The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-06-17

NOC as Ddd as All that. Make the
maximum n hundred. and I'll begin 10
feel at home"
Delighted to oolige Yea won't oh
jet to my rolling for you?" Penield
nodded to the croupier, who-first pay
ing p. Sybarite seven hundred on his
last wager. gave up his place.
Not III the least" agreed p. Syba-
rite marshaing his chips in stacks Of
five-$25 each. Its an honor" he add
ed. covering several numbers as Pep
field deftly set ball and wheel in mo
ton.
He won the first fall. and. encour-
aged by this, began to play extrava-
gantly, peppering the board literally
with wagers of So. so and SIGO
Penheld. cool and smiling. confined
his attentions to the wheel. If he felt
any uneasineSs or dismay on account
of =. SybariteS steadily augmented
mountain Of chips he betrayed it not
ut all overly.
But abruptly-they had been play
ing less than fifteen minutes-he
paused and. instead of starting the
ball on another race around its ebony
run, dropped it lightly in the depres
sion Immediately above the axle of the
wheel
The game is closed" he announced
evenly with Il slow smile. Sir
directly to p Sybarite-"a room los
ing $4,000 in one day ceases opera
tons You are just $4,000 to the
good. Accept my congratulations"
Opening the cash drawer, he clear
ed it completely of its contents. plac-
ing before P. Sybarte a tremendous
accumulation of bills old and new. OF
ell denominations. loose and in pack
ages. together with some ten or twelve
golden double eagles
Il believe you will find that cor
rect" be observed genially. After
ward trust you will do me the honor
of splitting a bottle with me in the
lounge"
"Delighted"' said p Sybarite.
few words with an acquaintance OF
two and a few more with his EN-
ployees and went downstairs. The re
naming handful Of patrons disappear
ed gradually, yet so quickly that P
Sybarite was 4 lonely outsider by the
time he had finished counting his win
nings and slowing them away about
his person.
Presenting the croupier with $500
he recovered his hat at last and de.
scended. to find Penfield awaiting him
at the foot of the stairs.
When Pete had placed plate of
caviar sandwiches between p. Sybarite
snd his host and filed their glasses
from "A newly opened bottle he with
drew from the lounge and closed the
door behind him.
PenfeldS eyes promptly lost much
of their genial glow. Notwithstanding
a ceremonious glass to the health OF
his guest.
Congratulations" said he. and
drank as thirsty man drinks
May your shadow never grow less.
P. Sybarite returned, putting down al
empty glass
That's perfectly good wish plumt
wasted" said Penfield. refiling both
glasses. his features twisted into the
wryest of grimaces. Fact isl don't
mind telling you-your luck tonight
has, I'm afraid, played the very devil
with me- This house won't open Ut
again until raise another bankroll."
My sympathy" said p. Sybarite. sip
ping. I'm really distressed. And YET
you couldn't have won against me to
night 1t could not be done. | am in
vincible. 1t is-kismet-my day OF
days"
Penfeld laughed discordantly.
Maybe it looks that way to you
But aren't you little premature? You
| haven't banked that wad vet. yo,
know. Any minute something might
happen to make you think otherwise
Nothing like that is going to hap
pen" P. Sybarite retorted. with calm
conviction. The luck's with me"
Believe me-" insisted the other witt
convincing simplicity. I'm such a bun
loser. I'm willing to stake my las
$500 on the proposition that you dom
leave this house a dollar richer thar
you entered it."
Done" said p Sybarite instantly
"If l get away with it you pay mt
$500 Is that right"
Exactly"
"But-where shall we meet to settle
the wager"
Penfeld smiled cheerfully. Dime
with me at the Bizarre this evening
at T."
"If | lose, with pleasure. Other
wise. yoi are to be my guest"
ITS a bargain. I'm curious to know
how you came to butt in here on my
personal card Of introduction. Where
did you get it,
Found it in a hat left in my pos
session by Il gentleman in a great
hurry, whom | much desired to set
again and therefore-presuming him tC
be Mr.. Bailey Penfeld-came here t.
! find"
The gentleman was unknown tr
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