Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-19
THE GAMBLER
XIV.
~
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON.
Author Of 1.-THE Masqusrader,"
Copyright rghb reserved1

XIV.
To the superficial student Of Clodaghs
character this development Of a phase in
her mental growth may present itself as
something distasteful-even unworthy; but
to the serious student Of human nature. with
It's manifold and wonderful complexities, 1t
must perforce come clothed In a different
guise.
Placed by circumstances In q singularly
isolated position-springing from race In
whom love of power. love Of admiration.
love of love itself are inherent qualities-is
1t to be wondered at that in the first flush
Of her realized sovereignty over men she
should view the world from a slightly giddy
altitude?
No one erudges her triumphs and her In
nocent intrigues to the girl in her nrst sea-
son. Humanity looks on tndulgently wnLe
she breaks her first lance with the canolo
Joy, the pardonable egotism that Is bred OF
youth. And, fncongruous az It may SOUND
Clodaghs was the position or the, oepu
tante. She was comprehending for the nrst
time-and comprehending with accumu,
lated emotion-the fact that she possessed
an individual path in life. And with the
arrogance of inexperience she sprang 10
the conclusion that every foot crossing that
path should yield her a toll of homage.
And now one foot had crossed it without
pause without even desire to finger! her
cheeks burned under the smart 2. her nur.
that surrounded Lady Frances Hope ana
allowed Deerehurst to lead her across the
salon. Her emotions were many ana con-
fused, but one personality occupieo ner
thoughts against the angry representations
Of her reason. BY an illogical but very hu-
man sequence Of Impressions Sir Walter
Gore had, in one moment become the most
objectionable-and the most interesting
person of her acquaintance.
AS she stepped out upon the balcony,
Deerehurst drew forward the low chair that
she had occupied the night before, and she
sank into it with sigh OF satisfaction. FOR
the first time in the glamour OF her new
found excitement she felt glad to escape
from the crowd and the lights of the salon.
For while her companion made no ef-
fort to break the silence that she seemed
anxious to preserve, then at last he changed
his position, stepped softly forward. and
laid his hand on the back of her chair
us what Barnard tells me true!' he
asked. Are you really leaving venice IN
week?'
She bent her head without looking up:
"But surely we can persuade you
His voice uuickened, then broke of, as
Clodagh turned to him.
What does it matter to any one whether
I go or stay?" she asked. in slightly trem-
ulous voice.
The only surprise that Deerehurst betray-
ed was shown in the narrowing of his cold
eyes He studied her penetratingly for
moment. then he spoke again, very quietly
Mrs. Milbanke" he said. "can you ask
that question in good faith"
faint touch of last nights embarrass-
ment wavered across her mind, but this
time she swept it defantly aside.
Yes; do mean it"
She turned, and again looked up into his
face.
"And am to answer in good faith?"
She bent her head, still looking at him.
"Then, judging by the one case of which
I can confidently speak. yes. Distinctly
yes!'
There was a pause, and Clodagh gave a
faint laugh.
And whose is the one case?'
Her voice sounded cool, high, even slightly
Indifferent. 1t piqued Deerehurst to fur
Their step. He answered her question with
another.
mrs Milbanke.' he said. have you ever
heard of Cfrce?"
Again she laughed.
"My education was extensive, If very in
termittent," she said. Yes, I have heard
of Circe-and her wild beasts
He echoed the laugh in his thin, express
sive voice.
II see the Implication. But can render
1t valueless 1 would willingly play even
wild beast-to your Circe!'
He bent over her chair.
She drew away with slight sharp move
ment; but he did not alter his position.
do you know that man would follow
you-anywhere?'
"Anywhere?"
Anywhere"
He let his hand glide softly from the
back of the chair to her shoulder.
At the touch of his fingers she slipped
away from him with noiseless movement
and rose quickly to her feet
Then follow me back to the salon." she
said in a voice that still sounded high and
light, but that held an undernote Of ner-
vouSneSS.
There was a constrained pause, but it
was one of short duration. Deerehurst
was not the man to be easily taken at a
disadvantage. For one instant glimmer-
ing of chagrin showed on his composed
face; the next it was gone. He straight
ened- his dignified figure and felt mechan-
"'Pon my word he said Il believe
you are Gree. Use your prerogative."
He turned, laughed a little and indicated
the salon with a courtly gesture.
Clodagh looked at him. He puzzled and
disconnected her. To one whose innate in
stinct was a yielding to impulse his abso-
lutte impassivity in face of disconcerting
situations was something incomprehensible.
And now, as he stepped aside to give her
passage, she gave quick laugh. express
sive of both embarrassment and relief, and
crossed the balcony with a certain instin-
tive haste.
During their absence the crowd in the
salon had increased, the press about the
roulette table had become denser, while at
half a dozen card tables, sheltered from
the general gatherings by large screens of
old Italian leatherwork. parties Of four
were playing bridge.
Ignoring these latter groups, Clodagh
crossed the room toward the roulette table
and paused upon the outskirts of the crowd
that surrounded it.
Deerehurst, following her closely, mar
rowed his eyes with a touch of interest
as he saw that, either by Intention or &C
cident, she had halted beside Sir Walter
Gore.
.'Well?" he said in his thin, satiricai
voice. as he gained her side. well, shall
we combine forces as we did last night?
brought you luck, remember"
She turned upon him almost sharply.
moi! she said. mo! l don't play rou-
lette."
At the vehemence of her denial he raised
his eyebrows and Sir Walter Gore looked
round. Seeing the speaker, an involuntary
CLEAN of surprise crossed his face
Surely you are not so questionable as
to disapprove of gambling, Mrs. Milbanke?'
he asked in an even voice.
Clodagh raised her eyes, and this time her
glance was free from coquetry..
II have not been fashionably brought
up she said.
'Indeed!'
The surprise-and with 1t reluctant in
terest-deepened in Cores glance, but his
eyes wandered doubtfuliy over her dress
Invariably quick to follow a train of
thought, she gave short, comprehending
laugh.