X
The Spoilers
By REX E. BEACH.
Copy rid Jit. 10 0 3. by
(Continued from last week.
Mon spoke; Home laughed, but In
lliolr laughter was no inlrtli. It was
more like tin wound of choking. Tlioy
htnnipod llioir fool lo relieve I lie grip
of strained muscles. The dealer renoli.
od forlli and slid Hie Htuok of blll.s Into
the drawer at bis waist without count
ing. The case keeper passed a slinking
band over her face, and when It eatiio
nway she saw blood on her lingers
where she bad sunk her tooth into bor
lower lip. CilonlKler did not rise. He
wit, heavy browed and sullen, bis Jaw
thrust forward, his hair low upon bis
forehead, his eyes bloodshot 'and dead.
"I'll Hit the hand out If you'll lot me
bet the 'Ihurer,' " said he,
"Certainly," replied the dealer.
When a man io(iiests this prhllogo.
it means that he will call the amount
of his winter without producing the
visible stakes, and the dealer may nc
oopt or refuse according to bis Judg
ment of the bettor's responsibility, it
Is safe, for no man shirks a gambling
debt. In the north, and thousands may
go with n nod of the head though never
n rent be on the board.
There wore si III n few cards in the
box, and the dealer turned them, pay
ing the Ihree men who played. (Jlon
Istor tool: no part, but. sat bulked Mvor
Ids end of the table, glowering from
beneath bis shock of hair.
Cherry was deathly tired. The strain
of the last hour had been so Intense
that she could barely sit In her seat,
yet she was determined to finish the
hand. As Hronoo paused before thu
Inst turn many of the bystanders made
bets. They were Iho "case players"
who risked money only on the final
pair, thus avoiding the chance of two
curds of like denomination coming to
gether, In which event ("splits" it Is
called the dealer takes half the mon
ey. The stakes were laid at last and
Vj.H" -"'- deal about to start when (Jlenlster
hiiokc. "wan: liars nils place
worth, HrnnooV"
"Whnt do you mean'"
"You own this out fit?" He waved
IiIb hand about the room. "Well, what
docft it sland yonV"
The gambler hesitated an Instant,
while the crowd pricked up its ears,
and the girl turned wondering, trou
bled eyes iifHiu the. miner. What would
ho do now?
"Counting bank rolls, fixtures and
nil, about $120,000. "Why?"
"I'll pick the ace to lose, my one-half
lutorcst In the Midas against your
whole layout."
There was an absolute bush while
Ihe realization of this offer smote the
onlookers. It took lime lo realize It.
This man was lunatic. There were
three cards to choose from one would
win, one would lose, and one would
have no action.
Of nil those present only Cherry Ma
lotto divined even vaguely the real rea
on which prompted the man to do
IhK It was not "ganieiiess" nor alto
gether a brutish stubbornness which
would not let him quit. It was some
thing deeper. He was desolate, and
his heart was gone. Helen was lost to
lilm- worse yet. was unworthy and
she was all ho eared for. What did he
want or thu Midas, with Its lawsuits.
Its Intrigues and Its trickery? lie was
sick of It all, of the whole game, and
wanted to net away. If he won. very
well. If he lost, the land of the aurora
would know him no more.
When he put his proposition the
ltrotien Kkl dropped his eyes as though
debatlnc. The glil iinv that ho stu
died ite ujtrds in Ids box Intently and
that bis lingers a-nrosM'd the top onu
evr so softly during the Instant the
twos of the rest were on Cleulsler.
The dealer looked up at last, and Cher
ry saw the gleam of triumph In his
iK lie could not mask it from her,
though bis answering words were hosl
fating. She knew by the look that
ClculMor was a pauper.
"Come on." insisted oy hoarsely;
"vurn the cards."
"You're on!"
The girl felt that -ho was fainting.
