Evening star., 1922-07-23


the whole population Of Atlanta, Ga.
would come over and just see. There's
a lot to be learned. I thought knew
how to take care Of myself. but this
tortoise-shell-eyed count taught me
me out OF S2.500."
Howl" asked Arstide, sharply.
"Ecarte."
A RISTIDE brought his hand down
with bang on the table and NUT
tered anathemas in French and Pro-
vencal entirely unintelligible to Eu-
gene Miller. but the youth knew by
instinct that they were useful. soul
destroying curses and re felt COM
forted.
"Ecarte! You played ecarte with
Lussigny? But my dear young friend.
do you know anything of ecarte?"
"Of course" said Miller. 'I used to
play it as a child with my sisters"
do you know the Jeux de regler'
THE what?"
THE formal laws OF the game-the
rules Of discards-"
Never heard of them" said Eugene
Miller.
But they are as absolute as the
Code Napoleon cried Aristide. You
cant play without knowing them.
You might as well play chess without
knowing the moves"
Cant help it." said the young man.
We'll, don't play ecarte any more
II must" said Miller.
Comment"
II must I've fixed 1t up to get
my revenge this afternoon-in my
sitting room at the hotel"
But it's imbecile.
The sweep Of Aristide's arm pro-
duoed prismatic chaos among a tray
full OF drinks which the waiter was
bringing to the family party at the
next table. ITS imbecile." he CRIED
as soon as order was apologetically
and pecuniarily restored. You are
a little mutton going to have it's wool
taken on"
I've fixed 1t up" said Miller. i've
never gone back on an engagement
yet in my own country and I'm not
going to begin this side"
Aristide argued. He argued during
tho mechanical absorption of four
glasses Of vermouth-oassis- after
which prodigious quantity of black
currant sirup he rose and took the
Gadarene youth to Nikola's. where he
continued the argument during de-
Jeuner. Eugene Miller's solo conces-
sion was that Aristide should be pres.
ent at the encounter and. backing his
hand, should have tho power (giver
by tho rules OF the French camel tc
guide his play. Aristide agreed and
crammed his young friend with the
jeux de regle and pate de foie gras.
when he found Aristide Putol In
Miller's sitting room. He could not
however. refuse him admittance tc
he game. The three sat down, Aris.
tide by Miller's side, SO that he could
overlook the hand and, by pointing
indicate the cards that 1t was advis.
| able to play. The game began. For.
tune favored Mr.. Eugene Miller. The
| counts brow grew blacker.
You are bringing your own luck tc
our friend, M Pujol," said he, dealins
| the cards
"He needs it." said Aristide.
To roi," said the count. turning W
the king.
The count won the vole, or all nv.
tricks. and swept tho stakes towart
him Then, fortune quickly ane firm.
Ily deserted Mr.. Miller. The count
besides being An amazingly fine play
| er, held amazingly fine hands. Tht
pile of folded notes in front Of hin
rose higher and higher. Aristide tug
god at his beard in agitation. Sud
denly, as tho count dealt q king q,
trump card. he sprang to his feet
knocking over the chair behind him
you cheat, monsieur. You cheat!
.Monsieur!" cried tho outraged
| dealer.
what has be doner'
HE has been palming kings and
neutralixing the cut I've been watch
ing. Now catch him." cried Artistid,
in great excitement "Ah. sal,
/, voleur! Maintenant je vous tens!'
Monsieur" said the Comte de Lus
signy with dignity. stufnng his win
nings into his Jacket pocket. You in
suit me. 1t Is an infamy. Two o.
my friends will call upon YOU"
"And M. Miller and will kick then
| over Mount Reward"
| "You cannot treat gems d'honneu'
in such . way, monsieur" He turnet
to Miller, and said haughtily In hh
imperfect English. did you see tn
cheat. your
!. II can't cay that did" replied th'