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v . , : ?. -J 0' ^The Spoilers.j , i By REX E. BEACH. Copyright.' 1005. by'Rex E. Beach. [Continued trom pa^e z. j CHAPTEU VII. w- T ATE In July it grows dark aa mid | nigbt approaches, so that the ^ I many lights from doorway and . i Jl d window seem less garish and . strange than they do a month earlier. In the Northern there was good business doing. The new bar fixtures, which had cost a king's ransom or represented the one nlgbfs losings of a Klondike millionaire, shone rich, dark and enticing, while the cat glass s sparkled with iridescent hues, reflecting In a measure the prismatic moods, the dancing spirits of the crowd that crushed past, baiting at the gambling games or patronizing the theater In the rear. The old bar furniture, brought down by dog team from "up river," was established nt the rear ex- j tremity or tne ioog OL.iuing, jast ia- : side the entrance to the dance hall, where patrons of the drama might, with a modicum of delay and Inconvenience, quaff as deeply of the beaker as of the ballet. Now, however, the show had closed, the hall had been cleared of chain ? and canvas, exposing a glassy, tempting surface, and the orchestra had moved to the stage. They played a rollicking, blood stirring twoetep, while the door swam with dancers. At certain Intervals the musicians worked feverishly up to a crashing crescendo, suppdrted by the voices of the dancers, until all joined at the top note In a yell, while the drummer llred a forty-four Colt Into a box of wet sawdust beside his chair?all In time, all in the swinging spirit of the tune. The men, who were mostly young, danced like college boys, while the women, who were all young and good dancers, floated through the measures with the ease of rose leaves on a summer stream. Faces were flushed, eyes were bright, and but rarely a voice sounded that was not glad. Most of the noise came from the men, and, although one caught here and tfc?a a hint of haggard lines about the giHish faces and glimpsed occasional eyes that did not smile, yet as a whole the scene was one of genulnp enjoyment. Suddenly the music ceased, wad the couples crowded to the bar. The worn Hvlnlra tha man molt ru IW* U(U UilVOO iU??, M.V ly whisky. Barely was the choice of potations criticised, though pccasioiwlly some ruddy eschewer of *>briety Insisted that his lady "take the same," avowing that "hootch," having been demonstrated beneficial In his case, was good for her also. Invariably the lady accepted without dispute, and Invariably the man failed to note her glance at the bartender or the silent substitution by that capable person of ginger ale for whisky or of plain water for gin. In turn the mixers collected $1 from each man. flipping to the girl a metal percentage check, which she added to ber store. In the curtained boxes overhead men bought bottles with foil about the corks, and then subterfuge on the lady's part was Idle, but. on the other hand, she was able to pocket for each bottle a check redeemable at $5. A stranger straight from the east would hare remarked first upon the good music, next upon the good looks of the women and then upon the shabby clothes of the men, for some of them were In "mukluk," others In sweaters with huge Initials and winged emblems, and all were collarless. Outside la the main gambling room there were but few women. Men crowded in dense masses about the faro layout, the wheel, craps, the Klondike game, panging! and the card tables. They talked of business, of home, of women, bought and sold mines and bartered all things from hams to houor. The groomed and clean, the unkempt and filthy Jostled shoulder to shoulder, equally affected by the license of the gold fields and the exhilaration of the new. The mystery ^ of the north had touched them all. The glad, bright wine of adventure filled their veins, and they spoke migbtHy of things they had resolved to do. or recounted with simple diffidence the strange stories of their accomplishment. The Bronco Kid. familiar from Atlin to Nome as uie rtest "oann aeaier on the Yukon, worked tlie shift from S till 2. He was a slender man of thirty, dexterous in movement, slow to smile, soft of voice and known as a living flame among woueu. He had dealt the biggest games of the early days Vand had no enemies. Yet, though many called him friend, they wondered Inwardly. It was a st-rong play the Kid had tonight, for Swede Sam of Dawson ventured many stacks of yellow chips, and he was a quick, aggressive gam"**1* ^ler. A "*evv 8at a* kiug -^wt?rr avtrrty- creased $1,000 bills before vnim, toget her with piles of smaller currency. He adventured viciously and without sy stem, while outsiders to the number of four or five cut in sporadically