She wanted to creani. The triumph
of this moment stilled her or was It
triumph, after all? She heard the
breath of the little man lieliiud her
rattle as though lie wore being throt
tled ami saw I lie lookout pass a dinU
Ing hand to his chin, then wet his
parched lips. She -aw the mini she
hail helped to ruin bond forward, his
lean face strained and bard, an odd
look of pain and weariness In his e,es.
Klio never forgot that look. The
crowd was frozen in various attitudes
of eagerness, although ll bad not yet
recovered fioiu the suspense of Iho
last great wager. It knew Ihe Midas
and what It meant. Here lay half of
it, hidden beneath a tawdry square of
pasteboard. With maddening delib
eration the Kid dealt the top card. Re
meatb It was the trey of spades. Glen-
Rex E. Reach. :-
WTXwssutrr T 7r.rei.T ji" '"-" 1 ,
later said no word nor made u move.
.Some one coughed, and it sounded liko
a gunshot. Slowly the dealer's lingers
retraced their way. He hesllated pur
posely and leered at the girl, then the
three Hpot disappeared and beneath It.
lay the ace as the king had lain on
that, other wager. It spelled utter ruin
to Glenlstcr. He raised ids eyes blind
ly, anil then the deathlike silence of
the room was shattered by a midden
crash. Cherry Malotfe had closed her
check rack violently, at the same in
stant crying shrill and clear:
"That bet Is off! The cases are
wrong!"
Clenlster half rose, overturning his
chair; the Kid lunged forward across
the (aide, and his wonderful bauds,
tense and talon-like, thrust themselves
forward as though reaching for the
riches she had snatched away. They
I worked and writhed and trembled as
though In dumb fury, (he nails sinking
into the oilcloth table cover. His face
grew livid and cruel, while bis eyes
blazed at her till she shrank from him
affrlghtedly, bracing herself away from
the table with rigid arms.
Itcnson came slowly back lo Clen
lster and understanding with it. He
seemed to awake from a ulghtmnre.
He could read all too plainly the gam
bler's look of baflled hate as the man
sprawled on the table, his arms spread
wide, his eyes glaring at the cowering
woman, who shrank before him like a
rabbit before a snake. She tried to
speak, but choked. Thou the dealer
came to hliusrlf and cried harshly
through his teeth one word:
"Christ!"
He raised his list and struck the
table so violently that chip and cop
pers leaped and rolled, and ch'rr.
closed her eyes to lose sight of his aw
ful grimace. Clenlster looked down on
him and said:
"I think I understand, but the inone.v
was yours anyhow, so I don't mind."
His meaning was plain. The Kid sud
denly Jerked open the drawer bol'oio
him, but Clenlster clinched his right
hand and leaned forward. The miner
could have killed hint with a blow, for
the gambler was seated and at his
mercy. The Kid cheeked himself,
while his face began to twitch as
though the nerves underlying ll bad
broken bondage and were dancing In a
wild, ungovernable orgy.
"You have taught me a lesson." wii
all that Clenlster said, and with thai
ho pushed through the crowd and out
Into the cool night air. Overhead I lie
arctic stars winked at hi in, and the
ttip-
, "Tlml hit U ijf ' Tir ckm'n hit ito!"
I sea smells struck him clean ami fresh.
As lie went homeward he hoard the
distant full throated plain) of a wolf
dog. It held the mystery and sadness
of the north. He paused and, baring
. his thick, malted lirad, stood for a
longtjme gathering himself together.
Standing so. he made certain cove
nants with himself and vowed solemn
ly never to touch another card.
At the same moment Cherry Malolte
eauie hurrying to her cottage door,
fleeing as though from pursuit or from
some hateful, haunted spot. She paus
ed before entering and Hung her arms
outward into Ihe dark in a wide ges
ture of despair.
"Why did I do It? Oh. why did I do
It? I can't understand inxself."
CIIAI'TKIt XIV.
"TV X V dear Helen, don't you re
all'.e that my otllcbil posi-
I I . lion carries with It a cor-
tain social obligation which
It Is our duty to discharge?"
