The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-10-21
CHAPTER TX
(Continued.)

1t was certainly his clerical
looking friend of the steamer.
though his face no longer wore its
expression Of sweetness and re-
pose. He was desperately intent
on the game, that was evident. He
had his hand full of gold coins,
and three sovereigns lay before
him on number two.
Number four side." the dealer
proclaimed.
The old man groaned audibly.
There was pause, while fresh bets
were made. The old man looked
from one side of the square to an
other with agonized perplexity. FL
nally he put down three sovereigns
on the fourth side, and almost inn
mediately changed his mind and
showed them across to the third.
Elliott did not play. The surprise
Of this encounter had brought him
to himself, and he watched the
man, wondering. 1t was plain that
he was no gambler. He was child
ishly agitated; he looked as if he
might cry if his bad luck continued.
"Joss-pidgin man." he heard a
coolie whisper to another.
Number four side won, and the
old man lost again upon the next
deal. "Oh, Lord. Oh, Lord help
mel" Elliott caught the murmur
from his moving lips. Elliott was
disguised, sick and sorry at the
pitiful sight, and yet it was none OF
his business. The man turned
once and looked him full in the
face with absent eyes that saw
nothing, faded blue eyes full of
| weak tears.
Number one side!" called the
dealer, and the six sovereigns were
raked in. The old man now had six
coins left, and he staked three of
them without hesitation on the Sec
ond side as before. Squeezed
against his side, Elliott could feel
his thin old arms trembling with
painful excitement
| Number one side!"
| A kind of explosive sob burst
from the players lips. His glance
wandered about the circle of white
and brown faces with pitiful APP
peal. His eye met ElliOtt's; it was
full of a hurt, bewildered disap-
pointment The old man put out
his hand to stake his last pieces.
Elliott grasped his arm, on a sud-
den impulse.
Don't play any more he said
| in a low tone. You've got no luck
tonight"
The player looked blankly at him
and tried to pull away his arm.
stop it, l say" reiterated Ell
hott You'd better come away
with me. You don't know anything
about this game"
who are you? | don't know you.
You're trying to rob me, but I'll
get my money back in spite of
you"
you old fool, I'm the best friend
you've in this house. You come
right along with me-" said Elliott,
| energetically, trying to drag the
amateur gambler away from the
table.
He resisted with a sort Of limp
determination, but Elliott hauled
him through the circle Of players
that Immediately closed up behind
them. No one troubled to look
around.
Now put your money in your
pocket. Well go out" Elliott Or
dered, wondering at himself for
taking so much trouble. For aught
he knew, the man might have been
able to afford loss of thousands.
Elliott resolved to take precau-
tons against his proteges return
ing,
See see this Sahib?" he said to
the coolie at the gate. Him have
| lost alice cash. You no pay him
go inside no more, savvy? No more
cash, him makee plenty Robbery
You savvy?"
"Savvy plenty, master" replied
the coolie. with a knowing grin.
"You ii thank me for this tomor
row, if yo udon't now,' said FL
lott. Where do you intend tc
go?"
| Unexpectedly the old man turn
ed away, hid his face in his hands
against the white wall of the
| house and began to sob.
"Oh, here! This won't do. Con-
found it, man, brace up" cried Ell
lott, irritated and sorry.
Il have fallen again." moaned
the gambler, Historically. 81 am
vile--yes, stepped in sin. Forty
seven pounds gone in an hour! And
my one hope was to live life that
would tell for the cross in this
pagan land. | am weak, weak as
water, and | have taken my child's
bread and cast it unto the dogs.
They robbed me. My God, why
hast Thou forsaken me? | hope
to win 10 times my money! need
ed it SOL
For heavens sake, keep COOL"
implored Elliott, in great distress.
1t wrung his heart and he made
clumsy attempt at consolation.
Cheer up, now. You're not broke
are you? l can lend you pound
or so. If YOU need it. You'll feel
better in the morning"
| you know little" said the
gamester, somberly. You are
young and strong, but Satan stands
| at your back as surely as ne does