ered the cards. "I'll play against you all, this gentleman
included. And if I lose, why, that's life, gentleman. Some of us win, some
of us lose. Watch the ace and have your money ready. You can follow this
gentleman's tip. I'm afraid he's smarter than me, but I'm game."

He was too insistent. Somehow, I did not like him, anyway, and I was
beginning to be suspicious of my company. Their minds trended entirely
toward gambling; to remain with them meant nothing farther than the gaming
tables, and I was hungry.

"You'll have to excuse me, gentleman," I pleaded. "Another time, but not
now. I wish to eat and to bathe, and I have an engagement following."

"Gad, suh!" The Colonel fixed me with his fishy eyes. "Foh God's sake
don't break your winning streak with eatin' and washin'. Fortune is a
fickle jade, suh; she's hostile when slapped in the face."

Bill glowered at me, but I was firm.

"If you will give me the pleasure of taking supper with me at some good
place----" I suggested, as they pursued me into the street.

"We can't talk this over while we're dry," the Colonel objected. "That is
a human impossibility. Let us libate, suhs, in order to tackle our
provender in proper spirit."

"And no lemonade goes this time, either," Bill declared. "That brand of a
drink is insultin' to good victuals."

We were standing, for the moment, verging upon argument much to my
distaste, when on a sudden who should come tripping along but My Lady of
the Blue Eyes--yes, the very flesh and action of her, her face shielded
from the dust by a little sunshade.

She saw me, recognized me in startled fashion, and with a swift glance at
my two companions bowed. My hat was off in a twinkling, with my best
manner; the Colonel barely had time to imitate ere, leaving me a quick
smile, she was gone on.

He and Bill stared after; then at me.

"Gad, suh! You know the lady?" the Colonel ejaculated.

"I have the honor. We were passengers upon the same train."

"Clean through, you mean?" queried Bill.

"Yes. We happened to get on together, at Omaha."

"I congratulate you, suh," affirmed the Colonel. "We were not aware, suh,
that you had an acquaintance of that nature in this city."

Again congratulation over my fortune! It mounted to my head, but I
preserved decorum.

"A casual acquaintance. We were merely travelers by the same route at the
same time. And now if you will recommend a good eating place, and be my
guests at supper, after th