Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-22
light. With Camilla it is possible that the
task would not be a difficult one-but let III

son is among the devotees Of the gaming table,
where he exercises his skill with varying sue
cess; now being elevated upon pinnacle OF
good fortune, now cast down by turn OF i'll
luck. Just at present he is in the latter pre-
dicament, and he considers it a hard case that
man with heaps of money should selhshly
keep it all to himself, when, if he chose, he
might here judiciously spend, at least a por'
ton of it, for the benefit of his fellow.beings
Albert Philipson is handsome, reckless
proAigate, not unlike his sister Laura in ap-
pearance, but with the evidences Of fast living
in his prematurely worn face and restless,
haggard looks. His past record is one that
it we're better not to investigate-and here
perhaps, might be read the secret OF his moth
er's choice in fixing her abode in Drowsie-
vile, that spot too remote to be reached by
scandals breath; for home-ties and home
counsels had long ceased to influence him,
and he found roaming life preferable to
the restraints of the family circle, and to the
annoyance Of. "being forever badgered by wo-
men," He struck up an intimacy with Mad
anne d'Estay, soon after his arrival at his
present stopping place. She was not unwil-
ling to enter into Irritation with him, "pour
passer le temps" and while each secretly ridi.
culed the other, they whiled away a good
deal of their time in unison, and were SEEM
ingly on the best of terms. She wqs his Sc
nior by three or four years, and, man of the
world though he was, he was not quite her
match. She had it in her power to make a
tool of him if she chose, and it was quite GER
tain that she would not shrink from doing so,
should she at any time find it profitable.
1t was evening The salons were bril-
liant with gaslight, and gay as usual with
their moving pageant of rich dresses and
with the sound Of laughter, music and revelry.
The sombre American passed quietly amid
the throng, glancing right and left, now and
then pausing t. reply to question or remark.
Finally, he disappeared beyond the green
curtain that hung over the entrance to the
gambling-rooms where all was hushed and
quiet, save for the ring of the gold pieces on
the tables, and the eroupier's monotonous
voice. Mr.. Vivian strolled leisurely along,
that searching look of his still directed now
on this side, now on that, but still failing,
as it would seem, in the object of its search.
A light hand touched his arm, and as he
turned, the rouged and smiling face Of. the
French widow met his gaze. ..-.. ..
"Mon ami, if you would but be persuaded
to essay your fortune at one little game !" she
said, winningly. "Be on my side am sue
cessful tonight" 80
"You are aware, madame, that / never
play" he coldly replied.
II know that you are rectitude itself. But
it could do you no harm to indulge, for a
quarter of an hour, in this trifing relaxation /;
you have no idea how enjoyable you would
find it."
II thank you for your interest in fny well
fare, madame" was Mr.. Vivian's ironical re-
joinder II do not find myself in need of the
relaxation which you so kindly urge Upon
me-"
"Ah frigid and severe as usual! Tell me,
Monsieur, are all the people of your nation 80
inaexible, so difficult to persuade 2" asked
Madame d'Estay, as, with her hand still upon
his arm, she constrained him to continue at
her side, as they moved slowly on.
"I can refer you, for an answer, to Mr.
Philipson, with whom I believe you are &C
quainted," he replied. .. .....
"Oh Monsieur Philippesone; I had forgot
ten him." she rejoined, with a laugh. "Truly,
one would not suspect him of being coun'
tryman of yours. Entire nous," she continued,
in lower tone, II fear the paupre ieune
homme is in difficulties. He has tonight the
air distracted, almost sad."
Indeed, was Mr.. Vivian's Indifferent COM
ment. AS they reached the last Of the row
of tables he stopped short, and saying polite
ly, but with decision, II must beg you to ex-
cuse me, madame, have business elsewhere" ="
quietly disengaged his arm and left her.
"Bete!" murmured the lady, below her
breath, as her eye followed his retreating form
with no Aatteripg expression. But in mo.
ment or two more she had taken her post at
one of the tables, and soon became too deep
ly absorbed in her favorite pastime to- think
of anything else.
Mr.. Vivian left the salon and emerged into
the open air. A marble colonnade extended
along one side of the building, leading into q
courtyard, in the middle Of which played a
fountain, surrounded by aromatic shrubs,
which difused subtle fragrance on the night
air. Benches were scattered about, and on
one of these he sank wearily, leaning his Ell.
bow on. his knee, and his head upon his hand.
The courtyard was deserted. The moonlight
shone broadly on the stone pavement, and the
fountain rose and fell with a musical sound,
softly splashing into the water below, where
it gurgled into the basin from the distended
mouths Of four marble dolphins sporting on
the brink. From the open windows of the
dancing room, strains of the melody were au.
dible, mingled with the faint sounds Of laugh
ter and of swiftly moving feet. But the
moonlight, the tropical odors, the play Of the
fountain and the echo of revelry, were all
alike disregarded by the solitary figure that
sat there motionless, and absorbed, as it
seemed, in meditation too profound to admit
of any interruption from outward sight or
sound
Suddenly step was heard approaching.
Raising his head quickly, Mr.. Vivian looked
around. A man wrapped in a cloak was