The Elbert County tribune., 1912-02-23


sworn he knew. He was conscious
that he flushed suddenly. that his
heart was pounding. He made us 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, monsieurl" 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 tho compartments
to its predestined place. What IL he
we're to win? ORourke 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 a maze of intri-
cate computation and was on the
point Of abandoning the problem when
black was called.
Great Godl" painted the Austrian.
withdrawing his hand.
O'Rourke rose. THE fortunes of
1 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
ingi"
But he was mistaken. There was
nothing assumed in O'Rourkes 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 he
possessed; but to him the woman was
eyerything-the world and ALL
And now she was gone. had disap-
| Mo- xxtftt
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" a voice intruded at his
side.
He turned with start, annoyed.
"Well?" he demanded curtly, recogniz-
ing De Trebes.
The Frenchman bowed. 81 have the
honor to address Monsieur le Colonel
O'Rourke?'
Rejecting that the man might af.
ford him the information he sought,
O'Rourke unbent. II am he Monsieur
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. II 1t comes to
that"
The ,icomte laughed Then I may
presume to ask the favor of a word
with your"
Are ye not having It, monsieur"
True But In private?"
One moment. Ye can do me a
favor. II ye will. Afterwards"
Il am charmed"
"Tis not much I'll be asking ye-
merely a question or two. Now that |
gentleman ye were talking with awhile
back: isn't he the Honorable Bertie
Glynn?"
The same. monsieur"
And the lady who spoke to
him"
Madame Smyth-Herriott. believe:
know her only slightly"
Then ye are not Of their party?"
"Party?" Des Trebes appeared per-
picked. What party?"
why. Lady Plinlimmon's. of
course
Il have not the honor of that lady's
acquaintance, monsieur"
"Oh. ye have notf But Mr.. Glynn?"
rs here with me. monsieur-a fly. |
Ing trip. We ran down from Paris but