Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-08
NUMBER ii.

group with troubled eyes. | heard him
say under his breath:
"The lad can't afford to lose that
amount"
/ Joined the spectators just as Chad
wick called for another card. Then l
felt thrill pas U,.i 80. The blood
rushed to my face. and instinctively
clinched my fist.
Mrs. Marchand was gently tapping
the back Of Chadwick's chair, but 1t
was no longer the tattoo Of an absent
minded individual. Each tap meant
something. She was telegraphins
Chadwick's hand to her husband!
My first impulse was to denounce
them then and there, but what was the
word of hired entertainer against
that of distinguished guests, people of
social standing. rs any Of Lord Brow
ers friends must be? Then came the
inspiration. With something Of the
captains cynical smile, |, too, COM
menced to drum on the back of chair,
and this was what reached the startled
couple:
"Iou-are-caught.'
The captain turned rigid as he grasp
ed the arms of his chair. and for sim
gle instant his eyes, expressing rage,
hate and fear. met mine. | smiled
grimly. enjoying the situation. The
coup had different effect on Mrs.
Marchand. She tainted away, at which
the captains composure returned. He
sprang to her rescue, and the table was
overturned.
When Mrs. Marchand recovered, the
guests clamorcd for the finish Of the
game. but Marchand shook his head.
perhaps because | drummed rhyth-
mic warning. Don't play
| sat in my room an hour later, cogi-
tating whether | should inform Lord
Brewer that he was entertaining pair
of clever tricksters. when servant
brought me message from Marchand
asking an interview in his room. l
found him waiting for me with an
ugly scowl on his face. but his wife,
pale and with her hair in artistic dis
array, was charming in her new role Of
beauty in distress.
Marchand came directly to the point.
well. what do you intend to dog
Nothing" replied nOnchalantly.
ut Is your play. II you and your
charming wife are suddenly summoned
to London tomorrow, the matter ends.
Otherwise | think Lord Brower"-
l shrugged my shoulder significantly.
"And. by the way. it might be just
as well if you refunded to Chadwick
the money you've won since he's been
playing with you."
and them
Madam's hands were working nerv.
ously.
".And then shall have one more good
after dinner story-to tell when | re-
turn to America; that is all. Lord
Brewer shall never know
"You are very generous" replied the
lady, with tears in her eyes. You can
have no idea to what straits we. my
husband and |. have been driven She
was playing her part well. I'VE were
raised to love the good things Of life.
Both thought the other had money. and
both have made the best of bad bar
gain. We have lived upon the losses Of
our aristocratic friends until we met
you. and now
With We'll simulated sob she bowed
her head among the pillows. Captain
Marchand rose and opened the door.
His politeness was elaborate.
You will pardon Mrs. Marchand's
lack of self control. AS you say,
think trip to London Is what she
needs. what we both need. Good night.
my dear sir
| stepped backward toward the door
which lie held open, my glance, which
| know must have held some amuse-
ment ut the clever acting OF his wife,
still fixed on the weeping lady. Then
suddenly felt myself going down,
down. clutchcd ut space. and from
above me came Il mocking laugh. Then
shock, binding light in my eyes,
and-blackness.
When woke, dim rays Of light pen
etratcd into Shiny cellar where lay,
practically IL prisoner, for one leS was
broken and I was bruised from head to
foot. Rats ran along the lcdges in the
masonry. and bats hung from the raft
ers above.
1t must have been hours before help
came To me- but lost all reckoning of
time. When ut last was carried to
my room and medical aid was summon
ed, learned from Lord Brewer that
my being alive was nothing short OF
miracle. had fallen three flights into
a stone dungeon, one of the numer-
Gus pitfalls which abounded in this
ancient pile. The captain had skillfully
guided me TO the secret door which was
one of his characteristic discoveries.
Lord Brewer heard with amazement
my tale of their treachery and trickery,
but the scandal never became public.
British pride stepped in ut this point,
the deeply annoyed master Of Tentow-
ers making ample reparation for my
loss of time and suffering. And the
only reason for telling Of the story is
that during my recent trip to London
| recognized in one OF the reIgning
stage beauties Mrs. Captain Marchand,
who once telegraphed a poker hand to
her fellow trickster ut Tentowers cas-
tie.
WcIlingtOn's Sense of Duty.