Adventure Magazine Cover, June 20, 1925 — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Pards And he placed them face up on the table and challenged—‘‘Hundred on the side I beat any three card draw.”’ | De Louge gently deposited his hand on the discard and murmured— ‘“You’ve made most of your winnings on side bets, Burt.”’ Goss pushed a hundred in gold to one side and murmured— “Tl try you.” De Louge appeared to be pleased and re- minded— ‘Newcomers always spoil winner’s luck, Burt.” Burt crowed defiantly and repeated— ‘Nothing can stop me tonight.” “Play the game,” growled Seth. Goss made it the limit to draw cards. Snap, who had opened, hesitated, then de- cided to stay. Seth swore violently and dropped out. Burt jeered him for a few seconds, then lost his grin and stared bale- fully at Goss, but could read nothing in the expressionless face. He hesitated for a moment, then decided: “Twenty-five more to draw cards. luck’s with me tonight.” Goss, holding a pair of aces, promptly raised back. Snap shrilly protested. “It’s a cutthroat game! Can’t even git a chance to draw. Tens and nines opened.” ‘And you didn’t have guts to play them against a pair of four,’’ sneered Burt, push- ing in his money but refusing to raise back. “T ain’t scared of you, Burt Damon!”’ yelped Snap. ‘‘It’s this new feller who ain’t fool enough to show his cards.” Burt leaned forward, waiting for the gam- bler to draw. He drew a deep breath of relief when Goss called for three cards, and informed: “Of course I knew you had me beat at the -go-in, but I’m a hoss on the draw.”’ Goss did not look at his cards but stacked them on his pair, while his half-closed eyes watched Burt who snatched at each card greedily and could not hide his exultation on beholding the third. Goss glanced at his hand and an- nounced— “Pot’s yours.” . And he shoved his hand into the discard. ‘Scared out!” angrily yelled Burt, throw- ing down his hand face up. He had caught a third four. Then he reached out his hand to examine Goss’ cards. The gambler caught his wrist with My 123 his left hand and with his right deftly mixed the cards. “T dropped,” he reminded. Burt made no effort to release his wrist, but the whites of his eyes were very con- spicuous as he stared into the dark face of the gambler. DeLouge had watched the two with his thin lips twisted up on one side As Goss released his hold Burt hoarsely panted— = you! You placed hands on me!” “Play the game. When I stick you can see my cards—not when I drop.” Burt rested an elbow on the edge of the table and his chin in his hand and slowly in- formed— “Tl look at the next hand you drop if I happen to be curious.” ‘“Piay cards,” curtly replied Goss. ‘“When we reach that hand we’ll discuss it.” DeLouge shook with silent laughter. Seth of the sullen face complained: ‘No one can beat Burt. Making good on a pair of fours!” And he sought to relieve his disgust by resorting to the whisky. DeLouge chuckled— “Now you're driving your luck up the chimney by growing angry.” Seth’s sour face grew more animated at this suggestion. Burt slowly assured: “When my luck takes a turn it takes a turn. When it does it’ll be worse luck for some one else.”’ THERE followed several rapid eye? plays with Goss and Burt clashing , Ee in two of them. Seth exulted: ‘“He’s hogged a big hole in your pule, Burt. He’s busted your luck into smithereens. Now we other fellers stand a show of getting some good cards.”’ ‘ Burt wet his dry lips and glanced stonily at his depleted winnings. The man at the fireplace now reeled to the table, snapping his empty revolver and took a position be- hind Burt. It was DeLouge’s deal, and Goss passed after glancing at his cards and refused to play when Burt opened. On his own deal he dropped out without taking cards. With his winnings savagely eaten into and with his only successful opponent refusing to play two hands running Burt muttered under his breath. Goss had re- covered his losses and had added some seven hundred dollars to his pile. When he refused to play the second time Burt told him: COMIGDIOOKSEEO