The Washington herald., 1906-11-09

you were mighty winner; now you owe
me e100O0 Tonight I shall beggar you.
my friend"
Jibaloff replied with a forced laugh
We shall see, sir; we shall see. Dame
Fortune is ever a fckle mistress to de-
pend upon
At that moment they became conscious
Of Miss Elliott's presence and turned to
look at her. The girl had never appeared
so beautiful. Her large blue eyes stared
straight before her. moist ano glistening
like stars; she appeared to be only half
conscious Of her immediate environment
for her gaze was rapt, ecstatic and seer
like; her mouth was like a blazing scarlet
flower, the lips parted to show her milk
white teeth She formed a picture which
both men appreciated with a sharply in
drawn breath of admiration, but the
counts proprietorial instincts were soon
excited by the contemplation OF such
loveliness and the imp 1ssion which she
had made upon the Turk.
This" he said In French, recovering
himself hastily. "is the lazy whom I told
you Of. Sit down, Miss Elliott"
The Turk arose, and slipping around the
table, placed her chair. Il am delight
ed to make your acquaintance, Miss
Elliott" he muttered in her ear.
The count heard and chuckled softly to
himself
Francine threw back her head with the
gesture OF a queen. giving the Turk a
glance which slightly Disconnected him.
She replied with icy calm:
DO not trouble yourself TO be polite
sir"
But. mademoiselle-
I pray you resume your seat
He bowed hUmbly. and at once fell
back. The girl sat down and turned 10
the count. rs the bargain completed? ?"
she demanded, haughtily. Am I already
the chattel Of that man2"
The old man chuckled. Not yet, not
yet Perhaps you may not ever be, my
dear. It will be hard for me to part with
a creature so superb as you"
Madame gave utterance to a sudden rip
ping laugh. Don't tell me that YOU in
tend to present Desire with a new grand
mamma" she cried
The count broke into roar of laugh
ter, sinking back Ia his cushions 20 in
dulge his nirth: then. after draught OF
wine, replied: Stranger things have hap
pened, Katherin: I have been too long
a celibate-whO kn0Ws?"
Francine shivered and turned pale u
should make you a bad wife" she NUT
tered
The old man gave a sneer. who spoke
OF marriage?' he demanded coarsely.
But there, my dear. calm yourself. 7
would rather think Of YOU at present as
my daughter" He turned 10 the Turk:
1t is strange, Jibalof: 40 sign yet Of the
Argonaut, she should be here by now"
wi Il hn
only this afternoon"
But It is scarce an eight hours run;
her speed is ffteen knots
'She might not have been under steam"
Absurd; she Is always ready
Pardon: she should. perhaps be always
ready. but orders are sometimes disre-
garded."
IF she does not arrive before morning.
some one shall suffer. We shall have an
execution"
Pour encourager les autres?"
Precisely"
Madame held up a warning forefnger.
You viii presently not have a qualified
navigator left in your service. my father.
II is not three months since Capt Chino
caught the bullet fever
All. BAH" returned the count. the
world is wide. lt has many children"
ceHency- most true. If need arise. I can
give sou 4 captain whom ! can personally
vouch 10, . man young. enthusiastic. and
ardent. who Is at present condemned 70
death for an indiscretion committed IN
the Sultan's seraglio. He would regard
you as his savior and would serve you
faithfully.
''Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. sneer-
ed the count
Pardon. / do not know the tongue you
speak in said the Turk
The old man smiled Then I shalt
translate my words. dear Yussef. I said
I should feel a monster to deprive you
OF 50 useful a servant especially as the
fact Is I do not need his services.
jibal0ff. Struggling his shoulders. applied
himself to the pleasures of the board, and
thereafter silence reigned until the con-
clusion Of the meal. When all was salts
fed. servants carried the table bodily
away. and substituted a smaller one COW
cred with green cloth and armed with
cards and dice.
Francine would have departed. but the
count restrained her with a look. and
at nod from him negroes guarded the
doors against escape. Both he and Jiba-
loff had drunk deeply during dinner. and
their faces were flushed. their manner
anxious and excited FTancine took
distant chair, but madame and Desire
stood beside the table, eager TO watch
the play.
Jibaloff shuffied the cards. The count
cut. and turning his portion Of the pack
face downward took up the dice box
What shall the stake be?' he demanded.
Whatever sum you please"
"A Thousand pounds rising from acc TO
six
Agreed commence"
Then I say black"
And I red; throw the dice"'
The count threw. and the uppermost
was six. Slowly either man turned Up