The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-12

gre. g. Pd 10y anxiety over their
mutual ~ rp-enforced by per-
spring embarrassment at finding him
self unit OF such society. Happily
for them their partners were not Of
suspicious ~ inquiring turn Of mind
and were entirely engrosspd with the
game
"YOu gentlemen know the cards q
httle?" Nine. Davezac had ventured.
with a charming and guileless belief
In their ignorance. We'll. we shall
teach you something new Of the game.
maybe"
"I'll be glad to learn something new
about it," Kirby replied. with gravity
and perfect truth.
Nine. Davezac. with sadly amateur
ish fingers. assisted with many a tour.
ish. intended to impress the presuma-
ole tyroS with a fitting admiration for
her skill. proceeded to cut the deck,
while Bunce eyed her gloomily and
mentally criticised what he termed q
dirty rifle" His professional dignity
was outraged by the fact that she had
cut to the last card and then sereneIy
reunited the deck. and. forgetting him
SELF, he was about to assert his rights
and demand a new shuttle when a
warning kick from Kirby checked him.
"Ah, it's your DEAL" Mime. Davezac
at length exclaimed. rendering the
cards to Bunce. First you must make
the cards well-mix them. so-like
you saw me. See. you suf-fel, as they
call 1t. You think you can do thatp
"Yes'm, reckon l can git that fur"
he ventured modestly. Taking the
deck. he promptly forgot his role and
proceeded 70 give very fine demon-.)
sration Of the professional shuttle,
spreading the cards in the air between
mis- hands until he resembled an OK.
pert bartender mixing drinks. This
completed 10 his entire satisfaction, he
spouted out the pasteboards in a deal
OF lightning like rapidity, while Nine.
DaVezac and the old judge sat bolt
upright with astonishment. At length
an extra desperate snd we'll executed
kick from Kirby checked the old gam
blers stirring exhibition. and, covered
with confusion. be dropped several
cards to the floor and. in order to hide
his flaming cheeks. stopped and began
to miserably grope for them.
"You see." exclaimed Kirby. INV
secretary is not so experienced as be
might be. To speak confidentially. [
would have let him go last month IL
1t weren't that he is the only support
OF wife and eleven children"
81 wish | was in the lower regions"
groaned Bunce soto voce.
I'll see that you get your wish if
you don't sit up here" replied Kirby.
But soon 1t was Kirby's turn to gain
that state Of observation-disclosures for
which he had censured his partner, for
In the adjoining room Adele had COM
menced to sing. and all his thoughts
promptly went out to her, his lips
mutely repeating the words Of the
well remembered song. while his eyes
grew as dreamy and distracted as his
mind. At length. when it was his turn
to play. conscious only that he was
holding book Of cards and conse-
Quently inferring that be must be in
dulging in his bread and butter game
Of poker. he spread his hand face up
upon the table.
"Malheur" exclaimed Nine. Davezac,
aghast at this startling innovation.
HE expose his hand"
81 fear" commented the Judge, ris-
Ing and pushing back his chair, that
Colonel Moreau finds it difficult to play
cards and listen to the voice Of beau
tiful woman at the same time"
"And you cannot say that he have
not good TASTE" commented Nine. Da-
vezac. ITEMS! We adjourn, then. to
the music room. You will come, Colo
mel Moreau and monsieur the secre-
tar'%
Adele was still singing. Miss PleydeIl
accompanying her. and. drawn by the
soft harmony. NJ. yeaudry and Aaron
at length forsOOk the balcony and, as
had the others. proceeded to make
their way toward the music room.
Their goal. however. was never attain
ed. for as they stepped through the
window into the deserted drawing
room they were met by Poulette. one
OF the French niggers" She carried
small bundle made Of q knotted spot
ted handkerchief, and her manner at
tested that she was evidently laboring
under the repressed excitement Incl
dent upon discovering business not in
tended for her cognizance. In fact. she
had but completed victory over old
Group. who had perslstently annoyed
her with his attentions and, when CEN
sured for so doing by his ample wife,
had promptly and quite untruthfuIly
charged Poulette with making his life
unbearable by her unrequited affection
for his person. Since then Poulette.
smarting under the calumny, had ca
gerly sought some method of assuag-
ing her outraged feelings. and now at
Last she had secured it.