The record-union., 1894-08-25
IL.

weapon from his hand.
II.
"Come with me-" said the croupier,
gently but in a tone of kindly COM
mand.
They left the casino, walked silently
for time in the cooling outer air, and
finally passed beneath quaint old arch
through an open patio or court. In which
were a tiny fountain and many perfume
laden flowers, to an upper gallery, where
the croupier graciously bade the Don en-
ter his apartments.
Some simple food and wine were
brought. These Don Enrique at first re-
fused, now aghast at his attempt upon his
own lie, bewildered by the strangeness
OF his companions conduct and speech
lessly awaiting some word OF explana-
ton.
''No, Don Enrique," said the croupier,
with kindly shrug and winning smile.
"A mans empty stomach should never
be talked TO. Eat. drink. Then you will
again become "a reasonable being"
The would-be suicide complied me-
chanieally enough. But the diplomatic
croupier was right. He touched a bell.
a young woman with dark, restless
eyes and a sweet, but hunted, haunted
face, whom he called Griselda, brought
more wine and few cigars. The place
soon took on the glow of comfort and
good fellowship. Don Enrique could
bear the mystery no longer. He said
impulsively:
''Senor, friend and stranger, no words
can express my sense of thankfulneSS
and humiliation, thankfuIness for your
interference in so degrading an attempt
upon my own life, humiliation at my
utter powerlessnesS TO requite you.
ffs,1
the royal signet of power behind it.
am shorn OF all power. l am homeless,
objecLless, ruined man."
You are not, Don Enrique. l say
you are Dot!" returned the croupier
warmly. "You are heir to great estates
in Arragon. You have youth, courage;
grand courage, senorp he continued
with meaning look, ''as we of Don
Carlos cabelleria knew to our loss, from
your heroic charge in the canyon beyond
the EbroW
4ou were soldier, then?o exclaimed
Don Enrique, springing TO his feet aud
approaching his new found friend.
The croupier nodded gravely.
And not a-a-?'
''Loathesome croupier of Monte Carlo!"
finished the other with dark look in his
face.
mo, and yes," he added lightly after
as to my present"
81 impIore you to reveal your charac-
ter my more than friendo'
The croupier arose and gently forced
Don Enrique into his seat. The action
had delicate protest in it that commanded
obligation, and it had obligation in it
which limited of command.
ITO reveal ones true character is
sometimes more than the greatest will
I 1.Nfb
by the fortunes of war. That is all.
Since you, Don Enrique, unhorsed me at
the head Of my command at Ebro, and
rode over my wounded body, and since
my leader, Don Carlos is fugitive in
France, lie Croupier de Monte Carlo is
title which at least gives me bread. The
other,p and here he turned his face away
for moment, 'cannot do even so much
as thatp'
"And that title was"
'Count Basil de Orense, at your serv-
icer'
Don Enrique flew to the man and
clasped him in his arms. A thousand
recoiiections of brave tales of the house
of Orense, told him at his fathers knee,
flooded upon him. The sense of his great
obligation TO one so reduced, the emo
tions OF brave soldier who meets in
dolor and loss a former fearless antago-
philosophy and silent sutferings of one
who could himself reach no greater
depths of misfortune, indeed of every
high, chivalrous thought which could
prompt trust, admiration and gratitude,
swept over him, and it was no mean
thing that he wept.
Count, we are brothers forevermorew
cried Don Enrique.
with all my heart-amenp' responded
sill cnln ht1f
with a sudden start for something like
sigh came from behind the swaying
cortina, followed by the rustic as of a
Woman's gown.
With excuses, Count Basil stepped
hastily To the gallery. Had not bis
guests overwhelming bewilderment at
his own changing fortunes rendered him
oblivious, he would have heard the
sound of sharp sca1fie and blow, and
low voice full of deadly menace, hiss
ing at some detected listening culprit:
''Begone, you witch, or I'Il grill your
itching gypsy ears and babbling tonguei
Cursed was 1 when | took you from the
roads of Catalonia?'
AS the mau who spoke these words
re-entered, his lace was all blandneSs and
compassion.
"Don Enrique,n he resumed with seri-
business, There is good fortune for you,
buE nevermore Tor Inc. beneath this very
roof But yesterday d courier, with es-
cort, arrived at Monte Carlo. Being re-
lated to the serving woman of this place,
they lodge below. Their idle garrulous-
ness made 1t easy, and, as events have
proven. wise, for me 10 know that this
very courier was in search of wayward
son of a noble house. That son was rush
ing headlong to total ruin at the Casino.
l determined to save him If in my power,
and make what l easily found by this
wine-drinking courier TO be new lease
of life's possibilities, serviceable to him.
! saw by his play tonight that he was
near his reckoning. He played his last
peseta and-lost. Do you understand
me?''
MARIA Purissima! Do you mean-?"
THAT your father has let tiny stream
of his rivers OF gold flow your way-but
tiny stream, Don Enrique. Yet that
and what il may furnish are better than
the pistolete and the last sleep!''
Don Enrique sat in stupehed silence at
the turn affairs were taking. The girl,
Griselda, re-entered in response 10 the
call OF Count Basil, who, Indifferent to
her flashing eyes and crimsoned FORE
head, which disclosed that a recent brutal
blow had been struck. coarseiy ordered
her to conduct the courier and his escort
from below to the apartment, if they were