The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-03-29

with whom his mind was occupied to
the exclusion OF all else.
The system-gambler followed him
with a stare Of incrcdulous amaze
ment. What a man" 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 ~preoccnpied 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
baFQue Of his fortunes had all his
life long been trimmed TO the winds
Of Chance; he was accustomed to see
ing them fall fat 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 wGs
eyerythlng-the world and all.
And now she was gone, had disap.
pearcd with her companions! In that
instant in which he had turned from
her to the table. she had made her es.
I 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 a voice intruded at his
side.
He turned with a start. annoyed.
"Well?" he demanded CURLY. ~recogniz-
ing De Trcbes.
The Frenchman bowed, Il have the
honor to address Monsieur lie Colonel
ORourke?"
Rejecting that the man might at.
ford him the Information he sought,
O'Rourke unbent. q am he, Monsieur
des TTebes."
Surprised, the latter lifted his eye.
brows, showing cvc white teeth in a
]dcprecltory smile. You know me
monsieur"
by sight and reputation only, mon.
sieur."
Il am honored."
NO more than meself, If It comes to
that"
The Jlcomtc laughed Then I may
presume to ask the favor Of n word
with you?"
Are ye not having it, monsicur?'
True But in priyate?"
"One moment. Yo can do me a
favor, If ye will Aftcrwards-"
Il am charmed"
"'Tfs not much III be asking ye-
merely a question or two. Now that
gentleman ye were talking with awhile
back: isn't be the Honorable Berthe
Glynn?"
THE same, monsieur"
And the lady who spoke to
him"
Madame Smyth-Herriott / believe;
know her only slightly"
Then We are not Of their party?"
Party" Des Trebes appeared per,
picked. What party?"
why, Lady PIinlimmon's, OF
course"
Il have not the honor OF that Iady's
acquaintance. monsieur"
"Oh. ye have not? But Mir. GlynnY"
rs here with me, monsieur-a fly.
ing trip. We ran down from Paris but
yesterday. Our meeting with Madame
Smyth- Herriott was quite accidental"
"Oh, the divyIe!" said OROurke be,
meath his breath. Plainly he might
expect nothing more helpful from this
man; be had jumped prematurely at a
baBeless conclusion, It seemed And
by now It was much too late 10 think
Of further pursuit. That Is all |
wished to know, monsieur" he admit
ted lamely. There was a lady in the
group whom ! thought | recognized.
| wished to find her, and Iancied ye
might perhaps direct me. Ye didn't
by any chance happen to hear Mrs.
Smyth. HerTiOt say where she was go.
ing with Mr.. Glynn?"
"Unhappily. no, monsieur"
Very well then. What can I have
the happiness to serve ye in?"
The Frenchman hesitated briefly.
This Is a trife public" he suggest,
ed. "WiIl you not be kind enough to
walk with me a little distance, while
we converse? 2"
GLADLY, monsieur"
Des Trebes produced a cigarette case,
and together, smoking, the two turned
their backs upon the casino and wan.
dered off along the paths Of the ter.
raced gardens. Ever de2cending. they
came at length to the secluded, little
lighted and less frequented portions Of
the grounds which border the water.
front, and presently sat side by side
upon a bench, looking out wei the
harbor. Then and then only did Des
Trebes approach his subject-some.
thing which he had until now gtudious.
ly avoided, ~distracting the not over.
patient Irishman by a falling fire OF
banalities.
II dare say. Colonel O'Rourke," he
suggested abandoning his mother
tongue for excellent English-"1 dare
say you are wondering"
Il am that"
Il feared SO. But 1t was essential
that we should speak In privacy"
Yes"
But before ! proceed, may ! put you
a question or two bordering, perhaps,