"1 suppose so, I'ncle Arthur; but l
would much rather stay at home."
"Tut. tut! Co and have a good lime."
"Dancing doesn't appeal to me any
more. I left that sort of thin back
home. Now, If you would only come
along"
"No; I'm too busy. I must work to
night, and I'm not In a mood for such
f.Uii'jj. nuvhow."
"You're not well," his niece said.
"I have noticed it Tor weeks. Is It
hard work or are you truly 111? You're
A1I
' ' C? 'ft-' SR? J ' 'T
V
-...mw. vim urjjri (.in; you ic
i. I l. ,
ing positively jj.rjr.t. vny, you re get
ting wrinkles like an old mini!" She
roac from her seat at the breakfast ta
ble and went to him, smoothing his
Bilvercd bend with affection.
He took her cool band and pressed
It to his cheek, while the worry that
haunted him habitually of late gave
way to a ainlle.
"It's work, little girl-hard and
thankless work, that's all. This coun
try In intended for young men, and I'm
too far along." Ills eyes grew grave
ngaln, and lie squeezed her fingers
nervously as though at the thought.
"It's a terrible country this. II
wish we had never seen it."
"Don't say that." Helen cried spirit
edly. "Why, it'H glorious. Think of
the honor. You're a United States
Judge and the first one to come hole.
You're making history; you're building
a state: people will read about you."
She stooped mid kissed him, but he
seemed to flinch beneath her caress.
"Of course I'll go If you think I'd
belter," she said, "though Pin not fond
of Alaskan society. Some of the wom
en are nice, but the others" She
.shrugged her dainty shoulders. "They
talk scandal all the time. One would
think that a great, clean, fresh, vigor
ous country like this would broaden
the women as it broadens the mon
but It doesn't."
"I'll tell McN'ainara to call for you at
D o'clock," said the judge as he arose.
So, later in the day. she prepared her
long unused finery to such good pur
pose that when her escort called for
her that evening he believed her Ihe
loveliest of women.
Upon their arrival at the hotel be re
garded her with a fresh access of
pride, for the function proved to bear
little ' resemblance to a mining camp
party. The women wore handsome
gowns, and every man was in evening
dress. The wide hall ran the length
of the hotel and wns tlankod with
boxes, white its floor wns like polished
glass and Its walls effectively deco
rated. "Ob, bow lovely!" exclaimed Helen
ns she first caught sight of It. "It's
Just like home."
"I've seen quick rising cities be
fore," be said, "but nothing like this.
Still, if those northerners' can build a
railroad In a month and a city In a
miiumcr why shouldn't they have sym
phony orchestras and Louis Qtiluze
ballrooms?"
"I know you're a splendid dancer,"
she said.
"You shall be my Judge and Jury.
I'll sign I ids card as often as I dare
without the certainty of violence at
the bands of these young mon. and the
rest of the time I'll smoke In the lobby.
I don't care to dance with any one but
you."
After the first waltz he left her sur
rounded by partners and nntde his way
out of the ballroom. This was his first
relaxation since landing In the north.
It was well not to become a dull boy,
lie luusod, and as he chewed' his cigar
he pictured, with an odd thrill, quite
unusual with him, that slender, gray
eyed girl, with her colled mass of hair,
her Ivory shoulders and merry smile.
He saw her Hoar past lo the measure
of a two-step and caught himself re
senting Hie thought of another man's
enjoyment of the girl's charms even
for an Instant.
"Hold on, Alec," he muttered.
"You're too old a bird to lose your
head." However, he was waiting for
her before the I line for their next
tin lice. She seemed to have lost a part
of her gayoty.
"What's the mailer? Aren't you en
joying yourself?"
"Oh. yes." she returned brightly.
"I'm having a delightful time"
When he came for bis third tlaure
she was more distrait than ever. As
he led her lo a seat they passed a
group of women, among whom were
Mrs. Clianipaln and others whom he
knew to be wives of men prominent in
the town. He had seen some'oi" them
at tea in Judge Stlllman's house and
therefore was astonished when they re
turned his greeting, but ignored Helen.
