hearth.

"Dog-gone it! I hed more money 'n thet," complained Lem. "Jim, you rode
to Kremmlin' last. Did you take my money?"

"Wal, come to think of it, I reckon I did," replied Jim, in surprise at
the recollection.

"An' whar's it now?"

"Pard, I 'ain't no idee. I reckon it's still in Kremmlin'. But I'll pay
you back."

"I should smile you will. Pony up now."

"Bent Wade, did you come over calkilated to git skinned?" queried
Bludsoe.

"Boys, I was playin' poker tolerable well in Missouri when you all was
nursin'," replied Wade, imperturbably.

"I heerd he was a card-sharp," said Jim. "Wal, grab a box or a chair to
set on an' let's start. Come along, Jack; you don't look as keen to play
as usual."

Belllounds stood with his back to the fire and his manner did not
compare favorably with that of the genial cowboys.

"I prefer to play four-handed," he said.

This declaration caused a little check in the conversation and put an
end to the amiability. The cowboys looked at one another, not
embarrassed, but just a little taken aback, as if they had forgotten
something that they should have remembered.

"You object to my playin'?" asked Wade, quietly.

"I certainly do," replied Belllounds.

"Why, may I ask?"

"For all I know, what Montana said about you may be true," returned
Belllounds, insolently.

Such a remark flung in the face of a Westerner was an insult. The
cowboys suddenly grew stiff, with steady eyes on Wade. He, however, did
not change in the slightest.

"I might be a card-sharp at that," he replied, coolly. "You fellows play
without me. I'm not carin' about poker any more. I'll look on."

Thus he carried over the moment that might have been dangerous. Lem
gaped at him; Montana kicked a box forward to sit upon, and his action
was expressive; Bludsoe slammed the cards down on the table and favored
Wade with a comprehending look. Belllounds pulled a chair up to
the table.

"What'll we make the limit?" asked Jim.

"Two bits," replied Lem, quickly.

Then began an argument. Belllounds was for a dollar limit. The cowboys
objected.

"Why, Jack, if the ole man got on to us playin' a dollar limit he'd fire
the outfit," protested Bludsoe.

This reasonable objection in no wise influenced the old man's son. He
overruled the good arguments, and then hinted at the cowboys' lack of
nerve. The fun faded out of their faces. Lem, in fact, grew red.

"Wal, if we're agoin' to gamble, thet's different,"