The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1914-07-01
An American
Lady Of Lyons
By RUTH GRAHAM

Something similar happened recently in
Paris to Betsy Baker of South Dakota.
Betsy, who hadn't much idea of
proprieties except such as she had
learned in Dakota, went abroad all by
herself and. rather liking Nice. spent
good deal Of time there. She fell
in with some very nice persons and
some who were not very nice They
were all pretty much the same to
Betsy-at least. they appeared to be-
for she seemed to have no power Of
discrimination between classes.
Two young Parisians. Jacques Gau-
tier and Edmond Villiers. comparing
notes. discovered that they had both
proposed to Miss Baker and had been
turned down. Whether or not they had
seen the Lady of Lyons" played and
taken their cue from it doesn't appear.
but they concluded to foist a spurious
nObleman on Betsy. They selected
crOupier at a gambling house who had
found his employment on account of a
very distinguished appearance and a
meliitluouS voice, the latter being
advantageous in calling upon players
to make their bets and the winning
numbers. They introduced him to Bet
81 as Count CharbOulier, member of
one of the oldest families in France.
1t is quite possible that had Betsy
been fancy free the croupier might
have deceived her as to his real posi-
don and won her; but. unfortunately
for the plan, she was already pledged
70 Jack Rowland. young New Yorker.
who had taken fancy to ranching
and had spent much of his time on his
property in the neighbOrhoOd of Bet
sy'S home in Dakota. He had fallen
desperately in love with her. and, while
aware of the fact that she was not of
the conventional type Of girl to whom
he had been accustomed in the east, he
was only too happy when she consent
ed to marry him. She therefore re-
fused the croupier. and since be had
nothing to gain by persistence and
must have living he went over to
Monte Carlo. where he had been en-
plOyed before being introduced to Bet
sy. and resumed his calling.
Rowland Joined his fancee at Nice.
and the two made a trip to Monte
Carlo, where they saw the bogus count
presiding at the gaming table. Betsy
recognized him at once and told her
lover of the trick that had been played
on her by the Messrs. Gautier and
Villiers
That's the best joke l ever expert
enced." she said, laughing merrily.
Joke! You don't call such vii
famous scheme a joker"
'Of course | do. But l must get it
back on them. Let me see. How shall
L manage it?''
For heavens sake. I'd let them
alone"
Not L till i have paid them in their
own coin.
approached the croupier. giving his
mOnotonous call: Make your bets
Make your bets. Red or bIack?"
How do. count?" she said.
The croupier looked up and. seeing
her. turned red as a cocks comb.
Come and see me. count
The man looked as if be would break
for the door. but made no reply.
Come tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock. Don't fail me. You have
nothing to fear and something to earn
quite easily
The next morning Antoine Boyer.
which was his real name. presented
himself to Betsy and was offered 1000
francs to aid her in turning the tables
on the men who had introduced him IT,
her. Returning to Nice. she sent word
to Gautier and VillierS that if they
would come and see her she would in
troduce them to her fiance. They. be
ing ignorant of what had recently
TRANSFERRED. wondered if their game had
succeeded. Repairing to Miss Bakers
hotel. they found her with an Ameri
can. whom she introduced TO them.
and the croupier.
You know the count of course and
there is no use for me to make you ac
luainted. Count. stand up there and
exhibit your fine voice to the gentle
men,
Boyer arose and. posing himself. be-
gan to make the calls pertaining to
roulette table. The two conSpirators
looked at each other in CONSERVATION
There was no installing the sOnOrous
SingsODg manner in which the profeS-
sional makes these calls. When he
had gone over the same routine several
times Betsy turned to Gautier and vii
Iiers and said:
Il promised to present you to my
6ance This is he-Mr. Rowland. from
America
They bowed in constrained manner |
20 Mr.. Rowland and appeared at the
same time to be looking for an exit.
Gentlemen said Rowland impa- |
IDENTITY. I'VE have had enough of this |
farce. have yielded reluctantly to
Miss Bakers desire to pay you for !
your ,:astardly trick in her own way i
A good cowhiding would have been |
more appropriate. You needn't remain |
any longer. and recommend that you
both keep out of my way lest give |
you punishment more in keeping with
your deserts"
The two men withdrew. cringing. |