The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10

and no small part in the affairs of his master did the servant afterward play.
 As Vivian walked with the Baron and his particular friends' in the great sa- loon of the "Princely Bath House at Ems his attention was attracted by the appearance of a party of three persons, apparently new arrivals. The group con- sisted of a very good looking young Englishman, who supported q lady on either arm. The lady on his right was about 9 years old, of majestic stature and with d complexion of untlnged puri- ty Her features were Grecian and her expression dgnified without pride, and re- served without the harshness of auSter- ity. Her companion was younger, not so tall and of slender form. Though eX- qulsitely beautiful, there was about her deiicaey that spoke of i'll health.
 Yet magnifcentas was the style of the widowed Lady Madeline Trevor. there were few who preferred even her com mandlng graces to the softer beauties of Violet Fane. The young man who ac- companied the two beauties was MT. St, George. Lady Madeline's brother. From the little start the Baron gave. Vivian saw that he knew the party. The diplo- mat admitted it with reluctance, saying that he had known them once in London long ago.
 As they passed the Baron bowed but the bow was returned in cold and dis tant manner. which showed plainly that the envoy's attempt to renew the ac- uuaintanee would not be looked on with favor. But Vivian speedily procured an introduction for himself and promptly fell in love with Violet Zane.
 He was of the world again. Perhaps after all the past was not to blight him forever He found that Lady Trevor and her companions knew his family-felt sure that they knew something of his own history--but their companionship soothed and comforted him and in the presence of Violet his wasted. disastrous youth seemed like an evil dream from which he had at last awakened.
 ''Suppose we throw away dollar or two" said the Baron as he and Vivian strolled in the gorgeous and brilliantly lighted gambling hall of the "Redoute "Come, shall I put down couple or Napoeons on joint account? l don't care for play myself. but at Ems l suppose we must make up our minds to risk little
 The joint account grew and grew There was a steady run on the red. At last the bank was broken, and Vivian and the Baron vastly the richer thereby After that, against his will, he found him. self often at the gaming table
 There was q Russian prnce-an Inn perial grand duke-stoppins at Ems ana his house, to which everybody went, was the scene of high play every night. Ihe Baron played heavily, as did his friends St George soon became one of this gay company. and Vivian saw that Madeline and Violet were troubled. The Baron af- fected the company. of the youth and 1t was easy to see that this Increased their uneaslness. But neither Violet nor Lady Madeline would speak of the Baron When his name was mentioned they looked pained and silent.
 At last. however. Lady Trevor spoke alone and at length with Vivian concern- ing Konigstein. She confessed that the intimacy between he and her brother deeply grieved her Six years before, when the Baron had been residing as a diplomat in London, he had been inti- mate with her late husband. MT. Trevor had ward living with him. young man given to widness and the Baron had been asked to keep a watchful eye over the young man. One day messenger came to tell Mir Trevor that this ward was ly- ing dead in hotel where he had gone