She shrank slightly, and ho realized
that there was something wrong. Ho
could not giio what. Affairs of men
he could cope wltji. but the subtleties
of women were outwf his realm.
"What alls iIkno people? Have they
offended you?"'
"I don't know what It K I have
spoken to them, but they cut me."
"Cut you!" he exclaimed.
"Yes." Her voice trembled, but she
held her head high, "It seems as
though all the women In Nome were
here and In league to Ignore me. It
dazes me. I do not understand."
"Has anybody said anything to you?"
he Inquired fiercely. "Any man, I
mean ?"
"No, no! The men are kind. It's the
women."
"Come, we'll go home."
"Indeed, we will not," she said proud
ly. "I shall stay and face It out. I
have done nothing to run away from,
and I Intend to find out, what Is the
matter."
When he had surrendered her, at the
beginning of the next dance, McN'a
niara sought for some acquaintance
whom lie might question. Most of the
men In Nome either hated or feared
him, but he espied one that he thought
suited his purpose and led him Into a
corner,
"I want you to answer a question.
No beating about the bush. Under
V'.nd? Pin blunt, ami t ".ri vsr. i
"All right."
"Your wife has boon entertained at
Miss Chester's house. I've soon bor
there. Tonlg'it she refuses to speak
to the girl. She cut her dead, and I
wart to know what It's about."
"How should I know?"
"If you don't know, I'll ask yon to
(hid out."
The other shook Ids head amusedly,
at which McXamara flared up.
"I say you will, and you'll make
your wife iipo.oglzo before she leaves
this hall. too. or you'll answer to me,
man to man. I won't stand to have a
girl like Miss Chester cold decked by
a bunch of mining camp swells, and
that goes as it lies." In his excitement
McNainara reverted to his western
idiom.
The other did not reply at once, for It
Is embarrassing to deal with a person
who disregards tl (inventions utterly,
and at the same time has the Inclina
tion Tlnd force to compel obedience.
The boss' reputation had gone abroad.
"Well- er 1 know about It In a gen
eral way, but of course I don't go much
on such things. You'd better let It
drop."
"Co on."
"There has been a lot of talk among
tiio ladles about well, er the fact Is,
It's that young Clenlster. Mrs. Cham
plan had the next stateroom to thorn
or liliu- -I should say- on the way up
from the States, and she saw things.
Now, as far as I'm concerned, a girl
can do as she pleases, but Mrs. Cham
plan has her own Ideas of propriety.
From what my wife could learn,
there's some truth in the story, too, so
yon can't blame her."
With a word McNainara could have
explained the gossip and made this
man put his wife right, forcing through
her an elucidation of (he silly affair
In such a way as to spare Helen's
feelings and cover the busy fongued
magpies with confusion. Yet he hesi
tated. It is a wise skipper who trims
his sails to every breeze. He thanked
his informant and left him. Kntering
the lobby, he saw the girl hurrying
toward him.
"Take me away, quick! I want to go
home."
"You've changed your inlud?"
"Yes, let us go," she panted, and
when they were outside she walked so
rapidly that he had dllliculty hi keep
ing pace with her. She was silent, and
lie knew better than to question, but
when they arrived at bor house he
entered, took off his overcoat and
turned up the light In the tiny parlor.
She flung her wraps over a chair,
storming back anil forth like a little
fury. Her eyes were starry with tears
of anger, her face was Hushed, her
hands worked nervously. He leaned
against Ihe mantel, watching her
through bis cRjar smoke.
"Yon needn't tell me." he said at
length. "1 know all about it."
"I am glad you do. I never could
ropon'f what they said. Oh, It was
brutal!" Her voice ciiKght, and she
bit bor lip, "What made me ask
them? Why didn't 1 keep still? After
you left I went fo those women and
faced lliein. Oh, but they were bru
tal! Yet, why should 1 care?" She
stamped her slippered foot.
