The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1911-03-02
WON BY
TELEPHONE
By JOHN CAlLACER, JR.
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1871.

gambler Hearing lie and his mother
were in Paris. | went to see them and
found only the mother. Alan had gone
to Nice. Monte Carlo Is not far from
Nice. and. understanding my friends
proclivities. felt sure that he had
gone there to indulge his cravings for
play.
Mrs. Meredith was perfectly aware
that her son was losing the family for
tune at gambling. but with whom he
gambled or when or how was a matter
that she knew nothing about. AT one
time when she was in New York and
he Mt Vienna he had telegraphed her.
Must have 5000 or be discharged"
His calls for money had been more and
more frequent. and with every call the
amounts grew larger.
His mother didn't know enough
about the lay Of the land in the Riviera
to feel worried about her son. but
feared that If he stuck to the gaming,
tables long enough he might ruin him
self and her too. came to Il sudden
resolution to go down there. and If
found Alan playing l would exercise
my influence with him to get him
away. So the next day I took train
for the principalty of Monaco.
arrived at my hotel in time only
for dinner. so instead of searching for
Alan at his abiding place l concluded
to go where in case he was at Monte
Carlo. l would be sure to find him
the gambling pavilion. There were
not many people about the tables, and
the place looked lonely. 1t struck me
that those connected with the estab-
lishment wore look of gloom. But
soon people began to arrive. the game
was opened and silence gave way to
the hum Of the busy ones about the
table.
was watching to see If Alan would
come in when q servant asked me If
my name was Butler. On telling him
that it was. he informed NE that was
wanted at the telephone. l went there
and on taking the receiver heard the
we'll known voice of Alan Meredith.
"ls that you. Frank?"
"Yes"
I'm glad you came down. Take a
napoleon to the table, put it on the red
and leave it there till you get word
from me to take it off,
"I'll do no such thing l came down
knowing that you must be here, and
propose to take you to Paris with me
tomorrow
listened for reply. but none came
| called. but still no answer. Central
had doubtless shut me off. l waited
for awhile. thinking would be rung
up again. but finally got tired and went
away. was disgruntled at not having
got Alan's hotel address. for there
was now nothing for me to do but
hunt him up.
AS passed out I cast glance into
the gambling room. and I was curious
to know what would be the result If
carried out Alan's instructions. !
thought that he might accuse me of
preventing his winning some money If
l failed to do as he had asked. It
would take me but few minutes to
losea napoleon. and when l saw him
again could then tell him that I had
done his bidding
| went into the gambling room, ell
bowed my way to table and laid a
napoleon on the red. l won l left it
there and 1t won again. have forgot
ten how many times in succession l
won, but there was a heap Of gold on
the table for me when a servant came
and whispered in my ear that Mr..
Meredith had telephoned was to take
the money off the red and make diff
ferent bet with the whole amount
l don't know what it was that in =.
duced me to obey this order. detest-
ed gambling, yet on this occasion J
was worked up to a frenzy. got sew
eral orders from Alan during the even.
ing all by telephone, and somehow
felt that would keep on winning.
And SO did till broke the bank
l scooped my winnings into a light
overcoat ! had brought with me and.
tieing my handkerchief about the
gathered corners. set off for my hotel
1t is wonder how got there with
out being robbed, but l did Placing
my winnings in the hotel safe, asked
the concierge to telephone to the other
hotels to ask at which one Of them
Alan Meredith was staying.
Meredith" he said. isn't that the
name of the American who committed
suicide in his room this morning?"
My heart stood still.
Ibid In American of that name take
his life today here:" I asked, horror
stricken.
"Yes. m'sieur. He lost heavily last
night and this morning was found in
his room with bullet In his BRAIN"
1t was some time before was able
to go further. When l had regained
something of my equanimity went to
the hotel. where l was informed the
suicide had taken place and learned
true enough. that my chum. Alan Mere
dith, had taken his own life.
But the horror of the occurrence was
l. =