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

A NEW FRIEND.
I raped on the table. called a walt
ress, and ordered a bottle OF light wine,
which I 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
laugh was keen; h smiled and asked.
fla monsieur forgiven 2" with such n
penitent little look I babe her be at
ease.
"Mademosielle, sit down, I pray you,.
and b saw by my serious face I was
in no mood for chatting. So she seated
herself with a pretty air OF attention.
I could see the fellow at the dice
watching, but now he appeared quite
with tho girl. She was evidently a
great favorite with the habitues of the
place. He looked at me less frequent
lily h at the door, and ] guess he ex-
pected wards return.
Now I grew certain. Ward had
merely gone down the stair to Sc II he
had dropped the papers In the fight.
As o as he found they were not
there I felt morally certain he
of me. had begun the game.
and must play out the hand. So
/ reached across the table, filed the
glasses for myself and Florine,, rails
ing mine high as II ]. would propose a
toast. / 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.
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 Gamer"
She looked about her a~pprehensively,
SO I cautioned her again.
For heavens sake smile; I am close
" watched. and you must laugh and
be merry az II I drank with you and
made love"
She comprehended, and well 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 h rear"
How do you reach it?"
THE door behind the table-where
the passage. Do but cast-your eyes
that way-and you will see"
Then let US
Wait. Monsieur. not yet. II Mon
sieur would go and seat himself at
that table. as IL 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"
+ pitied the from the bottom
OF my heart. ] took out my purse, paid
h reckoning. and together we wan
dered aimlessly toward that table,
laughing and looking, on at the var
tous games. The fellow watched us
as we went, but was pleased, and
seemed satisfied the woman but car
ried out the purposes Of her employ
ment.
I O q seat at tho table. laid a
wager or two and made myself intent
upon 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 mer-
rily, and in a one loud enough to be
heard by the man who listened as we'll
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
I will open It from the other side"
I lost the throw.
Double the wager and better luck
mex time" she 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 h%urriedly and question,
the man at the door. He shrugged his
shoulders n shook his head. Ward
evidently asked who had passed out or
in.
The d%oorkeeper the recollected. and
u imagined he vas 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 h table where he had.
left me. I 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
ed up the money IN front of him and
replaced 1t in his purse. Then he cried
loud enough for me to hear:
WHAT"
And sprang up instantly. They both
looked at me and held a hurried con-.
l%sultation, then separated, and n go
ing n way. the other, came over
toward where I SAT. BY this time my
second throw was made. and I felt Il
Flortre played me false the game was
lost. Yet hoping for everything / rose
quietly. and thrusting my winnings in
q wallet-for / had been fortunate
stepped back and land my hand npon
the knob. It was locked. 1 had no
time to think. but Jaw the whole trick;
lured to my destination. hemmed In be-
yond hope Of escape. Bitterly / re-
pented my folly.
have heard men say they faced
death without . tremor. and 80 for
that matter have 4. yea, many times,
but 1t was upon an honest field in law
ful fight for honor's rake or duty's. Ny
chssk paled in spite Of me. q light Of