Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-08-02
THE STORY

CHAPTER V.-Selwood makes Chris
ties acquaintance and warns Fyler that
Atkins Is q crook. The storekeeper re-
tries to ingratiate himself with Chris
tie. The girls mind Is poisoned against
CHAPTER VL.-Fyler is beaten and
robbed. Christie, seeking Doctor Carpy,
Atkins has thrown her father out of
his store, claiming to own it. Fyler
is not badly hurt. Her father has lost
dismay, tells selwoo a 0 she hates IS ali ali
gamblers. selwood advertises for in
formation of an old missionary padre,
whose picture he displays; With Par
woods employ. the latter makes prep
arations to dislodge Atkins from Fly
ler's store.
CHAPTER VII.-Christte warns Sell
WOO. Of threats made by Starbuck,
also that he had asked her to marry
companions. selwood drives Atkins and
Haynes, from FLYERS store.
Continued from last week.
"Get my o US together, and see
what I owe you," he said brusquely
as he pushed his chair back. Look
here" he added insolently-Selwood
In leisurely fashion was casting up
his accounts-"where did you learn
to play poker?"
Selwood did not take the trouble
to look up. among the thieves and
cutthroats at Thief River" he an
swered with no lack of curtneSS and
q complete Indifference to the result
Of his words. "Why" he asked in
turn and with no less Of insolence.
'.Don't you like my game?"
"What's your business?" demanded
Roper. The general had cast aside
the mask of suavity worn for so many
hours; Selwood met his rudeness with
rudeness. "Playing poker" he re-
torted, Indifferent to results.
"What!" exclaimed Roper, kindling.
do you mean to say you're profess
sional gambler"
'sThat sounds like 1t, doesn't itY'
"You insult me, sir?' exclaimed
Roper with an oath.
"You insulted me when you refused
to play with my cards. You called for
your own, didn't you? And I cleaned
you out with your own"
Roper flew into passion. "Do you
play with marked cards?" he thun-
dered.
Selwood was impassive. Nobody
would need marked cards to play with
you, General" he returned. 81 play
with marked cards when I play with
thieves-they furnish them
wentworth! Carpy!" roared Roper.
"Come in here!" The two men ap-
peared at the door together. what
do you meanr' he demanded with
string Of explosives, "by running In
professional gambler on me for gen.
tlemen's game Of poker"
Carpy looked blank-but the look
was mostly assumed. HAS he cleaned
you, General?" he asked, with medi-
cal innocence.
wentworth" blurted out Roper,
you told me he was your superinten-
dent here"
'Dash 1t, he u.s." returned Went
worth testify. Last time you were up
here you cleaned out Dave Tracy.
You weren't so blamed particular then
whom you played poker with"
Roper stamped about in tantrum.
I've been played on-taken in by a
common card sharp been
robbed"
Selwood, who had been sitting as
an unconcerned listener, slapped the
cards with which they had been play
ing sharply down on the table. He
rose instantly and confronted Roper.
II wouldn't call a man Of your
years liar, General. But you can't
crawl away after game with me with
any such word as robbed"
"Why you blamed old martinez"
shouted Carpy angrily.
"Hold on, Docl Hold your horsesr
interposed Wentworth hastily. 'The
general II my guest-we're gentlemen
here"
Carpy could not be suppressed.
"Every man on the Mountain divide"
he Numbered at Roper, "would call
you a liar If you called John Selwood
q crook
Selwood put up his hand. He was
white with anger. ''Tll do the talking,
Doctor" he said. The men watching
him made no further attempt to in
terfere. Roper, sullen, glared at him.
'This man" - Selwood pointed to
Roper-"calls me card sharp-he
has good reason to-a better reason
than he knows!" He was looking as
he spoke at Wentworth and Carpy and
directed his words to them. II want
to tell you, gentlemen, who that man
s"-his finger pointed remorselessly
at Roper. sand want to tell you