with small bets. The game was difficult to follow, consequently the lookout, from his raised dais, was leaning forward, chin in hand, while the group was hedged about by eager onlookers. Faro is a eJosed book to most people, for its intricacies are confusing. Lucky is he who has1 never persevered in solving its mysteries nor speculated upon < " | 4 V i the "systems" of beating it. From those wbo have learned it. the game demands practice, dexterity and coolness. The dealer must run the cards, watch the many shifting tk?ts. handle the neatly piled checks, figure lightnlngiike the profits and losses. It was his r.nerriug. clocklike regular!iy In this that had won t!?e Kid his reputation. This nJght bis powers were taxed. He dealt silently, scowlingly, his long wbtte Angers nervously caressing the cards. This preoccupation prevented his noticing the rustle and stir of a newcomer who bad crowded op behind him until be caught the wondering glances of those lu froot and saw that the Israelite was staring past him. his money forgotten, his eyes beady and sharp, his ratlike teeth showing in grin of admiration. Swede Sam glared from under his unkempt shock and felt uncertainly toward the open collar of hla flannel shirt where a kerchief J should hare been. The men who were' standing gazed at the newcomer, some j with surprise, others with a half smile of recognition. Bronco glanced quickly over his J shoulder, and as he did so the breath caught lu his throat, but for only an instant. A girl stood so close beside him that the lace of her gown brushed his sleeve. He was shuffling at the moment and dropped a card, then nodded to her. speaking quietly aa he stooped to regain the pasteboard: "Howdy. Cherry V She did not answer, only continued to look at the "layout" "What a woman!" be thought She was not too tall, with smoothly rounded bust and hips and loug waist, all well dlaplayed by her perfectly fitting garments. Her face was oval, the mouth rather large, the eyes of dark, dark blue, prominently outlined under thin, silken lids. Her dull gold hair waS combed low over the- ears, and her wnlle showed rows of sparkling teeth before It dived into twin dimples. Strangest of all. It was an innocent face, the face and smile of a schoolgirl. The Kid Cabbed his shuffling awkwardly and slid the cards Into the box. Then the woman spoke: "I.et me have your place. Bronco." The man gasped, the Jew snickered, the lookout straightened in his chair. "Better not. It's a hard game." said the Kid, but her voice was imperious as she commanded him: "Hurry up. Give me your place." Bronco arose, whereupon she settled In his chair, tucked in her skirts, removed her gloves and twisted Into place the diamonds on her hands. "What the devil's this?" said the lookout roughly. "Are you drunk. Bronco? Get out of that chair, miss!" She turned to him slowly. The Innocence had fled from her features, and the big eyes flashed warnlngly. A change had coarsened her like a puff of air on a still pool. Then, while she 8tared at him. her lids drooped dun- I gerously and her lip curled. "Throw him oat. Bronco." she said, and her tones hekl the hardness of a mistress to her slave. 'That's a& right," the Kid reassured the lookout. "She's a better dealer than I am. This Is Cherry Malotte." Without noticing the stares this evoked, the girl commenced. Her I'm**"Thin is Cherry \lulottc." bands, beautifully soft aud white, flashed over the board. She dealt rapidly, unfalteringly, with the finish of one bred to the cards, handling chips and coppers with the i?ecullar muunerlsms that spring from long practice. It was seen that she never looked at her check rack, but when a bet required paying picked up a stack without turning her head, and they saw further that she never reached twice nor took a large pile and sized it up against its mate, removing the extra disks, as is the custom. When she stretched forth her hand, she grasped the right uuml>er unerringly. This is considered the acme of professional finish, and the Bronco Kid smiled delightedly as he saw the wonder spread from the lookout to the spectators and heard the speech of tke men who stood on chairs and tables for sight of the woman dealer. For twenty minutes she continued, until the place became congested, and uever once did the lookout detect an error. While she was busy Glenister^entered the front door aud pushed his way back toward the theater. He was worried and distrait, his manner perturbed and unnatural. Silently and without apparent notice he passed friends who greeted him. "What ails Glenister tonight?" asked a bystander. "He acts funny." "Ain't you heard? Why. the Midas has been jumped. He's in a bad way? all broke up.'