Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-09

wal, III you're so keen ABOUT ~, why
set in with us" went on Hays, lingering
know bad. I'm not stuck on playin'
with you'' :.
Mean tibet to insult me?" Stud
queried. sharply. his right hand rising
TO the lapel of his open vest II Wall
had not observed the bulge of two guns
inside this vest he would have OWNED
from Studs action that there was one
at least.
Not at ALL" replied Hays, leaning
movement of Studs had not been lost
upon him. A little cold CLINT appeared
in his pale eyes. Reckon you're too
slick a poker player for Hank Hays.
want a run for my money"
Slick, Ell? Wal. don't mind bein'
called tibet. It's a compliment. I've
yet to see the gambler who wouldn't be
slick If he could. But when you ask
my pards to play an not me. thet's
different"
set in. Stud" rejoined Hays civilly,
as he began to shuttle the cards. Il
feel lucky tonight. Last time you had
1t all your own way
The game began then, with Happy
Jack and Wall looking on. AAE:>:
made rather a pointed move and re-
mark anent Walls standing behind
him.
"Shore I'll change seats with you,"
replied Hays obliginly, but 1t was plain
he felt irritated.
Never mind, Hays" interposed Wall
deliberately. "Fhe gentleman evidently
fears I'll tip off his cards, so III stand
behind you, II may"
From the very first deal Hays was
lucky. Morley stayed above even; Brad
Lincoln lost more than he won. TIE
giant Montana was a close, wary gam.
bier. playing only when he had good
cards. Stud was undoubtedly player
who required the stimulation and zest
OF opposition. but he could not wait for
luck to change. He had to be in every
hand Moreover, he was not adept
enough with the cards to deal himself
a good hand when his turn came. He
grew so sulen that Wall left on watch
ing and returned to the f1reside.
But presently he had cause 70 at
tend more keenly than ever 10 this card
game. The drift of conversation wore
toward an inevitable fight. These men
were vicious characters. Wall knew
life out here was raw. There was no
law except that of the six-snooter.
While he bent more penetrating
gaze upon Stud, to whom his attention
gravitated, Wall saw him perform
trick with the cards that was pretty
clever, and could not have been dis-
cerned except from Walls positIu.
Nevertheless, tickle fortune most ceE-
tainly had picked on Stud, He bet this
hand to the limit of his cash, and then,
such was his confidence, he borrowed
from Morley. Still he could not force
Hays to call. He fell from elation to
CONSERVATION, then to doubt from
doubt to dismay, and from this to q
gathering impotent rage, all OF which
proved how poor gambler he was.
When at last he rasped out: wal, !
CALL Here's mine"
He slammed down an ace full. Hays
had drawn three cards.
stud, hate to show you this hand"
drawled Hays.
yes, you do! Lay It down. I called
you"
whereupon Hays gently spread out
four ten spots. and then with greedy
hands raked in the stakes.
Stud stared with burning eyes.
"Three-card draw. You come IN with
a pair of tens?'
Nope. I held up one ten an the
ace" replied Hays, nonchalantly. II
had q bunch, Stud"
you'd steal coppers OF q dead mans
"Hawl Hawl" bawIed the victorious
eannester. But he was the only one Of
six players who seemed to see anything
funny IN the situation That dawned
upon him. Stud I was takin' tibet
crack Of yours humorous.
WAS you?" snapped Stgd.
Shore I was" returned Hays, with
congealing voice.
wal, didn't mean it humorous"
Stud retorted.
"Ahuh. Come to look at you I see
you amt feelin' gay. Suppose you say
just what you did mean"
IT meant what said"
"Shore. I'm not SO awful thick. But
apply tibet crack to this here card
game an my playin'."
Hays. you palmed them three ten
spots" declared Stud. hotly.
Then there was quick action and tie
rasp of scraping chairs, and the
tumbling over of box seat. Stud and
Hays were left alone at the table.
You're a liarl" Missed Hays, sud
denly black In the face.
Here Jim Wall thought 1t was time
to intervene. He read the CLINT In
Studs eyes. Hays was at disadvan-
tage. so far as drawing gun was con-
cerned. And Wall saw that Stud could
and would kill him.
Hold on there!" called Wall, in Q
voice that made both men freeze.
Hays did not turn TO Wall, but he
spoke; "Pard. lay off. can handle
this Teller"
take care, stranger" warned Stud,
who appeared to be able to watch both
Hays and Wall at once. They were.
however, almost in line This amt
any of your mix"
1T Just wanted to tell Hays saw you
slip an ace from the bottom Of the
deck" said Wall He might as we'll
have told of Hays irregularities.
''Wot! He filled his ace full tibet
way?" roaTed Hays.
"He most certainly did"
"All right. let it go at thet," replied
Stud. deadly cold. IF you can say
honest tibet you haven't pulled any
tricks-go for your gun. Otherwise,
keep your shirt on"
That unexpected sally exemplihed
the peculiar conception of honor among
thieves. 1t silenced Hays. The little
gambler knew his man and shifted his
deadly intent to a more doubtful is
sue.
Jim Wall. eh2" he queried. inso-
lently.
"At your service" retorted Wall. He
OWNED the workings of the little
gamblers mind. Stud needed to have
more time, for the thing that made de-
cision hard to reach was the quality
of this stranger. His motive was more
deadly than his will. or his power to
execute. All this Jim Wall knew. It
was the difference between the two
men.
I'm admittin' I cheated" said Stud,
harshly But I amt standin' to be
tipped off by stranger
We'll, what's you going to dc about
it?" asked Wall, while the spectators
of the drama almost held their breath.
(To Be Continued)
r.