Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-28

very SOON put at MS ease. ne lad.
was particularly gracious to him.
Would you like a rubber of bridge?'
Bliss asked his new friend
I'm on for anything" Sturgess re
piled. What about you?" he asked
the lady CALAMITY.
She smiled at him.
II don't think I'm very keen to
night" she confessed 1--WE been rae
ing, and Sandown always gives ME q
headache. Cont let me stop you
though, if you really want to play"
Don't care what I do" the young
man declared, I'm all on for a
gamble"
I'VE don't play for high stakes
here the lady said with an amiable
smile, land unless you're remark
ably good player, Mr. Sturgess,
shouldn't advise you to play for any
thing more than club points. The
people here are pretty good, and they
all know one anothers methods per,
fectly"
Mr.. Sturgess was a trifle dashed
He seemed. also, somewhat perplexed
Il have been telling our friend Mr..
Johnson" he explained to the lady,
that | don't know anything about the
runs up here. come from Leicester.
shire. What l should really like, If
such thing were to be had, would be
little mild gamble. All the papers
tell us there is plenty Of it going on,
but the difficulty for an outsider is to
find it,"
The lady yawned slightly.
Il fancy that sort of thing she
said, exists chiefly in the Imagination
of the journalist Good evening,
Jimmy; are you going to make up a
rubber?"
Mr.. Fancourt, who had just
strolled in, paused and nodded to Bliss.
I'm not keen he replied. glancing
at Sturgess. I'll make up if you want
me-
Bliss promptly introduced his friend
from Leicestershire. Mr.. Fancourt
was only moderately affable.
II can't interest Mr.. Sturgess very
much in bridge" Bliss remarked.
He wants a gamble
r Mr.. Fancourt smiled.
81 expect your friend has been
reading that trash in the dailies about
baccarat clubs and that sort of thing.
l don't believe there is
such thing in London. | think l go
about as much as most men, and
never seem to hear of them. There
Is one at Brighton, they say. II your
friend would like rubber at auction
-halfpenny points"
Good idea" Mr. Sturgess inter.
rupted eagearly. Anything to break
the monotony."
They took possession Of a vacant
liable. Bliss cut with, Mr. Fancourt
and they lost small rubber. They
played one more and won.
"You can take this to Poullet's,
Lailors in Southampton Row." he said.
They will fit you out for the evening
and the morning Your hunting
ground for the present will be the
promenade at the Empire. Here" he
added ARE few pounds for incidental
expenses. AS regards the rest, you
IAN entertain any acquaintance you
nay find at Callers restaurant, and
sign the bill 'Fancourt,' with two dots
lfterward The chief maitre d'hotel
here, Henri, shall have instructions
rom me today. Your ultimate object
Will be to bring your acquaintance on
o Sidley's Bridge Club II Folkestone
street,
This sort Of men don't all play
bridge" Bliss remarked.
Quite So" Mr.. Fancourt assented
lryly. II will not say exactly where
'ut baccarat can be arranged for quite
lose at hand Then you must remem.
Der that it is a mixed bridge club Of
he highest standing. The ordinary
provincial has read about these places
,ut has never visited one. You will
ind it easy to arouse little curiosity"
Am l to play?" Bliss asked.
mot at present" Mr. Fancourt re.
,lied. "You simply bring your ac-
Iuaintance in order drink for him,
md introduce him either to me or Mrs.
'ortescue. the secretary
MRS. Fortescue?" Bliss objected.
i do not know the lady"
"She will know you" Fancourt as
ured him. Shall we say au revoir
or tn PRESENT."
Bliss rose to his feet.
Il am starting you with the bridge |
lub,' Mr.. Fancourt continued, but |
ct me assure you that this institution |
8 only the outside edge of the enter.
,rises in which | am concerned. II
hall give you four pounds a week to |
with. but if you prove trust.
worthy, you will shortly be put in the |
way OF earning any income you please,
ccording to your skill and courage.
Il am surrounded by young men in
our position Mr.. Fancourt conclud.
d, after slight hesitation, but. to
ell you the truth, they are most of
hem rotters or else too we'll known.
hey are simply anxious to indulge
heir vices and keep their pockets full.
hey have neither brains nor grit.
eed man who has a fair share Of
9th. 1t is possible that you and I
lay get on together, Mr.. Johnson"
Bliss made his way out into the
treet, little dazed Only one thing
'as perfectly clear to him Unsavory
nd dangerous though the encircling
might be, Mr.. Fancourt
as standing with both feet in the
md of adventures.
Bliss. despite the sordidness of his
wn proposed share in them. felt the
lrill of coming events. To certain
'ngthS, at any rate, he was prepared (