Year: 1861

OUT comIOrtaDIy clau. "A pair OF neaVy
brown whiskers completely covered his
face, and broad brim Of slouched hat
rested almost upon his shoulders.


"This way, Jane" said voice to
female who had just emerged from small
wooden building Immediately below the
=" El Dorado" and stood hesitating be-
side pool of mud and water. The mi
ner stopped, and as the woman carefully
selected stepping place and sprang to
the pavement, he involuntarily caught
her by the arm. Somewhat surprised at
the prompt assistance, she gazed into his
unshorn face for moment, and thanking
him politely, passed on with her compan-
ion, who had taken more circuitous but
less dangerous Ito his polished boots)
route to the side walk.


Hesitating a moment, the miner turn.
ed and followed. He started as he saw
her enter the gambling saloon. Pushing
his way through the crowd, he next dis
covered her seated behind monte table.
We do not wonder that he looked at her
more than once and that his heart beat
and that his dark eye flashed-for her
sweet face was pale and care worn, and
the smile that played upon it was as
meaningless as wayside sunbeam. Her
companion, who "called and cash
ed " the game as she turned the cards.
was what any lady, without too care
ful scrutiny Of his face. would have pro-
nounced fine looking man. He was
dressed in the extreme of good taste.
with the exception, perhaps. Of too great
display of jewelry. His features were
regular and his eye piercing and rest
less but that proud curl of the lip,
which not unfrequently denotes firmness
and manly independence, in him was
repulsive indication Of recklessness and
disdain.


The cards were shufled, and clay
out" given.


Make your bets, gentlemen" sang
out the gambler who jingled pile Of
silver lying before him "a jack and a
ten-make your BETS"


Pulling his hat over his eyes, the mi
ner approached the table, and carelessly
tossed an ounce upon the ten. The deal
er looked up, and again her eyes met
those of the unshorn stranger. She knew
not why-for thousand eyes had gazed
as intensely into hers before-but the
color mounted to her cheek. and she in
voluntarily admonished the miner to
withdraw his bet. The indication slight,
though it appeared, was not lost to the
gambler, who answered it with a frown
as dark as midnight, and turning a
searching stare upon the stranger who
met it with glance of defiance that
brought the hand Of the gambler to the
handle of revolver in his belt The
woman observed all The miner quietly
folded his arms and the dealer, with
trembling hand proceeded to draw the
cards. The jack won. Again the cards
were dealt, and two ounces were thrown
instead of one. He lost second time,
and again and again. until pile Of gold
pieces had been transferred from his
pocket TO the table.


:" Let your husband DEAL" said the
loser addressing the woman, perhaps
it may change my luck"


" Certainly" said the gambler, reach :
ing for the cards.


AT the mention Of the word, "hns.
band a peculiar smile rested upon his
lips. and the eyes of the woman dropped
to the table, as if to avoid the scrutiny oi
the stranger, that she had no husband
although she was mother. But he read
ALL


Again the cards were dealt There
was perceptible nervousness of the mi
ner as he drew from the pocket of his
overcoat two purses. All eyes were
turned towards him.


"Ill bet two hundred ounces on the
ace !" he exclaimed to the astonshed
gambler, dropping the sacks Of dust up
on the table, land will draw the cards
myself"


Five hundred dollars is the limit y
exclaimed the gambler.


There is no limit to your rascality -
Numbered the stranger. nor should
there be to your game |" and he repla.
ced the purse in his pocket.


The gambler sprang to his feet with
his hand upon his revolver but ere he
could draw il, blow from the horny
fist Of the stalwart miner sent him reel,
ing to the floor.


| In moment all was confusion. A
dozen gamblers rushed from the adjoin
ing tables TO the rescue OF the fallen
blackleg, with pistols and knives glitter.
ing in the lamplight. The woman had
risen to her feet, and stood speechless
behind the table.


Island back" shouted the miner
drawing from belt with his left hand {
huge bowie knife. and swinging an eigh
inch navy revolver in the other; "stant
back !" he repeated. retrea,ing agains
the wall as the gamblers attempted L
close in upon him. or by tho Mother o
God I'll strew the floor with your car
cases."


"Shoot him down |" cried one of th,
gamblers brandshing pistol above hi
head. and evinc;ng little inclination /,
undertake the job himself


/" The first man that pulls the trigge
dies !" said an elderly man. breakin,
through the crowd. and placing himsel
beside the iron hearted miner. Ten Il
one is too great an odds for any one man
He is stranger to me. but, by hell, b