The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-03-13

time in which to witness ehe lottery
drawing, a thing he had been curious
to see since he had first heard OF IT,
This form of gambling was well rec
ognized, it seemed; not only the ma
tives, but all classes of canal zone
workers, engaged in it freely. The
drawings were conducted under rigid
government supervision.
Allan, vastly excited, was. of course,
waiting to accompany him.
"Oh, boss" exclaimed the negro, i
feel that we shall h'experience good
fortune today"
"Did you buy ticket"
mo, sar; l hinvested all my monies
travelling on those railroad trains"
"Now see how foolish you are. II
you'd stayed at home you might have
bought the winning number today"
II prefer to h'accompany you But
I have been thinking to make you a
proposition of partnership, Master
h'Anthony. will stay home and
dream numbers, which YOU can pur-
chase with your salary. In that man
ner we shall certainly burst this lot
terry. | do not desire the profits. how
ever, for being partners with you. |
would like you to have plenty of mon
les, that is all love you, sar.'
Don't. You embarrass me-"
The drawing. which was for capital
prize of $4,000 c'silver'D, had drawn
a larger crowd than usual, and when
the two reached Cathedral square they
found the lottery building and plaza
thronged to overlooking with the usual
polyglot elements that make up these
Latin American gatherings.
BY dint Of considerable effort Kirk
succeeded in working his way through
the wide double doors, and, being
much above the average height, be
was able to get good view Of the pro.
ceedings. Upon a platform group OF
ceremonious officials were gathered
about revolving wire cage, SO arrang'
ed that 1t could be whirled rapidly
upon Its axis. Into it were put ten
ivory spheres, resembling billiard balls
in size and appearance. When this
had been done the cage was closed,
and a very badly frightened twelve
year-old girl was selected at random
from the audience, then lifted to the
stage, where 1t required the commands
and entreaties Of her excited parents
to prevent her from dissolving in tears
At a word from the master of ceremo.
MES the cage was spun until the ivory
balls inside leaped and capered like
captive squirrels. Then at another sig
nal 1t was stopped. The door was
opened and the little girl reached In q
trembling hand and selected a sphere
It proved to be hollow, with two halves
screwed together, and in full sight OF
the assembly it was opened, displaying
bit of paper inside.
"Ochow cried the announcer. and q
card bearing the mineral "S' was rats.
ed. The paper was replaced inside the
ivory ball, the ball itself was dropped
into the wire cage. the door was closed
and once more the cage was spun.
Kirk was much interested in the
scene, not from any faintest hope that
he would draw prize. but purely
from the novel atmosphere and color
of the thing. While his eyes We're
busiest and just us the child prepared
to draw another ball he felt a clutch
upon his arm and, glancing down. be-
held the glowing black eyes of Senol
Ramon Alfarez fixed upon him. He
carried a dapper little cane. with
which he tapped his former prisoner to
attract his attention
At sight of him Kirk drew down his
brOws and said gruffly:
Don't poke me with that umbrella :
He turned away, but again Alfarez
touched him.
II will spik' wit you, hombre." be
said.
"If you keep iabbing me with tina,
crutch Ill break it. and then you can't
walk home"
Ramon jerked his head toward the
square outside in an imperious fash
ion, and Kirk. curious to learn the
cause of unusual excitement followed
him without demur. When they had
reached the street the Spaniard turned
with flashing eyes and a mirthles,
smile
Welt" he said dramatically.
Pretty well. How goes 1t with
you:"
80. You ave socceed in your COW.
ardly attemp'."
MY whatr
81 lose my poseeton as comandants
of police"
You don't say sor' Kinks far.
broke into smile of real pleasure