The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-10-15


was always in need of money, and
when chance offered, through her
brother, 70 make any she was not
averse to returning to the spy bust
ness Thus 1t came about that she
watched Mr. Grexon Hay for many a
long day ard night, and he never sus-
pected the pretty. fluffy, kittenish Miss
Dian was in reality an emissary of the
law. Consequently when Aurora ask
ed him to a card party at her rooms
Hay accepted readily enough, although
he was not in need of money at the
time.
Miss Dian occupied a tiny fat on the
top Of huge pile of buildings in Ken
sington, ana it was furnished in a GIN
crack way, with more show than real
value and with more color than taste.
Like the Becky Sharp whom she i'm
personated with such success. Miss
Dian possessed a chaperon, not because
she needed one, being very well able to
look after herself, but because it
sounded and looked respectable Miss
Stably, who filled this necessary Office,
was a dull old lady who dressed ex-
cessively badly and devoted her life to
knitting shawls. She talked very little
This sort OF person exactly suited
Miss Dian, who wanted sheep dog
who could neither bark nor bite and
who could be silent. These qualifica-
lions were possessed by the old lady,
and for some years she had trailed
through a rather giddy world at Au-
roras heels. In her own dull way
she was fond of the young woman,
but was far from suspecting that Au-
rora was connected in an underhand
manner with the law.
This was the old lady who sat In
the pink drawing room to play pro-
priety for Miss Dian. Lord George
Sandal was present, looking rather
washed out, but as gentlemaniy as
ever. Hay, with his fixed eyeglass
and eternally cold smile, was there,
and third young man, who adored
Miss Dian, thinking her to be merely
IN actress, simpered across the card
table at his goddess. The four were
playing a game which involved the
gaining and losing Of much money,
and they had been engaged for about
an hour. Miss Stably, having eaten
a good dinner and commenced a new
shawl, was half dosing in the corner
and paying absolutely no attention to
the players.
ITS a COED thing we're hanging on
our own hooks in this game" said
Miss Dian. Were I your partner, San
dal'-she always addressed her friends
in this free and easy fashion-'I'd be
losing money. What luck you haver'
81 never do seem to win" lamented
Lord George. whenever 1 think I've
got a good hand. the thing pans out
wrong"
Hay has got all the money" said
the simpering admirer who answered
! to the name of Tempest He and
you, Miss Dian, are the winners"
1--WE made very little" she replied
Hays raking in the dollars hand
over fist"
Lucky in love, unlucky at cards.
fortune to be commented upon fol
reasons which Miss Dian knew. ats
the reverse with me-Im lucky a
cards.
"And lucky in love, too" interrupted
Aurora, with a grimace, seeing
you're going to marry that Krill heir
ess-f she Is an heiress."
what do you mean?" asked Hay
who was dealing new round.
go on with the game and don't ash
questions" said Miss Dian in a saucy
manner. Sandal, don't stare round
but keep your eye on the cards." ant
she winked stealthily at the young lore
while Hay was exchanging a wore
with Tempest. The young man, whc
had spoken privately to her immediate
ly before the dinner, knew well wha
she meant. Had Hay been likewis,
Gin the know" he would scarcely have
done what he did do and which San
dial saw him do in few minutes.
Hay was rapidly dealing, and thu
cards were flying like leaves. A pill,
of gold stood beside Hays elbow ant
some silver near Tempest. The gam
commenced, and soon the players wer,
engrossed, needless Of the patent snor
ing Of Miss Stably. who. poor old thing
had succumbed to the lateness of tn,
hour. Suddenly Lord George, who haC
been very yigilant, felt his foot touchet
under the table by Miss Dian. H,
rose at once and snatched UP the golC
standing near Hay.
whats that forT' demanded Ha.
angrily.
You're cheating" said Sandal, "ant
don't play with you any more"
That's a lie! l did not cheat"
Yes, you did" cried Miss Dian
bending forward and selling the cards
we've been watching you. TEN
pest
1T saw it all right" said the other
You took up that king
"And it's marked" said Aurora d"
believe Hays got cards up his sleeve
E~or,iY,a fha oordc