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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1947-11-27, Page 6Deg:acted Y JA C K S O N a C O L E Synopsis Chapter XV: Valdez engages Conroy in a poker game, Valdez, suspicious that t h e game is crooked, surprises the dealer by drawing cards when he had been dealt an apparently winning pat hand, CHAPTER XVI Flash Conroy stiffened percept- ibly. His eyes flew open involun- tarily, then his poker face took command again, and the slow lids dropped to veil the surprise. Ex- cept for that brief moment of sud- den! jarring astonielinent, hid face did not change expression. But there was incredulity in his voice as he repeated: "Two, you said?" "Right," said Valdez. Just those few words passed. but instantly, as if some undercurrent of danger had been transniitted, the watching crowd began to fade away from :ernund the table. A sheepish Britt quirked the Lips , of Valdez' nearest opponent as Con- roy dealt Valdez the two cards he had asked for. He picked them up slowly and found a queen of spades and a seven of spades. The first house player drew one card, looked at it ----and promptly threw his hand into the center of the tilde. The other gambler on the opposite side of the table picked up the one card dealt hum, barely glanced at it and followed suit. Valdez laid down his three kings, face up, and raked in the pot, stuffing the stoney that had been piled up on the table in his pocket,. * * * Slowly he glanced around at the silent crowd, his lips grim, his eyes hard and icily cold. "I believe all you folks should know something about what has been going on here," he said, with a dagger -flash of his dark eyes at Conroy beside him. "Flash dealt me four kings and an arc, knowing that I could see that four aces would not be out against me. He had the seven of spades and the queen of spades on top of the decl.. 'Phis hombre on my left was holding the eight, nine, ten and. jack of spades-. which would have handed hhit a straight flush in any ratans language. And that, amigos, is the kind of crooked work you have alt been up against when you gambled here at the Palace," Then Valdez looked srmarely in- to Plast (army's eyes, tread to face the gambler, "Conroy," he said between his teeth, "aecording to plan, a man stame,! Raymond Garvin wanted you iii relay the money I'ie been playing, with to the 'big boss.' It was to have been his whack out of all the robbery of poor peons and settlers front the Eastern states now hi Pai;ano Valley. But Gar - vin's dead now .and won't be able to pass on more ---any more than he'll be interested in what's hap- pened 1, his dinero," a: z * Valdez nodded, his jaw harden- ing. Yes," he repeated, "Garvin's dead. El Caballero Rojo paid him a little visit last night, so he won't be in on that new little thievery deal that has been planned—oh, you know all about it all right. You needn't look puzzled, "El Caballero Rojo has done me a good turn or two, as he has for many other people, so when he wanted me to do something for him 1 welcomed the dunce, I have been plumb glad to come here to- night, as be asked me to do, be- cause he is too busy himself right now to deal with snakes." Slowly Michael Valdez rose, his eyes never wavering from the speechless gambler. He ben for- ward over the table to emphasize his words, 'So tonight I'm getting you for $l Caballero Rojo. Conroy, just as he got Raymond Garvin, He'1l. attend to your 'big boss' himself!" The very air in the Palace Saloon sparked as Michael Valdez shot out his last words, Men who already had backed from the table scram- bled hurriedly across the big room as, the next instant on the echo' of Valdez' challenge, Flash Conroy lived up to his name. With- Valdez' last word hanging in the air Conroy leaped from his chair; and his six-gun was out of the holster, whipping up into line with the buttons on Valdez' char- - ro vest. But Michael Valdez was ready for hint. In that same breath he - lunged against the houseman on his left, knocked hint head over heels into the other member of the trio, who also was on his feet now. Even as the two went sprawling onto the floor, Valdez swung around, and two long -barreled six- guns were in his hands, There was a roaring burst of flame from the muzzle of each gun, and Flash Couroy's gun flew from his hand. He meale one small flicker of move- ment as if to shake the derringer up bis sleeve down into his hand, but stopped on the instant as he looked iio the deadly bores of Valdez' gums. Michael Valdez swiftly backed away then, .his gluts moving in sweeping arcs as he covered