The Monitor-register., 1897-09-24

4Ou olO bituhiuR L u u6fC
to brush up a good deal to make any
show in your set, but you could give me
many points. I'll make it ten thousand
with the polish thrown Init would be
worth all that to me-"
Ravenhurst drew a long breath that
heightened into a whistle.
"Why not2" he answered, tossing
aside his Cigar. 81 believe you'd do with
very little rubbing. T've a great mind to
take you in hand, ard at the same time l
could manage to have a rather swell
time on ten thousand for a month or SO.
You could also If you get in with the
fellows-sort of an odd fellow assooia-
ton idea, you know. Yes, Cleevor, If 1t
is worth that to you, we'll strike a bar.
gain and call 1t square"
Cleevor rose to 90 soon after, with the
fine instinct Of a gentleman. His quiet
demeanor was greatly In his favor; his
preference for pale blue ties, oiled hair
and three inch collars were minor disad-
vantages, a little reasoning would smooth
them out.
Raenhurst ohuckled inwardly, thinking
the matter over, and smiled In the face of
this fash light of fortune; he could ex-
plain to ''the boys that he was under
vague obligations to the man from
Cuero, and introduce him as the one who
would without doubt stand treat for the
party indefinitely and expect little in re-
turn-as he felt sure Cleevor would.
His self congratulations were quite In
order, 1t was purely a business arrange
ment; if this unusual young man could
not stand the consequent ~''sponging" he
would simply be obliged to drop out of
the smart set. that would be his own
affair entirely.
Three weeks of gayety passed like a
dream. Cleevor, under Ravenhurst's
tutorship, surpassed himself; he could
not be entioed into fashiona bio extremes,
therefore at ultra fashionable gatherings
he was still a little marked by reason of
his plain attire, but his clothes fitted
we'll, he carried his ring in his pocket,
and his short abundant looks were
allowed to curl slightly, as by nature in
tended.
Ravenhurst was going rapidly to the
end of his line; five thousand melted
away like boar frost on q sunny morning,
the other five were going still faster.
''The DEVILS own LUCK" he growled and
went on his mad paoe with smiling ex-
terror. Cleevor was necessary to him a
few weeks longer, he made smooth the
young mans path for the furtherance of
his own desires.
"Do you know Boston ?" Cleevor
asked n night. 81 have a friend there
pretty well up in Boston society, 1 should
judge from the way he talked. Smart
fellow, too; they put him on the trail of
the Fenwick robbery case, about a year
ago. as a private spotter. You see he
wrote me all about it, and since then
I've quite wanted to take in Boston, too.
My uncle was in a way to accommodate
my friend considerably when he was in
Texas, and he invited me very cordially
to visit him. If l thought I'd enjoy it
I'd go. Is Boston any sort of place
socially?"
"a dull hole ~ Ravenhurst sneered
disgustedly. $50 to Boston on your
funeral. A place of vapors and monu
ments. Bah !"
"No good then. I'm half sorry, for
I'd made up my mind to go; but L have
no time to loose-a couple of weeks will
finish my vacation as far as cash goes. l
drew my last thousand to-day"
Ravenhurst had occasion to visit
Cleevor's room that night, but the
young fellow passed out just ahead of
him; he saw him running down the
polished steps toward the billiard room,
and RAvenhurst waite in his room half
an hour or so. When Cleevor returned,
he found his friend reading absently."
II forgot to mention that one of the
boys gave me a couple of passes on
Troops" he said, languidly. "some
pretty big stakes are up Shall you go
with me ?"
A strange sparkle shot into Cleevor's
dark eyes.
yes" he answered; "but l am no
player; can you teach me?"
81 think 30. Practice on small stakes;
they usually have small games there. l
go for business-purely to replenish my
tin"
"Ob, 1 see Yes, 1 am anxious to CO."
"Yery well-to-morrow at twelve
thirty. never go earlier-game's slow
up to that hour. Goodnight"
Cleevor held the door open and looked
after him till he turned at a cross corri-
dor; then he locked the door and began
to look through a thick book on the table:
"Guide to New York" he fluttered the
leaves, held it upside down, but did not
find what he sought. Then he sat down
In an attitude that rivaled Ravenhurst for
elegant comfort, plunged his hands in
his trousers pockets and laughed heartily,
unrestrainedly. After a few minutes of
this extraordinary behavior he rose, look
ed at his reflection in the glass. smiling
again, turned OF the light and went to
bed.
"Troop's'' was filled to OVERLOOKING
with a we'll appearing set of men when
R%avenhurst and Cleevor came 10 at 10. 80
IN Tho khird pi1hk (IIoounr alnnikfa1
that he hadn't much talent in that line,
In answer to the elder mems chaf at his
continuous poor playing. That night,
however, he began to play with unusual
avidity, and lost SUCCESSFULLY. His hu-
NOR was in no way impaired by his mis-
fortunes; he laughed loudly, ard an
swered the men-Ravenhurst's friends
they were-in a fairly good imitation of
their " unrestrained speech, which led
to dangerous extremes of expression.
"Miserly wretch J" Ravenburst an.
swered. forgetting his policy under hard
luck; he was so stepped 10 wine. 81
won't play except for decent stakes"
Cloevor flushed under the insult;
Strengthening himself to the old stiff
angle, he shuflsd his cards In silence.
What is your stake 8" he asked, pres
emily.
Ravenhurst's pockets we're empty; he
took out his watch, but CT eevor shook
his head.
THAT against a level Thousand ?" he
said scornfully.
Course you r' said the other, with an
evil look. "But l have a ring that will