Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-04
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

Some few laughed the German, more
phlegmatic than ever. opened a pocket
book and started a fresh bank for the
same amount while the American col
lected his stake and winnings. He was
stuffing the notes into a pocket when ne
caught Warden's glance
That's the easiest way of making two
thousand dollars I've ever struck" he
said.
But YOU stood to lose the same
amount said Warden.
why. yes. The only difference be-
tween me and the fellow who puts up
with this beastly atmosphere every day
for month is that he fritters away his
money at five or ten dollars pop. while
l hit or miss at the first time of asking.
You won't play any more. them
NO. sir. Me for the tall timbers with
the baron's wad. Lucky at cards, UNI
lucky in love- you know, and I've just
heard that my best girl has made date
with the other fellow
He walked away. erect, alert and self
possessed Warden strolied to a roulette
board
Il wonder if that is true he unused.
lnstinctively his hand went to his
pocket and lie staked louis on twenty
nine. the year of his age. Up came TWEEN
ty-nine. and lle won thirty-five louis. he
was so astonished that he bent over. the
shoulders of lady seated near the foot
of the table. and began mechanically to
draw in the five-hundred franc note and
ten gold pieces that were pushed by a
croupier's rake close to his own coin.
But monsieur, whispered the lady.
who was French and gave slight heed TO
convention. certainly you will follow
your luck.
why not?' he answered.
Knowing that the ma ximum on a num-
her was nine louis, he was on the point
Of leaving that amount on twenty-nine.
when he remembered that EvelynS age
was twenty. To the surprise of his self
appointed counselor he told the croupier
to transfer the gold. to the new number.
while the note went on the nineteen
twenty-four transversale. Thus. II he
lost he was still louis to the good. and
the Americans cOnSoling adage was ROD
bed of its sting.
The roulette whirred round. the marble
danced madly across diamonds and slots.
Checking its pace. 1t hoped. hoped hop
ped--into twenty-and the FrenchWoman
nearly became hysterical Warden re-
ceived so much money that he lost count.
AS a matter of fact. he had won just
forty louis less than the cynic of the
baccarat table. He deemed the example
Of the unknown philosopher too good not
TO be followed. so he gathered his gains
and stakes and left the room.
Now. most men would have felt elated
at this stroke Of luck. but Warden was
not. Though IL was very pleasant to be
richer by nearly three hundred and sew
enty pounds. he wished heartily that this
sudden outburst of the gambling mania
had found its genesis In some other topic
than the reputed i'll fortune Of favored
lover. The incident was so astounding
that he began to search for its portent.
For a few seconds ne saw In his mind 8
eye an evil leer on the black face hidden
away In the Nancy's cabin, and 1t almost
gave him shock when he recalled the
fact that both twenty nine and twenty
were black numbers. But the light and
gayety of the streets soon dispelled these
Napors. and he loitered in front of a
jewelers. shop while planning a surprise
for his beloved. He had not yet given her