The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25
HR. LAXwORTHY took an in
Y telligent interest in the gam
vi bling at Monte Carlo. On the
day of his arrival he wandered

day Of his arrival he wandered
from table to table. keenly interested In
watching the different systems OF gam.
bling and the physiognomies OF the
players.
II was not until he had been in the
rooms for over two hours that he ven.
tured a bet on his own account, which
he promptly lost. greatly to his disgust
After that his interest waned for q
time and he finally left the rooms and
sat by himself before one of the small
round tables Of the Cafe de Paris, wher,
ne arranged his shawl about his shout.
ders and ordered a pot of English break.
CAST tea.
1t was precisely at this moment thai
Mr.. Laxwo-thy's character as "A man III
gallantry was finally established. In.
side the rooms. half an hour before. h,
had been dimly conscious Of the smile
Of woman from the other side of tn,
table, a good looking woman with O
mass Of red hair. long lace Goa,
and little Pomeranian under her arm
They had brushed against one another
at the door. and his apology had beer
answered little more graciously. per.
haps than the occasion demanded. She
was walking past him now. very slowly
and as she passed she glanced will
amusement at Mr.. I.axworthy's shaw
and teapot.
Monsieur feels the cold?" she muir.
INJURED, with a smile.
Mr.. Laxworthy rose at once to hi.
feet
without the society of madame" hi
replied. raising his hat. "To offer tea
perhaps. to a lady so essentially Pari
sian would be clumsy. but there are
other refreshments II madame woult
CondesCend."
Madame sank into the chair by hi.
side.
Madame was disposed to take som,
coffee She declined a lipueur. however
and Mr.. Laxworthy found himself agree
ably surprise. by her voice and man
ner.
ut seems strange" she remarked. "tc
talk with any one who finds anything
new here. For ten seasons have spent
three months of the year here. Can you
understand that am little weary?"
"You play" Mr. Laxworthy asked.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"What can one do? ! risk few loui.
and II lose ! leave of. 1t is not at the
tables that the big gambling is done II
Monte Carlo"
81 have been given to understand
Mr.. Laxworthy said. that a great man,
people go instead to the Sporting Club.
She smiled.
"There Is high play at the Sporting
Club" she admitted. "but there are pri
vate houses in Monte Carlo where ont
may see the most extraordinary gam
bling in the world"
"You interest me- Mr.. LaXworthy de-
clared. Il must admit that | find thu
study OF people engaged in gaming par
ticularly interesting. l am in my small
way a student of humanity and th'
effects OF gambling upon certain types
OF character are more than interesting.
"You are among those who think.
she murmured, looking at him out %
her soft brown eyes. "Please go on an'
tell me about yourself. You are reall!
q stranger here and you are interested
in your fellow creatures?"
THAT is entirely my position" he as
sured her.
You are alone in Monte Carlo?" sh,
asked.
with two friends" he replied "als
Englishmen."
"They are like you-personable? sh
asked. Forgive me. but l ask for {
reason"
Mr.. Laxworthy pointed them on,
They were on the steps of the Casin
looking about them. She raised he
lorgnette and approved.
every good" she declared. Nov yo
must give me your card and presen
your friends. Then If it pleases you
shall give you the opportunity of SEEM
things in this place which may interes
Won I have the antrpp n a hplea " her
play takes place every night for stake
far exceeding anything you can see i
the ordinary way. l will take you an
your friends there tonight If you prom
Use that you will not talk about you
visit"
Madame" Mr.. Laxworthy replied. e
is promise easy indeed for me
make. / never betray a confidence"
"Your friends are coming" she re
piled. you shall present me. My nam
is De Clery-Mme. de Clery, remem
ber."
Anderson and Sydney duly arrived
and were duly presented. Whatevs
surprise they may have felt at seein
their chief in such company they e
fectually concealed. Madame had with
out doubt the power to charm, and fl
ten minutes or quarter of an hot
they sat together at the little rour
table talking gayly. She rose at las
almost regretfully.
I'VE are to meet again tonight" ST
said. THAT will be really somethir
for me to look forward to, for so mar
Of my friends are away just now thi
] am even a little lonely. At what no,
would you care to go? VIII II OcloC
be too early?"