\ The girl suddenly ceased without finishing the deck and arose. "Don't stop." said the Kid, while a murmur of dismay came from the spectators. She only shook her head and drew on her gloves with a show of ennui. Gliding through the crowd, she threaded about aimlessly, the recipieut of many stares though but few greet- i lugs. speaking with no one, a certain dignltv serving her:as a barrier even here. Slx? stopped a "frailer and questioned him. "He's upstairs in a goliery box." "Alone?" "Yee'm. Anyhow, he was a minute ago. unless some of the rustlers has broke tn on him." A moment later Glenlster. watching the scene below, was aroused from bis gloomy absorption by the click of the | box door and the rustle of silken skirts. "Go out. please." be said, without turning. "I uon't want company. Hearing uo answer, be began again. "I came bere to be alone"?but there be ceased, for the girl hurl come forward and Inkl her two hot bands upon his cheeks. "Boy." she b'eatJied. and he arose wlftly "Cherry! Wh?n did yon come?" "Oh. days nip." she said, impatiently, "from Dawson. T!:ey told me you had stmck it. I stood it as long as I conld?then I came to you. Now. tell me about yourself. I-et rae see yon first, quirk!" She pulhxl him towards the light and gazed upward, devouring him hungrily with her great, languorous eyes. Sh' held to oat lapels, standin^^ beside ?*-J>reatw ,ng up into ?We!l.'v she said, "kiss mcr' He took her wrists in Ids and loosed ; her h^d. then looked down on her grave ' nd said: "No- it's all over. ' I told you so when I eft Dawson." "All over! Oh. no, It Isn't, boy. You think so. but it Isn't?It can't be. I love you too much to let you go." "Hush!" said he. "There are people In the next box." "I UOQ I care: wt tueui umr, sue cried, with feminine recklessness. "I'm proud of my Ksve for you. I'll tell It to them?to the whole world." "Now. see here. little girl," he said qulttly. "we had a long talk In Dawson and agreed that It was best to divide our ways. I was mad over you once, as a good many other men have been, but I came to my senses. Nothing could ever result from It, and I toM you so." "Yes. yes; I know. I thought I could give you up, but 1 didn't realize till you had gone how 1 wanted you. Oh, lt's\l>een a torture to u:e every day for the past two years." There was co semblance new to the cold creature she had api>e.::-ed ui on entering the gambling bail. S'be svok" .apidly, her whole body ten e with emotion. Imr voice shake-, uh pawtlon. "I've seen men and men and men. and they've loved me. but I r.r.er cared for anybody In the world till I saw you. They ~r> of tor mo Vill t vntl U'oro r>nlr1 You made ine come to you. Perhaps that was It. Anyhow, I can't stand It. I'll give up everything, I'll do anything, Just to be where you are. What do you think of a woman who will beg? Oh, I've lost my pride! I'm a fool?a fool?but I can't help it!" "I'm sorry you feel this way," said Glenlster. "It Isn't my fault, and it isn't of any use." For an Instant she stood quivering, while the light died out of her face; then, with a characteristic change, she smiled till the dk.iples laughed In her cheeks. She sank upon a seat beside him and pulled together the curtains, shutting out the sight below. "Very well!" Tb n she put his hand to her cheek and cuddled it. "I'm glad to see you Just the same, and you can't keep me from loving you." With his other band be smoothed her hair, while, unknown to him and beneath her lightness, she shrank and quivered at his touch like a Barbary steed under the whip. "Things are very bad with me," he said. "We've had onr mine Jumped." "Bah! You know what to do. You aren't a cripple. You've fot five fingers on your grim liana." "That's It! They all tell me that?all the old timers. But I don't know what to do. I thought I did, but I don't. The law has come Into this country, and I've tried to meet It halfway. They Jumped us and put In a receiver, a big man by the name of McNamara. Dex wasn't there, and I let them do It. When the old man learned of It, he nearly went crazy. We had our first quarrel. He thought I was afraid"? "Not he." said the girl. "I know him, and he knows you." "That was a week ago. We've hired the best lawyer In Nome*-BIll Wheaton?and we've tried to have the Injunction removed. We've offered bond in any sum, but the Judge refuses to accept It. We've argued for leave to appeal, but he won't give us the right. The more I look Into It the worse It seems, for the court wasn't convened In accordance with law, we weren't notified to appear In our own behalf, we weren't allowed a chance to argue our own case?nothing. They simply slapped on a receiver, and now they refuse to allow us redress. From a legal standpoint It's appalling. I'm told. But what Is to be done? What's the