The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-07-25


CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued.)
That was only to be expected, and
scores of others did the same thing,
some for tidy amounts.
No one deigned to notice him as
yet, but Jones was not seeking noto-
riety-he would in good time have all
that he cared for, and more, too.
Like other great men, he could be
patient, knowing that everything
comes to him who waits.
Jones won again.
He never touched his stake, but
cast his eyes down to the white cuff
of his shirt-sleeve, upon which few
apparently hieroglyphic figures had
been marked.
Merrick swept a glance around.
AS usual there were numerous spec
tators back of the players, though no
great crowd was in attendance.
He quickly discovered the one he
sought, and bowed across the table
to Constance Dare.
The count sat close to Jones, and
followed his play with much small
err stake
Evidently he believed a half loaf
was better than no bread, and in
tended sharing the coming glory and
vindication of Darragh's system.
Little Jones cared.
1t was not so much the money he
desired as the Generalization of the
gaming faculty, which was yearly
sending it's deadly blight all over Eu-
rope, and even reaching out its ten
tacles across the sea to the young re-
public of the west.
AS time passed and Jones' little
pile upon the table grew in quantity,
some of those near by began to show
an interest in his work, being forever
on the lookout for a phenomenon.
Still he won, with only an occa-
sional setback.
The dealer condescended to shoot
him a glance Of curiosity as he shov-
ed a glittering mass in his quarter,
though at the same time a cynical
smile momentarily fitted over his
SalloW features.
He had seen them before, lots of
them-like the old sexton, it was only
question of time with him ere he
gathered them in.
OF course, the keen eyes of the deal
er had ere now detected that Jones
was proceeding upon a regular rou-
tine of play-possibly he had discov-
cred the marks upon the cuff, as it
was an old dodge.
When Jones won again he became
interested enough to make some little
remark across the board as he pushed
a goodly heap of gold lhither.
For the limit had been reached.
Should Jones be lucky enough TO
win again, he must begin to stow his
gains away.
OF course, this might happen, but
the dealer, in his superior wisdom,
rested under the belief that it was
about time a decided change took
place.
He would smile in his usual ironi-
cal way when the collapse came, and
that was all.
To him it was an old story.
Another rake off for Jones.
He calmly drew out formidable
buckskin bag, and ratified the thou
sands of francs into it as nonchalantly
as the dealer passed them over.
Indeed, his very action seemed to
say that he certainly expected more
to follow, for the mouth of the capa-
cious bag yawned hungrily between
his knees.
The whisper had gone around, and
all interest was now centered at this
point
Keen eyes watched the action of
Jones as he changed to red after win
ming. certain number of times on
black.
Red won, of course-his system had
worked beautifully thus far, and If 1t
kept up the ruin Of Monte Carlo was
assured.
More intense grew the excitement
all old failures were forgotten and
one more hope revived in hearts that
had grown sick with waiting.
The worst of it was when Jones
won every one raked in with him,
since none dared to go contrary to
such extraordinary luck.
So that the bank was losing heavily
There was chance that it might
recoup when the turn came, if it ever
did.
Jones played on without tremor.
The crowd. pressed five deep
around the table, now took such amaz.
ing interest in Jones and his fortunes
that each time he won buzz of ex-
/ element and covetous sympathy
burst out, while an occasional loss ex.
cited deepest commiseration.
Jones looked like winner.
He was a trifle flushed and his eyes
glowed with righteous fires, but his
hand showed no sign of trembling as
he calmly added each healthy contri
button to his stores.
Although the hour had grown late
the crowd had apparently doubled
rather than dwindled away, as was its
| wont