The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-09-25

I'll
prices, all the fantasies. all
the eccentricitics, all the supcrsu.
lions, and all the ambitions; a
turbulent world, where gold is king,
where millions in hard. yellow ma
poleons dance before the da2zled
eyes Of the ruined, where million.
aires toss away the maximum as
though It were a flyefranC piece, and
princes, berons, grand dukes, titled
ladies and ladies OF grande marque ell
bow with the scum OF Europe 10
thoughtfully place down their stakes
or eagerly grab their winnings.
Among the professional habitues of
the roOms--thosc men who for a few
louis day will place the money Of
any tlmid gambler ignorant Of the
game-was one who although wild
and reckless, was. nevertheless, a very
good fellow. He had been an English
officer and was known to the CrOupiCrs
as Capt. Drummond although / have
reason to believe that was not his
name. We were excellent friends,
agd on many occasions when weary,
he would slip into my private room
and gossip over cigar.
One evening in late autumn he on
tered, laughing as usual, and, sinking
into the chair opposite me, exclaimed
with laugh:
I'm in for real good thing now
Martin. Congratulate me"
oh" l exclaimed, interested. Has
somebody died and remembered YOU"
NO not that" he answered, grim.
ly. q only wish somebody would
ran through my little bit too quickly
or | shouldn't be here. No. Two
girls have engaged me to play for
them. They've got half e million francs
over at the Credit Lyonnas, and in
tend putting It en- the tablcs!"
"a slice Of luck for you-ch?'
laughed. who are thcy-pretty?
mo, the reckless damsels are
scarcely prepossessng he answered
slowly. They saw me playing this
morning, inquired OF Grenat who
was spoke to me- and the result is
that we start tomorrow on regular
mig bust The girls won't tell where
they hail from. They're either Eng.
lish or American. They gave me their
names as Trcherne--Helen and
Mabel"
We'll" | observed, after n pause,
cts fortunate for them that they've
fallen into your hands Drummond.
Certainly, nobody else who takes com.
missions could be trusted with a level
half million"
"Ah!" he laughed. You're in a
complimentary mood to-day. my dear
fellow. One thing is certain. that the
bank will get some of the money,
and Rornier will rub his hands con.
tentedly."
What do they intend playing"
Roulette, Of course" :he captain
answered, biting at the end OF his
cigar. They say there's not enough
excitement in trentc-et.quarantc."
They'll find both games pretty ex.
citing in about week when they be-
gin to lose" | remarked.
II expect therc'll be some fun before
we've finished" he laughed as we
shook hands. Just now I'm the gay
adviser of couple Of girls, with half
a million at my disposall Last night
] had to walk down to La Condamine
and get two,franc dinner. Couldn't
afford the table d'hOtc at the Paris. BY
.Jovc this is funny world, isn't it,"
admitted that II was, and with a
merry au revOir, he left me to go to
his rooms to dress, for he had prom.
sed to dine that night with his fair
employers over at the Metropole, and
afterwards to instruct them in the
intricacles Of the game.
Next afternoon ! saw them at the
first roulette in the center. They had
all three obtained chairs at the open
ing OF the play and were engrossed in
the chances of the black and the red.
DTummond's estimate that they were
not very prepossessing was certainly
correct. They were exceptionally ugly.
Both were tall and thin, with willowy
figures, narrow, bony faces of I'M
healthy pallor, their dark eyes burn.
ing with unnatural excitement as they
watched their mentor place their louis
in position on the various numbered
squares. They were well dressed. in
that severe tailor.made style which is
peculiarly English for only an Eng
lishwoman can wear n tailormade
gown All other nationalities look
positively hideous in cloth dresses Of
masculine facture. Their faces were
alike and their hats were alike. but
the shades OF their dresses were dit.
ferent, the elder one. who I learned
was Helen, being dressed in green.
aad Mabel in dark gray,
When Drummond. blinking the louis
In his hand as he considered what
combination of numbers he should
play, habit Of his, had finished pla'