Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
CHAPTER XIV (continuedo.

began to repeat itself. He doubled
and doubled On the sixth consecutive
turn he played the maximum of twelve
thousand francs, and won. The d1plo-
mat touched him on the arm signifi-
canily, but the player shook his head.
Ten minutes later he had won forty
thousand francs. Again he refused to
eave his chair
eff he stays now" said Hillard, "he
will lose it all. His friend is right"
Forty thousand francs, eight thou
Band dollars!" murrnured Merrihew
sadly. Why couldn't he have have luck
like this
Hillard was a true prophet. There
came change in the smile of fortune.
The game jumped from color to color.
seldom repeating, with zero making
Itself conspicuous. The man with the
scare played on, but he began to lose,
small sums at first, then larger till
finally he was down to his original
stake. The scare grew livid. He wait
ed five turns of the wheel, then placed
his stake on the second dozen. He
lost. He rose from his chair scowling.
His eyes CHANGED to meet Hillard's and
their glance held for moment.
FOOL" said Merihew in an under
tone, as the man strolled leisurely past
them. Eight thousand, and not con-
lent to quit"
My boy, a man who needs hun
bred thousand and wins but eight is
seldom content" Hillard followed the
italian with his eyes as he approach
ed one Of the lounges. There the loser
was Joined by his friend, and the two
of them fell to gesticulating wildly, aft
er the manner of their race. Hillard
understood this pantomime: the diplo-
mat had been a shareholder. Start
your play, Dan. III find plenty OF
amusement at the other tables My
watching your game hasn't brought
you any luck up to the present. Go in
and give 'em beating"
Merrihew fastened over to the
north table. This was, according to
report, the table which had no sui
cide's chair; and Merrihew had his
private superstitions like the rest Of
US. At eleven o'clock the banks clos
ed, SO he had but two hours in which
to win a fortune. 1t was not possible
for him to lose one; in this the gods
were with him.
Meanwhile the trolleys from Nice
and Mentone had poured into Monte
Carlo their usual burdens of pleasure
seekers. On one of the cars from
Nice there had arrived two women,
both veiled and simply gowned. The
conductor had seen them before, but
never at night. They seldom address
ed each other, and never spoke to any
Dne else. He picked them up at Vile
franche. Doubtless they were some
sober married women out for a lark.
Upon leaving the car they. did not at
once go into the Casino, but directed
their steps toward the terraces, for
the band was playing. They sat In
the shadow of the statue of Massenet,
and nearby the rasp Of a cricket
broke upon the music. When the
music stopped they linked arms and
sauntered up and down the wide
sweep Of stone, mutually interested in
the crowds, the color and the lights.
Once, as they passed be hind bench,
the better to view the palaces of the
prince, they heard the voices of two
men.
"Ho-hum!"
"Heigh-ho!"
AS they went on, the women heard
something about cigars. The men
were Americans, evidently. 1t was
only an inconsequent incident, and a
moment later both had forgotten it. By
and by they proceeded to the Casino
Rarely women wear wells at Monte
Carlo. On the contrary, they go there
(ro0ct ne thanh n cd r,,ir
and envied. Thus, these two were
fully aware of the interest they excit-
ed. At frequent intervals royalty =
the feminine side of the family-steals
into Monte Carlo, often unattended.
When ones yacht is in the harbor be-
low, it does not entail much danger.
There is a. superstition regarding
wells; but no attendant requested the
women to remove them. They dared
not, for fear of affronting royalty. 1t
was delicate situation, so far as the
attendants were concerned.
"At which table shall l make the
stake, Kitty?"
"The center; there is always a
crush there, and we shall not be no
ticed."
81 do not agree with you there.
However, it shall be the center table.
What would you do, Kitty, if l should
break the bank?"
die of excitement" truthfully.
you will live through this event,
then" With a light careless laugh,
La Signorina pressed her way to the
table.
The play here was in full swing,
and in some cases very high. She
opened her purse and took out hand
full of gold. These napoleons were all
that remained of the capital intrusted
her. She hesitated for some time,
then placed coin on the number
twenty-five, her age. The ivory ball
spun round and round, till it lost some
of it's force and slanted, struck one
of the little silver obstacles, and
bounded into one of the compart.
ments. 1t was the number twenty.
five; thirty-five napoleons for one, a
hundred and forty dollars! Kitty ut.
tered an ejaculation of delight. Many
looked enviously at the winner as the
neat little stack of gold was pushed
toward her She took the gold and
placed it on black. Again she won
r1!