Evening star., 1909-09-12

steadiness as the stakes increased! Absorbed in our
losses, forgot all else in the effort to recoup for
got that we playing gentlemans game and
that the wagers were running absurdy high; almost
forgot the girl outside.
Leopard, always reckless and mpetuous when
losing the first to drop out. He drew back from
the table with exclamation of disgust and read
lusted his collar and cuffs though they restricted
his purpling flesh.
without change of expression Watching his eyes,
saw neither pity nor elation in their hard gray
depths With Leopard the only spectator
played another hand. Villaon's last godpiece was
lost, and he too Strengthened up, his serious face
troubled and his eyebrows drawn into frown.
'Messieurs, the Count said in his most even
voice, among gentlemen-ah-you understand
your words good if you wish to continue the
game. There was soft insinuation in his voice,
invitation that was nearly lure.
Leopard started to draw his chair to the table
again; but Vialon caught his eye and scow led dis
approval. He answered for both:
50 No, monsieur le COy7te think fortunes at
too low ebb. We cannot play more
Leopard, checked, drew back with questioning
look in his eyes and for instant the Count flushed
He passed it off with laugh while was wondering
at the shade of red that had flashed across his lean
white face.
Then, Captain Dunois, he said, turning to me-
suppose we finish the evening play with ecarte
which l have always considered the best of two
handed games. | suppose we need not stop, unless
you the voice died in question and there was
something of challenge in it which annoyed me-
Again Vilalon tried to bring the game to close;
but after that covert sneer l should have played
Laurier had the game involved life and death. So
and went to smaller table for convenience.
1t was old and appeared more fit for the lumber
room 1t had veneered top which was loose on my
side and distracted me by occasionally catching my
sleeve. And these trivial details the that
struck me in that time when was boiling with sup
pressed anger!
"Villalon. and Lepard as if anxious to stand by
me- deliberately pulled their chairs until they
could oversee the play. The Count noticed it and
frowned and Villalon said in his camest tone, L
trust the Count does not object to our presence!
where
wished, he could have made no objection. Not in
the least he answered; Or if you gentle
fatigued with the coseness of the
and wish, you may find Mademoselle
Yvette in the outer salon, and perhaps she
will serve you coffee, of which she is SO
proud.
IF he intended that for means of get
ting them out of the room, his subterfuge
was ignored, each asserting that he was too
much interested in the outcome to think OF
leaving at the time. Laurier showed no dis
appointment; for his emotions were ae ain
! masked behind set face that nothing could
& disturb and nothing betray.
II IT is difficult for to recall the whirl of
Y l plav that followed Hand after hand
e passed, and, whatever the Counts luck had
) been in the previous game, in this it
d noticeably bad. He played with the skill of
veteran and imperturbaby accepted his
losses, which gained in proportion as he
Il doubled the stakes. He began to play with
certain hard desperation as he advanced the
wagers until they had risen to heartbreaking
heights and still chance favored me and the
kings as if hypnotized to my hands and
4 bent on running the who had proposed
/ the game. At last, when the gamble was of
Z such proportions that none but a millionaire
could afford to lose, l demonstrated. For the
first time the Count openly showed anger.
Can it be that the winner of hundred
thousand francs, he snarled, is afraid to play
for fair stakes against the loser?'
Il tempted to spring to my feet SO
bitterly did the insult sting, and too lost
my temper. The winner fears nothing in the
world / answered and if monsieur k connie
is SO anxious to win will wager all OF 1t that
his adversary cares to covert!