The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-05-02
individual pride and spirit in the poise

>>eseeH~~><eAese~~~ese s~eAe<~~e.rAe~>~S"~
individual pride and spirit in the poise
of her head, that O'Rourke could have
sworn he knew. He was conscious
that he flushed suddenly, that his
heart was pounding. He made as If to
rise and follow, but was prevented, al
most forced back by hand which the
Austrian in his feverish interest had
unconsciously placed on the Irish
mans shoulder.
Monsieur monsieur!" he gasped.
his eyes, protruding, fixed upon the
wheel. Beads of sweat glistened ON
his forehead. He trembled as though
his own fortunes hung on the change.
Impressed, O'Rourke could not for
bear to linger, to cast reluctant
glance at the table.
The size Of his pile of gold and
notes on the red was a somewhat
startling sight to him. His breath
stopped in his throat. The ivory sphere
was rafting over the compartments
to it's predestined place. What II ne
were to win? O'Rourke began to cal
culate mentally how much he had at
stake, how much he might win If his
careless prediction that red would turn
up the seventh time should come true
lost his bearings in maze of intri-
cate computation and was on the
point of abandoning the problem when
black was called.
Great God!" painted the Austrian,
withdrawing his hand.
O'Rourke rose. 1.-The fortunes OF
war, me friend,' said he with laugh
so enforced that it sounded unnatu-
raj. He strobe away hastily, search
ing the throng in the lobby for her
with whom his mind was occupied to
the exclusion of all else.
The system-gambler followed him
with stare of incredulous amaze
ment. What mani" said he
to himself, if half aloud. A second
later he added: What admirable act
ing!"
But he was mistaken. There was
nothing assumed in O'Rourke's air OF
apathy He was actually quite indif-
ferent and already preoccupied with
his new interest-the pursuit of the
woman whose unexpected appearance
| in Monte Carlo seemed likely to upset
all his calculations. The sails OF the
barque of his fortunes had all his
life long been trimmed to the winds
of Chance; he was accustomed to see
ing them fall fiat and Tapping, empty,
Just when a venture seemed most
propitious. The loss of the money
was nothing; the initial amount had
been little enough in all conscience
though the major part of all that ne
possessed; but to him the woman was
everything-the world and all.
And now she was gone, had disap
peared with her companions! In that
instant in which he had turned from
her to the table, she had made her es
cape.
He cursed roundly the weakness
that had lost her to him, and passing
rapidly through the lobby, left the
Casino, pausing before the entrance
to look right and left.
There was no sign of what HI
sought; the party had vanished. Ant
who should say whittier?
"Damnation!" he grumbled
"Monsieur," voice intruded at hi
side.
HE turned with start, annoyed
"Well?" he demanded CURLY, recogniz
ing De Trebes.
The Frenchman bowed. Il have tn
| %, II N01Nna
O'Rourke?"
Rejecting that the man might al
ford him the information he sought
O'Rourke unbent. Il am he. Monsieu
des Trebes."
Surprised, the latter lifted his eye
brows, showing even white teeth in
deprecatory smile. you know me
monsieur"
by sight and reputation only. NOR
sieur."
II am honored."
mo more than meself, If it comes t
that"
The vicomte laughed Then ma
presume to ask the favor of wor
with you?"
Are ye not having 1t, monsieur?
"True But in private?"
zone moment. Ye can do me
favor, If We will. Afterwards"
II am charmed"
} "'Tis not much I'll be asking ye-
merely question or two. Now the
gentleman We were talking with awhil
back: isn't he the Honorable BERT
) Glynn?"
, The same, monsieur"
, And the lady who spoke
him."
, Madame Smyth-Herriott, believe
/ know her only slightly"
} "Then We are not Of their party?"
, "Party?" Des Trebes appeared pc
, picked. what party?"
? why. Lady Plinlimmon's.
: course"
: II have not the honor of that lady
r acquaintance, monsieur"