The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-03-14

you honor me-" returned Darlington.
"And tbs so unfortunate that the
partnership shall be Of so short dura-
tion." continued my lady.
"One never knows laughed Lady
airily, how long a game lasts
or what the result until It is played to
the end"
Mrs. M~onbrant," interrupted Gen
eral Athelstrong, you have unfortu-
nateIy fallen to me-"
Are you a good player, g~eneral?"
asked the widow brightly. That's
the important thing In a game.
for money. You allow us to play for
money, Lady Carrington?"
Il urge it upon you" returned Ellen
sir Charles, will you take me to
the library?" now interposed the
shocked and scandalized little Puri-
tan.
4You will forgive me, Lady Caring
ton?" said Sir Charles with another
vivid blush, turning to his hostess,
amid the general mockery.
4 am glad to see you go, Sir Charles"
returned Ellen. There are other
books in the library Of a similar char
acter which you two VIII enjoy look
ing at, are there not, Darlington"
Il suppose there are, madam. al
though | have never read them
1T would doubtless improve your
morals If you should" returned Lady
Ellen swiftly.
He hel' exclaimed General Athel.
strong, my lady's in fine wit to-
night"
"And by Cad. your manners too"
growled the duke. but come. let us
play"
Lady Darlington, your instruction
awaits you" said the earl, bowling.
"On second thought, Lord Strath-
gate" returned Ellen, Il don't believe
l feel equal to learning a new game
Have your religious scruples re.
turned. Lady Darlington" exclaimed
Lady Cecily, insinuatingly, cor are you
afraid of losing money!"
MY dear child" began Mrs. Mon,
brant superciliously.
Il will cut the cards with you, Lady
Cecily. or you. Mrs. Monbrant, this
instant for a thousand pounds and
then we win see which Of us is
afraid" returned Ellen with wonderful
composure.
you are mad" began Darlington,
as the two ladies addressed shrank
back in dismay.
Your pardon, my lord, I am ad-
dressing your friends, not you. Do
either Of you ladies' take me7 NOT Is
there anyone then who wishes to
tempt fortune in this way? You only
play for money and not for the game,
l understand. Duke, will you cut me
for q thousand pounds? Not VII
you. duchess. or you. General Athel.
strongY"
IF you make it 50. my dear lady"
began the general.
Admiral, l know you don't play"
interrupted Ellen, d~lsdaining the little
man and his little stake. 80 there
only remains" She looked at the
other two men.
Il am not yet fool enough to gam
BILE with my own wife" said Caring.
ton bitterly.
strathgate stepped CALAMITY into
the breach.
Il have not the honor Of being your
husband, Lady Carrington-unfortu-
nately,'" he added under his breath
"and l wiz cut the cards with you for
any sur Of money-or anything else"
"Donel" cries the lady, "'the highest
card takes the thousand pounds. l
shall have to depend on you gentle
men to tell me which is high II /
have won.9
You may trust to my honor for
that, madam" said Strathgate.
AS Ellen spoke, she seated herself
at a table. The others left their places
and crowded around. Here was play
such as they had read about but had
not witnessed or participated in.
Ellen said Darlington, suddenly,
you shall not do this thing. 1t Is
madness"
Must I remind my husband that |
play with my own money!" answered
Ellen %viclously.
That remark was received in a dead
silence, broken presently by a sheer
Ing laugh from Lady Cecily which
cut through Darlington like a knife.
His clenched hand went into mis- bos-
ON, but by a violent effort he mas
tered himself.
4 shall stand by you he said to his
wife, with your permission, and see
fair play
by God, sir" cried strathgate,
spriuging to his feet. does that
mean-3"
1T means nothing but that a hus.
bands place is by his wife's side when
she ventures fortune, reputation Or
honor" returned my lord. very high
and mighty.
'Perchance VIC may play another
game when this is ended, Darlington"
said s~trathgate nercely.
"At your service for any stake with
any counter" returned the other
smoothly.