Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

292 loot. He pulled at his collar and loosened it, though it was already inches too large. ‘““ Pick out your stuff,” she said. “ I been playing this game to kill time, not to pick up your coin. That’s straight.” The hand of Bill Lawton flashed out for his gun; but he checked that hand half-way to the pile. For his heart was deeply troubled. “Tt can’t be done,” he said at last, ‘huskily. ‘“ Partner, I c’n see your square, but I ain’t never taken a gamblin’ debt as a gift before, and I don’t intend to do it now. That’s final.” To strengthen himself against temptation, he rose and turned his back on the pile of loot, and stood at the door with his hands clenched behind his back. ‘“‘ Well,” said the girl, as if a new idea had suddenly come to her, ‘“ there’s one thing left to play for. Ill stake everything here against a chance for me to break away and get to Double Bend before sunset.” Bill Lawton whirled as if he were pulling a gun and started to speak, Noony all the time begging him with his eyes to accept the chance, but the gunman shook his head. “You being square,” he said at last, * I can’t make that play. Lady, you ain’t got no ghost of a show to get to Double Bend before sunset. Dix Van Dyck is done. You can lay to that. They ain’t no hoss in these parts can make that trip in. that time.” ‘* All I want is the chance,” she said. * | don’t ask for a sure thing. All I want is a sporting chance.”’ ‘‘ A sporting chance?”’ repeated Bill Law- ton, “ After all,” she urged, “ all the dope is against me to win this bet. I’ve won the Jast five straight. It’s too much to expect. It’s simply an easy way for you to win back your coin and things. And I'll have to stay here till sunset.” ‘“ Noony?”’ queried Lawton. ‘ Draw!”’ said the half-breed eagerly. “ Well,” said Lawton, arguing with him- self, “‘ this is a sort of a compromise. You can’t reach Double Bend before sunset. That’s sure. And all the big boss asks is to keep you away from there until that time. Am I right, Noony?’’ ‘“ Sure,” said the enthusiastic hali-breed. THE ARGOSY. ‘ Draw!” snapped Lawton, and dropped to his position. ‘Two to one,” said the girl, turning even paler than before. “Ill give you every chance. We draw for the first black ace. And if either of you get it, you win. Draw, Noony!”’ He drew, pulling the card out with a faltering hand. It was the seven of clubs. Lawton drew the five of hearts. They leaned forward with hushed breath to watch the girl. Her hand, as usual, was tightly clutched under the neck of her shirt. She drew the deuce of diamonds, and groaned with disappointment. For the first time in the game, except at the very start, her nerve seemed to be breaking. ‘“ Draw!” she urged. ‘ She sat with her eyes half closed, seeing the cards as if through a mist, and her lips moved rapidly. ‘ What’s she doin’?’”’ whispered Noony to Lawton. ~ * Prayin damned!” 2499 answered Lawton. “ I’ll’ be And he drew an ace—the ace of hearts. Noony drew the king of spades. The girl rested her hand on the top of the deck, and it lay there for a long moment. It seemed to be trembling so much that she could not manage the cards. ‘“ Draw for me,” she said at last to Law- ton. ‘I feel sort of sick.” She was a deadly white, and Lawton, after a rather worried glance at her, turned up the card. It was the ace of spades. All three sat in a stunned silence. Then Law- ton rose, removed his hat, and swept the dusty floor with it in his elaborate bow. ‘““Lady,” he said, “ I’ve played most all over this range, but when I meet a dead- game sport I take off my hat. Take my saddle-bag to help stow the loot. Your own ain’t big enough.” ; But she rose in turn without a word and caught up her saddle. At the door of the hut she whistled, and the white stallion, with pricking ears, trotted up to her like a_ dog coming at the master’s call. The two men leaned in the door and with gloomy eyes watched her saddle. But she gave them not a glance, working with feverish eagerness at the cinches. When Gomichoo S (©)