Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-11-22

| The man who had just won two million
| francs handed him the letter, gave him
some brief directions and handful
Of coins The chasseur saluted and
hurried of. Gerald gripped his com
panion by the arm.
Did you hear that, ChrisY' he
whispered.
4 heard nothing" Christopher re-
piled.
Il saw the address, too" Gerald
continued eagerly. ''The letter is to
Madame de Poniere, villa Yiolettef"
Tl4e dispatch of the letter was the
/ signal for certain almost imperceptible
advances on the part Of those who had
been watching the great man The
young lady at the next table leaned
over and congratulated him on his
good fortune, an overture which was
received a little gruffly and without
enthusiasm. A seedy-looking stranger
slid from his stool, leaned over the
table and whispered few words In
the Russians ear. He was a sandy
haired man. with puffy cheeks and a
nervous manner. His clothes had once
been well enough, but were now shah
by He had the gamblers restless air.
sir" he began, forgive my adj
dressing YOU"
What do you wantT" was the blunt
rejoinder.
Il stood behind your chair in the
rooms | fatter myself that / brought
you fortune, as / have brought 1t to
many others. I willed you to win.
have lost as much at the tables as you
have won. VIII you grant me the loan
of mealY"
go to hi" was the brutal reply.
Il have nothing to do with cadgers.
The man staggered as though he had
I received a shock. He was used to re-
Bluffs, but not such rebuffs as this.
Monsieur" he stammered.- Per
haps five hundred or even two hun
dred francs"
"Not a sou, and be of. Do you want
me to complain TO the manager?"
The young man edged away. Gerald
smiled as he saw him cross the floor.
Horribly bad character that" he
remarked to Christopher 81 missed
him here last season and asked where
he was. They told me that he was in
prison for stabbing his mistress. / sup
pose / shall get It in the neck, Chris,
but I've got to talk to the old brute.
/ can't afford to miss al opportunity
Of speaking TO some one who knows
Pauline"
4 shouldn't IL l were you" Chris
TOPPER advised You see he isn't in
The humor to talk 70 anybody, and IL
there really is any mystery about the
De Ponieres, he won't care about being
asked questions about them"
Gerald was, for him, however, deter
mined. THE fellows manner is brutal,
but believe he's parsonage l shall
try my luck in moment or So"
Gerald waited for several minutes,
until his neighbor had entered upon
another course. Then he leaned to-
ward him.
You are a Russian?" Gerald ven-
ured
ut IS entirely my business of what
nationality l am" was the cold reply.
Naturally" Gerald agreed, AT
the same time, we are all human The
man who wins a couple of millions
here Is public character You win
probably find old ladies rubbing their
itve-franc pieces against your coat
sleeves, as you enter the rooms"
$50 long as they do not attempt to
talk 70 me, shah be content" was
the curt retort.
'You are not exactly looking for nc.
Quaintances, ! perceive" Gerald re-
marked.
Z have none here, nor do l desire
any"
Gerald smiled. He had reached the
point at which he had been aiming.
That he observed, is not strict
" true. You have Just dispatched
note to some ladies' Of my acqualnt-
ance
Monsieur Iubtn had so far met Ger
aids tentative overtures with the cold
! rudeness of one who recognizes an
equal At his last words. however. a
look almost Of fury flashed into his
face. lie struck the table with his
dsL
Z ought TO have remembered the
sort Of people by waom I was likely
! 70 be surrounded here he declared.
/ You, who look as though you ought