The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-06
One Year To LiUe
G JOHN HUHTER

ism was in his eyes, his lofty brow. his sensitive lips; the weakness also was in his eyes, in his lips, his chin.
 Kendrick tossed ten francs on the number nearest him. Lapierre was studying his list.
 'Faites vOs jeux, masdames ct messieurs :"
 Lapierre looked up-toOk five francs, reached across and staked with Ken drick. In the action their eyes met, and into Lapierre's leapt a startled, dumb look. as though he read in this stalking with the man who was loved by the woman he himself loved-an omen.
 The number turned up. Kendrick received his three hundred and fifty francs. Lapierre drew in his hundred and seventy five, his eyes agleam and, in them, as he daTted a quick look ct Kendrick. something which Kendrick incredibly told himself was a mocking defiance.
 Lapierre did not stake for three spins; then he placed ten francs on impair. He lost it.
 He put twenty francs on manque.
 He lost again.
 4uC et StcM NdS lOt NOEAIHSs hen- drick, beneath his slight amusement at the failure, felt a dreadful, yelling pity for the man.
 menced with five francs on Hendricks original number. He saw it raked in by the coupler.
 his eyes. He was still showing a profit, hvuN and a delusiOn. It was better to back his luck.
 He started. Five francs-ten francs twenty. At twenty he had a win He was now the possessor of a very large sum of money.
 With that, like a true gambler, he conceived that his luck was ''in." He began to back restlessly. He lost and lost Once he won, and retrieved a portion of his losses.
 ness in the mans eyes, could see the fever mounting hot to his cheeks.
 The luck, the streak, what you will -petered out. Tens, twenties. they all went up under the long rakes. The piles of notes dwindled and vanished
 With thirty francs in front of him he turned once more to his system. Once more five francs were dropped by the trembling hand on the number in front of him.
 Kendrick smiled across at Lapierre and pushed ten francs with them. It had been their first stake. Kendrick hoped it would be successful.
 But it was not.
 Now Lapierre was done. He looked up and down the table and suddenly a smile eurled his thin lips. smile which was wholly mirthless.
 He gathered all his remaining money twenty five francs-and staked the zero
 Thirty-six to one-on zero! On the bottom of aIl--he whose life and whose hopes were at zero.
 No. 15 turned up,
 Lapierre took a deep breath. He got to his feet and turned away from the table, very calmly and slowly. Ken drick. moved by a sudden impulse, got up and followed him. Lapierre. halted at a seat set under some palms in a quiet path by the Avenue des Spelugues. Kendrick. lurking at a distance. saw him take something from his pocket and examine it intently. It was some thing very small. and in the deepening twilight Kendrick could hardly identify it. He concluded at last that it wa, q little phial. and instantly realized it, meaning.
 He hurried over and sat down besidr him. Lapierre looked around at him.
 What do you want he asked. Kendrick indicated the phiAl. That is not the best stake to throw. monsieur" he said. There is always a last and a better-it is the stake of winning back, of making good"
 Lapierre smiled. That sounds like a book of good resolutions" he said.
 "Perhaps-but even good resolutions are sometimes true.
 "Yes:" Lapierre studied him. He was. Ken drick saw. now very cool and col , lected.
 VI like you" Lapierre's words as. ' tonished Kendrick. T have seen you often-with her. and have tried to dislike you But 1 don't i Her" Kendrick was bewildered
 Why. yes. Elise Duchanier-La l Phalene'
 Of course, thought Kendrick. every