game? That's the thing. What nru lutrjr ujf iv. i m munj vuv vi ?j mind, for It's all nur fault. I didn't think It meant any^lug like tWs or I'd have made a fight for possession and stood them off at least. As It Is, my partner's sore and he's gone to drinking?first time in twelve years. He says I gave the claim away, and now It's up to me and the Almighty to get It back. If he gets full he'll drive a four horse wagon Into some church or go up and pick the Judge to pieces with his fingers to see what makes him go round." [Continued next week.] Final DischargeOn the 21st day of March, 1C08,1 will apply to P M Urockinton, Judge of Probate for the County of Williams- i burg, for a final discharge as administrator of the estate of W M Mathews, deceased. J R Mathews, 2-20-4t Qualified Administrator. 9 Grippe or Influenz 9 " to call it, is one of J diseases known. J Scoffs EmuL T Lirer Oil and Hypopfc ? # I fested form, u tue gre X known to medical sdeu X It is so easily diges * ne A and itre nerv X Vjft's w flW aMble lor C ALL DRUGGISTS; " the story of khaki. A Lasting Dye That Was Discovered by Acc dent. Khaki, the olive colored canvas in t i i* ? L.t .1: Cioui worn i>y soiu e;> in 1101 cii- i mate?, owe? it? present use to a lacky accident, a- is the case with \ many invention?. This cotton stulT I has boon worn in India by British j troops for many years. Its tint was a erienish brown, but it aJways faded when it was washed with soap. A business man from Manchester while traveling in India chanced to enter into conversation with an .English oflicer, who remarked carelessly that the lirst manufacturer who could, produce a cotton drill that would not fade would make liis fortune. * The young Englishman never forgot this hint. He came home, found a skillful dver and with him began the search for an olive dye which when used on cotton cloth would not yield to soap or soda. They spent years in these experiments, all of which proved fruitless. One day they found among several scraps of dyed cloth one which retained its color under the most severe tests. The puzzling fact was that it had heen cut from the same piece of cloth and subjected to the same processes as the other scraps, all of which faded. The two experimenters were greatly perplexed and for months tried in vain to solve the riddle. The one little fragment of khaki was the only one which kept its color against all attacks. By chance one day they found that the dye in which this scrap had been dipped had remained for a time in a metal dish of a peculiar 1 kind. The secret was found. The metal of the dish in combination with the chemicals of the dye had furnished the one thing needful. They tried the experiment with other pieces. The dye held, and their fortunes were made.?Chicago Record-Herald. You'll be surprised to see the values you get at the near five and ten cent store. Strong & Patrick, Prop s. Next to P S Courtney's. l-30-4t FOB SALEBriek in any quantity to suit purehas | er. The B*st Dry Press Machine-made j A J=J JXJLU J?*.. JZ Special shape.* made to order, correpondence solicited beiore placing vour orders. W. R. FUNK." CAMP NO-27. IMCUI MtmKut (l lit an<* 3rd^IO>>dh' ' wS/SH Visiting choppers cor\Z/j+/' dlallv invited to come V^^S^CtTj <?fF" up and sit on a stump y or hang about on the PHILIP STOLL, 9 27 12m. Con. Com. Mixed Sausage made fresh ' aily at People's Market Scott & | \i:n ? D-~?11 Qi> ' j'iiiici, f lupncivi?. n ui-i WeakT Kidneys Oause more trouble than any other organ of the body. The funotion of the kidneys la to eparate Inorganic salt and water In the process of circulation, and to remove them and their attendant poisons from the body through the bladder. Therefore when the kidneys become diseased and weak they are naturally unable to perform their work properly, and pains In the back. Inflammation of the bladder and urinary disorders are the result. It is Imperative that a prompt relief be afforded, which Is impossible unless yon remove the cause. DeWitt's Kidney and Bladder Pills promptly eliminate poisons from the system and at the same time make the kidneys wall and strong. For Weak KIdneye. Backache, Inflammation of the bladder and all urinary troubles De Witt's Kidney ; and Bladder Pills are unsurpassed. , A Week's Treatment for 25c. j Money back if they fail. For Sale by W L Wallace. I #\ ' r ' a, whichever yon like o the most weakening v r/on, which is Cod v LOtphites in easily di- V atest strength-builder . 7 ice. Jl ted that it sinks into ? a a a a * - W w blood and now rat, a es and muscles. 2 Emulsion after I oaghs and CsMa x X ! 