Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-15

 scended from the hanson, "I have not had long to wait for my adventure"
 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 off by the way it came at the former breakneck ve- locity. 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. the door was again thrown open, emitting a flood of light upon the garden, and a. servant ran down to meet him, holding an umbrella.
 "The cabman has been paid" ob- served the servant in a very civil tone, and he proceeded to escort Bracken- bury along the path and up the steps, Tn the hall several other attendants re- lieved him of his hat, cane and paletot, gave him a ticket with a number in return and politely hurried him up a stair adorned with tropical flowers to the door of an apartment on the first story. Here 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- fectionate. Hundreds of candles of the finest wax lighted up room that was perfumed, like the staircase, with a profusion of rare and beautiful flower ing shrubs A side table was loaded S@ 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 a dashing 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.
 "I see," thought Brackenbury. "I am in private gambling saloon, and the cabman was tout"
 His eye had embraced the details, and his mind formed the conclusion while his host was still holding him by the hand, and to him his looks re- turned from this rapid survey. At a second view Mir. Morris surprised him still more than on the first. The easy elegance of his manners, the distinc- ton, an1iabillty and courage that ap- peared upon his features, fitted very ill with the lieutenant's preconceptions on the subject of the proprietor of hell, and the tone of his conversation seemed to mark him out for man of position and merit. Brackenbury found he had an instinctive liking for his en tertainer, and, though he chided him. self for the weakness, he was unable to resist sort of friendly attraction for MT. Morris person and character.
 tT have heard of you, Lieutenant Rich," said Mr. Morris, lowering his tone, land believe me am gratihed 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 l shall feel it not only an honor, but genuine pleasure besides. A man who makes a mouthful of barbarian cava- lers," he added, with laugh, "should not be appalled, by breach of eti- 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- hected, "this is one of the pleasantest fellows, and, do not doubt, one of the most agreeable societies in London"
 H. aapartook of some champagne, which he found excellent, and, observ- ing that many of the company were al- ready smoking, he lighted one of his own Manillas. and strolled up to the roulette board, where he sometimes made stake and sometimes looked smilingly on the fortune of others. It was while he was thus idling that he became aware of a sharp scrutiny to which the whole of the guests were subjected. Mir. Morris went here and there, ostensibly busied on hospitable concerns, but he had ever a shrewd glance at disposal Not 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 were deep in conversation, and, in a word, there was hardly characteris tic of any one present but he seemed to catch and make note of it. Brack- enbury began to wonder if this were indeed gambling hell; it had so much the air of private inquisition. He followed MT. Morris in all his move ments, and, although the man had ready smile, he seemed to perceive, as l it were under mask, haggard, care worn and Dreoccupied spirit. The fel- lows around him laughed and made their game, but Brackenbury had lost interest in the guests.
 ''This Norris thought he, "is no 1 idler in the room. Some deep purpose | inspires him. Let it be mine to fathom it."
 IcorTINUED.l