The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-05-30

Child, how could it have happened!'
he whispered. leading her away. Fan
cy nv little Peggy with no one to look
after her. What beast was to trust
YOU to Pettingill I might have known
the chump would have been knocked
ont by all this color" He stopped to
look down at her, and light came into
his eyes. Little Peggy in the great
world he smiled; you are not fit.
You need-well, you need-just me-"
But Mrs. Valentine had seen him as
he stood revealed and came up in
search Of Peggy. 1t was almost morn
ing. she told her, and quite time to go
back to the hotel and sleep. So in
Bragdon's charge they wandered off,
bit reluctantly, a bit lingeringly.
It was not until Monty was sum-
moned to rescue Reggie Vanderpool
from the stern arm Of the law that he
discovered the identity Of Punchinello.
Manifestly he had not been in con-
dition to recognize his assailant, and
subsequent disagreement had driven
the first out Of his head. The poor boy
was sadly bruised about the face, and
his arrest had probably saved him
from worse punishment.
81 told you couldn't wear mask"
he explained ruefully as Monty led him
home. 'eBut how could know that he
could hear me all the time"
The day after the carnival Brewster
drove his guests over to Monte Carlo.
He meant to stay only long enough to
try his luck at the tables and lose
enough to make up for the days at sea
when his purse was necessarily idle.
Swearengen Jones was forgotten, and
soon after his arrival he began to
plunge. At first he lost heavily, and it
was with difficulty that he concealed
his JOY. Peggy Gray was watching
him and in whispers implored him to
stop, but Mrs. Dan excitedly urged
him to continue until his luck changed.
To the girls chagrin it was the more
reckless advice that he followed. In
so desperate situation he felt that he
could not stop. But his luck turned too
soon.
sI can't afford to give up" he said
miserably to himself after time.
.I'm already a winner by $1,000, and
I must at least get rid Of that"
Brewster became the center Of in
terest to those who were not playing,
and people marveied at his luck. They
quite misinterpreted his eagerness and
the flushed anxious look with which
he followed each spin Of the wheel.
He had chosen a seat beside an Eng
lish duchess whose practice it was to
appropriate the winnings Of the more
inexperienced players, and he was
aware that many Of his gold pieces
were being deliberately stolen. Here,
he thought, was at least helping
hand, and he was on the point Of NOV
ing his stack toward her side when
DeMille interfered. he had watched
the duchess and had called the
croupier's attention to her neat little
method. But that austere individual
silenced him by saying in surprise,
"But she's a dqchess-what do you
expect?"
Not to be downed so easily, DeMille
watched the play from behind Monty's
chair and cautioned his friend at the
first opportunity.
Better cash in and change your
seat, Monty. They're robbing you" he
whispered.
"Cash in when I'm away ahead Of
the game? Neyerv' and Monty did his
best to assume a joyful tone.
At first he played with no effort at
system, piling his money fat on the
numbers which seemed to have least
chance of winning, but he simply
could not lose. Then he tried to re-
verse different systems he had heard
Of, but they turned out to be winners.
Finally in desperation he began
doubling on enc color in the tope that
he would surely lose in the end, but his
particular fate was against him. With
his entire stake on the red, the ball con-
tinued to fall in the red holes until
IuG CTOUD1GI dulOUuCCd ludI lAS OSAA1A
was broken.
Dan DeN1ille gathered in the money
and counted $4,000 before he handed
It to Monty. His friends We're over
joyed when he left the table and Won
dered why he looked so downnearted.
Inwardly be berated himself for not
taking Peggy'S advice
I'm so glad for your sake that you
did not stop when asked you Monty,
but your luck does not change my be-
lief that gambling is next to stealing"
Peggy was constrained to say as they
went to supper.
81 wish had taken your advice" he
said gloomily.
"And missed the fortune you have
won? How foolish of you, Monty! You
were a loser by several thousand dol
lars then,' she objected, with whimsical
Inconsistency.
"But, Peggy" he said quietly, looking
deep into her eyes, cit would have won
me your respect"