Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-03
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON,
Author Of 1.-THE Masquerader," ETC.
Copyright. rights reserved)


her heart beat quicker as she caught sight
Of Cores fair head and tall, straight figure.
And strange sense Of repeated sensation
been the night at the Palazzo Ugochini,
when Lady Frances Hope had held her re-
ception. Her hand felt little unsteady
as she laid it over Nance's; her voice
sounded low and uncertain as she spoke her
hostess NAME
Lady DIANA" she said there is Nance.
You told me to bring her to you before the
first Dance
At her tone, so very soft and pleading,
Lady Diana turned, and a smile-the first
real smile she had given her since the
episode Of two nights ago-broke over her
Yes" she said. with sudden geniality.
Yes; that is quite right Leave her with
me; l will find her the incest men," She
paused, and her eyes Travelled kindly from
Clodagh's face to her black dress.
And you? Won't you have some part
ners?' Her glance swept the little group
about her Walter, Mrs. Milbanke WON'T
dance, but"
At the moment that she spoke Sierra
cauld's light voice sounded from behind
them, and his slim figure emerged from the
surrounding crowd.
"Ah, here you are. Mrs Milbanke! I
have strong suspicion that 1 am only
just in time. Where shall we go? Into the
music room or out into the garden?'
Supremacy ignoring the rest of the group,
he offered Clodagh his arm and led her out
swaying notes of the first waltz floated
down from the musicians gallery.
With a faint disappointment. warning
with a faint citation, Clodagh suffered him
to guide her down the long ball room Life
seemed suddenly a brighter thing than 1t
had seemed for days. Nance was with
her; Lady Diana had smiled on her again;
and only moment ago she had met Gore s
eyes in almost the first direct glance they
had exchanged since his coming to Tuffnell.
She lifted her head In response to sudden,
excited happiness as the dancers flashed
past her over the polished floor and the
deep, long notes of the violins vibrated on
the air.
Unconsciously her fingers frightened on
serracauld's arm and in an instant re-
Spouse he paused.
Can you resist?" he said.
She looked up at him. The color had
rushed into her face with the emotion Of
the moment. An inordinate longing to be
young-to enjoy-to be as the crowd about
her-swept her mind imperfousfy.
peculiar look crossed Serracauld's eyes.
Just for two minutes - he whispered.
NO one will see you in the first crush.
There is no waltz like thisr Almost before
she was aware Of it, he had slipped his arm
round her waist.
For one instant a CLEAN of surprise-of
alarm-showed in her face; then the long,
persuasive notes of the stringed instru-
ments dropped to a lower, more enticing
key. She yielded to the pressure of Sierra
cauld's arm, and the two glided in among
the dancers.
They made the half-circuit of the room.
escaping the observation OF the house party
at its farther end. and as they reached the
door Clodagh pressed her hand detainingly
on his arm
He paused.
"Tired?" he asked, looking down into her
flushed face and brilliant eyes,
She shook her head family. Her heart
was still beating too fast-her brain still
felt too elated-to notice the ardor and the
nf cy1a
I'VE must STOP" she said SOFTLY "You
know even the two minutes were stolen
He slowly withdrew his arm from her
waist but still kept his eyes on hers.
Il suppose all the things in life worth
having are come by dishonesty" he said,
lightly. Then, in lower tone, he added,
DO you know that you dance-gloriously %
Clodagh made no answer Her mind was
more occupied with the dance Just gone
through than with the partner who had
shared 1t. And for the moment Serracauld
was content with her silence
Leaving the ball room, they passed to-
short flight of stairs, leading to the card
room.
At the foot Of these stairs Serracauld
paused, struck by a new idea
suppose we look into the card room?" he
said. Il believe it will be deserted at this
early hour
Clodagh assented
If you like, she said. ut would be
rather nice to find quiet spot And
leading the way with careless unconcern
she began to mount the stairs
The door Of the card room was open
Inc Da1Ze-covered tables were arranged for
play; but only one small, green-shaded
lamp had been lighted and the window wa c
uncurtained and open to the still summer
night.
= She paused on the threshold, and Sierra
cauld stepped quickly to her side.
1t might almost have been arranged for
fyo,
She waited for moment longer then she
walked slowly forward and paused beside
one Of the tables
Very quietly her companion closed the
ooor' and. crossing the room softly, paused
close behind her.
DO you know that you dance gloriously ~
ne said again. But 1 always knew you
Would Woulo. waltz with you is one of the
Things promised myself long time ago. !"
AS he spoke, Clodagh was conscious that
his shoulder almost brushed hers. with a
family uneasy movement she raised her
head. ''eA
and meeting his eyes.
In the dim light Of the room there was
something curious, new and alarming in the
glance she encountered. He was standing
exceedingly near; his face looked very
pale; the pupils Of his eyes were diIated
giving them peculiar, unfamiliar look.
embarrassed, and yet doubtful that her
embarrassment was justified she turned
cards from the table. began to pass them
through her fingers
i don't know what you mean" she said
again. Il don't understand"
Quite suddenly Serracauld laughed. and.
passing his arms over hers. caught her
hands. so that the cards fiuttered to the
table.
NONSENSE" he said. in a sharp, whisper
ing voice. Nonsense! The prettiest wom-
an Of the season not understands
He laughed again, and with a swift move
ment freed her hands. and, clasping her
suddenly and closely, forced her head back
ward and bent his face to hers.
The action was not so much a kiss as a
vehement, almost painful. pressure Of his
lips upon her mouth-something that stune
her to resentment rather than to fear-to
revolt rather than to shame =
For one instant she remained passive: the
next she had freed herself with the mus
cular activity that had always belonged to
her slight, supple frame.
AS she drew away from him she was
trembling, and her face was white; but
there was look he had never imagined in
her eyes and on her lips. For one moment
1t seemed that she meant to speak Then
her lips closed. She turned away from
him and walked out of the room without q
word
CTo be continued tomorrow