Evening star., 1909-09-12

had 1umped to my feet, as mad Leopard,
and felt that codness come over me that IS
one of nv characteristics when the depths
within me have been stirred. Laurier glanced
up at me and then at Leopard, and at last
shifted his gaze to meet N1llaons face, which
was set into the hardest scowl ever knew him
to wear Something unexpected happened.
Leopard and |, watching, saw duel OF eyes.
Villalon slowly sncered; the Counts eyes
vered and he rose.
Captain Dunos' he said, bowling very
deeply did not dream of offering insult
suggestion of unfair play. | spoke in the heat
of the moment, and to convince you that |
mean to do the auende honorable, will exchange
seats if you wish.
V/E exchanged sides; but Eillalon's face did
not clear did his fixed stare at our
host relax. The Count dealt the cards. and did
not turn king Instead he faced seven of
hearts for trumps the lowest he could have
turned and on looking at my hand l saw that
it was almost invincible. therefore made no
proposals and forced the play by leading a
king. Rapidly the white slips fell, and won a
vole. In silence dealt and another vole was
mine. and then In the midst of strain SO in
tense that could each hear the other breathe
| won point and the game on the Counts
deal. As the last card fell he leaned back in his
chair, and for the moment was but defeated
old man, haggard, palsied. and trembling.
II sorry for him. | did not wish to win
everything from the uncle of the woman |
loved. | would far rather he had Won | saw
that he hit hard, and should have said
something had he not leaned far over the table
and alf-whispered words that made me draw
away from him from something vile.
80 The Captain, he said addressing me, has
won every franc | have. He has long wanted
permission to pay court to my niece and has
feared to ask it Dare he stake all his winnings
against that privieges'
''I think | should have struck him full in the
face had not Leopard with inconceIvable quick
seized my arm. Accept, comrade, ac-
cept" he whispered. 1t is not your night to
show fear OF any hazardn
Slowly the blood rushed from my beating
temples and with something akin to wonder
ment | looked into the Counts face. What
kind of man this who behind the SEM
blance of gentty would wager one of his own
flesh and blood as SO much dross9 What had
become of the chivalrous ideals of his liner
What would the shades of departed noblemen
OF the great Lauriers think of this. their
worthy descendant. could they look down on
him in this climax of ignominy?
Does the Count dare let his niece know of
this wager'' | asked frowning at him.
For reply he rose from his chair and stepped
to the door leading from the sale d 'orpfes. Be
fore | could realize his intention he had called
her name Before | could voice my protest she
came, and he beckoned her into the room, bow
ing deferentially as she passed. We all rose
she entered and we repeated his bow. Her
face depicted no astonishment. rather a curl
osity as she looked from one to the other as if
seeking explanation.
VOU are to be made the wager in game my
niece the Count calmly announced. |
raised my eyes and felt my heart sink She had
given sign of indignation! The Count
speaking again. and his voice sounded distant
and subdued through that heavier of blood
within me which, torrent-like, set my temples
throbbing Monsieur the Captain, Castor
Dunos, wagers hundred and eighty thousand
francs against my permission for him to pay his
addresses to YOU
Il waited for him to add that the proposal
had been his; but he said nothing more, and
some curious rebellion held my own tongue
dumb. Her attitude was puzzling. She
glanced at all of disdainfuy, if it
matter of small consequence and following the
quest of her eyes | saw that the Count
perturbed, Leopard displaying his amazement
and Villalon watching her with the air of a
Judge who is about to pass sentence. Without
hesitation she advanced to the side of the table
a trife closer to my seat than the Counts, and
said in perfectly controlled tone, Proceedp
God only knows my sense of disappoint-
ment my bitterness at the downfall of an ideal!
Had she rebelled | should have defied the
Count and told her that, nasmuch as she was
of legal age should pay my addresses without
his consent Then. had he objected, should
instantly have challenged him; but this tame
acqulescence of hers cut me like a rapier'S
thrust and hardened me for the moment |
solved to give her more chance to show
whether honor was in her blood, and fell back
into my seat and picked up the cards.
II