The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-04
,ME4RZS
(#8RN{7aM6MS (8R{
t(~0 JCopNnG1v<
Wy /daASS 1zaszz@ SrhAPclD AHLn2H7H
'1l6o y/<EP0LD ANAIG8N7H
Elt2HlP az ZHfHIEYQYZz<A6
CONTINUED J

Yes. Why VIII man try to I'LL q
royal flush? The man next to me
drew the ten or hearts, the very card
| needed. The sight of 1t always un-
nerves me. | beg your pardon"
"Oh. that's all right" said !. won.
dering how many more lies he had up
his sleeve.
And there's still another reason. l
saw man put six bullets into the
two central spots, and an hour later
the seventh bullet snuffed the candle
Of q friend of mine. | am from the
west"
Il can sympathize with you" re-
turned. After all that trouble, the
sight of the card must have given you
a shock"
Then | slowed away the fatal card
and took up my bundle and change, 1
have in my own time tried to fill royal
nushes. and the disappointment still
fingers with a bitter taste.
The element of chance is the most
fascinating thing there is." the
stranger from the west volunteered.
so 1t is," l recalled, suddenly re-
calling that was soon to put my trust
In the hands of that very fickle god.
dsss.
He nodded and returned TO his revol.
vers, while | went out of the shop.
hailed cab, and drove up town to
my apartments in Riverside. 1t was
eight o'clock by my watch. leaned
back against the cushions, Illuminating.
There seemed to be something goirS
on that night; the ten Of hearts was
acquiring a mystifying not to say sin.
lister aspect. First It had alarmed the
girl in MouQuin's, and now this
stranger In the curio-shop | was con-
hdent that the latter had lied in re.
gard TO his explanations The card
had startled him, but his reasons were
altogether Of transparent thinness A
man never likes to confess that he Is
unlucky at cards; there is a certain
pride in lying about the enormous
stakes you have won and the wonder.
ful draws you have made. | frowned.
1t was not possible for me to figure
out what his interest in the card was.
If he was a westerner, his buying a
pistol in pawnshop was at once dis
rooed OF its mystery; but the incon.
sistent elegance of his evening clothes
doubled my suspicious Bah. What
was the use of troubling myself with
this strangers affairs? He would never
cross my path again.
In reasonable time the cab drew up
in front of my apartments. I dressed,
donned my Capuchin's robe and took
look at myself in the pier glass.
Then | unwrapped the package and
put on the mask. The whole made a
capital outfit ard was vastly pleased
with myself This was going to Be
such an adventure as one reads about
in the ancient numbers OF Black.
woods I slipped the robe and nasd
into my suitcase and lighted my pipe.
During great moments Ike this, a
man gathers courage and confidence
from pipeful of tobacco. | dropped
into comfortable Morris, touched the
gas logs, and fell into a pleasant
dream 1t was not necessary for me
ferry till nine; so had something
like three-quarters of an hour TO idle
away. What beautiful hair
that girl had! 1t was like sunshine,
the silk of corn, the Yield CT the har-
vest. And the marvellous abundance
of it. 1t was true that she was an
artists model; it was equally true
that she had committed a mild impro-
priety in addressing ME as she had;
but, for all could see, she was girl
of delicate breeding, doubtless one OF
the many whose family fortunes, or
misfortunes, forced them 10 earn liv-
ing. And it is no disgrace these days
70 pose as an artists model The
classic oils, nowadays, call only for ex.
qulsite creations in gowns and hats:
mythology was exhausted by the old
masters. Rome, Paris, London; DOS.
sibly bohemian existence in these
cities accounted for her ease Ia strik.
Ing up conversation, harmless
enough, with a total stranger. In
Paris and Rome it was all very we'll:
Dut II is risky thing to do in unro-
mantle New York anu London. How
ever, her uncle had been with her;
Veritable fortress, had overstepped
the bounds Of politeness.
The smoke wavered and rolled
about me. | took out the ten of hearts
and studied 1t musingly. After all,
should | go? Would 1t be wise?
confess | saw COLLINS heads peering
from the spots, and old Poe stories re-
turned to me. Pshaw! 1t was only a
frolic, no serious harm could possibly
come OF 1t. / would certainly go, now
l mad gone thus far. What fool idea
the girl was bent on hadn't the least
idea; but l easily recognized the folly
upon which l was about to set sail.
Hefgh-ho! What was a lonely young
bachelor to do? At the most, they
could only ask me to vacate the prem
lses, should be SO unfortunate as to
be discovered. In that event, Teddy
Hamilton would come to my assist
ance. She was really beau
dful! And then | awoke to the alarm
ing fact that the girl in Mouquin's
was interesting me more than l liked
to confess.
Presently, through the haze of
smoke, | saw patch of white paper
on the rug in front of the pier glass
l arose and picked It up.