Catoctin clarion., 1923-06-14

poker table, dealing the game. He
waited the result of his play with
Wyatt and the latter's companions.
Wyatt and his fellow rider had been
detailed to ride down the tent that
had been reported occupied by the
Three Star owners. That part Of the
plan had been suggested by Wyatt out
Of the sheer deviltry of his invention.
Plimsoll had enlisted others Of his fol-
lowing, none too fearless. to lOiter In
the brush and, in the general confu-
sion, fire to cripple and to kill.
Plimsoil had learned Of the visit Of
the men who had come with Bill Bran.
don to Investigate Plimsoll's methods
Of running the Waterline horse ranch.
He had learned. through the leakage
that always occurs in cattle COM
munity, that Brandon claimed to be an
old acquaintance Of Sandy and his
partners So he had told his men who
had come with him to the camp from
the Waterline ranch that the Three
Star outfit was danger to all Of them.
undoubtedly acting as spies for Bran
don, and that they should be eliminated
for the general good. But there was
none Of them, from Plimsoll down,
who had any fancy to stand up against
the guns Of Sandy. or Of Mormon and
Sam, when the breaks were anywhere
nearly even.
Plimsoll. with his election from
Hereford. the advent Of woman suf-
frage, the coming Of Brandon and
other irate horse owners, had begun
to realize that his days were getting
short In the land. He looked to the
camp for final coup. II he held the
Casey claims and sold them. as he ex-
pected to do. to an Eastern capitalist
to whom he had telegraphed some
days before. he might re-establish him
self. Sandy's prompt arrival and sub
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 lit
up. Then his face stiftened, the light
changed to gleam 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 buzzed In
everybody's ears, from Roaring Rus
sells discontinue to Plimsoll's failure
to 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 oh ilib luSC. Ghoi ihoh . cu6SSo
ton as to his private grudge against
Plimsoll 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 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 toards sunup. fast as q
clock can tick"
Silence held. Sandy stood noncom-
initial, at ease. His conversation with