Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-12-12
CHAPTER 1.
RI CHAPTER l.
rs the last throw, Jean; why
ave q paltry 20 from the wreck?'

ii
Better pocket it, Paul, old man;
may want an absinthe before morn
ing"
"Aut absinthe, aut nihil," was the
sinister retort. an take the chance"
He touched the note to his lips in
token Of farewell, and placed it on the
red. The red lost.
The flashing lamp OF the Deschanel
club has been a fatal lode-star to many
a youth whom the common gambling
den could not seattle. To scores of the
young aristocracy OF New Orleans it
has been the starting point to GER
tain goal
Sunlight, through the glass Of a rich
~ studded rotunda, traces delicate
patterns upon deep-piled rugs. Tapes
tries and hangings the envy Of east
ern princes. deaden all sounds. Care
fully shaded lamps soften outlines
and remove the traces which one man
hates to see in the face of another.
From the walls gems Of recent salons
tempt the gambler an instant from his
play. The exquisite in art is a brief
sedative to ragged nerves. Music from
a hidden orchestra lessons the tension,
unseen, always felt, wherever there is
play. Attendants, silent, impressive,
alert, glide from room TO room, where
nothing risque, much less, disgraceful.
ever happens. From dome to carpet
nothing ofTends the sense OF the most
acute Of the Latin-Gallic race. And vet,
by reason OF its name, the discretion
Of its habitues and the cleverness OF
its management, this FOOLS paradise.
known 20 every police precinct Of New
Orleans, has thus far eluded the vigil
lance OF the law. The plan OF the place
sprang full-grown from a woman's
brain. BY no means its least attrac- /
ton lies in the constant presence OF 4
this woman with an imperturhable 1
past When the club opened a rumor /
winged abroad that Nine. Deschanel /
was the widow Of Gen. Felix Deschanel. /
who fell in the campaign Of Maximil- /
ian in Mexico. or bounties and plum !
der. IL was whispered that this bril-
liant general had reaped a golden har-
vest. with which his widow had found
ed the DeSchanel club What men
knew was that Nine, Deschanel, presi-
dent. secretary and hostess. ruled her
small domain with perfect justice and
exquisite tact. More would have been
unnecessary, II not superfuous.
Paul de Lignac and Jean Baronne
turned from the roulette table. where
de Lignac had courted disaster by fore
ing his luck 70 the limit.
"Where now. Jean?"
Baronne sent a side glance 10 his
friend. whom his mind flashed a de-
cision not 10 leave before the NOR
row.
"where?" he repeated, glancing
carelessly at the clock.
"There's well-browned capon
awaiting your verdict at my quarters
and a glass Of red burgundy is the ,
best lens know for studying a situ- I
alton"
"a thousand thanks, Jean-but-
hang it all, l don't want to'see any I
body" c
"See anybody" exclaimed Baronne.
"Have you forsaken your final senses?
Do You think a bachelor keeps
body OF female relatives slowed away {
in his apartments? My valet is there, q
but the stream Of our combined woes
At the Hood would not weaken the
,arrier Of his reserve"
"The Levee is more to my mood" I
"Too crowded for a patrician."
"or a few drops or prussic in .
cordial"
"Something quite original in melo- 2
lrama. Ha, hal" Baronne forced a q
aurh which did him credit.
you've turned egotist, my dear fell B
ow. Do you fancy that you are the '
irst man in this little Paris to lose
. years income between lunch and
Inner? Besides. is the fire more =
empting than the frying-pan?"
To De Lignae's inquiring look, he {
Idded: "This may be the Inferno,
nv friend. / presume upon poetic Il L
ense to suggest that you might find
n even worse place.
"sThe weariest and most loatbea n
rorldlv life is q par !.
disc to what we fear Of death" Il
n akespeare's coat was buttoned Il
Ehen he said that" Ii
sYour levity graces you. Jean. II a
|. thin enough to let your good heart 5,
hine through. But have look - 5,
vures-no poetic license aboni =
T~ka