The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-05-18


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
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 much later hour. The sound of
a piano, softly played, came from cur
tanned niche, and he walked that way to
glance in on the performer.
"Not 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, evidently my
man isn't here, and can't say that l
am sorry. It's 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, startled face looked forth.
hand beckoned, and Killuth had
momentary glimpse of table, holding
cards and glasses, from which two men
were just then rising. He hurried for
ward, followed by an attendant who
obeyed that silent summons. He had
recognized in those two figures the pro-
prietor, Varick, and the man he sought.
The former was speaking.
"You know the rules of this place,
sir. No one forced you into this game"
81 am not disputing you. merely
said that after taking so much you had
better tike all. Maybe you think
there's nothing worth while left, that
YOU have the money and June the faith
l once was rich in. but there's a trifling
commodity called life which i have no
further use for.
The speakers hand went up. A pis-
toll shot cut short and sharp upon the
closing words, and poor Launt Earring
ton had ended his mad career, a sui
eide.
Killuth was little late at 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. Has blood was tingling
with fiery darts of expectation; has
heart beating a triumphant tune.
A carriage was waiting to convey
them to a handsome mansion on Esp
lenade street, and looking up at the i'm
posing front, Killuth began to grow in
teresting at last. Perhaps his young
friend had not made such a fiasco in his
matrimonial 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
discreetly in the rear, sent q sweeping
glance over the luxurious appointments
of the stately apartment. before his at
tention was concentrated upon the two
occupants, rising to receive them.
These were middle-aged gentleman,
scrupulously well dressed. with a 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's friend.
There was not much color in Mr.. Kill
luth's face, but 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."
.sYour 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 victimto these people
AS notorious a pair as can he found in
the city. That man is Almont, .the
gambler, yarick's silent partner; and
the girl, his daughter sure enough, is
the decoy. La June. / know their his
tory. 1t is not two hours since | left a
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"
..Bruter' hurled back Almont, in
low, intense utterance, 'you, sir, look
to your wife,
Mechanically, Rodney obeyed his
flashing glance of command, and
stretched out his arms to catch the girl,
whose whole figure dropped, whose
head sank to his shoulder and lay there,
her deathly white. face upturned and
eyes closed, while a strcng shiver con-
vulsed her form.
'.You might have spared her that"
said Almont, fiercely. Granted that 1
am all you say, she is blameless in all
except yielding unwilling obedience to
my wishes"
Rodney, she was brought up at his
side. She kept count for him while he
fieeced his opponents when she was ten
years old. She has lured more than
one promising young man to ruin and
death. There is but one thing for you
to do. Leave her. Come away with
me, and thank Heaven for your escape
from this basest of snares laid for your
feet"
Involuntarily, Rodney's arm pressed
closer about the motionless form he
supported. She had not really tainted,
and the dark eyes opened now to look
UP into his with a passion of appeal.
Don't leave me, Rodney, don't, oh,
don'tr'
"Mignon. is this trueP'
cit is true. / have been what he
says, but not of my own will. l never
tempted any man to his ruin-there he
ics-but they would not be warned"
"Let me speak," said Almont, in