The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-05-27

cence, it was impossible but that mad-
ame's pertinacity had wiled from her
something of Rodney's difficulties with
Duval. Intuition, supplemented by an
espionage which had revealed, by aid OF
Rotha's mirror, the fastening of the
package within her bosom, assured
madame of the debts. payment, and
Rotha's possession of the money.
! Presently, seated in an alcove, she
turned the conversatio,: u j: ,.ron "r play: mix
ing myth and reality in her storiccs sue
cesses, dazzling Rotha with tides Of gold,
and mountains of silver, laughing at her
objections, scruples, and book-culled
"reminiscences of crime and ruin.
4Voici!"-piczing up three pebbles,
and laying one upon the little table
"three arr /, myself. There" placing a
second, 3ies starvation Had but 3
franc" laying the third midway between
the two, u would risk the whole upon
the camel"
l. Rotha looked at her wonderingly.
The woman's earnestness impressed her
with kind Of awe, as at an influence
impelling her she knew not whittier.
She shivered.
ut is a power of which know moth.
ing" she said. Neither, did I wish it,
have l money so to risk"
"Then what is this!" playfully touching
Rotha's breast, this secret of Monsieur
Ro-od-ney's we guard SO jealously"
@Ah?" exclaimed Rotha with involu1i-
tary betrayal, "that is not mine-not his
not"
"Ciel! to lose such chance! Me, had
but a fraction Of that treasure, from
what of misery might it not deliver!"
A little wringing of madame's hands,
a few tears, q voluble detailment of
wrong, wrested advantage, poverty, op-
preston, and Rotha's heart, burning
with indignation, throbbed to aid. With
quick zeal she reviewed her resources.
She had 10 pounds absolutely her own,
in her dressing-case at the hotel. Were
she, from Rodney's packet, to lend mad
anne that amount, she could replace it on
her return. Surely Rodney would not
blame her for using her own money as
she pleased-for helping madame, too!
Impulsively she drew forth the parcel,
opened it, and offered madame a note OF
the sum mentioned. The other drew
back, her greedy eyes gloating over the
prize revealed.
"Stay, mignonne!" and she waved the
gift aside, lit is to the young luck comes;
you shall stake it for me, and be my
Dame of Good Fortune
They entered the salon; Rotha in a
fever of excitement, doubt, and
fear; madame cold, calm, self-possessed.
She changed, Rotha's note for gold
directed and suggested her play. How
Rotha's fingers trembled as she placed
her first stake, picked up her first win
nings! Time after time she won. A
small ocean of gold heaved upon her
hand. People turned, watched, NUT
tered over her success. The fascination
of the place, which had been growing
upon her insensibly, suddenly leaping to
gigantic power, over-mastered will, mo-
ralty, and Judgment. Courage! Cour-
age!n whispered the temptress beside her.
laHSat? bid fortune adieu with her fa-
vor at its fioodF' And Rotha's hand
drew from the packet another note, Then
the tide turned-she lost. Reverse fol-
lowed reverse. Dismayed, bewildered,
with fierce fear clutching her heart,
she followed madame's counsels, laying
down notes and gold until all was gone.
As the croupier's rake gathered in the
last pile she looked round with the wide
eyed, uncomprehending misery of q
child. Then, as the hideous truth burst
upon her brain, she threw up her arms
with despairing cry, and fled away.
Where, she knew not. On, on, speeding
along the fower-laden terraces, down
slopes, and steps, and roads, like hunt
ed animal. Lights died, voices grew
faint and far, palms ceased rustling,
fower-scents faded. The seas salt breath,
the plash of waves, rocks uncertain
footing took their place. A broad moon
looked down upon her from lonely sky,
as she gazed out upon lonely sea. She
had wandered to the shore, but by what
pathway, or for what purpose, she never
could recall. A dumb agony of fright
urged her on. Over sharp boulders and
scraped ridges, she stumbled forward till
she reached the furthermost point OF
a projecting reef. There she COW.
cred down, and waitel-for what:
Billows doomed around her-spray flew
over and drenched her-night shadows
Knocked her with phantom images. The
Tete du Chen frowncd behind, the pitt
less sea. stretched in front. Somewhere
bells were ringing. Were they tollins
beneath the waves knclls for drowning
seamen, or pealing from village steeples
happy bridal chimes? Surely they were
her own wedding bells-how merrily
they rang! And that was Rodney's
voice. All, yes! they were throwing
flowers; how sweet and pink was the
nlimosa bloom how heavy the air will
jasmine and seringa! 1t was the bataille
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