The Baltimore County union, the Towson news., 1909-10-09

1t had been spun two or three
times while he was talking, but his
stack was still there, and he began
playing again, utterly at random.
He had heard much talk of the folly
of trying to beat the wheel, and felt
sure he would lose if he continued.
To his great surprise he won, not
every bet, of course, nor every fourth
or fifth bet, but often enough to swell
his pile from hundreds to thousands.
Betting the limit each time, he would
strike the right number every five
minutes, SO that the odds when he
won made up for many losses.
Before he realized it the deadly
fascination of the game possessed
him and his first desire to lose was
gone. The little fortune that was
piling up in front of him aroused his
greed. The excitement of the game
grew intense. He found himself
trembling as he watched the little
ivory ball as it danced merrily around
and exulting when it fell into the
compartment of the number he had
selected.
AS his strange run of luck con-
tinued his excitement was shared by
the others around him. Several
players followed him in their betting,
hoping that his run would continue,
and among these was young Ryder,
though Hurd was soon SO absorbed
in the game that he did not notice
this. If he had noticed it would
hardly have stopped him, for all
thought of his original errand had
left him for the time, and he had no
interest in anything but the play.
He had not even notion of how
much he had won. He knew that
they were paying him in yellow chips
and that be had many stacks of them
in front of him, but he did not stop
to count them. All he thought Of
was to put the limit bet on some
number each time the ball was thrown
and to watch that number till the ball
fell. He did not even know that the
proprietor of the place stood looking
on gravely but utterly impassive in
expression. His excitement was too
great to allow him to observe any,
thing but the game.
At length he was aroused from
what seemed then and afterward to
be delirious dream by the words !:
No more tonight, gentlemen. The
banks broke" He saw the croupier
placing a cover over the wheel.
AT the same moment he felt tre-
mendous slap on his back, and heard
Ryder exclaim: "By -, Aleck,
you've broke the bank p
Half dazed he looked around un-
comprehendingly, while loud buzz
of conversation arose in the room
that had hitherto been so quiet.
Sinking back in a chair he watched
Ryder while he cashed in the chips
and handed over huge roll of bills.
1t was perhaps well for him that the
younger man was more self f-possessed
than he, for there were covetous eyes
cast upon him, and news travels fast
among those who frequent the streets
at night.
Young Ryder, however, knew
enough of the half-world to be eau
tious, and taking Hurd by the arm
he held him while he sent for a car
riage, and when that was at the door
the two entered it and were driven
straight to hotel of the highest re-
rute. There the money was placed
in the office safe and receipt duly
taken. Then the two men went
home. Ryder was for celebrating
with a supper, but Hurd, who was
almost wholly unnerved, begged off.
Before noon of the next day, so
rapidly does news of that sort spread,
Hurd' exploit was known to mul
titude. One Of that multitude, as
was to be expected, went to the elder
Ryder with the story and he sent
forthwith for Hurd.
After he had listened gravely to
the whole account which Hurd gave,
extenuating nothing, he said, II am
more grieved than I can to learn this.
My eldest son is fugitive from JUS
tice because of gambling. His name
is never mentioned in my home, and
1 presume you know nothing of it,
but / assure you my daughter would
rather die and I'would rather see her
dead than married to man who could
give way to that passion as you have
done. What 1 shall do with Dick !
do not know, but you shall never see
Mabel again. I know she would not
wish it."
He never did.