and lead In case Of
trouble.
"rl attend to my own business In
my own way" said the gambler, know
ing the room weighed every word. It
was a noncommittal statement and
light one, but It passed the situation
for the moment.
Sandy pulled out gunmetal watch.
II make It half afteh one. Bout
three hours to sunrise, Plimsoll. III
be round later" He turned his back
on the gambler and sauntered toward
the door. A few followed the three out
into the street, among them, Wyatt.
II got hunch 1t amt extry healthy
TO- me in there" he said. "A gamblin'
parlor where amt welcome to stay
or play makes no hit with me-"
Many blocks away, men were watch.
ing the mesa whence came 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,
q square-Jawed man, clean-shaven but
for the bristle Of silver mustache be-
meath an aggressive nose above frm
hard mouth and determined chin. The
mintage Of the East was stamped upon
his features. He was a man accus-
toned to sway, II not to lead. His
companion was as plainly an Eastern
product. but his manner was subordi-
nate.
"Tm looking for q man named Plim-
SOIL" said the first Of these two, his
voice an indication that he was accus-
toned to a quick answer. "He wired
me about some claims. Wherell /
find him2"
"You'll likely find him at his place."
answered miner. ."Up-street on the
left. Names outside"
They let the car go on In lane that
was pressed out Of their ranks. They
fell in behind or alongside OF It us It
passed slowly up the street. Sandy
turned to Mormon.
"You better see Miss Mirandy up to