The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-31
CHAPTER vi. (Continued)

with disfavor. Until just now he
had not known that his employer
used tobacco and the discovery
s. came as shock. He had been
reared in close home-circle, there
fore he did not approve of women
smoking; in particular he disap-
proved of the Countess, his Count
ess, smoking After moment OF
consideration. however, he asked
himself what good reason there
could be for his feeling. 1t was her
own affair; why shouldn't a woman
smoke if she felt like it? He was
surprised at the unexpected liberal
ity of his attitude. This country was
\ indeed working change in him he
was broadening rapidly AS mat
ter of fact. he assured himself, the
y Countess Courteau was all excep-
tional woman; she was quite differ
ent from the other members of her
sex and the rules of decorum which
obtained for them did not obtain for
her. She was one in ten thousand,
one in a million. Yes, and he was
"her man"
While he was snatching a bit of
midnight supper Pierce again heard
1.-THE name of Kirby mentioned, and a
reference to tn big game III progress
lat the Ophir. Recalling Lucky
y Breads words, he wondered if it
were possible that Kirby and his girl
i were indeed the father and daughter
\ who had applied at the Northern for
4. shelter. 1t seemed incredible that a
young woman of such apparent re-
6nemcnt could be gambler daugh-
ter. but if it were true she was not
only the daughter Of sporting
man. but very notorious one,
Judging from general comment.
Prompted by curiosity, Pierce drop
ped in at the Ophir on his way back
!. to work. He found the place
crowded, as usual, but especially so
at the rear. where the games were
running. When he had edged his
& way close enough to command a
i view of the faro-table he discovered
4 that Sam Kirby was, for fact, the
one armed man he had met during
the afternoon He was seated. and
close at his back was the gray-eyed,
brown-haired girl with the pleasant
voice She was taking no active
part in the game itself except to
watch the wagers and the cases care
fully. Now and then her father ad-
dressed a low-spoken word to her
and she answered with a nod. a
smile, or a shake of her head. She
was quite at ease, quite at home
she was utterly oblivious to the
closc-packed ring of spectators en-
circling the table.
The o:,:.i amazed Phillips. n,
was shocked; he was mildly angeret
and mildly amused at the false i'm
preston this young woman has
given. 1t seemed that his judgmen
Of female types was exceedingl.
poor
Who is Mr.. kirby?" he inquired
of his nearest neighbor.
big sport. He's rich-or he was
! heard he just lost a string of race
horses. He makes fortune and h,
spends it overnight He's on hi:
way inside now with big saloor
outfit. That's Lefty, his girl"
Another man laughed under hi:
breath, saying: "Old Sam won't bel
a nickel unless she's with him. He.
superstitious.
Il guess he has reason to be
She's his rudder," the first speaker
explained.
Mr.. Kirby raped sharply upon the
table with the steel hook that served
as his left hand, then. when waiter
cleared a passageWay through the
crowd, he mutely invited the house
employees to drink. The dealer de-
clined, the lookout and the case
keeper ordered whiskey, and Kirby
signi6ed by nod that the same
ter laid a hand upon his arm. He
argued with her briefly, then he
shrugged and changed his order.
Make it cigar" he said, with a
smile. BOSS orders"
There was a ripple of laughter.
SANS a bad actor when he's
drinking" one of Pierce's inform
ants told him. Lefty keeps him
pretty straight. but once in while
!, he gets away. When he does-oh,
4 boy!"
q Long after he had returned to his
\ tasks the memory Of that still-faced
4 girl in the foul, tobacco-laden at
Z mosphere of the gambling-hall re-
4 manned to both Pierce Phillips; he
could not get over his amazement
and his annoyance at mistaking her
for a-well,for a good girl.
Is Early in the morning, when he
VI YEARLY went forth in quest of
breakfast and bed, he learned that
G the game at the Ophir was still 60
ing on.
IL Il want you to hire enough pack
sers to take this stuff over in one
trip-two at the most. Engage all
you can. Offer any price" The
Countess was speaking. She had
snatched few hours sleep and was
Mnow back at, the hotel % fresh As
"You must take more rest"
#Pierce told her. you'll wear your
Delf out at this rate"
She smiled brightly and shook her
head, but he persisted. 60 back
TO sleep and .et me attend to the
work. I'm strong; nothing tires
me."
Nor me. I'll rest when we get
10 Dawson. Have those packers
3 here day after tomorrow morning"
NO There were numerous freighters
I'm Dyea, outfits with animals, too,
Seome OF them, but inquiry developed
the fact that none were free to ac-
sept contract of this size at such
short notice, therefore Pierce went
No the Indian village and asked for
chief. Failing to discover the
old man, he began q tent-to-tent
sSearch, and while 90 engaged he
tumbled upon Joe McCaskey.