The Washington herald., 1906-11-09


his pack, the Turk that on the top OF his.
The counts card was the ace of
spades. "Six thousand pounds the limit,
he observed calmly. THAT makes in ali
sixteen that you owe me, my friend
JihaloR turned 8 little pale and his
hands trembled as be gathered up the
cards. The count cut again, but this
time his adversary called. growing out:
Red. red for my lifer' and quickly
threw the dice. which on settling showed
the number five He turned up his card
seven of hearts-and threw it on the
table with a shout of triumph. That re-
duces the score by FIVE" he cried.
Precisely" returned the count, whose
manner was growing more and more cold
and businesslike as the game preceded.
Shuttle the cards, my dear Jibalon,
little more. wifi your
They played on for an hour in this
fashion in varying luck. but at the
expiration OF that time fortune set with
a steady tide IN favor Of the Turk. and
for period he continued to win every
hand with most monotOnOus precision,
the score rs uniting on his side until he
had recorded the enormous gain Of
eighty thousand pounds With this sue
cess he grew each moment more excited,
more triumphant. He teered at the
count with the coarsest vulgaTIty. de-
riding the old mans previous boast TO
beggar him, and savagely taunting his
opponent to increase the stakes. The
Count d Attala listened calmly. a set half
smile just turning the edges Of this thin
and pasty colored lips, but his eyes,
which he kept resolutely fixed upon
the cards were alight with the feverish
fire of gaming and something else be-
sides, perhaps malice. perhaps hate, but
so well did he command himself that
very little Of his mind was manifest lie
answered his adversary nothing, but
although he piled the Turk with wine,
keeping his glass constantly replenished.
he drank but little himself. and was
otherwise moveless and silent as an
automatic figure.
Increase the stakes-increase the
stakes" grated out the Turk for the
twentieth time. You owe me eighty thou
sand pounds. I am determined 10 break
you, but let us get it over quickly Il IS
now II; at midnight the prince will be
with US. and I must then away. Indeed ]
should have gone twelve hours ago. as
well you know. Let Us end the matter
quickly
The count slightly shrugged his should
ers. and for the first time looked his
opponent in the eyes. Let US change the
game let us throw a single stake for
eighty thousand pounds
But II I gin?"
II have enough 10 ~ you"
And afterward?'
"That IS my affair: but I shall win.
dear friend ! shall win"
You lie, you shall not. Throw. throw
The count smiled a grim horrible smile,
and obeyed.
"A million curses shouted the Turk.
Give me the dice," The count had
thrown six. Jibalom shook the dice for a
moment then crashed the box upon the
table. The number uppermost was Eve
The count laughed gently. 'Ha, ha. said
not 50? We are quits. dear friend"
Let US resume, cried the Turk his
face livid with rage. Let us throw each
time for ten thousand"
NO, 1 weary Of the game; a little re-
taxation. / beg Of YOU
Two more throws first. only two"
urged the Turk
For high stakes. them"
AS high as you please"
Fifty thousand pounds?'
Yes" The count snatched I'D the dice.
and quick as light threw five
JibaiOd threw two. "Damnationr' he
muttered.
The count threw again this time I'VE.
JibalOm pressed the box TO his lips and
kissed 1t passionately twice Little
friend-' he said hoarseIy little friend.
do not betray me-" Holding his hand on
high he allowed the ivory 10 fail.
Madame and Desire started forward.
watching the cast with bated breath The
count leaned back and closed his eyes.
six" cried madame
Allah be pTaised"r said the Turk. So
bered for a second by his narrow victory.
The count opened his eyes and smiled
Again We are quits. my friend, though I
hoped 10 have earned a hundred thousand
pornds, he said gently. We'll, now for
q little rest: surely We have earned H.
Miss Elliott
Francine got 70 her feet and slowly
came forward "Yes2"
"ObIige me by standing there a little
70 the right; no, a step forward-so, Now,
Jibaloff-
The Turk swung around and gazed at
the girl ernbracingly. "a good face" he
said. What is your price?''
Five thousand pounds"
Too much: far too much
Francine stared at her enemies with
eyes aflame. her cheeks paling to the
hue Of milk Slowly she drew up her
right hand until IL rested on the bosom OF
her gown, then, inch by inch, she fen
back toward the wall But the counts
penetration was superhuman.
While watching her with apparent calm.
he was signing rapidly with his hands e.
the dumb slaves behind his chair. These
made q sudden dart and threw themselves
upon the girl. She gave a wild scream.
and drawing the knife. flashed It before
their eyes. Next second Il was wrested
from her grasp. and she sank half beside
herself to the floor. covering and shud-
dering in an abandon of terror and de-
spair.
"CowarGsi cowardsi' painted Miss FL
lott; "urmanly. Internal towards that
you are"'
Desire started forward. Grandfather
she cried. her face crimson with passion.
II you insult Miss Elliott, I shall XIII
you"
The count glanced quizzically at Jiba-
lo8 Your daughter needs correction"
he said.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.