The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-08-08
CHAPTER XII.
Merrick Entertains.

CHAPTER XII
Merrick Entertains.
To the man who moodily watched
part of this very interesting billing
and cooling from safe distance, walk
ing to and fro and grinding his teeth
as he apostrophized the lovers to the
neighboring palms and yucca plants,
doubtless the minutes seemed hours
long drawn out, each section of which
stabbed him to the heart again and
again.
Strange that a man who had the so.
cial world of Paris at his feet after
his return from brilliant achievements
in African wilds should fall down and
worship demure little foreign girl
whom he had known in "the BUSH; )"
but who can account for the vagaries
of love or the mad freaks Of Cupid.
The night was growing misty, and 1t
was far from safe to remain out Of
doors much longer.
Besides Mark had been in a way
keeping track of time, and knew the
hour of probation must be nearly up.
I'VE must go in" he said, with a
huge sigh.
1t meant turning back from heaven
into purgatory-from Elysian fields
into Hades, where all the evil passions
of men surged and fought for the gilt
ter of that bauble gold.
So he kissed her once more, very
gravely and earnestly, as became a
man of his nature, and then took her
to the guardian colonel; after which
he drew himself together for the Sc
we're engagement that was to mark
the second nights desperate assault
upon the ramparts of the dragon.
The various games were at their
height when Merrick passed the
swinging doors leading to the palatial
parlors where Fortune was baited
through the long hours.
No crowd approaching this had
made an appearance as yet this sea-
son, and the dealers would have been
supremely happy over the generous
outpouring of golden coins, save for
a simple fact that had a depressing
effect upon their spirits.
If the redoubtable Jones could win
in so remarkable manner one night,
following a system, what was to pre-
vent his guerrilla raid upon their
treasury at any time he pleased?
The prospect was alarming.
Hence, they kept one eye upon the
doors, and his advent on the scene
was marked by what could be called
an ovation.
You would never have known it
from his countenance, however, which
was perfectly immobile. The Ameri-
can evidently had the power of re-
pressing his feelings to wonderful
extent, and such men must of neces-
sity be particularly strong in nerve.
Jones seemed in no hurry for play.
He was biding his time.
He fingered awhile back of the prin-
cess, who was flushed with small
winnings; and then a little later
found himself just in the rear of
Stromboloff, the big, fair-haired Cos
sack, now engaged in low but ear
nest conversation with dark-faced
man, whose shifting eyes gave one
the impression that he was a char
acter fit for treason, stratagem and
spoils.
Perhaps Jones caught few stray
sentences of the eager conversation
between the Russian and his dark
faced companion, for something like
a grim smile fitted athwart his
countenance as he pushed further on.
Sometimes word may give points
in a game that are of incalculable
value.
At any rate, with so shrewd Gus
toner as Jones 1t was a dangerous
business
Even philosopher may have his
suspicious of mankind, and engage in
a battle against evil; and while this
Yankee was doubtless honest in his
desire to benefit humanity by killing
the dreadful dragon of gambling as
practiced so enormously at Monte
Carlo, still he might also have other
fish to fry.
When Jones saw Merrick enter he
knew the time was close at hand for
business. No one noticed him, since
Jones was making his first stake at
the other end of the table, while ten
score of eyes feverishly fastened upon
him. Jones won.
So did Merrick, of course, but few
knew the fact, since it was the victor
of the preceding night who claimed
their attention.
A thrill went around the room
men and women began to crowd to
that point, and as If by magic all
noises ceased save those connected
with the various games.
The dealer showed no visible sign
of excitement, but his keen eyes
watched every deliberate movement
of Jones, for it was crisis in the his
tory of the great resort-if the scene
of the previous night was to be re-
peated, alas for the future of Monte
Carlo.
He won a second time.
Intense excitement held every one