Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-31

with me. France? Hsis pretty sure TO
be found at Varick's den.'' \
mo" said Rodney France, with a
straightforward look and heightened
colqr. e rye turned sover q new leaf.
I shall notset footip . gambling house
of any description, Heaven helping me,
ever again"
A slight, cynical smile went across
Killuth's face, but he said nothing, and
took his departure after arranging to
meet his companion at a later hour.
France would think it PROCLAMATION
to mention La june 10 the same breath
with this girl whom he has married,
and yet he knows no mors of her than
poor Launt did Of the fatal beauty that
sntrapped him-the pretty decoya who
led him open-eyed to his RUM : > l.
So muttered Mr.. Killuth, after CIV
ing a password which admitted him to
suite of gilded rooms, where deep
toned lights were never allowed to burn
dim, day or night, where the shutters
were never opened and heavy curtains
never drawn to admit a ray of sunshine
or breath of fresh air, to touch the
fevered heads that throbbed within.
Killuth stood looking about him, not
quite certain which way to turn. He
was man familiar with all vices, but
given to none. He knew the place as a
gambling saloon, frequented by young
men belonging to the better classes of
society, but no familiar face just then
appeared to him., The rooms were
comparatively empty, and would be
until a much later hour. The sound of
a piano, softly played, came froma cur
tanned niche, and he walked that way to
glance in on the performer. $500. .,-....
mot La June" thought he. "Then
there is no new victim on the hooks at
present. They say she never comes
unless there is wary and tempting
bird to be plucked. Well, evidentlym
man isn't here, and can't sa y that l
ann sorry. It's 4 deuce of bore, this
trying to stop one going headlong to
ruin
he was turning away, but at the
instant a portiere near, him was swept
back, a startled face looked forth, a
hand beckoned, and Killuth had a
nomcntary glimpse of table, holding
cards and glasses. from which two men
.were Just then rising. He hurried for
.war4 followed by an attendant who
obeyed that silent summons. He had
recoonize,,' in those two figures the pro-
prietor. Tarit,k, and the man he. sought.
The former was speaking.
You know the rules OF this place,
sir. No one forced you into this game.
i am not ,diSputing You. 1 merely
said that after taking SO 'nuch you had
better t,ke' all. Maybe You think
there's nothing worth. while .'e1t. that
You have the money and June tie 1alth
l once was rich in, but there's tn ting
commodity called life which I have 10
further use for. - =
The speakers hand went up. A pis-
tol shot cut short and sharp upon the
closing words, and poor Launt Farringr
tom had ended his mad career, a stiiE
eide a,
Killuth was a little late at It his appoint.
ment that evening, and Rodney France
was growing impatient at being kept
away from his bride; but he, came at
last, rather distract, to the younger
mans disgust. HIS blood was tingling
with fiery darts of expectation; his
heart beating triumphant tune Z =
A carriage was waiting to convey
them to a handsome mansion on Esp
lenade street, nd'lookingsup at the inn
posing front, Killuth began to grow i'm
teresting at last. Perhaps his young
friend had not made such fiasco in his
speculation after all. Pass
ing in through a spacious, brilliantly
lighted hall, the sable gentleman-in-
waiting announced them ON the draw
ing-room threshold. Killuth, falling
in the rear. sent sweeping
glance oyer the luxurious appointments.
of the, stately apartment. before his atS
was concentrated upon the two
rising ton receive them.s
These We're a mfddle-aged gentleman,
scrupulou>ly well dressed, with smooth,
dark. powerful face; and a beautiful
girl, resembling him somewhat, whose
flashing dark eyes sent their first swift
glance beyond her bridegroom. to rest,
Keen and penetrating, upon the bride
groom friend. =
There was not much color in Mr.. Kill
luth face, bat what there was drained
slowly away, leaving it like yellow wax.
He heard Frances voice, sounding faint
and distant, presenting him to 'my
wife. and my wife's father, Mr.. Trede-
gar Almont. .'Fft %
Your friend seems to know some
thing of us already. Mr.. France" spoke
the latter, in cool, incisive tones. "He
has the advantage of me. / certainly
supposed Mr.. Killuth, of New York, an
utter stranger, or should have thought
twice before admitting him. ~
Lord help you, Rodney France
broke over Killuth's Mortified lips" if
You have fallen victim to these people
AS notorious pair as can be found in
the city. That man is Almont, the
gambler, Varick's silent partner; and
the girl hissfdaughter sure enough, is
the decoy, La June. / know their his
tory. 1t is not two hours since left
tragedy of their making-of her max
ing, may say, for it is due to La June
that poor Launt Harrington blew out his
own brains.S' "a e.sB 4
''Bruter' hurled back Almont, in
lows intenseeutterance, '.you, sir, look
to your wife,
. Mechanically, Rodney 'obeyed his /
flashing glance of command, and
stretched out his arms to catchthe girl,
whose whole figure dropped, whose
head sank tn his shoulder and lay thora