"I shall have to kill that man some
day," he said, flecking his cigar ashes
Into the grate.
"What man?" She stood still autl
looked at him.
"(ilenlstor, or course. If I had
thought Ihe story would ever reach
you I'd have shut him lip long ago."
"11 didn't come from him." she cried,
hot with Indignation. "He's a gentle
man. It's that cat. Mrs. champian."
He shrugged his shoulders ihe slight
est bit, but It was eloquent, and she
noted It. "Oh, I don't mean that he
did It intentionally he's too decent a
chap for Unit -but anybody's tongue
will wag lo a beautiful girl! My lady
Malolte Is a Jealous trick."
"Malolte! Who Is she?" Helen ques
tioned curiously.
He seemed surprised. "I thought ev
ery one knew who she Is. It's Just ns
well thai you tlou't."
"I am sure Mr. Clenlster would not
talk of mo." There was a pause.
"ko is Miss Malolte?"
He studied for a moment, while, she
watched him. What a splendid figure
he made in Ids evening clothes!. The
cozy room with its shaded lights en
hanced his size and strength and rug
ged outlines. In his eyes was that ad
miration which women live for. He
lifted his bold,, handsome face and met
her gaze.
"I had rather leave that for you to
find out, for I'm not much at scandal.
1 have something more Important to
tell you. It's Iho most Important thing
I have ever said to you, Helen." II
was the first time he had used that
name, and she began to tremble, while
her eyes sought the door In a panic.
She had expected tills moment, and
yet was not ready.
"Not tonight. Don't nay It, now,"
she managed to articulate.
"Yes, this Is a good lime. If you
can't answer, I'll come back tomorrow.
I want you to be my wife. I want to
give you everything Ihe world offers,
and I want to mnke you happy, girl.
There'll be no gossip hereafter I'll
shield yon from everything unpleasant,
and If there Is anything you want In
life, I'll lay It at your feet. I can do
it." He lifted bin massive arms, and In
the set of his strong, square face was
the uromlse that she should have what-
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evi r idle cr.ivid it nionai man couia
give It to bor- love, protection, posi
tion, adoration.
She stammered uncertainly till thc
humlliatlon and chagrin she had unf
fored this night swept over her again
This town-(his crude, half lxrn miii
lug camp-had turned against her. ml
Judged her cruelly. The women wen
envious, clacking scandal monger?, nit
of them, who would ostracize her ami
make her life in the tiorthland a mis
ery, make her an out oust with nothing
fo sustain her but her own 8olitarj
pride. .She could picture her futuro
clearly, pltiicsHly, and see herself
standing alone, rllillcd, harassed in
thousand cutting ways, yet unable t
run away or to explain. She would
Lave lo slay and face it, for her lif
was bona 1 up here during the next few
years or so, or as long as her uneW
remained a judge. This man would
free her. He loved her; he offered her
everything. He was bigger than alt
the rest combined. They were his play
things, ami they know It. She way not
uiro that she loved him. but Ids mag
net ism was overpowering and her ad
miration intense. No other man sh(
liad ever known compared with him,
pxocpt (ilenlst.ir Hah! The beast! 1 It
had Insulted lu-r at llrst; he wronger
her now.
"Will yon be my wife, Helen?" Hu
man repealed softly.
She dropped her head, and be strodi
forward to take her In Ids arms, then
stopped listening. Someone ran up on
the porch and hammered loudly at Uit
loor. .McNainara scowled, walked Into
the hall and flung (he portal open, di
I'loslng Struve.
"Hello. McNainara! Heeti looking ah'
over for you. There's the deuce tf'
"Miilnttcl Who h thct"
pay!" Helen sighed with relief nait
gathered up her cloak, while the hum
of their voices reached her indistinctly.
She was. given plenty of time to regain
her composure before they appeared.
When they did, the politician spokj
,...
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3 Sfif
7 r ILL'1 efi?
I
T HE CONTINUED.) (jJ