The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-06-22
CHAPTER I-continued.


averted- The profile gave the impress
sion Of utter obliviousness to the
crowded room. His English small
clothes were rather passe for the pc
Rod; and the powdered hair above a
coat Of blue broadcloth. his bun
breeches, and silk stockings thrust
into low silver-buckled shoes gave a
quaint distinction to his tall figure.
The two young men watched his
bronzed hand turning a card under
the ruby light. After a moment Jar
Wis yawned audibly and then a nudge
came between him and the Count de
AImonaster They looked down upon
the short, stout form Of Dominique.
the alderman. Behind him peered
Beluche, the restless seaman Of Car
tagena.
The artist strolled again to the bar
room. Not even the buzz Of interest
that followed a violent exclamation In
the cardroom lured him again from
his cognac. But Dominique, the alder
man, had started to his tlptoes with
curious glance at his fellow-buc-
cancer. "a voiceY he whispered, and
stared past the onlookers.
The British officer, flushed with
drink and chagrin, had leaned closer
to his opponent. do you question my
word, sir. as to the worth of the
wench? Put her upon the block at
the Rotunda tomorrow She would
fetch three thousand dollars at
Charleston; and in tits town, sir, II
YOU will find a fairer one-slave, or
free woman of color-or even among
It's reputed beauties"
There was stir; the Creole gentle
men glanced at one another darkling.
Langhorne, the consul, raised his
hand, but Sazarac had answered
slowly:
"Your pardon, sir. 1 did not know
the-the-she was a chattel. 1 own
no slaves, SIR, nor do care to wager
for one"
'sYou shall play on, sir. You have
ruined my fortunes on this river yoy-
age, and in last nights play I de-
mand my chance at retrieving. You
have Just accepted my two horses in
pledge. Now, then-this San Domingo
girl, upon the card, sir?'
Sazarac gathered the long rough
surtout about his shoulders as if to
arise. The consul whispered to the
red-faced Carr The dealer sat back
with a glance at the circle of faces.
you cannot leavev' Carr cried |
hoarsely He turned to those behind |
him: Gentlemen Is 1t customary, |
In New Orleans, for loser to be re-
fused any legitimate wager that may |
reinstate him?'
There was a murmur; 1t was the |
code at Maspero's. The stranger must
know. De Marigny whispered: He
has Sazarac there. The stranger must
playI"
The stranger glanced about. Carr
struck the table violently.
ct is my privilege, gentlemen A
card. sir The turn of one card, in
stsad Of running the deal No chance,
then, for trickeryl"
The stiffness became acute. 1t was
a bad word at Maspero's. De Marigny
expected the next instant to see the
unknown gamester fling his glove into
Carr's face. But the quiet profile did
not change. Langhorne clucked in his
throat as If the situation were intol-
erable-as If, indeed, more portentous
things than a slave girl hung on the
turn of the card
1.-THE card, then" Sazarac went on
slowly. Three thousand dollars on
the red against the bond girl"
Taken" Carr bowed. 1.-The black
will turn, gentlemen"
The dealer threw the cards in a
semicircle across the cloth. Deliber-
ately. but with a flash of his white
fingers, he picked one at random and
turned 1t up.
1t was the ace Of hearts.
The groups watched 1t curiously.
Captain Sazarac arose, threw his
cloak higher about his face, although
the day was warm, and turned to go.
The dealer, at gesture from him,
swept the notes and gold upon the |
.loth, into a leather bag. The groups
broke up with a comment here and
here; the gentlemen by the door gave
lway to the stranger as ne advanced. {
Colonel Carr had started sullenly at |
his abrupt dismissal by his victorious {
opponent. Whatever wild word was {
lpon the ruined mans lips was
.hecked by the consul's muitered 1
But Carr, too, arose, fol
owing a pace to growl over the crowd |
t the door, |
1.-THE girl, sir, will be at your dis }
,osal at the hotel at whatever hour
ou claim your property
The stranger bowed. Out In the \
he seemed like one con- i
cious that the eyes Of all New Or !
cans men Of affairs were upon him. b
ust outside the door he stopped alb b
uptly. In the shadow Of the arched {
ourtway of st. Louis street two n
quat, short figures, their heads to- r