Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-08-29
CHAPTER TX.


At the Crater of Social Europe.
During the season Monte Carlo pre-
sents wonderful gathering of Euro
pean and foreign circles-men and wo.
men famous in their way are SO plen-
tiful that one tires of having the not
ables pointed out.
At the time Jones and his friend
descended upon Monte Carlo, the ia
nous place was not at the height of
it's season.
The heaviest plungers would come
a month or SO later; but really there
is never time when the tables are in
full operation that the scene is not
deeply exciting.
Jones doomed above the horizon
very humbly. a- +.
He came not as a conqueror, pre-
ceded by blaring trumpets, and her
aids announcing his rank as the de-
fender of the faithful, and sworn
enemy to trusts.
On the contrary, he sauntered into
the gaudily Illuminated rooms one
night, with all the earmarks Of an
what was going on in this palace
whose fame had reached even beyond
the sea, and not averse to venturing
small stake when his courage be-
came screwed up to the proper pitch.
Merrick had never seen the place
and was of course doubly curious.
He saw many people who were
known to fame, some of them tempt
ing the tickle goddess.
And there were others whom Mer.
rick recognized with something be-
sides Indifference.
Some men, having the eye OF the
populace, do not sup with humility.
And Villebois, being Frenchman,
had all the love of display and admira-
ton that usually characterizes those
good people even more than the rest
of mankind.
The Russian giant did not present
very admirable appearance, since
his scratched face showed the marks
of his adventure on the occasion OF
his sudden departure from the Nice
train, at the time he endeavored to en-
ter the carriage occupied by the man
who carried the coveted trophy.
It was easy to guess why they were
here.
There would be pickings for any
one with the boldness to follow Jones'
every lead.
Then there was the princess, who
had never looked more fascinating in
all her life.
Merrick smiled when he saw his old
bachelor friend engaged in converse
ton with the princess.
Jones had doubtless seen some dan
gerous episodes in his career, but he
was in the greatest peril when he
stood so close to the princess that he
inhaled the Intoxicating perfume OF
her presence, and came under the
witchery of her smile.
He did not know that he was on the
brink-that was the trouble with most
of her victims-they boosted that they
had come through the first ordeal
without a scratch, and expressed a
readiness to meet another similar
rencontre with an eagerness that ap'
peared suspicious.
He manifested the greatest curios.
| ity concerning all that took place,
the crowds that thronged the spacious
rooms, the zealots who hung over the
green tables and everything connect
ed with the life that for years was
written of Baden Baden, Monaco and
their latest progeny, Monte Carlo.
In the nature of things, Jones
meant to make haste slowly, and be
sure Of his work.
Merrick awaited the result with no
little curiosity, ready to take up the
business when his comrade gave him
the signal.
He had been eagerly looking for
some face in the midst Of the crowd,
looking with a feeling he dared not
himself define, knowing as he did that
his lips were to be sealed with refer
ence to such sacred theme as love
so long as Constance was the favored
daughter Of wealth. Z
And presently he saw her. looking
sweeter than ever, in company with