Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-22
CHAPTER xxx

That Mia Ravelle instantly rec
ognized her, Jill was positive, al
though the other had given no sign.
For q moment or so, q sort Of
blind, senseless rage surged up in
the heart Of Jill Stuart. The very
devils Of murder, the demons of the
red homicide squad, shrieked in
her brain-screamed at her to kill,
to kill! Oh, what a silly fool she
had been! Why hadn't she brought
the pistol?
Then, like a fade-out on a motion
picture screen, the homicidal parox-
ism passed. But it left her with the
definite certainly Of what she would
have done in that awful moment of
frenzy, had she possessed the means,
and she sent UP a prayer of thanks
giving to the power that had moved
her to put it back. After another
moment, when she had more fully
recovered control of herself, she
turned to Mike.
Don't look around yet. But
they're here! At tn fifth table on
your right. She's looking this way,
and has seen me, / know. Whatll
we do, Nike? ! don't want to engage
in any scene, and yet / know il /
got near that woman I'd tear her
eyes outl OH"
She gripped her fingers in her lap
until the knuckles cracked, and
fought the battle out once more
through sheer force of will power.
In another minute she vas calm
again. But she wasn't SUR she
could turst herself even yet.
Mike, in the meantime, had taken
u casual survey Of the tables, and
she, too, encountered the gaze of the
wife robber. She glanced at Jill,
noted the composure she had ac-
quired, and nodded approval.
You're a game scout, Jill, dear!"
she said impulsively, but in a low
tone, just loud enough for the other
to hear. keep it up. Don't give the
nasty vampire the satisfaction of
knowing she's hurt you. AS for Jack
Stuart-I'm awfully surprised and
disappointed in him. / didn't think
he'd fall for Nita Ravelle. But
well, dear, what do you want to do ?"
LET US" Jill turned to lie Tarte,
sitting across the table from her.
"Are women allowed in tn gambling
room ?" she asked.
Certainly" he replied, a little
surprised at her question. "A big
part Of the joints patronage is made
up of women players-especially at
roulette" He leaned over toward her
in a confidential manner
you've seen them already, haven't
you ?" he asked, cycling her curiously.
"Yes." she replied, with perfect
~. IT, wAA- shaw Nan want
to get out of here for awhile. ! don't
think I shall speak So-him in here.
But I'd like to 20 into tn gambling
room"
Her decision and proposal fitted
into his instructions to keep her
from speaking to, or being seen by,
her husband.
"All right" he said, briefly. push
ing back his chair and rising at
once. "Tf you want to go in, I'll take
you. C'mon!"
Without another glance toward the
woman she hated, Jill rose and, with
Mike, followed their escort out
through a door at the rear. into a
long passageway. Like the other,
this led into a court. From this they
were ushered through a hall into the
main gambling room.
No pains had been spared in CIV
ing the Casino all the attractive lure
that glitter and brilliant colors give
to a gambling establishment.
Splendid paintings in frames OF
gold and silver set in white and black
satin covered the walls. Luxury
abounded on every side. ostentstion,
sparkle and show, to fascinate h
eye and hypnotic the senses.
The magnificence of the gorgeous
setting drew involuntary exclama-
tons Of surprise from both women,
aver Jill forgetting for q moment
the Notwithstanding scene she had
lust witnessed. But Mike knew the
extreme pallor Of Jill's face, ~accentu-
ated by the spot of glowing color in
each cheek, was not caused by this
spectacle.
az must keep her attention closely
engaged for & WHILE" Mike told her
self, stealing another furtive glance
at the women she knew was suffer
ing an agony greater than any or
binary physical pain. "She,s in a
state right now to run amuck if shes
allowed to think too much. / won
der now IL she would"
"Oh. Jill" she exclaimed, affecting
an enthusiasm she was far from feel
ing, 'let's buy some chips and try
our luck at roulettel IL you haven't
any money with you I'll lend you
some. Wha' d'yuh say"
Jill answered with a little raise Of
the right shoulder, a CHARACTERISTIC
notion of natural inheritance and
one that might signify almost any
thing. In this instance it indicated
acquiescence.
81 don't care" she said, a strained
note in her voice that betrayed still
more the fight she was making to
hold herself in check.
"But I've got money" she added,
quickly. "All ] want to lose, any
how"
Mike gave vent to a little sigh Of
relief at the inference OF the words.
Surely Jill couldn't be feeling so
awfully desperate. she thought, IL
she could give consideration to the
loss of a few dollars.
"All right. then" she chirped
brightly. "WeTl lay our sacrifices
on the altar of the Blind Goddess