Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-27

"Well.- he sighed privately. there's
one thing certain-this can't last. But
don't like to seem a piker. I'll just
make sure OF this one. Ii can't win.
And at that I'm SIS in"
Deliberately he shifted the nineteen
remaining of his original stack to keep
company with his winning chip on the
double o.
A minute or so later the man at his
elbow said excitedly: "Ill be hanged II
it didn't repeat. Can you beat that?
p. Sybarite stared stupidity.
"How's that?" he said.
Double o." the croupier answered.
"the second time"
This is becoming uncanny." p. Syb-
arite observed to himself. and "Cash!'
said he. with cold derision.
Seven new hundred dollar certificates
were placed in his hand. In a daze he
counted, folded and pocketed them.
While thus engaged he henrd the ball
spin again. His original $50 remained
upon the double o. Ten turned up
His stake was gathered in.
you've had enough" intelligence ad-
vised.
Perfectly true" P. sybarite ad-
mitted.
This time his anatomy proved per-
fectly docile. He found himself at the
foot of the steps. fatuously smiling at
the doorkeeper.
HE amt come in yet" said the lat
ter. ''but he's liable to be here any
minute now"
"Oh. yes" said P. Sybarite brightly
after a brief pause-'Mr. Pentieid. of
course. Sorry 1 can't wait
well. you'll want your hat before
you go. won't your
Placing an fncredulous hand upon the
crown of his head. =. Sybarite realized
that it was covered exclusively with
hair.
II must have put 1t down some
where upstairs" he murmured in
panic
"Mebbe you left it with Pete before
you went up"
Perhaps / did"
Turning back to the lounge. he en- !
tered to find it deserted save for the |
somnolent old gentleman and the hos |
pitable Pete. but for whose drinks z.
Sybarite would probably never have
known the delirious Joy of internal
celebration or found the courage to risk
his first bet
And suddenly the fifty cent tip pre-
viously bestowed upon the servitor
seemed to one unexpectedly fallen heir
to the princely fortune then in p. Syba-
rites pockets the very nadir of beGgar-
illness.
Pete" said he with owlish gravity.
~ begin to see that l have done you
an inexcusable injustice
Giggling, the negro scratched his
head.
We'll. subj" he admitted. "Ah finds
that gemnIun gently does change they
minis erbo,It me aftuh they done cut er
melon like
With the air of an emperor +. Syba-
rite presented the negro with one $50
bill.
And now"-he cut short a storm
Of thanks-''if you'll be good enough
to give me just one more glass of cham
payne l think I'll totter home"
"Yas-suh,"
In a twinkiing a glass was in his
land AS If it were so much water-in :
short. indifTerentIy-P. Sybarite tossed !,
t off.
And my hat"
"Yo' hat:" Pete iterated in surprise.
'Yo' didn't leaf yo hat wifi me. sub. =
To- done TAX it wifi yo' when yo' went
lpstahs-'' ,
OH murmured P. Sybarite. dashed. =
He turned to the door. hesitated.
urned back and solemnly sat himself
lown.
Pete" said he. extending his right !
DOT. II wish you'd do something for
ne"
"YaSSuh.' II
Take off my SHOE
Staring with naive incredulity until
is vision assured him of this gentle p
lan's complete seriousness. the negro
Jumped down upon his knees. unlaced II
nd removed the shoe. b
It's a shocking shoe" observed P.
ybarite dreamily. W
Bending forward. he tucked his orig al
lal five dollar note into the toe OF the
espised footwear. d.
II am not going home broke" he ex- V
ained to Pete. las certainly shall IL
go upstairs to find my hat" in
I'D just as leaves not go fetch yo
II" said Pete "
You needn't bother" P. Sybarite re G;
rned. with dignity.
(To be Continued Next Saturda,-l