The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-02-26
vn1.
A NEw FRIEND.

NEW FRIEND.
I raped on the table, called q wait
ress, and ordered a bottle oflight wine,
which I knew would not hurt me.
Send for Mademoiselle Florine."
n before many seconds were gone
that lady presented herself. and
perched upon the edge of the table
where I sat. Her humor was gay her
laugh was keen; she smiled and asked.
Has monsieur forgiven" with such n
penitent little look I bade her be at
ease.
.Mademosielle. sit down., I pray you,"
and h saw by my serious face / was
herself with a pretty air of attention.
~ could e the fellow at the dice
watching, but now he appeared quite
satisfied I 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
~ than at the door. and I guess he ex-
lpected Wards return.
Now I grew certain. Ward had
merely gone down the stair to SO II he
had dropped the papers in the fight.
As soon as he found they were not
there I felt morally certain he
would come and demand them
Of me. I had begun the game.
and must play out the hand. So
7 reached across the table, filed the
glasses for myself and Florine, rais-
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 q minute, and I be-
seech you smile, do not look so serious.
You brought me here, and now I trust
You to get me out alive. Is there any
other way than that I cameo"
She looked about her apprehenstvely,
30 ] cautioned her again.
For heavens sake smile; I am close
" watched. and you must laugh and
be merry as IL I drank with you and
made love,
She comprehended. and well did she
play her part. The tones Of her voice
were light andeplayful; she lifted the
glass to her lips. tasting az q CON
inoisseur. 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. II Mon
SAA ~ LII SSdlL LIS al
that table, as If he desired to play, I
will slip around and make ready the
door for him. Monsieur was kind to
me, and Florine is grateful. Even we
women here respect a gentleman"
I 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
ltous games. The fellow watched us
as we went, but was pleased, and
seemed satisfied the woman blu carr
rted U the purposes of her: employ
ment.
I took q seat at the table. laid a
wager or. two and made myself intent
upon the game. Florine stood behind
my chair for awhile, watched my play,
returned and again took her place be-
hind me. Directly she laughed out mer-
rily, and in a one loud enough to be
heard by the maj who listened as we'll
as watched. cried:
Monsieur plays the stakes too low.
Fortune favors the brave" and reach
ing over h too 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
Esieur will play twice more, and by that
time l will be in the passage. Arise.
and when you lay your hand upon the
door 4 will open 1t from the other side"
I lost the throw.
Double the wager ana better luck
next time" h laughed as she moved
off. and Joking lightly to different men
she knew. made her way beyond my
range of vision. During the play I saw
Ward come In hurriedly and question
the nan at h door. He shrugged his
shoulders and shook his head. Ward
evidently asked who had passed out or
In.
The doorkeeper then recollected, and
i imagined he was telling Of the two
gentlemen who had Just gone down the
stair. Ward stood an instant is IL
uncertain what to do. He was much
agitated and perfectly sober. He
glanced toward the table where he had
left me I was gone He STROBE over
play, and made no pretense of conceal
Ing the a%bruptness 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 man at the table gather
ed up the money In front of him and
replaced It In his purse. Then he cried
lOuu clOu6A AOE AuS 70 near
"What?"
And aprang up Instantly. They both
looked at me and held a hurried con-
sultation, then separated, and one GO
Ing mi way, n the other, came over
toward where ! SAT-. BY this time my
second throw was made, and I felt II
Florire played me false the game was
lost. Yet hoping for everything I rose
quietly. and thrusting my winnings in
q wallet-for ! had been Fortunate
stepped back and land my hand upon
the knob. It was locked. / had no
time to think, but Jaw the whole trick;
lured TO my destinAtion, hemmed in be-
yond hope Of escape. Bitterly I re-
p0nted my folly.
I have heard men say they faced
death without q tremor. and 90 for
thUt matter have I, e . many times,
but It was upon an honest field In law
fll fight for honor's rake OF duty's. Ny
chssk paied IN spite Of me. q sight Of