The Bourbon news., 1912-01-05

AAiS OWu 1oi tulCo huu6 on INC CuahSO.
Impressed. O'Rourke could not for
bear to inger, to cast a 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 rattling over the compartments
to its predestined place. What IL he
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 a 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. "The fortunes of
war, me friend" said he with laugh
so unforced 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 a stare of incredulous amaze
ment. what a mani" said he
to himself, if half aloud. A second
later he added: What admirable act
ing!"
But he was mistaken. There was
occrD,oJ ir oir 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
| lust 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 world and all.
| And now she was gone. had dlsap-
| 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 ne
sought; the party had vanished. Ano
who should say whittier?
"Damnation! he grumbled
4 Monsieur" a voice intruded at nj:
side.
'He turned with start, annoyed
''Well?" he demanded curtly, recogniz
ing De Trebes.
The Frenchman bowed. Il have thu
honor to address Monsieur lie Colone
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, mon
. sieur."
Il am honored"
/ mo more than meself. if it comes t
that"
q The vicomte laughed Then l ma
u presume to ask the favor Of wor
y with you?"
'Are We not having it, monsieur
"True But in private?'
zone moment. Ye can do me.
favor, If We will. Afterwards"
Il am charmed"
q "'Tis not much I'll be asking ye-
q merely a question or two. Now tia
IS gentleman We were talking with awhil
IS back: isn't he the Honorable Bert
}; Glynn?"
e "The same, monsieur"
IL "And the lady who spoke
him."
T. Madame Smyth-Herriott, believe
et l know her only slightly
"Then We are not of their party?"
N "Party?" Des Trebes appeared pc
picked. What party?"
n why, Lady Plinlimmon's,
rs course"
at Il have not the honor of that lady
le acquaintance, monsieur"
ed "Oh, ye have not? But Mr.. Glynn
ra 'Ts here with me, monsieur fl
n ing trip. We ran down from Paris b
1p yesterday. Our meeting with MADAM
Smyth-Herriott was quite accidental
ooh, the divvlei" said O'Rourke b
meath his breath. Plainly he mig
ne expect nothing more helpful from tn
man; he had jumped prematurely at
10 baseless conclusion, it seemed. Al
lg, by now it was much too late to thil
m. of further pursuit. THAT is all
es. wished to know. monsieur" he adm
rs tea Iamely. There was lady in I
hS group whom l thought l recognize
OK I wished to find her. and fancied