The Marshall republican., 1909-03-26

NNAS @8SNAsNA WI
wished to do so. Neither Sir Peter
nor Lady Hawkshaw perfectly ap-
proved; but Lady Arabella carried her
point, with the assistance OF the
duchess. At the last moment, her
grace-a fine woman-approached me,
and said, c~onidentially:
"Mr. W~ynne-Glyn. | mean-will
you not remain, and share a game
with a choice collection OF players?'
/ was flattered at being asked; and,
besides, I wanted to see how these
great London ladies acted at such
play. SO | accepted. But 1t was an
other thing to get away from Lady
Hawkshaw. However, l managed to
elude her, by giving a shilling to a
footman, who showed me into a little
closet, and then went and told Lady
Hawkshaw l had gone home In a
coach with a gentleman who had been
taken i'll, and had left word for them
to 20 without me. This pacined her.
and she and Sir Peter and Daphne
went away with the crowd. There
were left about 20 persons, who. after
a little supper, and general express
sions of relief at the departure OF the
other guests, sat down to play, at n
in the morning. There was a cabinet
minister, also a political parson, two
peers Of the realm, several officers OF
the Guards, Giles Vernon and your
humble servant. The ladies' were
mostly old-Lady Arabella was the
youngest Of them all-but all very
great In rank.
| had wanted to see London ladies'
play-and ! saw them. Jack. with his
greasy cards, in the forecastle, laying
his months wages, was a child to
them. And how they watched one an
other, and quarreled and fought!
No one among them played so eager.
ly as Lady Arabella; and very badly,
as usual, SO that ste managed to lose all
her money. She was ever a bad player,
with all her passion for play. Her last
guinea went; and then, determined
not to be baked, she rose and said,
laughing:
II have on a new white satin petit
coat, with lace that cost three guineas
the yard. 1t is very fit for waistcoats.
No gentleman will be so ungallant as
to refuse my petticoat as a stake
or course, they all ~applauded; and
Lady Arabella; retiring behind a
screen, emerged with her satin petit
coat-how 1t shone and shimmered!--
I, in her hand. And in Ave minutes she
had lost It to Giles Vernon!
} There was much laughter, but Giles,
, gravely folding 1t up, laid it. aside;
: and when we departed. in the gray
r light OF dawn. he carried It off under
1 his arm.
, AS for me, | had lost all the money
/ had with me, and had given my |. 0,
U. for $500.
Next day Lady Arabella was dropped
In Berkeley Square by her grace OF
; Auchester. 1t was in the afternoon
and | was sitting in the Chinese room
y with Lady Hawkshaw and Daphne
when Lady Arabella appeared.
well, Dicky," she saba very OF
fensive mode OF addressing mellow
do you stand your losses at play ?
And, as / am a sinner. she pumped
o out the whole story OF my play to Lady
d Hawkshaw and Daphne, AS an oficel
and O gentleman, / scorned to retallatt
by telling of the white satin petticoat
But vengeance was at hand. Just al
. she had finished, when Lady Hawk
o shaw was swelling with rage. like
n toad, before opening her main bat
teries on me. and Daphne's fair eye
,. were full OF contempt for me, we hear'
a connection outside. None of us coul'
u keep from going TO the window, AM
the sight we saw threw Lady Arabelll
into q perfect tempest of angry tears
q A Die and drum were advancing u
thu street, playing with great yigo
70 the old tune known as "Petticoat
Loose" Behind them marched. wit
y the deepest gravity. q couple OF ma
= rines, bearing aioft on their musket
% a glittering shimmering thing tina
nuttered Whitley in the air. 1t wa
. Lady Arabella's satin p~etticoat; ant
hating before the door, the drumn=eI
70 with q great flourish, pounded tn
Q. knoeker. On the porter's r~aspondini
e the two marines handed the petticol
o. Ia with ceremony TO him. directin
ie him ia convey Il to the Lady Arehell