50c. AND $1.00. Jf AGE NO BAR. " Everybody in South Carolina is eligible. Old people stooped with suffering, Middle age, courageously fighting, Youth protesting impatiently; Children, unfile to explain; N All in misery from their kidneys. Only a little backache first. Comes when you catch a cold. Or when you strain the back. Many complications follow. Urinary disorders, diabetes, Bright's disease. Doan's Kidney Pills cure backache. Lure every torm or maney ins. J W Powell, proprietor of a general store at d coal. wood and ice dealer of Waverlv, living at 2010 Blauding St., Columbia, S C, says: "My son has been atilicted with kidney and urinary trouble from childhood, being unable to control the secretions especially when asleep. Since using Dkwn's Kidney Pills he has entirely recovered For sale by all dealers. Price 50 cents. Foster-Milburn Co, Buffalo, New York, sole agents for thd United States. Remember the name?Doan's? and^take no other. Hereafter we positively refuse to publish any communication received at tbislofflce later than Tuesday, noon, except local and personal items, which will not be available later than Wednesday, noon, for the current week. By trying to be accommodating we are thrown late every week and we are tired of it. This notice applies to* EVERY BODY. 4-25 tf. For coffins,caskets or undertakers supplies day or night call on L J. Stackley, Kingstree, S. C. Don't Wait! TILL YOUR PROPERTY IS DESTROYED, BUT INSURE NOW, Against Loss By Fire or Cyclone. ii you warn tne oest, jjct yuur Insurance in a strong- "Old Line" company. 1 represent several of the largest Fire and Cyclone Insurance Companies. L. H. FAIREY At Bank of Kingstree. r-24-tf: fmrnml r Applied by skilled mechanics 3 f is worth a fair price. Cheap 3 ? mixtures slopped on by cheap 3 r painters are dear at any price. 3 ^ We expect to receive a reason- 3 ^ able equivalent for onr labor. J r But we give an honest dollar's r r worth for every dollar we get, r r and we endeavor to permanent- ) r ly satisfy our customers. ) | ALFRED WELLS, ? Painter and Paper HaDger, ) t KINGSTREE, S. C. * r Leave orders with 3 | Kingstree Hardware Co. ] THE THRItt A-fEEI VOIU IN PRESIDENTIAL CAIPAIGN TEAR. Mere Alert, Mere Tboroagb and More Fearless TDai trer Read li Every . English Spoken Country. A president of the United States will be elected this year. Who is be and who is the man whnm h*? will Kp.it"* Nrthrviv yet knows, but the Tbrice*a Week World will tell yon every step and every detail of what promises to be a campaign of the most absorbing interest. It may not tell you what you hope but it will tell you what is. The Thrice-a-Week World long ago established a character for impartiality and fearlessness in the publicacion of nejws, and - Tv] this it will maintain. If you f/i want the news as it really is subscribe to the Thrice-a-Week edition of the New York World, which comes to you every other day, except Sunday, and is thus practically a daily at the price of a weekly. The Thrice-a-Week World's regular subscription price is only $1.00 per year/ and this / pays for 159 papers. We ofer this unequalled newspaper and The County Record together for one year for $1.75. The regular subscription price - , of the two papers is $2.00. Your choice steak at Peo-^ pie's Market, Scott & Miller Proprietors. 11-21-tt Registration Notice. Theofflce or the Supervisor of Refiatration will be opened on the first Monday in every month for the par* pvac KJk lIUC ICK19lCIIUg Ui ail J per9UU who is qualified as follows: Who shall have been a resident of the State for two years, and of the , county one year, and of the polling procinct in which the elector offers to ? vote four months before the day of election, and shall have paid, six months before, any poll tax then due and payable, and who can both read and write any section of the constitUf tion of 1895 submitted to him by the Supervisors of Registration, on who can show that he owns, and has paid all taxes collectable on during the present year, pioperty in this State assessed at three hundred dollars or . . more. J. Y. McGILL, Clerk of Board. jj CLEANING I | i and Pressing, | -J 1 Cleaning and Pressing and x Slight Alterations of Clothes * done?the best of Style by P. 1 V. Hazel?next door to Corner p Drugstore. ENTRANCE ji 4 back in Recess side of Stairs. 4 x Excellent Bargains in Fine f J and Second Hand Clothing. J | ALSO ' Ik Second Hand Clothing for k Sale solicited. 11-14. ? / T, | (7 tJnsurance. Fire Insurance, Tornado Insurance, Plate Glass Insurance Life Insurance, . Health Insurance, Accident Insurance, Burglary Insurance. We represent only Companies of unquestioned; reliability'and , a policy is as good as a gold bond. Well f Bond You,. < -I As Cashier, Treas... urer or any position of trust in any of the largest companies in America. The Williamsburg Insurance & Bonding flgencu, OFFICE OVER L STACKLEY'S STORE, Kingstree, - S. C. >