The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-10
BY Harold Carter.

The doctor had sprung to his feet,
trembling with anger.
You are cheating" he cried,
holly, to the man opposite him in
the smoking room. Everybody rose
in confusion.
Il will appeal to you, gentlemen"
said the man who had been &C
cused. Let him substantiate his
statement, or apologize and with
draw. | assume that my card part
ners are gentlemen. It's hard" he
continued bitterly, that one can
not have good fortune without be-
ing open to such accusations from
men like that"
The group stood silent, waiting
for the doctor to formulate his &C
cusation. They were the miscellan-
eous assortment of passengers who
are always to be found on board an
Atlantic liner. Those around the
table consisted of Rawlinson, mid
die aged cosmopolitan, the man &C
cused; two typical New York bust
ness men and DR.. Page, famous
eye specialist of Liverpool, who was
known simply as a physician to the
rest. Beside the four poker play
ers there was young blind man,
his sightless eyes covered with col
Ored glasses, whom 'Rawlinson had
met aboard ship and befriended;
he always sat at Raylinson's elbow
when the men played.
Il will substantiate my accusa-
tion," said DR.. Page, more calmly.
Mr.. Hopkins indicating the blind
mani is a confederate of this man
Rawlinson. He is no more blind
than | am. dare him to permit
me to examine his eyes. You may
not know me as an eye specialist
nevertheless, | am not without
reputation in this line. Mr.. Hop
kns, challenge you to let me look
ut your eyes"
Hopkins rose to his feet INSTEAD
lily, cropping for the table to support
him.
Il refuse" he said. Indignantly.
Il will submit to no such humilia-
ton"
quite right" said one of the
business men; but the other was
silent.
IF you are blind" said DR.. Page,
emphatically, II will pay. $500 to
any charity you name"
II accept that challenge" said
the blind man. Put up your money
and let the steward hold it. Iname
the Royal Hospital for the Blind"
The money was staked and DR..
Page, removing the mans glasses,
began his examination. But this
was obviously useless, for it was
seen by all present that the sight
had been totally destroyed, the pu-
pills being absent. DR.. Page was
thunderstruck.
yes, you are blind" he said
Take the apology | owe you. But
| know this game was not played
on the square. l saw looks pass
between these two men"
Good afternoon, Doctor" said
one of the business men, with en-
rhasis and the three sat down,
leaving the doctor CURLY dismissed.
Word Of his accusation soon be-
came common property on board.
1t was felt that he had violated the
ethics of a gentleman. and the re-
mainder of the voyage was not
pleasant for him. Meanwhile the
luck of Rawlinson continued. and
he came into port two or three
thousand dollars the richer. He and
the blind man had become insep-
arabic.
But there Is a Nemesis In store
for the most successful cheat.
Three years afterward. running
down to Galveston by boat DR..
Page met the confederates, under
new names. posing as new acquaint-
ances. Here was his opportunity.
"Rawlinson,' he said 'Ill make
bargain with you. Play no more
on this ship and tell me how it was
done, and you're safe. so far as I'm
concerned"
Rawlinson laughed. did YOU
look inside Hopkins glasses when
you took them off, doctor?" he