Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-12

world pushed back their chairs. and
made their way through glazed doors
at the rear, whence an electric bell
rang persistently. The motley crowd
OF officers. tourists. and such OF the
society OF Lucerne as was at the
( kursaal passed through the glazed
| doors 10 play the petlts chevaux-a
rather harmless form OF dissipation.
gambling toy that permits one to
lose at the most a five-franc piece.
7 mingled with the crowd about the
green-baize table on which the little
metal horses were whirling around an
imaginary race course. A croupier
changed a 5Ofranc note for me. I
tossed coin on one of the numbers I;
and lost. I staked another coin. this
time against the field Again I lost.
I staked all my fve-franc pieces but
two.
While I weighed them thoughtfully
IN my palm. my arm was touched
lightly. It was my adventures of
the reading room once more. She
lifted her eyebrows ia whimsical con-
Germ at my 81 luck.
Even these little horses. you see,
madam. know that am to be
Stunned" said IN a low voice.
MY friend" she smiled vivacious-
~. they are simply frightened at
your black face. They are sensitive.
the little horses. But n you coax
we shall see Allons. We Will be pru-
dent. a little shining franc on number
q. Now, II my brave horses only
know that 81 is who am asking them
20 win for us we shall win
me rien va plus" crosked an on.
cial IN a dingy dress suit and crumpled
shirt bosom. He spun the mechanism
| briskly between two bony fingers and
thumb. The tiny Jockeys IN blue, bun.
green. and red sped swiftly around
| the course. Presently they struggled
/ one behind the other. and came to
a pause. The croupier stretched out
his rake. and drew in our two shining
francs with the other winnings OF the
bank.
I turned to her sternly. you seer"
I cried in traric dismay
"Poufi A little patience, monsieur.
Il IS the Jockeys who are sulky.
have forgotten 20 blow them a kiss.
Quick. a fye-franc piece. the maxi
mum. on the seld. This time we shall
certainly win
Three times ln succession we won
now AZ even odds. now With the odds
IN our favor But again the electric
bell rang. She shrugged her shout
ders. and made q moue OF regret.
"Alasi Az the hour OF our triumph
the voice of art clamors"
We returned 10 the concert room.
rs Il not strange" she murmured
after a pause In the music. that one
longs so much for what As Just beyond
ones reach while other fruit. as
sweet, may De plucked for the ask
inE?"
The holiness Of the metaphor
startled and repelled me.
You SPEAK IN riddles. madam" I
said. cOldly Frankly. ! had not placed
her exactly AS that sort OF a woman.
Riddles" She lifted her eye
brows. hesfating. 81 mean, Mr.. Had
don. that I should be SO glad II we
might be friends"
was uncopvinced. You are too
generous" I said. ironically. Does
your interest in mankind embrace all
the world"
But YOU have been unfortunate"
she said softly. Are you angry that
I should be sorry for you2"
Il am perplexed. az least"
II you are only perplexed, I shall
not despair" She smiled at me gayly
across the table. her elbows support
ing the clasped hands that framed her
exquisite beauty. Come. are we 20
be friends"
Il remember" I said. boldly. when
I was at college. a story OF Socrates
that pointed an obvious neral. Would
you Ike 90 hear it2"
She made a mock griGaco. "Oh.
Socrates, monsieur. and philoso-
pherl And philosopher henpecked
by his wife Xantippel Am 1 one 10
DO with henpecked philosopher?
Regard ne seriously. monsieur. and
tell me. But II you insist-your story;
l shall listen patiently"
The heupecked philosopher, then."
began somewhat grimly, tells US
that when Hercules had attained man
hood he set out on a Journey to see
the world. and presently came to a
parting Of two ways He hesltatSG
as 10 which way he should
choose. While he hesitated there
appeared two maidens, each Of
whom protested that she would lead
him the way that he should go. One
OF these maidens was clad chastely In
somber bat not unpleasing raiment
II, Hercules, you will go my way.
you will ind II rough and tiresome.
There are brambles 20 impede your
progress; there are sharp stones that
viii cut your sandals. 1t viii always
be hazardous, but It viii lead TO hap
] piness"
I "Ah, happinessl" sighed the woman
| opposite me- she promised much"
The other maiden was extremely
beautiful and her raiment was OF sill
very tissue. My way she said, soft
~. taking Hercules gently by the arm,
=kIzyzrz1
,M9Eggenl ~.