The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

princess passed BROOKE and paused TO
whisper in his ear.
at is the beginning of the endi He
has lost half his winnings. He will stay
until he has recovered them"
The next day Brooke played golf
above the clouds at La Turbie and dined
with some friends at Cap Martin in the
evening. He looked in at the Sporting
Club only for an hour on the following
afternoon, but there were no signs of
either the princess or Hardways.
He found a note from her, however,
at his hotel, inviting him to a supper
party that night at her rooms. He ac-
cepted, owing to some faint curiosity
which he could not help feeling as to
the fate of the man Hardways.
The company was small but select-a
Russian grand duke, a couple of very
well-known French actresses, an Eng
lishman with whom Brooke was ac-
luainted. and an American whose yacht
was IN the harbor.
There was no sign of Hardways.
Brooke, who was sitting near his host
ess, whispered an inquiry about him to-
ward the close of the meal Once more
that peculiar smile he had never wholly
understood played for a moment upon
her lips.
1T is finished" she murmured. 1T
was difficult, for the mans luck at start
ing was prodigious. 1t is all over now,
though"
Almost as she uttered the words some
one pushed on one side the footman
who was entering the room. Hardways
himself stood there-a broken. detected.
yet threatening figure. He was still in
morning dress. He looked as though
he had neither washed nor touched his
hair for many hours. He glared at them
all.
Princess" he called out, 'T want to
speak to you at once"
She turned her head and looked at
him.
"Gustaye." she directed, you had bet
ter remove that person. He has not the
entree here
"Entree be damnedP Hardways
shouted. ITS your fault I'm in this
mess. The fellow you introduced to
cash my checks has stripped me- I'm
ruinedl l tell you I'm not going back
to face it Lend me few mile. Let
me have one more try. If you don't,
I'll shoot myself here"
He actually drew a pistol from his
pocket. Not a soul moved
will you lend me FIVE mille?" he
cried. "If any one tries to take this
away from me I'll shoot him first An
swer|
The princess answer was a laugh.
She had lowered her lorgnette and sa.
there, exquisite, maddening. laughing
even with her eyes.
But the man is mad" she declared.
Mad with presumption, too, to cross
my threshold. Shoot yourself by all
means, dear NJ. Hardways. Others
have done it before you"
The silence which followed her words
seemed to have become possessed of
quality intensely, breathlessly dramatic
One felt that the mans finger had stiff
ened upon the trigger of his pistol. Sud-
denly Brooke rose to his feet and walk
ed calmly across the room.
Give me that" he said quietly.
Hardways hesitated, and that mo-
ment's hesitation weakened him. He
was trembling now like child. Brooke
took the pistol from him and thrust it
into his pocket. I
Not even grain of pluck leftI" the
princess remarked scathingly. Throw
MS into the street. Gustave. See that
We are not disturbed again"
The servants, brave enough now,
rushed him out. The princess turned
round once more to the supper table.
"A most impossible person." she de-
clared. Il was unfortunate enough to
nave made his acquaintance when was
4 girl, and he has made himself nui-
'ance to me. That, however. is ended
now. Let US go into the salon and
olay"
Two days later Brooke met the prin-
:ess in the hall at the Paris. She beck
,ned him to her.
Il want to speak to you,' she said.
Il am at your service. princess" he
-eplied. o.
She moved toward the lift and they
to the fourth floor. She con-
ulted the number of the key which she
vas carrying and led him to a room at
he end of the corridor. 1t was a small
Ipartment with windows looking out
lpon the back. There was a heap of
Masculine clothing upon the bed. The I
Dom had apparently been vacated in a ;
urry. Upon the mantelpiece were some {
I
at is Mr.. Hardwsys' room," she re-
marked. /
Brooke nodded.
aIIrL,t has becor,e ~ hin, ;" :