The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-02-26
CHAPTER VIII.
A NEW FRIEND.

ioiiS sSdio DelolC.
CHAPTER VIII.
A NEW FRIEND.
l raped OF the table, called a wait
ress, and ordered a bottle of light wine,
which l knew would not hurt me.
Send for Mademoiselle Florine,"
and before many seconds We're gone
that lady presented herself, and
perched upon the edge of the table
where l sat. Her humor was gay, her
laugh was keen; she smiled and asked.
Has monsieur forgiven" with such Il
penitent little look 1 babe her be at
ease.
"~Mademosielle, sit down, l pray you,"
and she saw by my serious face l was
in no mood for chatting, so she seated
herself with a pretty air of attention.
1 could see the fellow at the dice
watching, but now he appeared quite
satisfied l intended to stay and drink
with the girl. She was evidently a
great favorite with the habitues Of the
place. He looked at me less frequent
ly than at the door, and l guess he ex-
pected Wards return.
Now I grew certain. Ward had
merely gone down the stair to Sc if he
had dropped the papers in the fight.
AS soon as he ound, they We're net
there 1 felt morally certain he
would come and demand them
Of me. 1 had begun the game,
l reached across the table, filed the
glasses for myself and Florine, rails
ing mine high as if / would p a
toast. I tapped her banteringly on the
cheek, for the benefit of him who
watched, and said in a low tone, try
ing to maintain my nonchalant man
ner.
Listen to me a minute, and 1 be-
seech o smile, do not look so serious.
You brought me here, and now l trust
you to get me out alive. Is there any
other way than that 1 came?"
She looked about her app~rahensively,
SO [ cautioned her again.
For heavens sake smile; I am close
ly watched, and you must laugh and
be merry as if 1 drank with you and
made love-
She c~omprehended, and we'll did she
play her part. The tones of her voice
were light and playful; she lifted the
glass to her lips, tasting as a con-
noisseur, and said between her sips:
Yes, Monsieur, there is-another way
leading out-on an alley in the rear"
How do you reach it?"
THE door behind the table-where
they play for highest stakes-leads to
the passage. Do but cast-your eyes
that way-and you will see."
Then let US
wait, Monsieur, not yet. If Mon
sieur would go and seat himself at
that table, as if he desired to play, I
will slip around and max ready the
door for him.. Monsieur was kind to
me, and Florine is grateful. Even we
women here respect a gentleman
| pitied the woman from the bottom
Of my heart. I took out my purse, paid
the reckoning, and together we wan
dered aimlessly toward hat table,
laughing and looking on at the var
ious games. The fellow watched us
as we went, but was pleased, and
seemed satisfied the woman u car
ried out the purposes of her employ
ment.
l took a seat at the table, laid a
wager or two and made myself intent
unon the game. Florine stood behind
my chair for awhile, watched my play,
then disappeared. After a little she
returned and again took her place be-
hind me. Directly she laughed out mer-
rily. and in a tone loud enough to be
heard by the man who listened as well
as watched, cried:
Monsieur plays the stakes too low.
Fortune favors the brave and reach
ing over she took several gold pieces
from my store, laid them out and
leaned close beside me to watch the
throw. In this position she whisper
ed:
II have the key to the outer door.
The inner door will be unlocked. Mon
sieur will play twice more, and by that
time I will be in the passage. Arise,
and when you lay your hand Upon the
door I will open it from the other side.'
1 lost the throw.
Double the wager, and better luck
next time" she laughed as she moved
off, and Joking lightly to different men
she knew, made her way beyond my
mi of vision. During the play 1 saw
Ward come in hurriedly and question
the man at the door. He shrugged his
shoulders and shook his head. Ward
evidently asked who had passed out or
in.
The doorkeeper then recollected, and
l imagined he was telling of the two
gentlemen who had just gone down the
stair. Ward, stood an instant is if
uncertain what to do. He was much
agitated and perfectly sober. He
glanced toward the table where he had
left me. / was gone. He strobe over
to his confederate, yet engaged in
play, and made no pretense of conceal
ing the abruptness of his question. The
man, in reply, Indicated my position at
the other table. Ward appeared some
what relieved. Again he spoke, and
this time the mar at the table gather
ed up the non in front of him and
replaced it in his purse. Then he cried
loud enough for me to hear:
"What?"
And sprang up instantly. They both
looked at me n held a hurried con-
sultation, then separated, and one go
ing n way, one the other, came over
toward where I sat. BY this time my
second throw was made, and I felt if
Florine played me false the game was
lost. Yet hoping for everything 1 rose
quietly, and thrusting my winnings in
a wallet-for ! had been fortunate
stepped back n land my hand upon
the knob. 1t was locked. 1 had no.
time to think, but Jaw the whole trick;
lured to my destination, hemmed in be-
You'd hope of escape. Bitterly / re-
pented my folly,
have heard men say they faced
death without a tremor, and so for
that matter have 4. yea, many times,
buzz 1t was upon al. honest field in law
full fight for honorss sake or duty's. My
! cheek paIed In spile OF me. at sisrht5 If