The Holly chieftain., 1902-09-19

the winter; but. remembering what
had occurred recently at Nice, Mer
rick had a sense of impending evil
come over him.
The cleaning gradually gave place
to be remembered by this strange com
munity of Monte Carlo. since it would
mark an era in the history of the
gaming world that had never yet been
equaled.
Mark Merrick, looking over the mur.
muring sea. could family detect light
that twinkled from some iutting Ital.
dangerous rocks.
How calm and peaceful it all seemed
he hated to leave this place of his
vigil and seek the artificial whirlpool
of human passions, where gain with
its sordid views dwarfed the brightest
intellects and wrecked the most prom.
Using of lives.
Back to the Hotel des Anges he
made his way.
Crowds already headed toward the
theater of dramatic events, eager to
witness the second advent of this
plucky adventurer from over the sea.
Merrick knew their play would not
open until late in the night.
This would give him couple Of
hours of leisure. and secretly he
longed for an opportunity to walk and
talk with Constance.
Constance Dare looked unusually
lovely as his ravished eyes fell upon
her-it was as if some deep intuition
had caused her to wear just the colors
he had called his favorites in the days
that were long past, when they two
wandered over the fower-decked veldt,
or chased the timid springbok in com.
pany.
The old life was appealing heavily
to Mark, and deep down in his heart
he had begun to question the expe-
diency of allowing such a foolish
woman he loved to stand between him.
self and happiness.
And when Mark had Joined the 9TH
ars in the theater where enchanting
savotte followed the strains of ma.
zurka and waltz, he had resolved to
take a bold step if the opportunity
arose, a step that would forever give
him the right to defend Little Miss
Millions against the Vaccinations of
those who longed to handle her for.
tune.
His scruples must be crushed-she
needed his protection, lest she fall
into the hands of the fowler or fortune.
hunter.
The desire grew within his heart to
walk with Constance.
When he proposed it she readily as.
sented.
| Deep down in her heart Constance
| rejoiced, for her soul knew no other
lover than Mark Merrick, to whom she
owed her life on more occasions than
one.
A great yearning had always been
present in her heart ever since they
parted under the skies of South Africa.
torn asunder by a miserable misunder.
standing.
She could never love any one else
- "NfS ioiiS " ueluue IeTSelI Wllu
even thought to that end.
So she went out, promising not to
stay too long in the night air.
Jones was seated near the door and
looked little bothered when he saw
his comrade leave; but Mark in pass.
ing assured him he had not forgotten
his solemn obligations, and would be
back ready to fulfill the DEGREES of des.
tiny inside of an hour.
Marks hour had come.
Nothing but downright catastrophe
could have throttled the appeal that
was filling his heart to bursting.
The magical influence of the won.
drous scene affected the two who saun.
tered hither and thither in the semi.
tropical garden, gazing out upon the
sea, where the slvery Stars were re.
fiected upon each tiny wavelet that
rolled toward the white strand.
They talked of the old days, and
Constance was so eager to revive the
memories Of that happy past 1t was lit.
tie wonder Mark found himself forget.
ting the barrier he had deemed SO
formidable.
He had much to say. for he meant to
humble himself before her and plead
his cause with all the fervor of his
heart.
1t was spoken at last. and the ar.
dent lover. upon learning that his de.
votion was returned felt elevated to