Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-03-06

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again, and our master has consented. Yor
have captivated them, my darling; but
you will not speak to them, nor shall they
to you, if | can prevent it. All we have
to do is our duty. There is nothing tc
fear. No harm can befall you while 1 am
by your side
"Docile and obedient in this as in al
things, she submitted to be dressed, al
though she was scarcely awake; and when
we were ready she walked with me from
the room, with her arm around my waist,
and her head resting on my shoulder.
How fair and lovely she looked as l sup.
ported her, in a half dream, down the
grand staircases to the saloon where our
master and his master flor he did not re-
ceive me; he was but servant to these
| fine gentlemen) were waiting for us! The
| woman preceded us, and we met not a
soul ON the way. Never shall forget that
time The silence, the dim soft light, the
ghostly echo of our footsteps, inspired me
with superstitious dread of impending
evil which l vainly tried to shake off. 1t
appeared to me as if every representation
of the human form we left behind us was
following our steps with watchful eyes
the statues in bronze and marble, the
paintings ON the walls and ceilings, seemed
to be imbued with mysterious life.
SIN there, mistress, said the woman,
and, pushing us into room, the door of
which was partly open, she departed.
"It was a large saloon, the chief part of
it in shadow. At one end, where lights
were burning, sat our master, playing cards
with gentleman, and, if his flushed face
and excited manner were an index to feel
ing, playing for higher stakes than he
could afford to lose. The gentleman was
cool, unconcerned, and smiling, as was
another, his friend, who was lolling back
in his chair, idly watching the game.
"'Curse the luck' from our master.
"' With all my heart. Curse it from
the gentleman whose luck had been cursed.
"'Ah, here are our divinities from the
gentleman who was watching the game.
"These EXPLANATIONS fell simultaneously
upon my ears as we entered Ciarice did
not observe what was passing around us !;
her eyes were quite closed, and, fearing
that in moment she would be fast asleep,
l tightened my clasp upon her.
60 Clarice, l whispered, rouse your
self. We have work to do; you must not
sleep
"She opened her eyes languidly. and
closed them again with charming smile.
81 cannot keep them open, she MUIR
INJURED 1 shall be ready to dance when
you want me. Let me dream
''Some words which I did not catch
passed between our master and the gentle
men.
"'She can dance in shadow, said the
gentleman who was not playing. 1t will
form finer picture. The value of art is
not in what it exhibits, but in what it sug-
gests
Nevertheless, he came close to US with
a three. branched candelabra containing
lighted candles in his hand.
Young ladies', he said in courteous
tone, we could not rest until we had
further exhibition of your grace and skill.
You will peform for us?'
GIVE have no option l replied with
spirit; our wills are not our own.
We should be 10th to compel you to
do what is disagreeable to yourselves, he
said softly. 'Our friend, the manager (by
which 1 understood him to refer to our
MASTERY, informed us that you would be
delighted at the opportunity
60 Your friend, the manager l said
holly, with the intention of exposing the
falsehood, and as l hoped to ouradvantage,
for l could not doubt that the speaker was
gentleman but 1 was prevented by an
angry exclamation from our master, who,
dashing pack of cards to the ground in
fury, cried:
&c The devils in the cards tonight
His adversary smiled superciliously,
and OWNED that he was playing with our
master in more ways than one.
"All this time the gentleman who held
the candelebra was gazing earnestly upon
Clarice's face, which was lying exposed
upon my shoulder.
's' Rest awhile, he said, and with light
touch upon my arm, he encouraged me to
sit upon couch by which vas standing.
Light as his touch was, and gently as l
obeyed it. the motion disturbed Clarice,
who opened her eyes; they met those of
the gentleman, and some magnetic power
in him prevented her from relapsing into
her almost unconscious state. For few
moments they gazed at each other in 81
lence, and then he moved suddenly away,
and Clarice closed her eyes again with a
happy sigh, and nestled in my arms.
g can give only an imperfect account
of the conversation that now took place
between the men. The gentleman was for
allowing us to rest; our master would not
have it so.
"'It is debt of honor, he said, with
swagger You asked me at what rate |
valued the services of the girls. / told
you-fifty pieces. You staked the money,
and won.'
"' But If 1 am willing to forego the
claim ? Not reasonable, perhaps Il
am to blame :. . So late an hour. -. Clar-
ice is almost asleep.
.sThen, from our master, with an oath
1 pay my debt. They shall sing and
darce !. Another fifty pieces to let them
off Not double fifty They are mine
my slaves How? l bought and paid for
them. !. The luck is against me; it will
turn it. You will give me my revenges,'
''' To the last drop of your blood, said
the imperturbable player and added. look,
ing at his friend, Let the girls dauce; 1T