Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-04-15

scream from its rider-"I wish Captain
Jarrat was in Guineav'
As Jarrat stepped on to the deck the
gangway was thrown down for the
herded human cattle that had thronged
the lower deck. Sixty odd, they came
trooping out to where the factors were
gathered, and the ships agent ut once
began the bidding by Offering convict
smith bound for seven years and al.
lowed only diet and lodging, who, he
declared, made great diversion by sing
at iron work.
The sale proceeded rapidly, for bond
servants were in demand and the lot
was above an average one. They stood
for inspection eagerly or stolidly, as
their faces promised, some sullen eyed,
some smirking. The women were Of
fered last. But few remained when
the agent beckoned to the swarthy
skinned woman whose babe had died
during the voyage. and she came for
ward timidly, turning her sloe-black
italian eyes upon the crowd in misun-
Outstanding and covering dread. Her
hair and the red olive Of her skin made
q curious contrast to the light complex.
IONS Of the other women.
Burnaby Rolph, who had purchased
two laborers looked her over with sat
isfaction.
"a likely wench," he gulped. Given.
Y pounds is enough, doubt not, since
she is foreign. take her. Put that
down to my reckoning, Master Clark
SON."
"Poor thingr' said Anne. II would l
were man. That brute should never
have herr She looked up and felt the
young Frenchman's eyes full upon her.
He had clearly overheard.
you belong to him now" said the
agent to the woman. pointing to Rolph.
'D'ye underestimate"
4 She gazed into Rolph's face and
shrinkingly about the circle. Then,
with sudden cry, doubling like an
animal, she lodged between the knots
Of spectators and threw herself at Ar
mand's feet.
Rolph's curse was lost in a great
laugh which rose from the factors. and
Anne's face stung red at a-coarse re-
mark from one Of them.
NJ. Armand did not seem nonplused.
BE stopped and lifted the cringing wo.
man to her feet as Rolph approached,
\ his lean eyes winking.
MY wench seems to have an uncom.
mon fancy" the latter sneered. "Gall
me, why did you not buy herr"
"Will you sell her to met"
The latter looked at the secretary
dress and glowered Mt the merriment
of the onlookers.
"No." he blurted.
i Armand smiled with suavity. "Per
haps 1t would pleasure you to game
with me for herr In my country, gen
temen." he remarked to those around
1--WE are overload Of the dice table. As
for me. could never resist to WOO the
hazard of fortune. Mayhap, however
here you are less adventurous, moro
cautious, monsieur, or, as those who
having little, hesitate to risk"
Rolph grunted ut this airy thrust and
gnawed his lip. His estate Of Bentclin
was the largest on all the James, ant
this, it was said, he had won in thu
palace In Williamsburg fifteen year.
before in wild night 81 play will
. Governor Fauquier's gambling crew.
: II will lay against her." added Ar
: mand, double the amount she cos
I you. And toss Of a coin shall de
= ede."
:, The factors gasped and stood lookin,
the speaker over. Rolph stared IN in
slant, then: Done! Leave the linden
!. ture open, Master Clarkson. and brini
!, It here"
. A wager in Virginia never failed +
!, provoke interest, whether it was 70
= apair Of spurs or pipe Of canary, ant
j. now all were listening eagerly. TIL
two girls. from their positions. coul'
! zee without difficulty over the inter
/. vening heads.
q LET US 60 farther away" said Anne
r but Betsy was Of different mind
"No, no." she protested. "'rhey are &C
n ing to toss. I wouldn't miss it now 70
anything. He is French. Anne. Gu
!. tell it by the accent"
Rolph called and threw the gold col
/ ~
r. flourish. 1.-THE kings head?' rose
4. score Of voices as It fell "Afr. Rolp
Is wins"
"Oh, dearw exclaimed Betsy in erea
3 yexation.
II really believe" said Anne, wit
n heat, 'that you want that man
/? ,,Iwin."
I'll weren't you just now wishing 70
q were man SO Mr.. Rolph shouldn't
t. retorted Betsy.
NJ. Armand had drawn forth vale
'e from his pocket and lifted out the sun
.Fortune beams upon you, monsieur
y, he smiled. II was ever unlucky Of
I Wednesday. Shall we have one MOI
,e throw? And double or quits mayhal
u overnight
Or "Highg' said Rolph, with grow
A Double or quits 1t IL. Eighty pount
It against your lost forty and the wenc
But, mind you, this one throw ends
Is D'you hear?"
!" The other tossed. There was a sho,
n rs the coin descended, for 1t lodged
the brim of spectators hat and cou
is not be counted. At the next trial
is rolled in spiral and finally stood edg
III wise in crack of the wharf flooring.
I A third time the young Frenchma
sent 1t spinning. It twinkled in Il
III sunlight, fell. bounded sideways, Il
crowd parting before It, rolled across Il
pa open space and toppled over few fe
~ from Anne. Instinctiyely she LEAN