not only Flash Conroy but all the other occupants of the Palace who were directly before hint. A curious smile creased the corners of his eye:, and mouth as those eyes kept each ratan present in his range of visiutt, as though his gaze were centered on each one alone, "There are -plenty of rewards on my head!" he taunted, "Perhaps ,:orate of you brave men who work for Flash Conroy would like to take a chance on collecting them! If you do, come shooting—I'm warning you! I'd be glad of the chance—for this whole place has sort of a bad smell to it. I ant aiming to air it out a little before I leave." Valdez appeared not to see '.Clash Conroe s all but imperceptible nod toward the bar. But a split second later, when the double-barreled shotgun came up over the mahoga- ny, he swiveled on the balls of his feet. His single gun roared, and the bartender who had obeyed his boss banged against the bar mir- ror, his hands plastered helplessly over his stomach. "Being shot in the middle is a plumb painful business, I know," Valdez drawled, "but it's no more than some of you hombres deserve. I hope you take the warning." His lips curled in a curious whistle, and the next moment El Cielo was pushing his way through the swing door. With his gun still covering the crowd, methodically Valdez tapped the till behind the bar, then stalked over and relieved Conroy of the cash the gambler had on him. Though apparently unconcerned, he was fully conscious of the glow- ering looks, the muttered curses that followed him as he moved swiftly. Yet he was fully con- fident that no man there would venture to match his gun skill with his own, not after the exhibition of fast shooting he had just displayed. Moreover, none of them had ever seen Conroy bested before. The gambler's gun -speed had been sup- posed to be unbeatable, unchal- lenged, At last, while silence held the room, Valdez backed toward the door, his pockets bulging with loot. El Cielo followed him, "I'm giving the whole lot of you exactly ninety seconds to get out of here!" he snapped. "This (tole of Satan is going to be burned to the ground. Or" -he shot one glance at Plash Conroy—"perhaps if you will say to me the name of your 'big boss,' so that I may tell it to El Caballero Rojo, I might let you off—to some extent, Though Madre de Diosl What El Caballero Rojo will say to that I don't know!" (To be Continued) All Ready to Win—Tliorottgh brushing is enjoyed by dignified Irish setter Sir Michael of Devon, entry of Mrs, Gertrude Drew in the Winter Pair dog show. "Beautician" is. Margaret Harris. Sunday School Lesson By Rev, R. Barclay Warren The Proof of a Christian 1 John 4:15-21; 5:10-13; II John GOLDEN TEXT — He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the San of God hath not life. — 1 John 5:12, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dweI- leth in him, and he in God." This is the basic belief of a Christian. Some modern teachers present Jests as merely a.great man. Then, of course, the miracles recorded of him become fanciful stories. John is very emphatic. "Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son," A Christian dwells in love, The Greek word translated love in this lesson does not denote stere human affection. It is tranlated charity in 1 Corinthians 13, It is God -like for "God is love." It is shed abroad in the heart of the individual who be - Your Handwriting and You Alex :.31 Arnott Which Would Be The Better Wife? Dear Itir, Arnott: 1 am a widower with two children and I ant con- templating marriage, I have en- closed two examples of handwrit- ing of women with whom I am corresponding. It would be inter- esting to know what your analysis would be of ahem. * * k Answer: The first example is the writing of a self - willed person who is domineering, as shown by the heavy thick writing and the "flying T bar" in the word "this". There is no doubt that she would be insistent about having her own way with a good measure of sar- casm into the bargain. Do not ex- pect too much generosity from her as the words are cramped close together to reveal a nature that believes in the strictest economy and therefore is not likely to be very generous with herself or in giving to others. * * * The second script is a good example of broadmindedness and generosity. The spaciousness of,the script indicates the willingness to overlook the faults and shortcom- ings of others. The generosity is revealed in the well -spaced words and the long finals. The writing is clear. The "weight' of the lines is light, a good sign of regard for the feelings of others and also an interest