Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-03-25
Penny Ante
By LEETE STONE

20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate,i
(WNU Servicel

GRANGER was small town way
~ up near the Canadian border
where winters were still winters. There
was series Of little hatcheted notches
on one of the big trees tina, bordered
the state highway which ran through
Granger. The highest Of these cuts
was four and a half feet about the
level Of the sidewalk. It was the high,
point Of Changers snowline. MS
The state road was plOwed, Of
course; but the blowing never uncoy,
cred the concrete from December to
March. 9tl 3ie5
The winters were taken as matter
of course by the fathers and mothers
of Granger. The fathers read and
toasted slippered feet in the evening.
The mothers sewed; or also read; both
retired early and rose early to face an
other bright clear day of below zero
temperature.
Very different was the feeling among
the few youngsters. In summer they
could drive to Lakeside and Jackman,
see movies, dance, canoe, play tennis,
fish and generally enjoy life. SO the
long winter was nothing less than
anathema to them.
Five of them, three boys and two
girls, had formed little unofficial
clique that braved the bitter wind and
snow once a week, Saturday night,
to talk and chatter Of the summers
games and pleasures, at their respec.
tive houses. It was pretty dull, but
1t was better than nothing.
In February, this particular winter,
Gloria Ames returned from school In
the East. There had been fire In
the schools big dormltory and the
pupils were temporarily released for
few weeks until restoration could be
effected.
Gloria was different. She was
pretty, charming, vlvacious-the life
of any party. She had gone to coun-
try school with all the little cllques Of
boys and girls. She noticed with a
flush of pleasure that Harry Hanson,
who had always carried her books, and
been most devoted, had turned out to
be tall, handsome and Intelligent.
The first Saturday night after her
return the group gathered at Gloria's
house. They found big round table
In the living room, surrounded by six
chairs; with pack of cards in the
center. and a little cylindrical roll,
paper covered, which had on II In
black letters, 80 cents"
"Folks, hurry and gather round
We're going to play penny ante poker
The stakes are my treat this time
When anyone loses the fifty cents they
drop out. When anyone wins fifty they
drop out. The limit bet is two cents.
had quite time converting Dad and
Mother; but finally showed them 1t
was the same as II we paid fifty cents
to go to movie or dance or for
boat to fish a couple Of hours. :.
Now sit down. Anyone that doesn't
know the value of the hands will find
II on this piece of paper" Gloria laid
a slip of paper that was slice Of
Hoyle Itself In the center Of the table,
Harry Hanson had played many a
game of penny ante in the back room
of the store; but despite all his knowl-
edge Of human nature, drawing, and
all the elements Of poker, he lost his
fifty cents In an hour; quietly dropped
out and pulled his chair around behind
Gloria, who seemed to be the con-
slstent winner. According to Glorla's
specifications the game was over at ten
thirty; and every one, losers and win
ners, wore smile, seemed to be
ivened up.
Harry beckoned Gloria into the hall
as the others were In animated CONVEX
sation over their losses and winnings
"I've got Dolly's son Dan hitched to
the blue cutter tonight Gloria. You
remember Dolly. Come, Gloriar'
"Pll come Harry" Gloria whispered.
Crisp snow bathed in moonlight the
musical tInkle-tinkle Of tiny cutter
bells; the muffled hoofbeats Of swift
horse and the swish Of bright steel
runners all contributed sweetly to this
north country romance.
GLORIA, dear Gloria" Harry muir.
INJURED as they sped into the radiant
beauty of the four corners. "Please
say you'll marry me-"
"Oh, Harry, this is preposterously
sudden. Can't we make courtship last
longer7 Tell you what Let's play
penny ante every Saturday night until
one or the other Of US holds royal
flush. Then I'll answer you"
SAY" said Harry a trlhe bitterly
"d'you know how often q royal flush
turns up llfetimel"
All Of which explains the tense mo-
ment in the group game the following
Saturday night. Gloria had opened
with Jacks or better. All but Harry
Hanson had dropped out when he
raised the openers penny before see.
ing cards. Harry drew one card.
Gloria drew two.
"Up to youi" Harry said with a
queer look In his eyes.
"Two cents" Gloria promptly con.
tributed.
"And two morel"
"And two morep
am call you-just to save your
money; because it's the first time In
my life I'VE held the unbeatable hand
Read 'em and weep; or better still, re
member your prOmisep Harry laid
his cards down in front Of Gloria one
at time. II drew the queen" he
whispered a little awed
They read. from top TO bottom, the
ace, king. queen, jack and ten spot OF
dlamonds-a royal flush
Gloria chucked her three aces and
two kings into the discard and smiled
into Harry Hans0n's eyes In way
flint mndn him afrn nrelv hllnri