The Washington times., 1894-07-22

and the roll OF the ball allured him as il with
human voices imploring him to play, while
J his interest in the fate and fortunes of OF hers
momentaIiy increased.
Here goesr' said the colonel fiinging down
! a ffye-franc piece Lost he exclaimed in
another minute, and again he threw down a
1 coin, which was raked by in the croupier.
1 But once more he tried his fortune and won a
/ hundred francs-a piece of luck that was re-
| peated again and again.
| Gerard watched with eyes burning with
desire and heart throbbing from excite
! ment. Would it. he asked himself, be break
| ing his oath if he merely staked few five
| frame pieces: surely this could not be called
gambling. He might play for this night and
never come near the place again: but now.
| just to keep company with his friend, he
might try his luck.
Il say. old man. I've won 1.500 francs, -
Danton said, laughing joyously at his good
fortune, his face flushed. his eyes sparkling.
Won't you see what fate has III store for
| you?"
II WILL" Gerard answered in loud tone,
rs if he would drown the voices which called
out to him that he was periurinS his soul
bringing trouble on the woman he loved,
destroying her trust in his word.
His first venture was lucky, and he hauled
in a pile of silver: then he doubled his stakes,
and won once more.
You're in for it, my boy" the colonel
said; and Gerard. without n smile on his lips,
II movement of his features played again. and
lost all he had previously gained. But he
neither hesitated nor paused; the gamblers
fever had seized upon him, and he threw
down a napoleon and won once more, md in
little while he had n heap OF gold and silver
before him. and presently came a turn in the
tide of his fortune. and all he had gained
melted away, together with every penny he
possessed.
Come away" whispered the colonel.
"We've had enough of it for tonight"
Gerard rose. THAT table is unlucky." he
said. Il must try one OF the Others. Lend
me few pounds"
Certainly" replied Danton, 'here are
twenty napoleons.'
Gerard yrasped them with feverish hands.
and almost rushed across the room to another
table. unheeding what went on around MIN,
intent upon satisfying the fierce passion
which had risen within him, all the stronger
because it had lain long dormant. He
elbowed his way through the crowd until he
secured place, and fiinginC down some
gold. watched the ball spin round and round
the roulette table. his soul in his eyes. his
lips parched, singing noises in his ears.
Again he lost. but immediately after he won,
and in this way fortune played with him, now
leading him on by few successes, anon
sweeping away his gains until he was once
more penniless.
LET us go; our wives will begin to wonder
where we are" Danton said. us he took his
friends arm and led HIM through the rooms.
with their fierce light. loud voices and motley
crowds, until they reached the open air
The moon was now high in the cloudless
sky, shining upon the gardens with their
banks and beds Of flowers. and on the placid
waters Of the blue sea washing the track be-
meath. But no sense of the calmness and
beauty of outward things touched Gerard,
whose brain was seething. whose senses were
drunk, whose heart was as raging fire.
I'm afraid they'll suspect where we've
been.' Danton said, as they drew near the
Hotel des AnSlais.
Probably" said his companion. who had
been silently maturing pan which some
power he seemed unable to combat and con-
quer forced him to put into execution. "You
had better 20 in first. while remain here
awhile to calm my excitement. Say, will
join you presently"
''All right" answered the colonel. all un-
suspicious OF his friends design.
Danton had scarcely entered the hotel
when George Gerard turned rapidly from the
grounds. As he came into the road he met a
fly. drawn by drowsy driver homeward
bound. Gerard sprang into the vehicle and
said: ITO the Hotel de la Paix, Monaco, as
fast as your horse can carry me-"
The man awoke, whipped up his jaded
beast. and with many a curse at the poor ami
mails laziness and general shortcomings,
drove toward Monaco. Arrived at his desti-
nation Gerard bade tho jehu await him, and