Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-15
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTOIl,
Author "The Masqusrader." Etc.
Copyright 1905 By

smilingly on Clodaghs arm.
This. my dear Frances" he said. sis a
new friend that want you to make. The
wife Of an old friend of mine. You may
have met her husband-Mr. Milbanke-one
of the Somerset Milbankes Poor Sammy
knew him WELL
Lady Frances Hope puckered her strong.
assertive eyebrows.
II believe I do remember meeting a Mr..
Milbanke: but I scarcely think" She
looked scrutinizingly at Clodagh.
oh, yes, it's the same! It's the same!"
Barnards interruption was somewhat
hasty. ''Mr. Milbanke is a great archaeolo-
gist. He and Mrs. Milbanke are only In
Venice for a week. I had intended bringing
you to call formally at their hotel, but cir
Here Clodagh broke in.
You must please. please forgive my do
ing such very extraordinary thing as
this" she said. 1T was all Mr. Barnard s
fault"
But Lady Frances Hope cut the explana-
ton short by holding out her hand
You are extremely welcome" she said,
cordially. "And il the truth must be told
owe You debt of gratitude for saving
me an afternoon cali. It's hundred times
pleasanter to meet like this. Now, let me
see! You play bridge of course. We can
make up another four
She glanced over her guests with
ganizing eye.
Clodagh stepped forward deprecatingIy
and cast beseeching look at Barnard. But
in the slight pause that followed 1t was
Lord Deerehurst who came to her rescue.
Mrs Milbanke has just been confessing
to us that she never plays cards." he said,
smoothly. IF you will go on with your
game. Lady Frances I shall do my best to
amuse her.
He turned his Unconditional glance from
one to the other.
The surprise that his announcement had
brought to their hostess face changed in
stantly to an expression of hospitality.
Ay,f I'D H. 90 4
Infinitely prefer to talk to Mrs Milbanke.
Gomez she added smiling at Clodagh.
Come and let me introduce you to these
bridge-playing people. Perhaps they will
convert YOU
She laughed, and, followed by the four,
moved across the salon.
At their approach the three at the card
table-two women and a man-turned to
look at them, and the latter, square-built.
thick-set youth. wearing pince-nez and
possessing quick inquisitive manner, rose
to his feet.
Mrs. Milbanke' said Lady Frances,
this Is Mr.. Victor. Lizard; Miss Luard;
Mrs. Bathurst
Lizard bowed, and the two women looked
at Clodagh each acknowledging the intro
duction after her own fashion. Miss Lizard
gaye<a quick, friendly nod; Mrs. Bathurst a
slow and graceful inclination Of the head,
accompanied by faint, insincere smile.
Are you bridge-player?" she asked,
raising pair of pretty, languid brown eyes
To SiOudSN s. WISH SO InuCn you WOuiQ
take my place. I've been having the most
appalling luck"
Her glance wandered on to Serracauld
Barnard, and Deerehurst.
"Ah, here is Lord Deerehurst!" she cried.
in a suddenly animated voice. Lord
Deerehurst. do come and tell me what you
would have done with a hand like this?'
She picked up her scattered cards and be-
gan to sort them: then, with a graceful
movement, she drew her skirts aside. and
indicated a vacant chair that stood beside
her own.
Lord Deerehurst hesitated, lifted his eye
glass. and scrutinized her pretty pink-and-
white face, then languidly dropped into the
empty chair. At the same moment Clo-
dagh Serracauld, Lizard and his sister fell
into conversation, and Lady Frances and
Barnard moved away together toward one
of the open windows.
For quarter of an hour the formation of
the party remained the same; then a slight
incident caused distraction in the assem-
bly,. ClOdagh, who had shaken off her first
shyness and was beginning to enjoy the
conversation of her new acquaintance,
heard the curtain at the arched entrance
drawn back, and, looking round. was sur
carrying table and painted board which
they proceeded to set up in the middle of
the room.
Her wonder and curiosity were depicted
on her face, fer Lizard looked at her quickly
and interestedly.
Don't you know what that is, Mrs. Mil
banker" he asked Hasn't Barny told you
of Lady Frances famous roulette? Lady
Francesw he called. Come and initiate
Mrs. Milbanke'
At the words every one turned and looked
at Clodagh And Lord Deerehurst, with a
murmured word to Mrs. Bathurst, rose and
came round the card table.
"Are you going to tempt the gods?' he
asked, in his peculiar voice.
Clodagh looked round a little embar-
raised by the general interest
"Well, II suppose I should like to see
roulette played" she admitted, guardedly.
He bent his head and looked at her with
his cold penetrating smile.
"Ah. 1 see!' he said softly. "Judicious
feservationsr
But at that moment Lady Frances crossed
the room. and, pausing by the roulette ia
BILE, set the ball spinning.