Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-04-12

b
He nodded, and paid ten crowns, FEELING
at this rate that my purse would soon b
empty; but saw that the fever was taking
hold of him, and offered to double the stakes
and won. From that moment luck favored
me, and ut the end of half an hours play the
cavaliere had lost all HIS ready money, about
60 crowns, and owed me 500 besides. He
did not take his losses well; all the re-
strained self-command which he first ex-
hibited gave place to a wild excitement, and
his hands shook as lie shufaed the cards, his
white face paling winter than ever.
Course the cards!" he said, II have no
luck"
The moment. had come for which I had
been watching. Time after time / felt in
clined to strike sudden blow, but held my
self in.
"No more to-day, cavaliere," / said, filing
my glass; IT have business and must away"
A red flush came to his forehead; II cam
not pay you at once" he said, in low tone.
'Tush." replied, "the word of Baglioni
is enough-but if you want last try for
your revenge I will cut you"
Double or quits?" he burst in.
"No, cavaliere," and I dropped the words
out slowly, "the five hundred against five
minutes interview with the Lady Angola"
He leaned back in his chair in amaze, and
l went on: Listen to me, l only want five
minutes speech with her-in your presence
if you will-come, shall cut or will you"
"Davolo!" he muttered, eff Carlo hears
of this-well, yes-I will cut first-the ten
bad card to beat"
l cut carelessly and faced my card. II
was king.
Hell and furies!" he burst out. "You
ho,, ~, - L.
vanced towards the bear.
"a moment, cavaliere. I said in your
presence. did not include Messer Pluto
there in the interview"
He gave me an unpleasant look, but
stopped short.
very WE'LL" he said, and, taking large
key from his girdle, went on before me.
1t cost me Il great effort to keep cool; up
to now my luck had been SO great that every
moment there was temptation to put all
to the hazard of one stroke. smiled under
my beard as thought of the imposing fool
Count Carlo had placed in charge Of his
prize, and when saw the huge shaking hand
clutching the key I could not help thinking
that nerves like that would never hold q
sword straight, and that for all his size and
courage the cavaliere was not very for
midable foe.
In few steps We reached the door he
wanted, and Baglioni, after knocking once,
simply turned the key and pushed open the
door.
Looking over his shoulder saw small
but well-furnished room, and standing in the
middle of it, in startled surprise at this sud
den intrusion, the figure Of Angola. Quick
as thought made warning gesture, and
almost at the moment Baglioni turned round
with:
"a visitor for you, madam"
She did not seem to recognize me, but at
the warning gesture made q faint flush
came into her cheek. She stood looking at
us half frightened, half indignant, and at
last spoke.
II do not recognize"
'Ugo di Savell, madam" and bowed.
Her lips curled little as she answered:
"Well, Messer Ugo di Savelli-C avaliere
Ugo di Savelli, ! should say-is it not so?
May ask your business? If it is any mes
sage from your master decline to hear it,"
and she turned away with motion of su-
preme disdain, thinking no doubt that WAS
q follower of Count Carlo.
To BE Continued.