Hyder weekly herald., 1932-04-23

$ un near the SaHauiah U'"S' where winters were still winters. Iher' . was series of little hatcheted n"lches onN-one of the big trees that oorderet the st$te highway which r,n 'hr'ust Grangefk The highest q these cu's was four aapd half ref about the level of the sida ewaIk. L was me hlsh polni of GrangerSS sr'w''he'
 The state road ~Nas plowed, of course; but the blowing Rever uneov' cred the concrete from Decehl9er to March. "~-
 The winters were taken as matter of course by the fathers and mothers of Granger. The fathers read and toasted slippcred feet In the evening. The mothers sewed or also read; both retired early and rose early 10 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 week, Saturday night, to talk and chatter of the summers games and pleasures. at their respec- tive houses. It was pretty dull, but it 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 dormit0ry and the pupils were temporarily released for a few weeks until restoration could be effected
 Gloria was different. She was pretty, charming, vivacious-the life of any party. She had gone to coun- try school with all the little cliques of boys and girls. She noticed with d 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 a pack of cards in the center. and little cylindrical roll, paper covered, which had on il in black letters "50 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 if we paid fifty cents 10 go to movie or a dance or for a boat to fish couple of hours. {. Now sit down! Anyone that doesn't know the value of the hands will find it oD this piece of paper" Gloria laid slip of paper that was slice 2f iioyle itself in the center of the table.
 Harry Hanson had played many a game of penny ante in the back room of the store; hut 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- sistent winner. According 10 GlOria'S specifications the game was over at ten thirty; and every one, losers and win ners, wore smile, seemed to be liyened up.
 Harry beckoned Gloria into the hall as the others were in animated conver- sation over their losses and winnings.
 Eve got DolIy's son Dan hitched to the blue cutter tonight, Gloria. You remember Dolly. Come, Gloria! !"
 ..I'll come. Harry" Gloria whispered.
 Crisp snow bathed in moonlight the musical tinkle-tinkle of tiny cutter bells; the untitled hoofbeats of swift horse and the swish of bright steel runners all contributed sweetly 10 this north country romance.
 Gloria, dear Gloria" Harry mur- mured as they sped into the radiant beauty of the four corners. "i'iease say you'll marry me-"
 "Oh, Harry, this is preposterOusly sudden. Can't we make courtship last longer? 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 trife bitterly, "d'you know how often royal flush turns up lifetime?"
 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 sec ing cards. Harry drew one card. Gloria drew two.
 Up to you!" Harry said with a queer look in his eyes.