We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
A GAMBLER'S END *
By John J. a' Becftet
■*
«\V/HAT'S your hurry, Ealstone?
W Have another?"
"No, thanks. I'm off to the Actor/ Fair."
"I thought only gents with the long green were your mark," returned the first speaker.
"Everything's in my line that's worth while," replied the man called Ealstone, coolly and with a satisfied smile. "Might see you later, at The Black Pup. So long."
He nodded, and leisurely walked out of the hotel bar-room.
"He ought to be a good thing for an Actors' Fair," remarked the first speaker to the bartender. "He's a good-looker, a good spender, and sure to be a winner with the ladies. Especially the stage brand. He can talk, all right."
"Money talks best when you're up against one of those footlight daisies," replied the smart young man behind the bar.
"Is there any place it doesn't ? Ealstone seems pretty well-lined. You know who he is, don't you ?"
"I've heard he was an Englishman of a swell family."
"That's ali right ! Maybe, or maybe not. But he can handle a bunch of cards, all right. He's a gambler."
"Good business, here in 'Frisco. He looks as if he was on the right side of the game."
Ealstone was certainly a "good looker"; a man that would attract attention anywhere. Tall, well-fleshed, with a dark, handsome face, and suave, agreeable manners, he was especially appealing to the ladies. His brilliant hazel eyes could have a very caressing look, and when he smiled, his white
teeth flashed beneath a wavy black mustache. His lips were a little full and sensual, when his mouth was in repose, and his somewhat large nose and rugged chin were strong and a little dogged in expression. He had the air of a man who knew what he wanted, and felt pretty sure of getting what he went gunning for.
Ealstone paused when he entered the hotel ballroom, around which were grouped the different booths presided over by the most popular and prettiest actresses that could be enlisted in the cause. His glittering eye ran from one to the other. Suddenly it rested, round and bright, on the Flower Booth.
He carelessly strolled in that direction, bestowing nothing but goodnatured, smiling remarks on the beautiful, or dashing young women along the way who sought to interest him in their showy wares. When he reached the pretty flower-decked booth where Nellie Worthington was installed he stopped deliberately with a winning smile.
She was an exquisite brunette, with the soft, rich charm of a Beauty from the South. But she had a frank, hearty manner, both in speech and in her movements.
She was about twenty-two, but had girlish grace and unaffectedness, which was an unusual combination in an actress.
"I know what you want !" she said, with sprightly animation.
She selected a gardenia boutonniere, and held it up to his admiration, turning it about, admiringly, before his eyes.
"Good guess ! If I'd known you could tell like that I wouldn't have
96