Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-10-15
(Continned.l

money" said Mordaunt Royce. He
spoke dreamily, with his eyes fixed on
the fire, his opera hat held before his
lips, his long, white hands playing a
soft tune on the crown.
The old man watched him closely,
narrowly.
You're thinking of something,
Royce!' he declared in his shriIl sup
pressed treble. You're thinking of
something, know you are! You're at
work on it already, Ell? | knew YOU'D
take and hang on to it; that's why |
told you. | said to myself, here's a
case for Royce; this is the sort OF
business he'll take to at once Don't
] know him? Didn't | train him up
and teach him"
The young man took out his watch !;
handsome repeater in gold, having a
plain but costly chain affixed.
Il must get back" he said, quietly,
passing by the old mans encomiums
Lord Dewsbury has a party at his
rooms. and they expect me-"
"Ah!" said the old man, eying him
half-admiringly, half-impatiently. "And
you are going to spend the evening
with a viscount and other noblemen
and you'll hold your head as high as
any of 'em, ruffle 1t with the best OF
EN-. and win their money of 'em, Ell
Royce; and slap them on the back and
call EN- Dewsbury' and 'Pontclerc,' as
II they were mere nobodies; and they
won't mind II, but be proud to claim
the friendship of such clever, hand.
some, accomplished fellow as Nor.
daunt Royce, Good lord! how sur
prised they'd be If dropped in and
said. In a quiet friendly sort of way,
l picked this young gentleman out OF
the gutter, my lords; he used to sell
fusees; what do you think of me as a.
tutor, eh?' They'd be surprised, Royce,
eh?"
Il daresay." assented the young man
with perfect GOODNESS, and lifting his
mustache by way of smile But per.
haps they wouldn't; such queer things
happen every day. Good night" and
with a smile of adieu, he walked
quickly out
Mordaunt Royce strobe on up Cheap
side and past st. Paul's. up Fleet
street and the Strand. and into Pail
Mall He stopped on the north sid,
at a small row OF houses nesting
among the club palaces, and rang
the bell.
iootman in plain livery opehed the
door, bowed respectfully, and took
Royce's coat and hat, and Royce
walked up the stairs, as IL he were
familiar with the house.
Opening door on the first floor, he
entered a splenddly furnished room.
brilliantly lighted. in which half.a.
dozen men were sitting smoking;
some of them engaged with cards at
square table. one lolling on the sofa.
and another playing on the piano.
The appearance of the tall, well.
dressed figure in the doorway was
greeted with EXPLANATIONS of wei,
come.
Here he isl" cried one. "Come on,
Royce! Where have you been?"
"oh, don't ask him" exclaimed
another. banteringly. You'll get moth
ing out of him! Royce has always
some mysterious appointment to keep.
is 1t duchess this time. and have
you been riding in her carriage. Royce,
or is 1t little Tottie of the Frlvolity ?"
Royce laughed, and pulled off his
gloves leisurely.
Here, come and take my place."
said a fair-haired, blue-eyed young
fellow who sat at the card table
Come and take my place and change
the luck; these fellows are winning
everything" and he laughed a merry.
careless laugh which chimed in with
the music.
The speaker was BERTHE yisCouat
Dewshury. who had come into the
title and estates-the estates MIR.
Craddock so much desired to grab-a
couple of years ago. and. short though
the time had been. had managed TO
prove the truth of the assertion that
wealth had wings.
Royce went up to him and put c
white hand on his shoulder. and the
young viscount looked up at him with
frank affection. with look OF boylsh
delight and pleasure at his appear
ance that might have touched even
Mordaunt Royce's heart.
Come and sit down, old fellow
You must be cold: your sleeve feels
damp. Bring Mr.. Royce some wine,'
he called TO a footman
Stay where you are." said Royce.
pressing him gently into his seat. "lll
play with you against Pontclerc IL he
likes"
Lord Pontclerk. dark. heavy-feat.
ured man. with thick lips and a bull.
dog expression. nodded surlily.
AS you like; but | hope your con.
founded luck won't stand you tonight.
was nearly cleaned out last week"
Midnight grew into the small hours
some of the men took their departure.
but the four at the card table contin.
ned playing as If time had no exist.
ence.
At last Lord Pontclerc rose and
threw down his cards with nm accom-