The Outlaws: Jess by Connie Mason Page B

the
cards.
    Jess fanned his cards close to his chest. He
kept his expression purposely blank despite wanting to jump for
joy. Luck was with him. He held a pair of kings. The betting became
heated. Jess watched the gambler closely for cheating. His intense
scrutiny was rewarded when he caught Fisk dealing himself a card
from the bottom. Jess slapped his hand down on the deck.
    "From the top, please," he growled.
    The bearded man leaped to his feet. "You been
cheatin', Fisk?"
    "Sit down, Brewster, the tenderfoot don't
know what he's talking about."
    "Calm down, gentlemen," the well-dressed man
said. "Let's give Fisk the benefit of the doubt this time. But
we'll all be watching you, Fisk, so if you've a mind to cheat,
don't. We should thank...what did you say your name was,
mister?"
    "Jess. Jess Gentry."
    "I'm Earl Wyland. I for one am grateful for
the warning."
    "It's Dr. Gentry."
    "A medical doctor?" a young cowhand asked.
"I'm Pace Lynch."
    "I'm Chet Conner," a sad eyed man in a
wrinkled suit said.
    "And I'm Burl Brewster." This from the
bearded man.
    "Howdy," Jess said. "Yes, I'm a medical
doctor. I'm thinking of opening a practice in town. Remember me
when you need a doctor."
    Fisk sent Jess a murderous glare. "Are we
gonna play poker or sit here and chit chat?"
    "Get on with the game," Jess said. "Deal from
the top this time."
    The game continued. Jess discarded three
cards and was dealt an ace, a deuce, and another king to go along
with his pair of kings. The bidding continued. At the final lay
down, Jess held the winning hand. He scooped up his winnings and
placed his watch back in his pocket. His luck held out. He won the
next two hands out of four. He owed his luck to reading expressions
and knowing when to hold and when to fold.
    Sad-eyed Chet Conner said little during the
play. He bet with a reckless abandon that bothered Jess. The man
appeared to be sober but Jess could tell his heart wasn't in
gambling. He lost consistently and appeared not to care.
    The game progressed. Gold coins and paper
bills piled up in front of Jess. A few hours later Jess became
aware of the passage of time and of his incredible good fortune,
and he didn't want to push fate. The nighttime crowd began drifting
into the saloon, some gravitating toward the poker table to watch
the play. Saloon girls sashayed through the crowd, urging men to
buy them drinks and making assignations for later.
    When the deal came around to Jess again, he
placed the cards face down on the table and announced his decision
to call it a night.
    "You can't quit now, Gentry," Fisk charged as
Jess rose and stretched. "Give us a chance to win our money
back."
    "Another time," Jess declared. "It's getting
late. I still have to find a place to stay for the night."
    "I'm through, too," Conner said. "Cleaned
out."
    Fisk rose as if to challenge Jess.
    "Accept your losses and let it go at that,
Fisk," Wyland advised. "We all lost tonight. And we're all aware of
your cheating now, thanks to the doc, here. I suggest you keep your
nose clean from now on."
    Fisk slanted Jess another lethal look and
stalked away.
    "Nice meeting you all," Jess said, eager now
to clear out with his winnings. They would be put to good use."
    "Are you really going to hang up your shingle
in town?" Conner asked.
    "Just as soon as I find a place to rent
within my means," Jess said. "Until I won tonight, I didn't have a
nickel to call my own." He tipped his hand. "I owe you all my
thanks, gentlemen."
    "Mr. Gentry, might I have a word with you?"
Conner asked.
    Jess was surprised to find the meek Mr.
Conner following behind him. "Of course. How may I help you? Are
you ill?" Jess took a closer look at the man, thinking he might be
consumptive.
    "No, not sick. At least not in the way you
mean. My wife of thirty years just passed away and I'm taking her
back to Philadelphia for burial. It was her wish to be buried
beside our only child, who died before we left Philadelphia."
    Jess led Conner to a table and