The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-18

The fugitive was already out of sight
when his pursuer gained the road. AZ
the crooked streets Of Monaco, With thelf
dark arches, narrow passages ana steep
inclines, it is easy to evade pursuit, and
Zertho, to whom the place was well
known, was fully aware that il he could
gain the foot of the rock he could get
clean away. He crushed his hat on his
hend and ran swiftly as a desr.
Max knew the road the accused man
must take, and dashed after him, hatless'
as fast as his legs would carry him:
lane, only to ind himself in cul-de.sac
He quickly retraced his steps and gained
the square in front of the Palace, put Dy
this time the man he was pursuing was
already at the foot of the rock hoshlng
up the wall of the Notifications ne peereo
over, and saw lar below Ine lusl. is',
sprinc into an open cab and drive raplaiy
towards La Condamine. 10 oveTtake MIN
now was impossible. The police must
take up the chase.
He ran back to the Villa Fortunes to
tell Mariette and the others OF ms Isliure
and obtain her sanction to invoke Jne alu
of the police while the other SAT bolt up
ripht IN the cab. staring straight before
him, not daring to glance behind. YET
all seemed peaceful in the calm sunseG
hour. Along the Boulevard around the
bay he drove at spanking pace, but IN
front the road to Monte Carlo rose
steeply, and soon they were only traveii-
ing at walking pace.
'fQuieker!" he cried, impatiently to the
driver, aud with an oath added: "Whlp
your horses Quiokeri''
'Impossib BILE, M sieur,' the man an
swered without turning towards MIN.
The moments that went by during that
slow ascent sesmed hours. Each instant
be exscted to hear loud cries and demands
<lr n rVay1
knew that his face must betray the deadly
terror that held him paralyssd. Like a
fox going to cover he had headed IN
stipctiyely for Monte Carlo, but knew not
how he was about TO act, or whittier he
was going. He knew that he must lily to
save his liberty and life, and had vague
idea that If he crossed into Italy tn /. pur-
suit weuld thereby be delayed.
sWhere to, m'sieurf' inquired the
driver, when at last they gained the brow
siThe Casino. Quickl'' he answered,
after an insfants reflection. Then to
himself, he muttered behind bis set teeth:
lone throw. My last chance. Life or
deathl'
He sprang from the cab, tossed the man
ten franc piece, and ran up the red-car-
peted steps to the Bureau. The usual
yellow card was thrust into his hand, and
ne entered the hot, garish gaming-rooms.
The atmosphere was troubled, faint
with the thousand perfumes exhaled from
the tightly-laced corsets of the women.
Charming and pretty as many of the lat
ter are, they are nevertheless. designedly
or uncoqsciously, the most active and
DANGEROUS companions at the tables.
Their influence upon their feilow-Elayers
is always on the side Of the bank.
Queen Roulette is the most absorbing
and most imperious of all mistresses. The
most determined, young or old, audacious
or timid, find themselves poWeriess to
resist her, for when the fatal fascination
crseps upon them she engages their brain,
saps their spirit, holds cap tive their sens
es breaks asunder their resolutions, and
lures them to their ruin. she is indeed
an enchantresS internal.
The Jingle and chatter Jared upon his
unstrung nerves. For a moment he
stood nauseated and half. dazed by the
thousand memories, hideous spectres of a
gailty rast, that crowded upon him.
But again he walked forward blindIy,
on past several of the tables enciroied by
their hot. eager crowds, until he came to
the Moorish room. AS he was passing
man rose wesrily from the roulette-table
with roll of notes in his hand. and in
stantly he took his chair. He cast fur
tive glance around the circle of faces, pale
beneath the green shaded oil lamps sus
pended from the long brass chains. The
greed were displayed on each of the per-
spring countenances ranged around that
table.
Next him was beautiful woman we'll
known in Riviera society, winning, and
therefore little excited, her cheeks burn
ing with two bright spots, her eyes shin
ing like lamps; and she looked like girl
as she now ana then heayed deep sigh.
Next her a blotchy- faced msn, smelling
strongly of rank cigars, WAS playing and
losing heavily, his countenance betraying
nothing more than half-hear6ed smile
while opposite staid matron made room
for her daughter, Eand handed her money
TO put on, believing, as so many believe.
that innocence is kind of mascot
He lowered his gaze. The deathly
pallor of his own cheeks had attracted
notice. 1t seemed as though these people
many of them personally known TO him,
held him in suspicion.
He paused in hesitation, holding his
breath the while. trying to calm the wild
tumultuous tnrobbing of his heart.
"sfessisurs, faites yos jeuxi'
The red and black disc in the centre of
the table was revolving, the money was
already placed within the squares, anu
the little ivory ball had already been
launched when, with sudden resolve, he
drew from his pocket louis and tossed
it carelessly upon the scarlet diamond.
'Gain, l fiy" he murmured to himself.
Lose, 1 remain"
In fifnglug the coin his hand had lost
its dizziness, for instead of falling fat, ii
fell upon its edge and rolled from the
''reG'' over the line into the impair
At that instant sounded the monoto-
nous wearying cry
'tRien ne va plush"
Then there was moments hush the
bali fell with click into its socket,
and the croupier's rake came swiftly be-
fore his fevered eyes and swept away the
coin he had sraked.
He had lost and would reinsiu.
CHANGING round, his lips curled in Bit
ter smile, at the same moment, however,
he placed his trem bling hand TO his
mouth as If to stifie an imprecaton.
GlRring. rigid and desperate he sat- his
dark eyes, the eyes that had been so aG
mired by the women. fixed upon the ever
revolving disc of black and red now hold
ing him in fascination. Suddenly, as
another game was being played, spasm
of excruejating pain caused him to clap
both hands to his brow and utter low
groan. 1t was the gasp OF dying man,
but amid the terrible excitement of play
it passed unnoticed, and none dreamed