Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-10-03
Gambler Knew
How to Repay
the Kindness
BY AUGUSTUS sHERWIN
**.*******s*******$****s

w. lsGfs Wehtetu NoWopApeI OhAoh.l
0E IFTY against the dogl" shouted
+ Matteo the marksman.
Taken" In a mere careless drawl
came the reply from Arvldl. the game
ster.
1t was a typical Mexican scene-the
interior of the chief gambling den at
Truro and a critical stage Of the game
In progress
Marvin Howe happened to be pres
ent amid the swarthy crew-a floating
quantity in the general situation In
volvlng warfare, anxious to get North
and out Of It, and the opportunity just
that day with a decidedly favorable
change in fortune II he carried out Sc
cret instructions given to him.
The position was this: The com
mandant Of the sectional insurgents
wished to send particular message to
a co-patriot one hundred miles away.
II involved a junction Of the two
forces. The intermediate forty leagues
Of territory, however, were occupied
by dangerous enemy. The chief at
Truro was surrounded by enemies and
spies He had hired Howe to do some
translation and had confidence in him.
Howe engaged to cross the danger
line and deliver his message. He was
to try and find some free lance who
would accompany him and bring back
reply, while he, well rewarded, re-
turned to home. friends and fiancee-
Nellie Duryea, the only Nellie In the
world to him beyond the unsettled bor-
der line.
Howe had thought Of Matteo and
that was why he was now an inmate
Of the noisy gambling den.
Howe had found him at the card ia
Bile plttlng his money recklessly
against the most daring gambler in
Truro. Howe saw his last dollar CO.
A handsome ring was staked, then his
watch and now his most faithful
friend and companion, the dog. Every
body who knew Matteo knew also his
dog. The animal was tiny, but fearless
and very intelligent.
The cards went the rounds again.
Matteo lost Howe saw strangely des
perate CLINT In his eye as he arose I'M
steadily from the table. He turned
slightly pale. Then he shrugged his
shoulders and walked over and kissed
the little dog asleep on pile of news
papers. Straight as soldier then. he
walked from the room.
ut will break his heart to lose his
friend" Howe told Arvldi quickly.
MAY / redeem him2" and he proffered
fifty dollars In paper money.
"All right" nodded the gambler and
then Howe snatched up the dog and
rushed after his master Howe over
took him at the street door.
"Yours," he said, placing the little
pet in his arms
Matteo stared at Howe In a dazed,
uncertain way. Then his fingers gently
caressed the dog. His voice broke as
he comprehended what Howe had
done.
Amigo" he said, holding Howe's
hand in a fervent grasp, when my
fortune turns shall know how to re-
pay you"
Il can help 1t turn just now" re-
marked Howe Significantly He told
him that he was authorized to pay
royalty for his guidance and direction.
81 can pilot you safely" Matteo
said-"I am your man."
The morning they left Truro Howe
had noticed man he had seen hang
Ing around the chiefs quarters dog
cling his footsteps. He had called the
attention Of MatteO to this, who had
carelessly asserted that II he was one
of the numerous spies in action they
"would soon lose him."
However. twice in two days after
they had started on the trail they
caught sight of distant figure remind
full of the man they had observed at
Truro.
II was early In the morning that
Matteo suggested a plunge into a near
creek before they lit a little fire and
cooked their frugal breakfast They
themselves in the cool, sparkling
stream, when an omlnOus sound echoed
out
Cllcki
Then to the CONSERVATION OF Howe,
turning, he saw man, the man who
had Swallowed him in the city, just
rushing away with camera.
''Matteo!" shouted Howe, quickly
''the spy. He has photographed the
message on my backl"
"SoT' observed Matteo, speedily
springing ashore to where his clothes
lay. 1t was to seize his revolver.
Crack followed a sure, steady aim.
Crack IA second sharp explosion
followed. Dropping the wrecked
camera and holding his wounded hand
the spy disappeared.
The message is written partly in
cypher," explained Howe. "but that
man might have been able to make II
out after close study"
He Is doubtless one OF the un.
scrupulous crowd infesting the prov
ince. ready TO blackmail, sell secrets
or betray his best friend" acceded
Matteo.
They reached the end Of their jour.
new In safety and the secret message
was Transcribed.
Matteo returned to Truro with a
rich reward awaiting him. Marvin
Howe crossed the border, bound for
home and his waiting fancee, pretty
Nellie Duryea.
PIonaa Pick Un MuiI