Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-08-24

otner strike and the result was the
same as before.
The thing got to be something of
a joke.
FOLKS might have been openly
contemptuous of the old mans
weakness if he didn't continue to
spend good portion of each of his
fortunes for the good of the public.
AS 1t was guess was the only
real friend he had, or the only one
who tried to understand his obses-
sion and help him fight it.
AT any rate, FIVE years later Rufe
set out once more on a prospect
ing excursion and this time he took
me along with him. He said the
reason he hadn't before was be-
cause he feared that second merh-
Der OF his expedition might ruin his
luck. You see, he had become SUI
perstitious what with continuing to
strike color and continuing to fail
beating the games at the Ell Alhaja.
And frankly I was little afraid
OF the same thing myself.
But we needn't have been.
We struck color.
I'll never forget the feeling.
/ wanted to cry and laugh and
shout and weep all at the same
time. For our strike was far big
ger than any of Rufe's finds.
1t took us three full days to trek
back to Lirio with our news. And
during those days l had time to
think. The first excitement was
over, my thoughts were rational
once more and the thought came
to me that my sudden wealth was
due wholly to Rufe. And gradually
a plan began to form in my mind.
/ decided to repay that old man for
what he'd done for me if it was my
last act on earth
This time didn't argue with the
old boy. When he sneaked off a
week later and headed for the Ell
Alhaja I let him go. Later 1 strolled
down to the saloon and as usual
I found crowd Of curious there.
Word had been spread around that
Old Rufe was playing the games
and they were there to see the
show.
At four o'clock the next morning
Rufe pushed his way out into the
street. His face was white and
there was a wild. fierce expression
in his eyes.
In less than six hours he had
gambled away nearly 500,
1t was hard to believe.
The crowd gawked at him. They
grinned and shook their heads.
If ever an old fool lived it was
Rufe Drake.
took him by the arm and we
walked silently back to my cabin.
Inside I lit a candle and brought
out a jug Of whisky. And then I
sprung my surprise.
"Rufe," I said, ''for once your
luck has held good with the games.
You're richer right now than when
you started six hours ago."
Don't rub it in, Boris" He
swore fiercely and poured himself
a drink.
I'm not rubbing it in," I told
him. 81 mean it. You're not broke.
You didn't lose your money" I
paused, savoring this moment.
1 bought it with my share Of the
money this afternoon. It's decided
in your name. Nate has been hav-
ing poor run of luck himself lately,
and he was only too glad to sell.
Everything you lost, you wont"
Boris Avery paused in the telling
Of his tale and sighed. After mo-
ment he went on.
TITS hard to believe" he finished,
but the moment Rufe realized he
owned the Ell Alhaja and began to
work as its proprietor. the place
started losing money. Every SON.
of-a-gun with so cents in his pocket
who went in there to play. came out
a winner. Rufe's luck with the
game of chance never changed.
Within a week he was cleaned out.
And the day after he set out for the
hills again-and never came back. "