Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-24

II DeluS pTS6euC III MT. STACY Slulul
lair. He bestowed smile upon Aunt
Mary, serene among the best people,
and discussed with Mrs. Bruce-who
wasted no boughten wit on him-the
Florida climate. Also, he asked the
elder of the Omaha girls If she had
heard of Mr.. Nat Goodwin's latest
wife.
For once the dinner itself was a
minor event. 1t sped rapidly there in
the gloom and few SO much as listen
ed to the flashes Of Mrs. Bruce's wit
save perhaps the duchess, enviously.
1t was after the dinner, when Harrow
by led his guests to the entertain
ment above, that interest grew tense.
No gloom in that bright room over
head. A cluster of electric lights shed
their brilliance on Mr.. Stacy's pet
roulette tables, set amid parlor fur
nishings of atrocious plush. From one
corner a faro layout that had once
flourished on Firty-eighth street, New
York, beckoned. And on each side,
through open doors, might be seen
rooms furnished for the game of pok-
er.
Mr.. Stacy's, assistant, polished
gentleman with face like aged
ivory, presided over the roulette table.
He swung the wheel few times, an
inviting smile on his face. narrowly,
his eyes bright, laid a sum of money
beside a row of innocent figures. He
won He tried again, and won. Some
of the young women pushed close
to the table, visibly affected Others
pretended this sort of thing was an
old story to them. 5"
A few of the more adventurous
women borrowed coins from the men
and joined In the play Arguments
and misunderstanding arose, which
Mr.. Stacy's assistant urbanely
settled. More of the men-Paddock
among them-laid money on the table.
A buzz of excited conversation,
punctuated now and then by a death.
|ly silence as the wheel spun and the
little ball lowered heart breakingly,
filed the room Cheeks glowed red,
eyes sparkled the crush about the
table increased. Spencer Meyrick
himself risked from his endless store.
Mr.. Tom Stacy's place was in full
swing.
Dick Minot caught Cynthia Mey-
rick's glance as she stood close beside
Lord Harrowby. She seemed another
girl tonight, grave rather than gay,
her great brown eyes apparently look
ing into the future, wondering, fear
ing. AS for Harrowby, he was man
transformed. Not for nothing was
he the son of the sporting Earl OF
Raybrook-the peer who never failed
to take risk. The excitement Of the
game was reflected in his tall tense
figure, his flaming cheeks. This was
the narrowly who had made Jephson
that gambling proposition on seven
teenth floor in New York.
And narrowly won consistently.
Won until a fatal choice Of numbers
with an overwhelming stake left him
poor again, and he saw all his win
nings swept to swell Tom Stacys
store. Quickly he wormed his way
out of the crowd and sought Minot.
"May I see you a moment? he
asked. "Out here" And he led the
way to the gloom of the balcony.
IF I only had the cash." narrowly
whispered excitedly, II could break
stacy tonight And I'm going to get
it. Will you give me the necklace
please
"You forget" Minot objected, that
the necklace is supposed to have been
stolen"
mo. No. That's no matter. I'll
arrange that. Hurry ....
"You forget, too, that you told me
this morning that should this necklace
he found now"
NM Minot-the necklace belongs
to me- Will you kindly let me have
it."
"Certainly," said Minot coldly. And,
much annoyed. he returned to the
room amid the buzz and the thrill or
gambling.
narrowly ran quickly down the
stairs. In the Office of the club he
found Tom Stacy in amiable converse