The Washington times., 1901-10-13


out more about it How / should like to
see your double Oh. what joke they
will think II at hcmei"
Il am afraid they win imagine we are
in dangerous place" said Mona. seri-
ously But mother did say. Go where
you like on the Riviera and Monte Car
10 Is so much more interesting than
Cannes Well, springing to her feet.
we must talk no more tonight FIoy;
grow strong quickly. and then we will try
to find the real princess"
She kissed her young sister and held
her firmly in her arms for a minute or
two; there were moments when Mona's
responsibilities weighed upon her. and
she longed for her mothers delayed re-
turn.
You must go TO the atrlum. F1oy, to
see II all. though you are TOO young to be
admitted to the Sale de Jeu, / am afraid.
How / should love to play. If only once.
to learn what it feels like: just love
experimenting. Goodnight. Sleep we'll"
The two girls spent the winter very
quietly. living in the primitive manner OF
the South; going to market every morn
ing for themselves, and making merry
over their housekeeping
After some few weeks the interview
with the Chicago Americans faded in Mo-
ma s mind; neither OF the girls ever met
anyone who. In their idea, Mona could
| have been mistaken for.
The fete day of Ste. Devote falls on
January 2, and the American sisters went
together to watch the quaint religious
procession wend its way from the Old
Town to the chapel in the ravine, where,
according 70 the legend. the body of the
/ Christian maid Devote was guided to Its
burial by dove.
1t was too cold for Floy to venture out
in the evening, so Mona hurried down
alone Just for minute" to see the an
nual burning Of the fishing boat, as a
propitiatory offering to Neptune, as has
been usual for the last century or so. 1t
looked a mysterious ceremony carried out
In the darkness OF the strange ravine.
The priests blessed the boat then ii was
fired, and gradually the flames mounted
higher and higher above the palms. until
they reached the fiag-decked masts. The
huge crowd was forced back in larger
and larger circle by the heat of the blaze
To Mona each face seemed more strange
than the last, as she watched the excited,
glistening eyes of the people around her,
their quaint features exaggerated in the
light Of the flames
Unknown languages and patois sound
ed on every side. for the peasants came
from far and near to witness the cere-
mony.
Suddenly Mona felt an arm put firmly
through hers. and n man drew her
away from the outskirts of the crowd
Il know 1 am breaking my word. but
do not care; am absolutely reckless
he said. with a strorg foreign accent
Hush. do not answer me. Do what I
ask this once then we will part again
forever. l tell you you must he said.
as she tried to interrupt him and make
him set her free.
An open carriage was waiting; he lifted
her in as he talked. ITO the Casino,
vite.'' he said to the cocher. The man
obeyed, and started up the hill at fu-
rious pace.
1t is useless to protest. he said. Il
tell you if you refuse / will shoot myself
here at your sidei 1t is little enough,
surely" he added bitterly, for a man
to ask his wife. Promise me. Yes. or
no?"
At all events she dared refuse nothing
while they were alone together. The man
looked as if he meant what he said.
The romance OF the South seemed to
have awakened a corresponding spirit in
Mona Come what may, be what it
might, she would do it.
Yes. or no-which shall it be?" he de-
manded again, grasping her wrists.
Yes she answered promptly. But
what is it?"
'Here-take this He pulled out some
notes from his pocket and stuffed them
into her hands. Go TO the Casino-the
further trente-etguarante table to the
right-place as this card tells yen s:=zt.
bring me the result. Do you understand
what it means? l am discovered; they
are on my track, tonight is my last
chance of escape l will not go back to
Russian the end it must mean Siberia
If you win for me tonight 1 live. But re-
MEMBER will keep my word to you. II
you lose-well, you are still more free,
that is anI'
They drew up at the Casino, and as he
helped her from the carriage Mona felt
the barrel of his revolver beneath her
hand
Here Is your carte d'entree. Now go
remember. it is my life you are playing
for" He left her at the door of the Sale
de Jeu.
Il shall wait on the terrace; come to
me when you can were his last words.
Mona glanced back before the door
swung behind her. but he had disappear
ed.
The room was thronged with a brilliant
crowd. for it was the busiest hour OF the
night. Every table was in full swing
and surrounded by players.
Mona felt intensely excited, but she fol-
lowed her Instructions implicitly.
Was it the Princes own system? she
wondered. Who was he? Why did he
not come himself? Would he recognize
that she was not his wife upon her re-
turn. Above all. should she win? His
very life depended upon the turn of the
cards
She glanced round. Was anyone else
playing for such a stake? She nerved her
self to begin. then the magnificent room
and the throng Of players seemed to van
ish. Mona forgot herself utterly: all she
knew or cared was that the pile grew
beneath her eyes.
Suddenly she looked up, ratio in hand.
and saw the Sale was growing empty.
only d few tables were still working The
clock was in sight and she saw she had
been playing for hours instead OF min
utes
She felt a sudden shock of horror. Was
she, too, subject to the gambling mania?
And the prince, where was he?
She gathered up her gold, unconscious
IF the comments of the few remaining by
standers.
Mona went swiftly from the room and
1ut into the stin beauty of the cool night
Her heart was beating strangely as she
reached the wide terrace.
The prince was standing at the end
his eyes out to sea. She went