Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-05

whip In anticipation visited them both
with jealous woman's rage and a
sound thrsshing.
Now the countess spent her time
around the tables, following the win
ners and getting douceurs from them.
These were by no means small, most Of
them being gifts pure and simple, Civ
en- from mere goodness of heart or sheer
prodigality, for there were too many
gay and beautiful women flocking
around ready to smile ON winners in the
game for the countess now to make
even temporary conquest. However,
at this period she lived well-even ex-
travagantly-but, of course, saved moth
ing. As related, first met the countess
here at the table where the game was
going on. She had just staked and lost
her last gulden. She was betting On the
black, and four times in succession the
red had won. She turned, and looking
in my face impiored me to bet n double
Frederick On the red. l instantly placed
the money on the red and won. She
begged me to transfer the stake to tho
black. did SO and black won. Placing
her hand On the stake, she said, "Sir,
leave it; black will win again." Sure
enough, it did. She seized the cash, $50,
and handing me n double Frederick
said i'll her most bewitching manner,
"Oh, sir, be generous and let me keep
this!' I said, Certainly, madam"
She promptly staked it. and in two
turns of the cards it was gone.
We met several times the next few
ing.
One afternoon, entering the Musk
Saal, took a small table, and ordering
bottle of wine sat down to listen to
the music and watch the throng. The
countess came in. and seeing me alone
came straight to me, shook hands warm
" and sat down. I, of course, invited
her to have glass of wine. We soon
finished that bottle and ordered another
We had what was to me a most anus
ing talk. She was characterized been
everywhere and spoke all the modern
languages. She assured me that was a
very charming man. In paying my bill
incautiolsly displayed gold piece or
two, and. seeing she was going to ask
me to give her one, saved her the
trouble by placing ono in her hand. In
time we became quite good friends.
Twice paid her board bill in order to
rescue her wardrobe from the clutches
of her landlord, and once I saved her
from the hands of an irate washerwom-
an. When. after time, I left Wiesba-
den, I left her as gay, as prosperous and
as extravaganza rs ever.
did not see Wiesbaden again for
over two years, but the second week Of
january, 1873, found me there. The
Prussian government now ruled il the
town and refused to renew the license
of II. Blanc. 1t had expired Ii days be-
fore my arrival. What a change had
fallen on tho town! The Casino was
gloomy and cold; the gay crowds had
fed. All the life and movement of the
street and promenade was forever a
thing Of the past. 1 had located there
simply as a precaution, disposing of
large amounts of bonds in Frankfort, 10
miles away, and returning to Wiesba-
den each night. At this time put up
at the Hotel Victoria, near the railroad
station. One Saturday, going up to
Frankfort rather late, my business de-
tanned me until after dark. On reach
ing the station happened to look into
the third class waiting room, and there
spied figure alone that looked famil-
lar. I soon recognized the countess.
From her appearance and surroundings
it was plain that there was now nc
wealthy lover at her beck and call. Be-
cause she looked SO unhappy gave her
n cordial greeting, which she returned
rather YEARLY. It was very cold, and
was clad in furs from head to foot; be.