Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-09-25

there accumulate al tne ca
prices, all the fantasies. all
the eccentricities. all the supersti-
tions, 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 1t 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 few
louis q day will place the money OF
any timid 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 l 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 a 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 n real good thing now.
Martin. Congratulate me-"
Oh" I exclaimed. interested. Has
somebody died and remembered you?"
mo. not that" he answered. grim
lxx tvh I
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 a million francs
o. at the Credit Lyonnais. and In
tend putting 1t on the tables!"
"a slice OF luck for you-eh?"
laughed. who are they-pretty?"
No. the reckless damsels are
scarcely prepossessing." 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 n regular
big bust The girls won't tell where
they hail from. They're either Eng
lish or American. They gave me their
names as Treherne-Helen and
Mabel"
We'll" observed. after pause.
its 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 Bornier will rub his hands con-
tentedly."
What do they intend playing?"
Roulette. Of course" the captain
answered, biting at the end Of his
cigar. 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" remarked.
Il expect there'll be some fun before
we've finished" he laughed as we
1Spok hands. Just now I'm the gay
saviser Of couple OF girls. with half
a - illion at my disposal! Last night
I mid 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 funny world. isn't it,"
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
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.
Drummond'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 un-
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 we'll dressed. In
that severe tailor-made style which is
peculiarly English. for only an Eng
lishwoman can wear tailor-made
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 diff.
ferent. the elder one. who learned
was Helen, being dressed In green.
and Mabel in dark gray.
When Drummond, clinking the louis
In his hand as he considered what
combination OF numbers he should
pl1 habit Of his. had finished pla-