The Bismarck tribune., 1925-11-27
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S Rex Beagl Il !

protect II, the girl asserted.
Agnes and will do that"
The proprietor was interested.
"Agnes?' Holy Moses! Is there
two of you? Have you got sister?
Who's Agnes?"
She's an old friend OF my
fathers"
Miller shrugged. Bring her along
of you want to- he said. doubttully,
but those old danes arc trouble
makers"
"Yes, Agnes is all OF that, but
Roulctta 5 eyes were dancing-"shc
minds her own business and she'll
guard the bank-roll."
Lucky Broad and Kid Bridges
had found employment at the Rialto
soon after it opened. As they passed
the gold-scalcs on their way to work
Pierce Phillips halted them.
I've some good news for you,
Lucky he announced. You've
lost your job
"Who, me-" Broad was incrcd-
ulous.
| Miller has hired a new faro
dealer. and YOU don't go on until
midnight" Briefly Pierce rctold
the story that had come to his cars
when he reported for duty that
evening.
Broad and Bridges listened with
out comment, but they exchanged
glanccs. They put their heads to-
gcther and began low-pitched con-
versation. They were still murmur-
ing when Rouietta appeared, in COM
pany with 'Polcon Doret.
Poleon's face lighted at sight OF
the two gamblers. He strobe for
ward, crying: Halo! I'm glad for
sec you some more TO tho girl
he said: "You member desc Teller
Dcy hep save you in de rapids"
Rouletta impulSively extended her
hands. "Of course! Could | ior-
get:" She saw Pierce Phillips be-
hind the scales and nodded to him.
why, we're all here, aren't VIC:
I'm SO glad. Everywhere | so l
meet friends"
Lucky and the Kid inquired re-
spcctiully regarding her health, her
Journey down the river. her reasons
for being here: then when they had
drawn her aside the former inter
rup.ed her flow OF explanations to
say: ...
Listen. Lefty. We got just one
real question to ask and we'd like 4
straight answer. Have you got any
kick against this FrenchmanfS
Any kick OF a.:y l;ind:" qucricd
Bridges. "Wc'rc your friends; YOU
can tip us off,
| The sudden change III the tone OF
their voices caused the girl to start
and to stare at them. She saw that
| both men were IN sober earnest the
reason behind their solicitude she
apprehendcd.
| She laid 4 hand upon the arm, OF
each. Her eyes were very bright
when she began: "Poleon told me
how you came to his tent that morn
ing aftcr--you know. and he told
me what you said. Well, it wasn't
necessary. He's the dearest thing
that ever lived!'
Why'd he put you to work in a
place like this Bridges roughly
demanded.
"Hc didn't. He begged me not to
try it. He offered me all he has
his last dollar. He
Swiftly, earnestly, Rouletta told
how the big woodsman had cared
for her; how tenderly. faithfully, he
had nursed her back to l.e.....".. s...A.c1 s....c1
Istrength; how he had cast all his
plans to the wind in order TO bring
her down the river. Hes the best,
the kindest, the most generous man
II ever knew" she concluded. His
heart is clean and-his soul is full
Of music
".Sfo bueno" cried Lucky Broad
in genuine relief. 1--WE had l,uncl'
he was right, but-you can't always
trust those Asiatic races"
j. Ben Miller appeared and warmly
greeted his new employee. "Rcsted
up, ell? Well. it's going to be big
night. Where's Agnes-the other
one? Has she got cold fcct:"
mo. just a cold nose. Here she
lis" From a small bag on her arm
Rouletta drew Sam Kirby's six
shooter. agnes was my fathers
friend. Nobody ever ran out or
her."
Miller blinked, he uttered feeble
exclamation. then lie burst into a
mighty laugh. He was still siak'
ing, his face was purple, there were
tears of mirth in his eyes, when ht
. followed Broad, Bridges, and Rou'
lctta into the ganlbling-room.
There were several players at the
faro-tablc when the girl took hel
place. Removing her gloves, she
Slowed them away in her bag. From
this bag she extracted the heavy
Colts revolver, then opened ths
drawer before her and laid it inside
She brcathed upon her fingers, rub
). bing the circulation back into them
. and began to shuttle the cards
Slipping thcnl into the box, the gir
settled herself in her chair ant
looked Zip into circle Of grinnine
, faces. Before her level gaze eyes
that had been focused queerly upor
her fell. The casc-keeper's lip:
were twitching, but he bit dowr
upon them. Gravcly he said:
well, boys, let's go!'
CHAPTER XXI
In taking charge OF a sick girl.
!. helpless, hopeless stranger. 'Poleor
Dorct had assumed responsibility
far greater than lie had anticipated
and that responsibility, had grown
heavier every day. Having, at last
successfully discharged it, he
brcathed freely, his first relaxation
III long time: he rcjoiced III the
consciousness OF 4 difficult dity.well
performed. So far as he could see
| there was nothing at all extraordi-
| nary, nothing in the least improper,