Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-21
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTOI1,
Author Of 1.-THE Masquerader," Etc.
Copyright 1905 BY reservedJ

The idea confused her. She turned away
from him in slight uneasiness, and at the
same moment one of the walters filled her
long Venetian glass with the light, golden
wine.
ITO please MEL Deerehurst murcnured
again. ITO please me!'
She looked around, confused and still
embarrassed, gave one unsteady, yielding
laugh. then lifted the glass.
1-if must she said, deprecatingly.
Barnard and Serracauld smiled, and
Deerehurst raised his own glass
To the next occasion upon which you
consent to be my guest!' he said, with a
profound and impressive bow.
On the surface this Incident seems scarce
ly worth recording. yet for Clodagh 1t
marked an epoch-an epoch not evolved
through yielding to her hosts persuastons;
not evolved through drinking a single glass
Of unfamiliar wine: but evolved through
the fact that one item in the sum of her
prejudices had gone down before that DO
tent fedch-the dread of appearing con-
spicuous
With her action a fleeing shadow of self
distrust fell across her mind: but she swept
1t aside. as she had previously swept the
memory OF her interview with Gore. Deep
within her hay the specious knowledge that,
for her. this bright existence was only
transitory-that somewhere behind the
lights and music and laughter lay her own
individual groove. to which she must re-
turn like a modern Cinderella, when the
ended And in this knowledge lay the
secret Of her greed for Joy. Certain of
the monotony to come. she caught pas
sionately at every proffered pleasure.
Ten o'clock had struck before the little
party left the restaurant. and although she
had drunk no more champagne and had
refused the lioueurs that had been served
with coffee. her eyes were excitedly bright
as she stepped from the gondola at the
steps of the Palazzo Ugochini.
Mounting the marble stairs with Deere
hurst close behind her. she was filled with
an exhilarating sense of confidence in her
self-of defiance toward the world at large.
The memory of the afternoon, when she
had stood on the dark terrace and listened
to Cores contemptuous voice. had left her
or remained only as a spur to her en-
thuSiasm.
The animation-the zest for pleasure
was plainly visible in her eyes as she en-
tered the salon and went forward toward
her hostess. And Lady Frances Hope,
looking round at sound Of her guests
names, saw this peculiar expression with
a stirring of curiosity.
Where have you all been?" she asked. as
she took Clodagh's hand.
Barnard laughed.
We are shocking truants." he said. gayly.
I'VE have been dining at the Abbati.'"
She looked at him quickly.
"An four Of your" she asked. shrewdly. q.
He smiled.
You have a suspicious mind Frances.
Yes: all four Of u.s."
Lady Frances laughed.
NO" she said. II never harbor sus-
picions. 1t is Mrs. Milbanke's afr Of hav-
ing just discovered some delicious secret
that is always prompting me to curiosity,
How do you manage to look SO tri-
umphant?" She turned again to Clodagh
with long, puzzled glance II wish you
would impart the secret"
Clodaghs bright eyes met hers
My father used to say that the secret
of happiness Is never to look beyond the
present hour
IA philosopher" murmured Deerehurst
Il should say a bold man." Barnard
looked from the old nobleman to his
hostess.
But almost as he spoke the name of Sir
Walter Gore was announced. and Lady
Frances looked sharply toward the door.
With a quiet. unembarrassed bearing Gore
crossed the salon.
AS he approached the little group Lady
Frances stepped toward him with out
stretched hands. '''s
How nice of you!" she said, softly. Il
began to fear you had forgotten about to-
night
He took her hand calmly.
But l had promised to come" he said,
simply.
And at the words his eyes turned invol-
unfairly toward Clodagh.
Good evening, Mrs. Milbanke," he added,
in the same level voice.
At his glance and his words Clodagh's ex-
preston changed. The vague excitement
OF the past hours seemed suddenly to focus
itself. She realized abruptly that she had
not yet vindicated her right to the joy of
life. With exaggerated indifference she
bent her head in acknowledgment of his
greeting, and almost Immediately turned to
DeerehurSt.
Lord Deerehurst' she said, very softly
and distinctly, Il want you to do me a
favor tonight! l want you to teach me to
play roulette!''
1t was her declaration Of wharf.-the mo-
which nnCOnSciOnS1v
been tending ever since the interview Of
the afternoon. She knew 1t instantly the
words had left her lips-knew it by the
quick surprise in Barnard's eyes, the sharp
curiosity in Lady Frances Hopes. the yelled
triumph in Deerehurst's and the cold dis
appreciation in Sir Walter Cores. Without
another glance she turned away and walked
slowly forward across the salon to where
q couple Of dozen people were grouped
about the roulette table.
AS she moved deliberately forward many
heads were turned in her direction, but she
was needless and almost unobservant of the
interest she evoked Her heart was beating
fast; she was rejoicing recklessly in her
INDICATED independence.
Deerehurst overlook her as she halted by
the roulette table. And she was conscious
of his presence without looking round.
+ "Will you stake for me?" she said, in a
quick undertone. You were lucky the
other night"
He stepped forward. smiling with a cold
touch of wisdom, and took the coin she
handed to him.
What! A convert!' cried Lizard. who
was again officiating at the game. Luck
to you Mrs. Milbanke!'
He gave a pleasant laugh as her coin
touched the table. and a moment later set
the ball spinning.
Clodagh waited, holding he- breath. The
ball slackened speed-hesitated over the
gayly painted board-and finally dropped
into its place. There was a general laugh
Of excitement: the little crowd pressed
closer to the table and she saw her coin
swept into Luard's hands.
The incident was eventful. Quite suddenly
the color leaped into her face and her eyes
blazed In total Inconsistencies Of SELF,
she stepped forward to the table.
Is Deerehurst. closely watchful Of her,
moved to her side.
',shall ! Stake asainr' he asked, in a
whisper.
But she did not turn her head.
l. 'No-no! she cried I'll stake for my
self"
Her voice sounded distant and absorbed.
It seemed in that brief moment that she
had forgotten her companion and herself.
Thrice she staked and thrice lost, but the
losses whetted her desires. She played
boldly, with a certain reckless grace born
of complete unconsciousness. At last for
tune favored her and she won. Deerehurst,
still standing close beside her. saw the ex-
preston Of her face, saw the careless-the
almost inconseQuent-afr with which she ac-
Acepted her spoils, and, noting both, ne
touched her arm.
ol6