cards about maintained
a rather bored flow of conversational incitement to bets.

As happened, he was illy patronized at the moment. There were not more
than three or four onlookers, none risking but all waiting apparently upon
one another.

At our arrival the youth glanced up with the most innocent pair of
long-lashed brown eyes that I ever had seen. A handsome boy he was.

"Hello, Bob."

He smiled, with white teeth.

"Hello yourself."

My Lady and he seemed to know each other.

"How goes it to-night, Bob?"

"Slow. There's no nerve or money in this camp any more. She's a dead
one."

"I'll not have Benton slandered," My Lady gaily retorted. "We'll buck your
game, Bob. But you must be easy on us. We're green yet."

Bob shot a quick glance at me--in one look had read me from hat to boots.
He had shrewder eyes than their first languor intimated.

"Pleased to accommodate you, I'm sure," he answered. "The greenies stand
as good a show at this board as the profesh."

"Will you play for a dollar?" she challenged.

"I'll play for two bits, to-night. Anything to start action." He twisted
his mouth with ready chagrin. "I'm about ripe to bet against myself."

She fumbled at her reticule, but I was beforehand.

"No, no." And I fished into my pocket. "Allow me. I will furnish the funds
if you will do the playing."

"I choose the card?" said she. "That is up to you, sir. You are to
learn."

"By watching, at first," I protested. "We should be partners."

"Well," she consented, "if you say so. Partners it is. A lady brings luck,
but I shall not always do your playing for you, sir. That kind of
partnership comes to grief."

"I am hopeful of playing on my own score, in due time," I responded. "As
you will see."

"What's the card, Bob? We've a dollar on it, as a starter."

He eyed her, while facing the cards up.

"The ace. You see it--the ace, backed by ten and deuce. Here it is. All
ready?" He turned them down, in order; methodically, even listlessly moved
them to and fro, yet with light, sure, well-nigh bewildering touch.
Suddenly lifted his hands. "All set. A dollar you don't face up the ace at
first try."

She laughed, bantering.

"Oh, Bob! You're too easy. I wonder you aren't broke. You're no monte
spieler. Is this your best?"

And I believed that I myself knew which card was the ace.

"You hear me, and there's my dollar." He coolly waited.

"Not yours; ours. Will you make it five?"

"One is my