The Bourbon news., 1912-01-05

-.sourxus cnaIr, unable to resist the
fascination of watching q man who
could at once lose money and retain
his composure.
At length, inexpressibly bored and
too impatient to defer the inevitable
by niggardly wagers, O'Rourke ran
sacked his pockets and placed the pro-
ceeds-seyeral hundred francs-I am
as ignorant Of the amount as he was
Indifferent to it-upon the red.
There fell lull, the croupier hold
ing the wheel to permit an unbaked
cub of Chicago millions to cover the
cloth with stakes too numerous for
his half-developed intelligence to keep
count Of; and the adventurer shifted
in his seat, reviewing the assemblage.
For some moments, through the mys-
terious working of that sixth sense
which men are pleased vaguely to de-
nominate intuition, he had been sub
consciously aware of being the object
of some persons fixed regard, that
somebody was not only watching, but
weighing him. He sought the source
of this sensation and, for little time,
sought it unsuccessfully. Annoyed,
he persisted. He heard the croupier's
mechanical Rein ne va plus" follow.
ed by the whirring of the wheel, but
cared so little that he would not turn
to watch the outcome. Only an eX-
clamation of the Austrian's appraised
him of the fact that red had won. He
glanced listlessly round to see the
money doubled, and let it rest, turn
ing back to his survey Of the throng.
A moment later his attention became
fixed upon two men who stood in the
doorway. looking toward him. Again
the wheel buzzed, tn ball clattered and
was Still. The word rouge among 9th
ers in the announcement told him that
again he had won; this time, however,
he did not turn, but, frowning in
speculation, stared back at the two.
Stared? Indeed and he did just
that. If it was impertinent, sure and
were they not staring at him? And
who should gainsay an O'Rourke the
right to stare at anybody, be he king
or commoner? Furthermore, who
might these men be, and what their
interest in himself?
The one was tall and slender, sat
urnine; an elegant, owing as much to
the art of his tailor and upholstereI
as to his own indisputable, native dis
tinction; a Frenchman-at least of q
type unquestionably Gallo. His face
was very pale, his fine, pointed Tus
tache very precise, jaw square, fore
head high, eyes deep and dark be
meath brows heavy; level and black
manper marked by a repose almos
threatening in its impassibility.
His companion was shorter of stat
ure, a younger man by at least tel
years, rather stout and very nervous
with a fresh fed face marred by hall
marks of dissipation; British, ever,
inch of him.
THAT, I'm thinking" muse
ORourke, twill be the Honorabl
BERTHE Glynn. Faith, he looks tn
part, at least; it's just that kind-ir
bred, underbred, without brains or rea
stamina-that would run through
half-million sterling inside year."
But the other?
Monsieur" the little Austrian stan
mered excitedly in his ear, ''for you tn
red had doubled fourth time"
Thank ye," replied O'Rourke witt
out moving. "'Twfll turn up sever
this run"
The system-gambler subsided, petr
fed.
But the other? O'Rourke continue
to probe his memory. Something
}, the mans personality was curious
reminiscent. :. OF sudden
= remembered. The Frenchman> hs
l. been pointed out to him, years ago,
9 Paris, as principal in Bouleval
/ scandal which had terminated in
II duel-a real duel, in which he hs
been victorious. He was accustOmt
e to anticipate such an outcome of b
affair Of honor, however; that w
e why he had been named to O'Rourk
l. Des Trebes Chat was the name; Il
y Viscomte des Trebes) was duelist
Y. international disrepute.
n Monsieur" the agitated voice fiji
d tered in his ear, "you have won y
1t again-for the sixth time!"
ID Let it stand for the seventh, M
le ami"
n. Why should Des Trebes be watG
d ing him so openly, so pointedly?
y he watched he became aware th
le these two, the Frenchman and t
to Englishman, were not alone; detach
sci though their attitude was, they We
is evidently of a party of ladies and 81
m tlemen whose gay, chattering gro
IN formed their background.
RS Monsieur, the seventh >turn!"
n "Yes, yes"
= Rein ne va plus" croaked
ne croupier.
One of the ladies turned to speak
hd the Honorable Mr.. Glynn. Smili
liS he nodded and Offorod hpr on o1