The sun., 1909-02-07


whether he played for five dollars or Ave
hundred. While Mr.. Smith did his best
10 conceal his satisfaction at such an
announcement he still had presence of
mind enough TO propose that they should
make IL hundred.
By the time the lunch bell rang Mr..
Smith had the pleasure Of oloeing. ~
fingers around three nice now hundpd3
dollar bills. he having won four games
out OF FIVE.
As the three gamblers did not sit
together at table and otherwise did their
best to create the impression that they
had never met before this trip they. had
TO wait for the promenade deck and tho
cigars TO learn Of Mr.. Smiths good for
tune. They at once agreed that he was
doing much better than the bridge game.
In which the victims were getting little
ehy, perhaps because one man who had
had hundred aces held against him four
times in one afternoon was talking aboue
IL too much. .....
After lunch the seven up players sought
out a secluded corner OF the smoking
room and resumed their game, but upon
this occasion somehow or other things
did not work 30 well for Mr.. Smith.
The gentleman from Missouri seemed
to have an extraordinary run Of luck In
the matter OF giving point OF running
the cards. Every time Mr.. Smith would
beg with q sure point in his hand ths
cards would be run without a moments
hesitation. Every time he found him.
self without q trump the same alacrfty
would be shown In giving him a point,
although Mr., Carroll turned out 70 have
lack whDn he gave IL. When the bell
rang for dinner Mr.. Smith had TO 60 over
TO the bridge table and borrow money
enough TO paw Mr.. Carroll $500.
After dinner, as usual. nothing would
induce Mr.. Carroll to play seven up. He
said he did not really know whether he
was ahead Of the game or not. He did
offered to give back to Mr., Smith what
ever he thought he had lost, but for his
part he would rather look on at q game
Of bridge than eat.
Full OF confidence that he could beat
any run Of luck by skilful shuffiing, Mr..
Smith was eager TO resume the game the
next morning. Mr.. Carroll was equally
willing and hastened to secure their ac-
customed place, where the light was
particularly good in daytime. He also
had a proposition to make.
Mr.. Smith had been good enough TO
raise the stake from five dollars to hun
dred in order that MIR. Carroll might have
a chOnce to get even more quickly; How
even five hundred, II Mr. Smith thought
that he was behindl -
Agreed, With pleasure. Let US make
il Ave hundred .t- -.-
A very unpleasant experience was
in atore for Mr.. Smith. which disoon-
certed him to such an extent that he hardly
knew what he was doing Tor Few deals.
Mr.. Carroll began to get of some funny
rtoriee, apparently quite forgetting the
serious nature Of the game he was playing
and the amount depending on IL, and while
he was laughing over the climax Of his
Joke himself he absentmindedly shuffied
the cards instead OF cutting them just
when Mr. Smith had taken advantage OF
tho opportunity to run up hand.
This happened on two or three 90.
Mr.. Carroll always apologized
sWell i swami It's your deal, amt itf
Shuffie 'em again and I'll cut 'em right
But this did no. give Mr.. Smith the
hand he had 30 dextrously run up for
on tho bottom Of the pack where II could
be pushed forward with the fingers Of
the left hand In fact It simply reduced
Mr.. smiths skill to the level OF plain.
ordinary shuttle.
After losing three straight games
Mr.. Smith thought it advisable TO quit,
as he wa, not quite sure that the profts
o meet such an obligation as 81 900 in case
ne should lose the fourth straight.
In this supposition he was very nearly
,orrect. but in the hurried consultation
,fter luncheon II was agreed that he
must get his money back somehow, the
blond woman being particularly insistent
N going ashore with plenty OF sugar
n the kick, as she expressed IL.
IL was finally arranged that the seven
10 game should be resumed that after
,oon for Ave hundred corner and that
.fter the first game. win or lose, one OF
he partners at the bridge table should
AXE advantage Of being dummy to stroll
,ver to the seven up table and distract
Nr. Carrolls attention for a moment
While MIR. Smith rang in a high hand on
rim. Perhaps they could clean up
couple OF thousand. .u
Accordingly the two men sat down to
,lay after luncheon for five hundred dol
ars a game, Mr.. Smith being grimly de-
ermined 10 win. But in spite OF any
hing he could do the gentleman from
Missouri beat him out by giving him
,oint when he begged with the king
md four Of the turned suit in his hand.
Nr. Carroll held the ace and deuce and
made tho game too. He almost always
made the point for gnme.
This had such bad effect on Mr.. Smiths
lerves that he turned around TO see when
lis partner was coming over from the
bridge table. as he had the cold deck
With the high hand in it all ready in his
,ocket. To his astonishment his partner
vas standing about twenty feet away.
With his eyes as big as saucers and his
mouth wide open.
MIR. Carroll seemed to catch sight OF
i'm about the same time and dropped 20
he cards he was shuffiing to place his
lands on his knees and then in his pock-
ts. The other man staggered up to his
riend Smith and whispered in his ear:
sCut IL out. That old fellows no sucker.
les been playing you for a sucker all
he time. He's got a sinner on his knee.
o he can see every card he gives you on
Is deal. That's why he wouldn't play
lights when the light Is bad