The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-11-03

its occupants But my eyes first sought
for Rivers, who to my great surprise, L
saw lolling back upon a I" fau teuil, evil
IDENTIFY half asleep
Monsieur, your friend is tired said
the Frenchman, who seemed determined to
force upon me his society The salla has
been hot, and disappointment weared his
brain. Monsieur would do well to rest too"
- In my country, sill" said, turning up
on him sharply, and not, am afraid speak
ing in very pure French, 1--WE only take
advice from our friends"
Precisement," he said, with smile, and
shrug of his shoulders " it is as "a friend
| offer you my advice"
lie pushed his face close to mine, as he
spoke now in whisper.
The hour is late; the streets are unsafe.
Twenty men, desperate with their losses,
have seen YOU win-win ma fol, as | new
er saw player win before 1t would be
emptation-throwing temptation in their
way-puttng ideas in mems minds, when
they would otherwise goquietly home. Is
this just, Monsieur: are mine the words of
friend or enemy Take my advice, if it
seem a friends, and stay here if it seem an
enemys, rouse your comrade, and go In
peace
He tapped my breast with his fingers.
which came in contact with the napoleOns
in my pocket, and smiled meaningly, but
with a leer in his eyes which troubled me-
and made me turn uncasily to look at
Rivers
Crossing to him, l shook his arm, but
only obtained a few unintelligible muttcr
ings, though earnestly besought him to
wake up. His arm dropped nerveless to
his side, his head sank lower upon his
bosom, and breathing stentoriously the
while, he seemed to be plunged III a deep
heavy sleep, from which there was no
awaking him
What could do? What did it mean
Rivers being so fast asleep? Had he been
piled with Wine? or was it possible that
he could have been druggcdy
| half laughed at what seemed to be the
absurtiity of the thought, full of romance
as it appeared but the next moment a cold
chill ran through me rs | recalled the
words of our friend who had brought us
there. = | don't consider this the safest of
places
What should do-run all risk and 30,
or run all risk and stay: The danger
seemed equal on either hand, while how
could go and leave my companion in the
hands ofthcse people? | cursed the folly
that had brought me to such Il place; for
what, after all, were my winnings as com
pared with life? How could | tell what
would be my fate before morning, unarm-
cd, in a strange house, in a strange city,
and surrounded ny people who knew me to
be III possession of a heavy sum of money?
1t was impossible to help Il shudder cours-
ing through my veins as l recalled tn
Frenchmans sinister words regarding
temptation What if it tempted him the
man of whom | felt an instructive dread,
and one evidently connected in some way
with the establishment, for while the 9th
ers had gone he still fingered behind
Would Monsieur like bed here? :"
said the croupicr, smiling as he advanced
bowling and rubbing his hands.
Yes" said the swarthy Frcnchman
smiling in reply; Monsieur thinks il un-
safe to pass through the streets by night
with so large sum; and of course Mon
sieur would not like to leave it till morn
ing in our care, All. no; Monsieur will
stay all night, as will his friend. Is it not
sou
| hcsitated for moment. and then my
decision was taken. | would stay for L
should be as safe, | thought, in a room TO
myself as being logged through the dark
Streets OF whose course | was almost ig
noant. And besides, | was young and
strong and could remain on my guard for
the rest of the night. 1t would not be so
very long till morning
Yes" l said, with an effort, for my
mouth felt hot and dry, and lump seemed
to rise in my throat; get me a room
ready, and help my friend to it,
INT
sicur," said the swarthy Frenchman ''your
friend shall have IA room TO himself and
he will be well by morning; he would take
light, and will soon pass oil Here Jean
Francois, assist this gentleman to the blue
room; give Monsieur, here, the yellow
chamber But Monsieur will not retire
yet: He would like slight retreshment ?
Is it not 50?
| made no opposition to our being sep
arated, for could not, after all, think that
anything wrong would befall Rivers, pen
niless and without jewelry as he was; but
| steadily refused to partake of any repast,
drcading that | might be inveigled into
taking something more potent than wine
such draught, in fact, as | felt sure
must have been given to my friend, and
asking for chamber candlestick, | my
self superintendent the removal of Rivers
TO bed chamber before seeking my own
one far up, upon the fourth floor
The swarthy Frenchman, who now
made no scruple about letting it be seen
that he was abont to pass the night there
himself, babe me farewell in the most i'm
pressive manner, applauding in whisper
my resolve, which he declared to be ." bicn
/ f.ln I.
in hand, with beating heart, alone
could hear the heavy throb of my
heart, rs it seemed to- force the blood
through my veins with power that made
them thrill and it was in vain that told
myself that it was from the ascent Such
tiattering JUNCTION could not be received
and was fain to confess that, trembling
and anXious-nay, in deadly fear-I was
wondering whether should see the morn
ing light.
How | cursed my weakness again and
again for coming, and then for STOPPING &c
the indulgence of il weak, mad insatiat,
passion! Why, after all, had | stayed
Rivers would have been quite as safe with
out me.
But that was no time for childish muir
murings against my folly. | was i'm IA sor,
strait, if my fancy had not been magnify
ing the dagger; and, rOusing myself to tn,
emergency, | proceeded to examine the
room before securing the door.
The task was soon performed. | hat
but to- look under the bed and my examina
ton was nearly at an end. No cupboard:
no place where an enemy could be con
ccalcd-nO second means of egress
went To the window and threw it Opcr
to look down upon ii long, dark, deserted
street at an immense distance below me
and shuddered as thought of the conse
quence of fall. There were the usla
Venetian shutters on either side, fastened
back, and a light appeared here and Their,
in some of the houses opposite, Will,
above my head the stars peered down from
/ the soft summer nights sky.
Leaving the window partly open TO al
NIT the cool, gentle breeze, i now turned
4 nv attention tp tho door tn fnI that tho ~.