Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-09-30

k2S11su there accumulate all the ca
prices, all the fantasies, all
the eccentricities, all the supersti-
lions, and all the ambitions;
turbulent world where gold is king,
where millions in hard, yellow ma
poleons dance before the dazzled
eyes of the ruined, where million
aires toss away the maximum as
though it were a five-franc piece, and
princes, barons, grand dukes, titled
ladies' and ladies Of grande marque ell
bow with the scum of Europe to
thoughtfully place down their stakes
or eagerly grab their winnings.
Among the professional habitues Of
the rooms-those men who for q few
louis day will place the money of
any umid gambler ignorant OF the
Game-was one who, although wild
and reckless, was, nevertheless, very
good fellow. He had been an English
officer and was known to the croupiers
as Capt. Drummond, although 1 have
reason to believe that was not his
name. We were excellent friends,
and on many occasions, when weary,
he would slip into my private room
and gossip over u cigar.
One evening in late autumn he en-
tered, laughing as usual, and, sinking
into the chair opposite me, exclaimed
with laugh
I'm in for a real good thing now,
Martin. Congratulate me-"
oh" | exclaimed, interested. "Has
somebody died and remembered your"
NO, not that" he answered, grim
ly. Il only wish somebody would l
ran through my little bit too quickly,
or l shouldn't be here No Two
girls have engaged me to play for
them. They've got half million francs
over at the Credit Lyonnais, and in
tend putting it on the tablesI'
"a slice of luck for you-eh?" 1
laughed. "Who are they-pretty?"
NO, the reckless damseIs are
scarcely prepossessing," he answered
slowly. They saw me playing this
morning, inquired of Grenat who I
was, spoke to me, and the result is
that we start tomorrow on n regular
big bust The girls won't tell where
they hail from. They're either Eng
fish or American. They gave me their
names as Treherne-Helen and
Mabel"
Well" observed, after a pause,
ITS fortunate for them that they've
-d!en 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.
ard Bornier will rub his hands con-
tentedly"
What do they intend playing?"
Roulette, of course" the CAPTAIN
answered. biting at the end of his
Scigar, They say there's not enough
excitement in trente-et-quarante."
They'll find both games pretty ex-
citing in about a week, when they be-
gin to lose," l remarked
T. Il expect there'll be some fun before
we've finished" he laughed as we
shook hands. Just now I'm the gay
adviser of a couple of girls, with half
a million at my disposal Last night
had to walk down to La Condamine
and get a two-franc dinner. Couldn't
afford the table d'hote at the Paris. BY
Jove. this is a funny world, isn't it?"
l admitted that it was, and, with a
merry au revoir, he left me to go to
his rooms to dress, for he had prom
ised TO dine that night with his fair
employers over at the Metropole, and
afterwards to instruct them in the
intricacies of the game.
Next afternoon l saw them at the
hrst roulette in the center. They had
all three obtained chairs at the open
ing Of tAe play, and were engrossed in
The chances of the black and the red
DnmmOnd's estimate that they were
not very prepossessing was certainly
correct. They were exceptionally ugly
Both we're tall and thin. with willow,
figures. narrow, bony faces of un
healthy pallor, their dark eyes burn
ing with unnatural excitement as the,
watched their mentor place their loui!
In position on the various numbere,
squares. They were well dressed, il
chat severe tailor-made style which i
peculiarly English, for only an Eng
lishwoman can wear a tailor-mad
gown. All other nationalities lool
positively hideous in cloth dresses O
masculine facture. Their face wer
alike and their hats were alike, bu
The shades OF their dresses were dii
ferent tne elder one, who 1 learne
was Helen. being dressed in greer
and Mabel in dark gray.
When Drummond, clinking the loui
In his hand as he considered wha
combination of numbers he shout
clay. . habit of his. had finished pls