The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-05-27

fees the tedium of Rodney's involuntar,
absences. Who so unassumingly enter
tanning, helpful, kind, as Madam
D'Armet? She, too, poor thingl waiting
waiting in lonely patience for the con
, stantly delayed return of a husband de
tanned in Paris by diplomacy's red
tapeisml
With such companionship how coulC
Rotha debar Rodney from the delight o
spending an occasional hour aboard TIN
Bonnie Elaine? Rotha was no sailor
and nothing short of necessity induced
her to quit dry land.
after that horrible channel, too" sh,
said reproachfully, one day when Rod
ney, upon the principle practice makes
perfect, was trying to persuade her t.
accept MacPherson's proposal of long
days cruising expedition. No, Rodney
not even for you would l brave the
Observation-Disclosures. Go, then; Mad
anne D'Armet will take care of me. Only
-only-come pack soon!"
Should he go? Rodney debated, as he
hurried towards Monaco for another
effort at unearthing Duval. To the en-.
ticing charms of catching, this expedi
ton added that of glimpses at scenes anG
shores whose interest was, to him, very
great. Rotha was willing, safe, con-
tent. 1t would be but few hours sep
aration. Leaving Nice early in the
morning, they would be back by night
fall. Well! chance should decide. If he
found Duval, and succeeded in his en-
bassy, he would CO. Not otherwise.
He did succeed. Duval, this time,
missed evading him by two minutes.
Making virtue of necessity, he paid
the larger portion of his debt, and Rod
ney returned possessed of notes valuing
200 pound stefling.
What to do with them was now his
! puzzle. Business hours were over
banks closed. When they reopened in
the morning he would be miles away on
the sea. He would confide them to
Rotha-she was careful little woman.
No one need know anything of the mat
ter, and in her custody they would be
perfectly safe.
Suppose 1 lost theml" Rotha asked,
regarding the notes apprehensively.
Rodney, wish you would lock them
up somewhere. have no idea where to
put them"
Nonsense!" he replied lightly.
women are clever hiders = always.
Don't they often tuck money away in
their petticoats, or boots?"
Certainly not" promptly. Paper in
petticoats would rustle-coin in boots
equal pilgrims'a peas. Your knowledge
of feminine resources is evidently de-
fective."
Nevertheless, after his departure she
so far followed his suggestion as to fold
the notes into a small packet, and fasten
it securely inside her bodice.
But the charge worried her. An I'M
expected voice, or step, startled her,
flushing her cheek, and involuntarily
drawing her hand to the treasures rest
vaguely uneasy, longing for Rodneys re-
turn. Nor would she had left it had not
Madame D'Armet penetrated to her re-
treat, and persisted in dragging her out
of doors.
"Such a lofely evening-so gay-so
bright Only lie petite anxious and pale
pale as the spirit that keep a secret
watch"
Not pale now. Rothas cheek was
scarlet.
"ViolaI have not reason? Your hus-
band, he takes his pleasure. You-you
stay to guard-what? Gold? Jewelsi
Papers? BAIL what is it you say-'care
kill catsY Pouf! blow it away. Come!
it lives not with music and flowers"
Poor Rothal Scarcely beyond child
hood, and one of large family who. in
daily intercourse, practiced little reti-
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
which had revealed, by aid of
Rotha's mirror, the fastening of the
package within her bosom, assured
of the debts payment, and
Rotha's possession of the money.
Presently, seated in an alcove, she
turned the conversation upon play, mix
ing myth and reality in her storied 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.
"Voicil"-picking up three pebbles,
and laying one upon the little table |
three am I, myself. There" placing a
"ies starvation. Had l but 8
franc, laying the third midway between
the two, Il would risk the whole upon
the camel"
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.
at is power of which know moth
ing" she said. Neither, did 1 wish it
have money so to risk"
Then what is this?" playfully touching
Rotha's breast, this secret of Monsieur
we guard so jealously?"
"Ah?" exclaimed Rotha with involun-
tary betrayal, "that is not mine-not his
"Cieli to lose such chancel Me, had
[ but fraction of that treasure, from
what of misery might it not deliver!"
A little wringing of madame's hands,
4 few tears, a voluble detailment of
wrong, wrested advantage, poverty, OPP
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,
n her dressing-case at the hotel. Were
ihe, from Rodney's packet, to lend mad
lme that amount, she could replace it on
ler return. Surely Rodney would not
blame her for using her own money as
The pleased-for helping madame, tool
she drew forth the parcel,
opened it, and offered madame note of
he sum mentioned. The other drew
Jack, her greedy eyes gloating over the
orize revealed.
Stay, mignonne!" and she waved the
lift 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
ever of excitement, doubt, and
ear; madame cold, calm, self possessed.
'he changed Rotha's note for gold
Iirected and suggested her play. How
eotha's fingers trembled as she placed
Ter first stake, picked up her first win
Iingsl Time after time she won. A
mall ocean of gold heaved upon her