Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-02
The Argus Daily Story
His Last Stake-By Edith " Ross.
copyrighted. 1919. by Associated Literary Bureau

lite peiUfe MIN Win intense interest.
When he had won six times in sue
cession the manager called upon him
TO take up his winnings. for the bank
would not accept the risk another
time.
At this juncture q lady appeared at
the main entrance to the room and hur-
ried to the table. She approached it on
the opposite side to which Orion was
sitting and. hurrying around, laid q
hand on his shoulder.
Peter
No reply.
Peter
The gambler sat mute. immovabie.
The game was stopped. Every eye was
turned TO him and the lady standing
over him. Taking his head in her
hands, she raised his face so that the
light shone upon it, 1t was CHASTITY.
He is deadr' came from several of
those standing about the stable.
The girl gave a shrek and would
have fallen on the door had she not
been caught in the arms OF a lady be-
side her.
"A doctor! A doctor"
A gentleman who had been WATCHING
the game advanced to Orloff. who still
sat in his chair, held upright by one of
the croupiers. A way was made for the
gentleman. who took Orloff's wrist be-
tween his fingers, then put his hand on
his heart
1T beats family" he said.
Meanwhile the girl, who had tainted.
revived and. seeing the unconscious
figure before her stiff and stark. was
about to pass again into a swoon when
the lady who held her said to her:
Courage, my child; he lives"
This enabled the girl to get new
hold upon her faculties and. throwing
her arms about Orloff, she pleaded with
him to live for her sake. Presently he
opened his eyes and. seeing the girl in
whose arms he was clasped. said
family:
Sonia"
Orion was carried from the pavilion.
Sonia walking or staggering. supported
by another, beside him. The two were
then driven away. A heap of money
lay upon the table. which neither OF
them seemed to remember. The pro-
prietors of the gambling house gath
cred it, counted 1t and sent 1t TO Orloff'S
hotel, where ii was delivered to the
landlord, who gave a receipt for it and
locked 1t in his safe. Orion was placed
in charge of a nurse. though Sonia also
attended him. Just before dawn she
retired and sought sleep.
TIE next day Sonia went in to see
the patient and found him stronger, but
very gloomy.
Return to Russia" he said. "Our
wedding can never take place. l have
lost all | possess"
"Oh, Peter. but you live!"
Yes, l live. 1t would be better had
l died"
There was a long silence between
them. They knew that a marriage I'M
der the circumstances could not be. In
Russia in the circle of landed gentry
among whom they had lived the prop
erty settlements before marriage were
Indispensable.
There came knock at the door, and
the landlord entered.
recovered to attend to a little bust
ness?"
YES" was Orloff's reply "You refer
to your bill, ! suppose You must give
me time"
Not at all. Last night I receipted
for TS1.25O francs on monsieurs &C
count. l do not care to keep so large
an amount in my safe over another
night and would be obliged If monsieur
would have it removed to bank"
what do you meanY cried Orion,
staring at the man.
what does monsieur mean? 1t is
known to all at Monte Carlo that he
won six times at to l, the amount of
his winnings being as have stated"
why do you mock meg" cried Orion,
starting up.
ut may ne that monsieur became un
conscious after placing his stake on
the table and is not aware OF the re-
markable run of luck that followed
Had he won once more his winnings
would have been between three and
four million francs The bank was
wise not TO permit another such bet"
Great heavens. Is this truef"
Monsieur may see the funds for
himself"
Surely / will see for myself" said
| Peter Springing from his couch and
! following the landlord downstairs, he
/ stood with him before the hotel safe.
! The la dord swung open the door and
there in the bottom Of the safe was a
! pile Of gold pieces that filed the young
man with wOnd'r and delight.
Take it." said the landlord. 81 do
not care to be responsible for so much
money. A bank is better place for
It,"
fortnight from that time Orion
had removed the incumbrance he had
put upon his estate, and there was a
wedding at the home of his fancee.
made doubly joyful by the escape he
had had from ruin. The EtOry OF his
loss and gain is one Of the wonderful
episodes of Monte Carlo related there.