The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

of Mr.. Stanley Brooke"
Princess" said he, Il think that if l
were Godfrey Hardways and you
looked at me as you looked at him just
now, would leave Monte Carlo"
Very slightly her lips moved. 1t was
scarcely a smile, yet it seemed in some
way an indication of her satisfaction
with his reply.
WHO knows" she murmured softly,
but that you are right?"
She rose to her feet and left him.
Very slowly she continued her peram-
bulation of the room. She passed on
until she stood at the other side of the
tables. She came to a standstill imme-
diately behind Godfrey Hardways.
Brooke caught glimpse of her face
white, and with a somber shadow
upon it-over his shoulder. Then he
saw her fingers touch his arm, saw him
turn around to receive brilliant smile
of welcome. They stood talking togeth-
er. Finally they moved away.
Brooke, upon whom the incident had
left slightly unpleasant sensation. rose
and made his way to the bar. where he
found an easy chair and made himself
comfortable with a whisky and soda
and cigarette. He had scarcely been
there five minutes when the woman en-
tered, with Hardways by her side. There
were several empty places on the other
side of the room, but after a moments
hesitation she led the way to where
Brooke was sitting.
Tired of the game already, my
friend?" she asked Brooke. Let me
present an old friend of mine whom l
have Unexpectedly discovered here-Mr.
Hardways, Mr.. Brooke"
The two men shook hands. Hard
ways, although passable enough in ap-
pearance, was a little nervous and obvi-
ously not wholly in touch with his sur
roundings.
"All new to me, this. you know" he
admitted moment or two later. as they
sat together. Until l met-met the
princess just now, was feeling rather
out of it. I've never been on the
Riviera before in my life"
You play, suppose?"
Don't understand the game I play
little bridge at home"
The Riviera and its life" the prin-
cess said calmly, "are all new to Mr..
Hardways. He is disposed to be en-
thusiastic-why not? After all, there
is little else like If, especially for those
who love gambling. We must teach
you to play roulette or chemin de fer.
Mr.. Hardways."
"1f only l could afford it." Hardways
muttered, gazing admiringly at his
companion, I'D like to have a plunge"
Brooke made his excuses a few min
utes later and left the two together.
Somehow the incident of meeting them
continued to affect him In slightly un-
pleasant maner. He felt a return of
the same feeling when, the next even
ing, he came face to face suddenly with
Hardways near one of the roulette ta-
bles. The latter greeted him vocifer-
ously.
Hello" he exclaimed. Come and
have drink. Look here what I've
won! Never saw such luck in my life
The princess stood behind me all the
time-must have been my mascot l
think. l had three en- pleins in six
turns of the wheel"
Brooke walked with him to the bar.
In sense he did so against his own
inclinations, for the man failed to at
tract him in any way. Yet he felt an
interest, the nature of which he could
scarcely define Hsrdwsys was talking
all the time.
by Jovep he continued. 81 really
think l am in luck! Never been in the
place before, you know. Never under
stood the game until the princess ex-
planned it. l only came to the club by .
accident Chap 1 Travelled with in the
train advised me to-"
Where are you staying?" Brooke ,
asked for the sake of making conversa-
ton.
up at one of those little hotels on
the hill, Hardways replied, mentioning
The name of a second-rate hostelry. Il >
amt run to the swagger places. I've .
got wife and family to look after, and .
ny profession-Pm an architect, you 8
Inow-doesn't mean big things at any
ime. By Jove, what life out here, +
hough! How the people do enjoy y
themselves! Whisky and soda, chr"
Brooke nodded, and they sat down
ogether. The princess was standing =
alI<ing to some meu on the threshold
# the baccarat room. Hardways' ex- I
'ression, as he watched her, was al r
most fatuous. He stroked his mustache
omplacently. 9
"Loveliest woman I ever saw in my +
ifc!" he exclaimed. do you know" L
e went on confdentially, She's an old
al of mine, the princess. 1 knew her
ghen she was little governess in Win $