The Portland daily press., 1898-11-02

CHAPTER al. ConGlnueu.
The sight of Zertho winning stirred
Erie Brokers blood. He had watched
the run of the table sufficiently to. know
from experience that the chances were
again in favour of the red, and with
diamond two notes for one hundred francs
apiece.
stay his hand, but too late. Then, with
lips compressed she looked at him with
bitter reproach, but uttered no word. The
little ivory ball had already been launched
on its way.
"Rien ne va plusI' cried the oroupier
an instant later, and the ball next second
clicked into its socket.
Red won. The croupier tossed over to
him two notes of the same value as those
he had staked. and heltook kthem up with
an amused smile at his companions.
prettily, sit is too bad of you to break
your promise. / only came with you on
One condition, namely, that you wouldn't
"Well, I've won ten louis. so no great
harm has been DONE" he answered.
"But there is harm, F." she protested firm
", when once you come to the tables
YOU cannot, you know, leave until you ve
won, or lost everything. l thought you
had for my sake given it up"
They had drawn aside from the table,
and were standing in the middle OF the
handsome room.
s'This is only in fun, Lame" Zertho
assured her. I'VE are neither OF us any
longer professionals. Our day is over"
ssIt is certainly not kind of you to invite
my father to play like this" she ex-
claimed, turning upon him resentfully.
81 have already told you that do not
wish him to play"
81 have not invited him." Zertho de-
clared with a laugh. If he chooses TO
follow the run l cannot we'll prevent it.
At that moment Brooker. who still kept
his keen eyes rivetted upon the table,
heard the croupier's voice, hesitated "a
moment, and taking two rapid steps
forward tossed upon the red diamond the
four notes he had just picked up.
Whirr-r! click! went the ball again,
and the croupier's announcement few
seconds later told him that he had won
four hundred francs.
Lame, annoyed, flushed slightly, com
pressed her lips, and turning from them
with gesture of anger walked straight
out from the great gilded salons SO hate
full to her. AS she passed. many turned
and remarked how beautiful she was She
knew that the mania which had caused
her fathers downfall had returned, that
this double success would cause him to
plunge still more deeply. Zertho smiled
CONTEMPORARY at her fears, and neither
man went after her to induce her to re-
turn.
The Prince, on the contrary, shrugged
his shoulders, and laughing, said:
"She's annoyed. She'll return in a
won. Now that she's gone / m going
to risk few chances myself"
p At that moment two players rose from
their chairs and the pair so well-known
to the croupiers and attendants took their
places. The man sitting before the red
and black disc which slowly reyolved
while the players laid down their coin,
gave both men little nod of recognition.
tMessieurs, vos jeux,' cried the Group
Ter.
whats your fancy? The IMPAIR"
Zertho inQ uired of his companion in the
same tone as was his won't long ago.
"Of COURSE" the other replied, selecting
those in his hand, and tossing them over
upon the marked square indicated.
Once more sounded the monotonous cry,
"Rien ne va pausl'' The croupier sat i'm :
movable as one joyless, hopeless, and i'm
passionate, a veuitable machine ,rakiug in
and paying ont gold and silver and notes
without caring one jot whether the bank
gained or lost. The bali was an instant
later sent on it's way, and BROKER,
watching. saw it suddenly spring about
and fall.
Again he won.
With one elbow resting upon the table
he gathered up his winnings with that
impressive manner which marks the pro-
fessfcnal gamester as one apart. Whether
hs gained or lost Erie Booker never made
sign. except sometimes when he lost more
heavily than usual he would perhaps
smile a trif1e bitterly. Already the fur
rows were showing in his brow, and his
deep-set eyes watched keenly the run OF
the game as time after time he would
hesitate. apparently reIieotlng, untiI tne
ball was already in motion, and then toss
his notes into the "manque" or "passe,
the first being the numbers 1 to Is, and
the latter 10 to,3S. or place them upon the
Vines of the various numbered squares,
whichever he deemed wisest for the com
posite chances of "sixain" 'carre, a
ht,ouzaine," or "collonne.' Needless
of all around him, needless of his old
partner at his side, the man who had
once shared his losses and his winnings,
needless of the pale delicate girl who was
wandering about alone somewhere out.
side, fearing lest he should lose the whole
of the little money they now had. he
won and won, and still won.
Sometimes he lost. Twice in succession
the bank gained six hundred francs OF
his winnings. still nothing daunted, he
continued, and found that the knowledge
he had gained of the game proved true
for be won again and again, although
sometimes. doubling and even trebling
his stake.
EThe crowd of eager ones around the
table now began to wait until he selected
the place wherein he should put down his
stake, and commenced to follow his play
narrowly, playing when he played, and
refraining when he held back.
Zertho noticed this and whispered:
uYour luck's changed. old Echsp. Why
not try bigger stakes?"
ST know what I'm about" the other
mapped yiiQiQaslA pulling towards him .