in spiritual things. The open Letter "a" is a good indica- tion that the writer will not hesi- tate to be frank in all her dealings with others. There is a good bal- ance between materialistic and spiritual interests in this example, cage;i 4rr� , p '1)4" '„ 7 Anyone wising a mare complete analysis please send self-addressed stamped envelope to Box B, room 421, 73 Adelaide St. West, Toronto There is no charge for this scrvfre USSiUE 45-1047 lieves on the Son of God. This love may be perfected so that we shall have no dread of the judgment. Our mind is not perfect, hence our con- duct is not perfect but our whole life can be motivated by perfect love. The child helping her mother bake, makes some blunders but all the while she is "helping moth- er." She is acting in love. "We love because He first loved us." Another proof of the Christian is that he has this God -like attitude toward :nen. We may not admire or wish to emulate our brother but we must love hint with a pure heart. This is natural for the Christ- ian. "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that lovcth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? "He .that believed' on the Son of God hath the witness in him- self." He that hath the Sou hath life." You need not tell an athlete that he is alive. He knows it, So the Christian has the witness in him- self. He sings. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine". John mentions one further im- portant proof. "This is love, that we follow his conunandments," We have noted that a Christian has a basic belief, a pure love dispel- ling fear, and embracing his fel- low men. He has an inward assur- ance of acceptance with God. Fin- ally, his outward life proves he is a christian. He talks, docs busi- ness, etc., its accordance with God's commandments, The world knows, "There is a Christian," Consumers Launch Membership Drive By finding out the why's of short- ages, ceilings, rationing, and by a 'united effort, Canadian women help- ed keep Canada economically sound in war. So that this wartime experience may not be lost, the woolen of Can- ada through their voluntary organ- izations, arecontinuing theirinter- est in consumer problems. Fifty-six national presidents met in Ottawa to form a self-supporting, indepen- dent Canadian Association of Con- sumers. on sumers. This week the CAC is launch- ing is membership campaign in evert city, town and rural area. across the Dominion: Volunteer committees are . explaining the objects of the new association to help people in their communities. Business Opportunity "No," said the club wit, "I never said be was conceited, All I said was that if T could buy him at any price and sell hiin at his own, I'd make a darned good profit." Pi T//fRESONE TN/NOfORACNES Na imo of A LDS ;sr, BOE stantine /2 TABLETS FOR 250 t tlr lays With Dr. Chase's Syrup isa the Mouse What a satisfaction it is for mothers to always-haveDr. Chase's Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine at hand to check coughs and colds quickly. For nearly half a century Dr. Chase's Syrup has been the standby treatment for coughs and colds in the great majority of homes. It is just as dependable as ever and just as pleasant to USD. Dr. Chase's Syrup of Linseed and Turpentine 350 Family size 3 times as much 751 foe 8 5 i "1 say, Old Boy, aren't you letting your enthusiasm for Grape -Nuts Flakes run away with you?" "Not me, Brother. Chuck ore ids and get yourself a big econ- omy package of malty -rich, honey - golden Post's Grape -Nuts Flakes, That's the lure for Miss AIoorl "And don't think she doesn't appreciate all the good nourishment in Post's Grape -Nuts Flakes: carbo- hydrates for energy; proteins for muscle; phosphorus for teeth and bones; iron for the blood; and other food essentials. Post's Grape -Nuts Flakes, you know, are made of two golden grains—wheat and malted barley. They're skillfully blended, baked and then wonderfully toasted to give 'em that gloriously enticing flavor and crispness, "And if Miss Aloor could only cook, she'd appreciate those grand recipes on the package. for cookies. cakes, souffles, etc." "'Y It keeps in the cupboard.—it's quick-acting—it's always there when you want it! Now, with the New Fleischmann's Royal Fast Rising Dry Yeast, you can bake more delicious breads and rolls in extra -fast time. No dashing to the store at the last minute—you can keep a tnonth's supply standing by, use it as you need it. It will be as potent the day you use it as the day you bought it. IF YOU BAKE AT HOME—get Fleischmattn's Royal Fast Rising Dry Yeast today. At your grocer's,