Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-10


were n thing at all in the announcement,
the proprietor informed the company that
the play was at an end for that evening.
Monsieur has broken the bank, said =
soft voice at my ear, and, turning, there
stood the swarthy .Frenchman.
l started from this man as II had been
stung; and hastily gathering up my treas
ure-so much that my pockets could hard
" hold i'll turned my attention towards
leaving the place, already half emptied Of
its occupants But my eyes first sought
for Rivers, who, to my great surprise,
saw lolling back upon a fau teuil," evi-
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 wearied his
brain. Monsieur would do well to rest too
In my country sir" | said, turning up
on him sharply, and not. am afraid, speak
ing in very pure French, 1--WE only take
advice from our friends 9.
Precisement," he said with smile, and
a shrug of his shoulders; it is as friend
offer you my advice"
He pushed his face close to mine, as he
spoke now in whisper.
"Thc hour is late the streets are unsafe.
Twenty men, desperate with their losses,
have seen you win--win ma fol, as new
or saw player win before II would bic
emptation-throwing temptation in their
way-putting 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 1t
seem friends, and stay here II it seem an
enemy,s, rouse y9ur 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 leer in his eyes which troubled me,
and made me turn uneasily to look at
Rivers.
Crossing to him, shook his arm, but
only obtained few unintelligible mutter-
ings, though I 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 he plunged in deep,
heavy sleep, from which there was no
awaking him.
What could / dos What did it mean
Rivers being so fast asleep. Had he been
piled with wine! or was it possible that
he could have been druggedy
half laughed at what seemed to be the
absaraity of the thought, full OF romance
as it appeared but the next moment cold
chill ran through me as | 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 go,
or run all risk and stay' The danger
seemed equal on either hand, while how
L
hands of these people. cursed the folly
that had brought me to such place; for
what, after all. were my winnings rs com.
pared with lifes How could | tell what
would be my fate before morning unarm-
ed, in strange house, in strange city,
and surrounded by people who knew me to
be in possession of heavy sum of money?
1t was impossible TO help shudder cours-
ing through my veins as / recalled tn
Frenehman's sinister words regarding
temptation. What if it tempted him THE
man of whom | felt an instructive dread,
and one evidently connected la some way
with the establishment, for while the 9th
ers had gone he still fingered behind.
Would Monsieur like bed herey"
said the croupier smiling as he advanced,
bowling and rubbing his hands.
Yes" said the swarthy Frenchman,
smiling in reply; Monsieur thinks it UNI
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
SOY"
| hesitated for moment, and then my
decision was taken. would stay for ]
should be as safe, thought, in room TO
myself, as being logged through the dark
streets, Of whose course ! was almost ig-
norant. And besides, l was young and
strong and could remain on my guard for
the rest of the night Ii would not be 50
very long till morning.
YES" | said, with an effort, for my
mouth felt hot and dry, and lump seemed
to rise in my throat; "get me room
ready and help my friend to it."
But we have no double rooms, Mon
sieur," said the swarthy Frcnchman your
friend shall have room to himself, and
he will be well by morning he would take
rather too much champagne. But IL is
light, and will soon pass off. 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 refreshments
Is ii not so?"
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 ofany repast,
dreading that / might be invcigled 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 superintended the removal Of Rivers |
to bcd-chamber before seeking my own
one far up, upon the fourth floor.
The swarthy Frenchman, who now
made no scruplc 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 10 be "bien !
sage" and then closed the door, candle
In hand, with beating heart, alone
could hear the heavy throb Of my !
heart, Al IL seemed TO force the blood |
through my veins with power that made
them thrill; and ii was in vain that told |
myself that it was from the ascent. Such |
JUNCTION could not be received, |
and was fain TO confess that, trembling
and anxious--nay, in deadly fear--I was