Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-02-06


bad long to wait Tor my Il venture 81
He had hardly found footing on the
sidewalk and was still feeling in his
pocket for the fare when the cab
swung about and drove OF by: the way
1t came at the former breakneck We.
loctty. Brackenbury shouted after the
man, who paid no heed and continued
to drive away. but the sound Of his
voice was overheard In the house, tho
door was again thrown open, emitting
food of light upon the garden. and a
servant ran down to meet him. holding
an umbrella. ,.%5z; - =
: 1.-THE cabman has been paid" o.
served the servant ina very civil tone.
and he proceeded TO- escort .Bracken-
bury along the path and up the steps.
In the hall several, other attendants.re'
iieved him 6f his hat, cane and paletot,
gave him d ticket with q number in
return and politely hurried him up 4
stair adorned with tropical flowers to
the door of an apartment on the first
story. Here a grave butler Inquired
bis name and, announcing Lieutenant
Brackenbury Rich,' ushered him into
the drawing room Of the house.
A young man. slender and singularly
handsome, came forward and greeted
him with an air at once courtly and af-
tectionate. Hundreds Of candles of the
finest wax lighted up room that was
~u<p kh1 ~kos~ .rv,s%
profusion of rare and beautiful flower
ing shrubs. A side table was loaded
with tempting viands. Several serv-
ants went to and. fro with fruits and
goblets Of champagne. The company
was perhaps sixteen in number, all
men, few beyond the prime of life and,
with hardly an exception, of Il dashins
and capable exterior. They were di-
vided into two groups, one about rou-
lette board and the other surrounding
a table at which one Of their number
held bank of baccarat.
II see," thought Brackenbury. Il am
in a private gambling saloon, and the
cabman was a tout"
His eye had embraced the details,
and his mind formed the combustion
while his host was still holding him
by the hand, and to him his looks re-
turned from this rapid survey At Il
second view Mr. Morris surprised him
still more than On the first. Tho easy
elegance Of his manners. the dstinc-
ton amiability and courage that aD-
peared upon his features. fitted very i'll
with the lieutenant's prcc0nceptions OH
the subject of the proprietor of hell.
and the tone of his conversat ton
seemed to mark him out for man Of
position and merit. Brackenbury found
he had an instructive liking for his en-
tertainer, and, though he chided him
self for the weakness. he was unable
to resist sort Of friendly attraction
for Mr.. Morris person and character.
II have heard of you, Lieutenant
Rich" said Mr.. Norris, lowering his
tone, land believe me am gratified to
make your acquaintance. Your looks
accord with the reputation that has
preceded you from India. And If you
will forget for awhile the irregularity
of your presentation in my house I
shall feel it not only an honor, but a
genuine pleasure besides. A man who
makes a mouthful of barbarian cava-
liers," he added, with laugh. ''should
not be appalled, by a breach of Ell
quette. however serious"
And he led him toward the sideboard
and pressed him to partake of some re
freshment.
Upon my word" the lieutenant re-
fected, this is one OF the pIeasant"s;t
fellows, and. do not doubt, one of the
most agreeable societies in I.onGon.''
He partcok of some champagne,
which he found excellent. and, obsery-
ing that many Of the company were AZ
own Mani!las and strolled up to the
roulette board, where he sometimes
made stake and sometimes looked
smilingly on the fortune of others. 1t
was while he was thus idlng that he
became aware of sharp scrutiny to
which the whole Of the guests were
subjected. Mr.. Morris went here and
there. ostensibly busted on hospitable
concerns, but he had ever a shrewd
glance at disposal. Not a man of the
party escaped his sudden, searching
looks. He took stock OF the bearing of
heavy losers. he valued the amount OF
the stakes, he paused behind couples
who We're deep in conversation. and. in
a word, there was hardly Il characteris-
tic Of any one present but he seemed
to catch and make note of it. Brack-
enbury began to wonder if this We're
indeed a gambling hell; it had so much
the air OF a private inquisition. He
followed Mr.. Norris in all his move
ments, and, although the man had a
ready smile, he seemed to perceive, as
it We're under mask, haggard, care
worn and preoccupied spirit. The fell
lows around him laughed and MADE
their game, but Brackenbury had lost
interest in the guests.
This Norris" thought he, lis no
idler in the room: Some deep purpose
inspires him. Let it he mine to fathom
it,"
Now and then Mr.. Morris would call
Ono If hia visifNro osiIo an1 0ftar