Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-18

breaks us" said Dick, as they turned away unconcernedly from the room where they left Edith sleeping. "I had almost forgotten it." said the | dame.
 "But hope you will not forget to play well your part. You are to be my sister tonight, and help me to entertain our guests" replied Dick.
 "As you wish. The transformation had better be made now," said the dame, as 1 the hour is getting late."
 Saying this, she disappeared to her dressing-room, and in half an hour a beautiful and superbly dressed woman came out of the door in which Dame Dawson entered. For the time being Dame Dawson had no existence. She l was the mere chrysalis from which this | dazzling butterfly, all gorgeous with sat l in, lace and diamonds, emanated. Capital! |" exclaimed Dick, in admir- l ation, when he beheld the enchanting | apparition of lovely womanhood that stood before him i'll tho hall.
 "I declare, Alice," he added, 7n q some- ! what tender tone, "you make me almost | fall in love with you again. But 1 sup pose there is no more romance for us. Your father made me realize hard facts when he sent the bullet that made this l scar blowing through my forehead" and he raised the heavy mass of jet black l hair which half concealed the wound on his temple, and added, Alice, you can always claim me by this mark. It your | lawful brand"
 Don't think of it, Dick" she said, re- storing the rumpled tress of hair, and then gently stroking it over the scar. What victory, what fortune, what conquest are we to win to-night?" she asked.
 Anything from fifty thousand to a cool hundred thousand dollars" he re- piled "I feel it in the air. This is the first time you have been introduced to my | friends as you are. Hitherto they have | known you as Dame Dawson, the wrink. led hag. Now they will see you in your glory. You are my sister. on visit from California, you understand, and when the | wine dazzles them, then I'll fill your hand | with cards that will take fortune. Young Carson is coming, and we have In the party wealty coal operator, a banker, and a judge. Each of them is worth half million at least, with the ex. ception of Carson, and don't know how much he has in his own name, but it will | be a great night, or else I am no good as | plotter."
 | The scheme worked we'll. Dick Daw- | sons lair was never so bright or 30 at | tractive before, and his guests were there intending to fleece each other in a friend l ly way. Clarence Carson, full of the ex. citement accustomed by the stormy scene at his uncle's house, was trihe late, but he managed by supreme effort of will power, to hide his agitation, and helped himself liberally to q dash of brandy at the well-stocked sideboard which formed l one of the most seductive and attractive features of Dick Dawson's club room. In addition to those who usually attended, came United States Senator, who was vouched for by the judge, and who took part in the nights enjoyment.
 The game moved on slowly and with out excitement until supper time. The winnings and losings up to that time were commonplace, and there were no | unusual citations or depresslons.
 The supper was served by colored servant in Dick Dawson's employ, who was well paid for his services and his discretion. Just as the gentlemen with
 we'll whetted appetites were about to be- gin the meal, beautiful woman, superb ly dressed, and sparkling with diamonds glided softly into the room on the pre- text of correcting some tritling mistake of the servants. Instantly all eyes were 1 upon her, She did not seem to notice this attention, but moved about noise lessly, with modest, downcast looks, and
 was about to leave the room again, when Dick Dawson, speaking up, as if he had
 forgotten something, said: Pardon me
 gentlemen; but permit me to present my
 sister, Miss Alice Dawson, of San Fran
 cisco, who is making me 8 little visit."
 The gentlemen rose simultaneously
 and bowed low, and the judge, with q
 touch of gallantry, suggested that Miss
 Alice might favor the company with her
 presence at supper.
 "Just as she pleases," said Dick. "Of
 course she is at home here, like the rest
 of us, and if it's agreeable to the com
 pany and she desires to remain, it will be
 all right. She is now visiting her mother
 and myself for the first time ill five
 years" Sa | The party WaS Jus1 III 0iie Ahoou 'o eh-
 joy Alices company, and after a little
 show of reluctance, she remained. Her
 part in the feast, however, consisted in
 saying bright things in a modest way, and
 inspiring the company to indulge liberal
 ly in the wine, of which there was an
 abundance.
 Clarence Carson was dazzled and de-
 lighted with her winsome ways, and when
 Dick suggested that she favor the party
 with a little song toward the close of the
 supper, Carson was the most urgent mem
 Der of the company to secure her compi
 ance.
 Alice knew precisely the point at which
 to yield to the general request, and
 taking up her mandolin, which happened
 to be close at hand, she sang the following