The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-04-25

Of her head, that O'Rourke could have
sworn he knew. He was conscious
that he flushed suddenly, that his
heart was pounding He made as II to
rise and follow, but was prevented, al
most forced back by a band which the
Austrian in his feverish interest had
unconsciously placed on the Irish
mans shoulder.
Monsieur, monsieurl" he gasped,
his eyes, protruding, fixed upon the
wheel. Beads Of sweat glistened on
his forehead. He trembled as though
his fortunes hung on the change.
impressed, O'Rourke cold not for
bear to linger, to cast a reluctant
glance at the table.
The size Of his pile Of gold and
notes on the red was a somewhat
startling sight to him. His breath
stopped in his throat. The ivory sphere
was rafting over the compartments
to its predestined place. What If he
we're to win? O'Rourke began to cal
culate mentally how much he had at
stake, how much he might win if his
careless prediction that red would turn
up the seventh time should come true
lost his bearings In a maze Of intri-
cate computation and was on the
point Of abandoning the problem when
black was called.
Great Cod" painted the Austrian.
withdrawing his hand.
O'Rourke rose. 1.-THE fortunes OF
war, me friend" said he with a laugh
so enforced that it sounded %unnatu-
raj. He strobe away hastily, search
ing the throng in the lobby for her
with whom his mind was occupied to
the exclusion of all else.
The system-gambler followed him
with a stare of %incredulous amaze
ment. What a mani" said he
to himself, If half aloud. A second
later he added: what admirable act
ingl"
But he was mistaken. There was
nothing assumed in O'Rourke's air CT
apathy. He was actually quite indif-
ferent and already %preoccupied with
his new interest-the pursuit Of the
woman whose unexpected appearance
in Monte Carlo seemed likely to upset
all his calculations. The sails Of the
barque of his fortunes had all his
life long been trimmed to the winds
Of Chance; he was accustomed to see
ing them fall fat and tapping, empty,
just when a venture seemed most
propitious. The loss Of the money
was nothing; the initial amount had
been little enough in all conscience,
though the major part Of all that he
possessed; but to him the woman was
everything-the world and all.
And now she was gone, had disap-
peared with her companions! In that
instant in which he had turned from
her to the table, she had made her es-
cape.
He cursed roundly the weakness
that had lost her to him, and passing
rapidly through the lobby, left the
Casino, pausing before the entrance
to look right and left.
There was no sign Of what he
sought; the party had vanished. And
who should say whittier?
"Damnation!" he grumbled.
Monsieur" a voice intruded at his
side.
He turned with a start. annoyed.
"Well?" he demanded CURLY. ~recogniz-
ing De Trebes.
The Frenchman bowed. 81 have .Se
honor to address Monsieur lie Colonel
O'Rourke?"
Rejecting that the man might az
ford him the information he sought.
O'Rourke unbent. 81 am he. Monsieur
des Trebes."
Surprised, the latter lifted his eye
brows. showing even white teeth in a
deprecatory smile. You know me,
monsieur?"
"By sight and reputation only. mon
sieur."
al am honored."
mo more than meself. If It comes to
that"
The ,lcomte laughed Then / may
presume to ask the favor of a word
with your"
Are ye not having It. monsieur?"
"True But in p%rivate?"
zone moment. We can do me a
favor, II We win. Afterwards"
81 am charmed"
IT'S not much I'll be asking ye-
merely a question or two Now that
gentleman We were talking with awhile
back: isn't he the Honorable BERTHE
Glynn?"
1.-THE same. monsieur"
"And the lady who spoke 20
himv2"
Madame smyth-He rriott, believe;
know her only slightly"
"Then ye are not Of their party?"
'Party?" Des Trebes appeared per
picked. what partyG"
why Lady Plnlimmon's, OF
course.
Il have not the honor Of that lady's
Acquaintance, monsieur
"Oh, ye have not? But Mr.. Glynnr'
us here with me, monsieur-a ny
ing trip. We ran down from Paris but