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


registered a solemn VOW that never again
through life would he stake one farthing
upon any game Of chance.
=. This was the specter which, confront
ing him upon his wedding-eve, whisper:
ing the name of Monte Carlo, pointed
with cold, bony finger to a possible
temptation. And once again upon his
knees, looking up into the myriad go.Se:2: golden
eyes keeping watch over the sleeping
city, Rodney Chester reiterated those
pleadings for frmness and support, and
with double earnestness renewed that
unforgotten VOW.
Il X
Near the long, steep flight of steps
leading up from the railway station to
the terraced gardens of Monte Carlo
stood group of three, watching the
stream of passengers ascending that
ladder of the lost, from the afternoon
train-a Gght-bearded Englislman, with
a dinninutive French wife, black-eyed and
vivacious, and an angular Scot, whose
gaunt visage was study in tan Of the
delights of yachting. Lazily he surveyed
the newcomers, occasionally utterlng
some shrew criticism upon one or an
Other. His companion, from under lids
dropped in seeming indifference, shot
swift analytic glances, keen as steel
fash, at each passing face, Something
of the sleuth-hound's tenacity, combined
with foxy cunning, characterized his
frigid eyes. Another sidelong glance,
yet swifter, telegraphed the result OF
such inspections to the small woman at
his side, who caught their meaning with
indefnable rapport. -,
Surely, yon's young Chester!" said
Macpherson, surprise quickening some
what his usually deliberate Scottish
drawl. aWhatever brings him to this
goddess place-wi' the bit lassie, tool"
(which? that yellow-headed girl:
Much what set Adam and Eve meddling
with sour apples, I should say" sneered
the Englishman, with an obtrllsive yawn
Disgusting start of recognition on his
part also, as Rodney and Rotha came
slowly forward, Rodney's face slightly
grave, yet filled with interest, curiosity,
and quiet admiration, his wife's brightly
expressive of young girls vivid appre-
citation Of unimagined beauty, and the
excitement consequent upon first pres
entation to place whose evil reputation
enveloped it in weird romance.
ut is like a vision!" Rotha exclaimed,
with catch in her breath and sympa-
thetic pressure on her husbands arm, as
few steps upon the terrace spread the
whole panoramic scene before them, out
lined sharply as cameo by the slanting
evening sunbeams. Blue, blue sea, fecked
with white and tawny sails s-the quaint,
walled, Moorish town perched on its
rocky, wave-washed promontory dis
tant, filmy mirage, whispering of Cor
sica's snow mountains and fateflu men,
ories-palnls waving great fans overhead,
and parting dusky fronds to glnlpses of
sapphire sky, and showers Of golden light.
Like vision" Rotha said; and she was
right. In its beauty-and deception-it
was, and is, as q dream and-awakening!
Bitter enough to some is the lifting Of
that trance-ike sleep.
From the palms, the sky, the amber
glow, Rotha's winged fancy dropped sud-
denly into the reality Of finding Rodney
introducing to her a brawny Highlander,
who was blending congratulations with
discreet curiosity, in Caledonian fashion.
1.-THE MacPherson"-as, being at the
head of his clan, he, with pardonable
vanity, affected to be styled-was asandy-
haired, elderly man, with kind blue eyes.
His rather ponderous gallantries amused
Rotha; but the llnmistakable interest he
diplayed in her as This cousins bride won
upon her, as her bright face and manner
attracted him. Stroling leisurely for
ward he soon learned the young couples
experiences and projects-Rodney's mis-
sion to Monaco his belief, from inforna-
ton gathered, that the dinner-hour was
the time most likely for finding Monsieur
Duval at home; .and Rotha's rejection Of
his proposal that che should remain at
Nice, whittier, if successful in his appli-
cation to Duval, they intended returning
that night
u wouldn't have missed co ming for
anything!" Rotha protested, flushing with
pretty triunlph-"Fancy being at Nice
and not seeing Monte Carlo-dear, de-
lightful, wicked place."
"Aweel, then, while your guide
mons speirin' an pokin' for this
Duval, we'll just tax a luik round
you an meat the beauties
O. nature outside, an the ruir futterin'
moths O full bodies within that spiders
web O the evil ones own spinin'. An
ne'er fash yerself aboot the wee wife,
Rodney; we'll neither waste the bawbees,
nor max a munelicht fiittin' to the Bon
ME Elaine" So, with dry humor, spake
The Macpherson.
1t was a good arrangement, placing
Rotha in safe keeping, yet leaving Rod
ney's movements free. He laughingly
departed, though Rotha's wistful glances
followed him with girlish transparency.
0,1ickly bo,yavar attantiOn and inn ,i,,