The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-01-05

inulNiuuai pride and spirit In TIE 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 II 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 q somewhat
startling sight to him. His breath
stopped in his throat. The ivory sphere
was rafting over the compartments
to its predestined place. What II he
we're to win? O'Rourke began to cal.
culate mentally how much he had at
stake, how much he might win II his
careless prediction that red would turn
Up the seventh time should come true
lost his bearings in q maze Of intri.
,ate computation and was on the
point of abandoning the problem when
black was called.
Great Cod" painted the Austrian,
withdrawing his hand.
O'Rourke rose. The fortunes of
war, me friend" said he with a laugh
10 enforced that 1t sounded unnatu.
al. He strobe away hastily, search.
ng the throng In the lobby for her
with whom his mind was occupied to
he exclusion of all else.
The system-gambler followed him
with a stare Of incredulous amaze.
nent. what q mani" said he
o himself, If half aloud. A second
ater he added: what admirable act.
ng!"
But he was mistaken. There was
,othing assumed in O'Rourke's air of
Ipathy. He was actually quite indif-
erent and already preoccupied with
lis new interest-the pursuit Of the
woman whose unexpected appearance
n Monte Carlo seemed likely to upset
Ill his calculations. The sails of the
,arQue 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 he
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 he
sought: the party had vanished. And
who should say whittier?
"Damnation!" he grumbled.
Monsieur" voice intruded at his
side.
He turned with a start. annoyed
"Well?" he demanded curtly, recognize
ing De Trebes.
The Frenchman bowed. 81 have the
honor to address Monsieur lie Colonel
O'Rourke?"
Rejecting that the man might af-
ford him the Information he sought.
O'Rourke unbent. 81 am he, Monsieur
des Trebes."
Surprised, the latter lifted his eye
brows. showing even white teeth in a
smile. "You know me,
"By sight and reputation only. mon
sieur."
81 am honored."
mo more than meself. IL 1t comes to
that"
4uc NiCOntc louSucu AHcu may
presume to ask the favor of a word
with you?"
"Are We not having 1t. monsieur"
"True But In private?"
zone moment. Ye can do mo q
favor, If We will. Afterwards"
81 am charmed"
"'Tis not much I'll be asking ye-
merely question or two. Now that
gentleman We were talking with awhile
back: isn't he the Honorable BERTHE
Glynn?"
''The same, monsieur"
sand the lady who spoke to
him."
Madame Smyth-Herriott. l believe;
know her only slightly"
"Then We are not of their party"
"Party?" Des Trebes appeared per.
picked. "What party?"
"Why. Lady Plinlimmon's, of
Il have not the honor of that lady's
monsieur"
ooh, We have not? But Mr.. Glynn?"
SIS here with me. monsieur--a fly.
Ing trip. We ran down from Paris but
yesterday. Our meeting with Madame
was quite accidental"