Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-02-11

Inc count. VINO, fancy, from certain gloom
which had spread ever him. had not found
Monaco highly profitable of late. proposed one
night a little game of cards. l excused myself
on the plea OF being no player: but Hansen, to
my surprise-I knew him to be no gambler
consented, and the French officer his friend
agreed to make third.
They played; and the affair ended in a scene
1t was simply this: Laurowski who seemed to
have gone to work in good earnest and won
largely. was detected by the keen-eyed doctor
with a card up his sleeve. There could be no
mistake and Hansen quickly flung the remain
der of the pack in the Counts face, and called
him a sharper.
I.aurowski turned livid. We thought he was
going to spring upon the little lame man, and
held him back. The Doctors friend then inter-
fered.
I'VE two are witnesses that Monsieur Hansen
is right" he said to me with admirable GOODNESS
Let there be no noise This is scarcely case
for satisfaction duels are fought with gentle
men. and not with swindlers. Monsieur here
will leave the town. that is ALL or We shall be
put to the pain of exposing him.
This seemed to me to be a perfectly sensible
arrangement. l was not greatly surprised at
the Counts conduct: it was consistent with the
general doubts / had formed. / acuujesced
therefore. by silent nod.
The French officer took out his watch. 'Mon-
sleur has ample time to make his preparations
for departure. In the morning, early, he will
go by our permission. he may keep what he
WOn Our are IQaC he leaves
quietly, without scandal
LauroWski, with thick beads of cold perspi-
ration trucking from his brow, then left the
room in a hang-dog fashion
But it was to be an eyentful night. Whilst we
were still talking the matter over, there sounded
a noise as though the house were falling about
our ears, accompanied by shrieks of Fire!
Fire!''
We rushed out It was quite true; one of the
wings of the hotel was in flames. We all
scampered Off in different directions, |, of course
Fastening to my wife's room. where. for all
knew to the contrary. she might be lying asleep
unconscious of danger.
There was a'tremendeus rush. bustle and de-
lirious confusion. Walters tearing about; cham
bermaids screaming; men and women staying in
the house scrambled into the corridors dressed
IN ali sorts OF fantastic costumes. and the whole
scene was naturally one Of tumult and disorder
found my little lady in no peril. She had been
warned by the noise, was all but ready to leave.
and only frightened on my account. We reached
the outer grounds in safety, and looked round
for our friends.
Not one OF them was to be seen amongst the
crowd. Presently rumor passed from mouth
TO mouth that Miss Rogers was in danger. Ii
was said the room she occupied formed part Of
the wing attacked by fire. scratch band of
San Reno volunteers had by this time arrived
and were energeticaly graphing with the
flames In spite of my wife protestations.
forced my way by sheer strength of elbows
through the crowd. with the intention of being
OF service. My heroism was not. however, put
to the test: Before had even gained the centre
OF the cOn1agratiOn learned that everyone W as
safe, and suddenly ont came the tall figure of
LauroWski, his face lit up by the light of the
htfui CLEANS bearing in his arms the insensibIe
form Of Miss Rogers.
Swindler or no swindier he was a brave
piuchy fellow after all. and risked his life noby
Behind him rushed Mr.. Rogers. the French Off
Ger, and host Of excited spectators-but Han
sen was not among them. The American girl
was laid down and Immediately attended to-
She had tainted. but was otherwise uniniured
Sir thank YOU said Mr. Rogers to the
Count. graspins his hand with deep-felt emo
ton MY daughters life is my own; you have
saved 1t; command me in everything"
We were all around Laurowski. watching him
with admiration, and many of us cheering him
freely forgave him his past misdeed. He was
the hero of the moment, yet stood silent and
mOurnful.
AT last after apparently undergoing sharp
inward struggle, he spoke.
You mistake yourself. sir" he said in his
broken English; 1T was not who saved Miss
Rogers simply lifted her from the bottom Of
the stairs Doctor Hansen brought her down
from her ROOM
DIR. Hansen," we all exclaimed.
Yes, lame as he is he was before me. and
saved her with-With great courage. He is the
hero not -
where is Hansen:" somebody called out,
A search was immediately made and the
little Doctor was found calmly applying rene
dies to his two badiy-hurned hands and scorched
face.
Miss Rogers is safe?' he asked TRANQUILITY.
Quite" we answered, thanks to YOUR
bravery
''Ah! Laurowski has told you?' he remarked
with some surprise. and heard him add almost
lnaudibly. the fellow has some honesty in
him, after ALL
The fire was put out before it could destroy
one-quaFter OF the building. and most of US SUI
Tered nothing worse than severe fright. Miss
Rogers nerves were good deal shaken and by
Dr. Hansen's advice she was ordered complete
rest for day or two. after which She reco; cred
as though nothing had happened.
The Count Disappeared and have never seen
MIN to this day. though. indeed | heard of him
soon alter on our Journey home to England
ffOil person who knew him better than any OF
US 1t appears that he was rot Count at all!
ana not even LaurOwski. nor a Pole but
Hamburg sharper named Never we'll known in
every European gambling place, and suspected
on several occasions, of trucking at cards. Such
was my Wi1es most gentlemanIy and accom-
pIished man.
Was the American heress ever informed of tbe
true character OF herquOndam admirer? Ineyer
told her, and am positive DR.. Hansen Obsery ed
the same reticence as myself. But nv Wife of
course, knew, and she was extremely intimate
with Miss Rogers. Anyhow. We always studi-
OuSly avoided the bare mention of his name in
our conversations.
Since our return to England we have been
visited by Mr.. Rogers and Mr.. and Mrs Christie
pher Hansen. Mrs. Hansen was nee Rogers, and
She confessed to my wife that from the first she
always entertained secret preference for the
little lame man. Ny wife thinks she was right,
and has. moreover vowed never to believe in
another Count 80 long rs she lives.-Tin,e
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