The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-08-09

most fit" and happy-go-lucky mar
in the world.
He was as erect as 4 soldier, and
carried himself with the unconscious
grace of an athlete The foolish
course of life which had set its hall
mark on so many of the men in
the room had as yet craven nc
lines in his face nor turned its
healthful hue to pallor He was
young, of extraordinary physical
/ strength and of the bright and
cheerful temperament which had
come to him from the strain of
Celtic blood in the great Desb sbor.
ough family. As yet, he had stretch
ed out his hand to the cup of pleas
ure with a laugh of careless en-
joyment; it would remain for Time
to show whether he would later
snatch at it with the snarl of fe-
verish despair which is born nf sa-
tiety.
1t may be safely said that Ron
aid Desborough, or Rounie, as he
was called by his nnumerable
friends, was one of the most pop
ularmen in Society Alas, popular
ity, like all other forms of success
has its penalties; he had got into
a fast set and he moved. joyously.
unthinkingly, in it, the swiltest of
the swift He was a member of the
Ace OF Spades Club, not because
he loved cards, hut because he had
been insensibly drawn into it; the
horrid vice of gambling had really
no charm for him; he loved a
horse-race for its own sake, WIS
good at most of the sports all strong
men delight in and was far happier
tramping over the turnips with
gun, or throwing a fly in a Scottis
stream, than sitting on summers
evening in darkened room playing
cards; and, whether he won or lost
this evening, his temper woull, re-
main unruffled, his pulse unstirred.
Sorry I'm late he said cheer
fully as he and his partner stood
beside their chairs
Lydstone looked up with scowl.
Been waiting here no end of a
time, he said sullenly. Thought
punctuality was rule of this Club"
80 it is, believe" said Ronnie.
1.-The fact is, Brandon and | drove
that new pair of his down to Rich
mond, meaning to have bit of
dinner there and get back in plenty
of time for our appointment with
you; but the nags got bit wild.
and We had trifing accident;
SHE'D at German band I'd wonder
and turned over the apple cart
How do you do, Princcss?" She had
come forward to the able and seat
ed herself, and was looking at him,
looking over him, with a kind Of
furtive apprehension mo one hurt!'
he fastened to adj, we picked up
the pieces and got back all right:
but late, of course. We're most
awfully sorry. Let's cut for deal.
Yours, Lydstone. Usual stakes. |
suppose?-Bring some wine, please
They began to play. Lydstone and
Brandon with keen and rigid careful
ness; Ronald Desborough in the
smiling and debonair fashion with
which he played all games, the
Princess with her usual timdity and
barely concealed nervousness. The
luck was with Desborough and
Brandon from the start Brandon
playeI well, and did not let a trick
slip, Lydstone's narrow face grew
darker his thin lips twitched.
stared at the center of the table,
only raising his moody eyes to scowl
at his wife, who gradually grew
paler and obviously more nervous.
Once or twice he rebuked her. in
low voice like the snarl of a dog,
for some mistake; and on one of
the occasions he was doing so she
had glanced at Ronald Desborough
with, perhaps, an unconscious appeal
in her blue eyes. He caught the
glance, but of course, he could say
nothing.
The Lydstones' luck, joined to the
Princess's faulty play. continued;
and presently at the end of a rub
Der, Desborough said, in casual
way:
Shall We drop it now? You've
had shameful luck, Lydstone, and
both you and Lady Lydstone must
be sick of it. We will give you your
revenge anOt her NIGHT. oh pra,