Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-05-07


dina had already brought out n table,
and Put. with several others. was de.
ing. AS Jether approached him iladra-
NUT. the Arabian had Just won 1000
shckels from Put and roughly demand
ed the mohey. which Put reluctantly
paid over. Suddenly Jethcr noticed
that Nadina was close by his side and
that she was trying to hand him some
thing unobserved.
1.-THE dice" she whispered. "Thou
canst not lose"
Jether felt his fingers close over the
two small squares OF ivory. He clutch
ed them nervously. He pushed his way
/ through the throng This time IIadra.
NUT and Put threw again, ana once
more Hadrnmut won a thousand she
/ kels.
The game seemed so easy Jcther
hesitated. overcome by nanclcss
fear He shook and trcmbled as
though chilled. Suddenly II laughing
cry from Tisha as she returned to the
arms OF the sen captain made him in
toxicated with jealousy. He pushed
his way through the throng.
Il will cast dice with thee" he said
unsteadily. Tola and Nadlna cxchang-
ed glances and nodded while Merbe.
who but moment ago had refused to
lend Jethcr single shekel. looked at
the boy In surprise. wondering where
he had secured money with which to
gamble.
"Ah, Jether, throw thou" cried Put
gladly, for he liked Jether, for thou
sand shekels."
For a thousand shekels, aye. But
throw thou FIRST" replied Jethcr II
have drunk much, and my hand is I'M
steady"
Put laughed, picked up the dice and
threw them. The two squares of ivory
rolled over and over and settled on
their sides.
Seven" he cried. annoyed,
Jetllep picked up the two dice. He
drew back rs If to adjust his robe.
He held his hands out Of sight behind
the cloth for moment and changed
the dice. He threw
Twelve"
A cry Of surprise at Jether's lucky
throw came from all.
r'Thy money" demanded Jether nerv.
ously.
NAY. thou shalt not quit winner.
Two thousand shekels," insisted put.
: Jethcr picked up the two dice, quick
ly exchanged them for the honest ones
and tossed the ivory squares to Ills
friend Put.
1.-TWO thousand shekels. Throw thou,
. he said huskily.
Put tossed the dice upon the table.
mine" he cried.
Jether again picked up the dice. made
the same substitution aud threw the
false dice upon the board Once more
there was a murmur OF surprise over
the result
"Twelve." spoke Jether cxultantly
THY money"
NAY, let us again double the stakes,
crlctl Put, half angrily at the turn Of
fortune. -Four thousand shckels will
make 1t.
Agreed" replied Jether -Four thou
sand shekels."
J He was about to throw with the false
dice when he felt his arm gripped us
In wise. He turned Merbel. the
:. false friend who had intended to bor
! row and had put It Off until too late
held his arm and seized the dice from
his nervelcss fingers,
, Zone moment, friends" he cried
. "Wait and see. Lbok 70
.. He tossed the dice upon the table
Twelve" he said sternly, looking a
Jethcr. who hung his head in shame al
he felt the inevitable exposure. Again
0 1t II twelve once more twelve. Thol
!. wilt find It Is always twelve"
{ Slowly Put reached ncross the, table
4 He picked up the false dice and Threw
Twelve" he whispered In surprise
Again he tried. Twelve, Away
! twelve"
The men drew aside from Jcther
leaving him as one stricken with TN
plague.
D. "A cheat !" cried McrbeL Tho
}. wouldst cllcat my good friend l'ut,