The Bourbon news., 1911-06-16
THE MUTE
GAMBLER
By JANE PlNCKNEY BENNETT
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

CARO-. The main table was lined with
people tossing coins upon the green
cloth that covered 1t. Clusters Of
lights illumined the scene. There
were men and women, too, of various
ages. from the STRIPPING to the septu-
genarian. One old woman with white
hair sat with a piper in her hand COW
cred with memoranda consisting prin-
cipally of figures. 1t was a scheme
that she had worked out or some one
had given her for sure winning. She
scarcely ever bet more than franc at
one time and usually lost. There
were men in evening dress and men
whose coats were frayed at the elbow.
while here and there girl scarcely
out of her teens was betting with hot
cheeks and glistening eyes.
A lady-she might have been any
age between twenty-five and thirty
five-in an evening costume Of ex-
quisite fabric and construction. enter
ed the room and. handing her wraps
to an attendant. went to the main ia
BILE, where roulette was being played.
Seating herself. she began to play
with silver five franc pieces. No
sound broke in upon the falling Of the
coins on the table. the monotonous an
nouncements of the man who conduct
ed the game and the rattling Of the
ball. One having no interest in It
would wonder how so many people
could he so silently intent upon so
UNMARRIED proceeding.
Presently the recent arrival began
to toss gold napoleons on the cloth In
stead Of five franc pieces. Indeed. her
betting increased till she became the
one person at the table who engaged
the crowd of iookers-on. Some Of
those who were standing behind her
movcd around to the other side. where
they faced her. She wore n hat with
very wide brim and adorned with
large black feathers. one of which fell
over the front and with the brim
completely shaded her brow. In addi-
ton to this. veil extending to the
chin rendered it impossible to dis
tinguish her features.
She played with varying fortune. At
first she won. Then she lost more
than she had gained. Next she began
to win slowly. and at certain point.
having gained thousand francs. she
left the amount she had bet and her
winnings on the number she had
covered. There was quite a pile of
gold there. and when the ball was
spun and settled into its place the
croupier covered the stake with an
other pile five times as large. A spasm
was seen to pass over the lady, and
she quickly placed her hand on the
lace about her throat. as If to pull It
away that she might breathe easier.
Her fingers remained at her neckwear,
and she bent over the table till her
chest leaned against it. about to gather
in her winnings. as every one supposed.
But she must have changed her mind.
for she remained in the same position.
her eyes. though they could not be
seen. apparently fixed upon he gold.
The conductor. taking it for granted
that she had determined to risk the
whole amount on the same number as
before. made the usual announce
mentS. the ball was spun and. after
rolling and jumping ard hesitating and
backing and filing. ct last settled into
its pocket. Amid eXclamationS the
conductor announced the number that
had Won. and the Iady's heap OF gold
WAS added to by another five times it's
size. She gave no evidence of the ex-
element natural to such winning. She
did not start; she did not make an in
voluntary change of position.
what wonderful self control" ex-
"She must be an old hand at it"' re-
marked another.
Great heavens. cried several at
once. she's going to risk it all again"
The gamekeeper. who meanwhile
had been waiting for the lady to re-
move her winnings, seeing no inten-
ton on her part to do so. reluctantly
made the call for bets. the machine
was whirled. and amid iii repressed
exclamations the ball gave the lady
another pile five times as great as that
before her on the table.
Twice again the pile was increased
by the same arithmetical progression.
and the bank was broken.
At that moment a man entered the
room, advanced quickly to the table
and touched the lady on the shoulder.
She did not look to see who was CALI
ing her attention. She sat apparently
with her eyes glued to the immense
golden pile before her.
"Clarissa," he said in a trembling
voice.
There was no reply.
The crowd about the table now be.
gan to grow anxious. There was
something in the mute figure that in
spired them with a kind Of awe. The
game had ceased. and the eyes Of ev-
cry one present were fixed on the
gambler or the man standing looking
down upon her, vainly endeavoring to