Evening star., 1925-08-09

~ Monte Carlo, came along the
~ arcade toward Ciro'S restau
4 rant about 1890 on "a brilliant
February morning, with the
intention of ordering a table for
lunch.
He had scarcely exchanged greetings
with the maitre dhotel when he
stopped short and gazed eagerly at the
occupants of a distant and retired
table.
Something in the womans express
sion at that moment appealed to the
young mans sense of memory. He
crossed the room.
DIR Londe, isn't it-I beg your
pardon, Sir Joseph Londe, and Nurse
JUDITH"
The man who had been accosted by
the name of Londe looked steadily
at the newcomer. The woman was
smiling at him.
You are mistaken, sir" the former
declared My name is not Londe, l
am not a doctor, and l do not know
you"
The young man seemed dumb
founded.
I'm sure I beg your pardon, sir, =
he stammered.
Il may have been mistaken about
the lady. though I didn't think that
possible; but you, sir-You took my
leg off. back in Ypres, in '16; a mar
velous piece of surgery. Brookes, my
name is
"All I can say. Mr.. Brookes, is that
you are mistaken" was the uneQuiv-
oCaI response. MY name is Gray"
The young man made a somewhat
clumsy and apologetic retreat, and
took a table some distance away. The
lady was laughing at him in a childish
but very engaging fashion.
She was suddenly sober. however,
when she caught the CLINT in her hus-
bands eyes a few minutes later.
How would you like the latter
asked cruelty. ito go back to CHG
well again for the rest of your life?"
You are too clever ever to let that
happen"
"If I am left to myself, yes" he
snarled. 1T was you who insisted
upon coming here"
What about the gambling?" she
asked, with slow smile. who was
it discovered that you must VIM"
Fools have luck. The mad make
a certainty of it," he muttered
you certainly stumbled upon the
truth. You should play yourself, Ju-
dith. You are worse than | am. The
patch in your brain is bigger"
For a single moment the sweet
childishness of her expression van
ished. There were evil things in her
face-hatred, which fiared to meet
his.
A revealing moment carrying with
it long trail of "reminiscences. 1t
passed. She laughed lightly.
You were wrong to have sent the
young man away" she remarked
You might have dealt with him more
safely"
They wandered to the Sporting
Club later, to all appearance a nor
NAL couple, harmless. stalwart, mid
dle-aged husband with a beautiful
young wife.
Women envied her clothes and her
manner of wearing them. Men asked
for her smiles. She was subtly aware
of both and insidiously responsive to
the latter
Il am going to play high" Londe
told her. 1T may be our last chance. y
She sighed.
1T will break my heart to 60" she
declared.
I'VE should never have come" he
rejoined.
"a totally sane person of normal
intelligence, like Daniel Rookie. is usu-
ally easy enough to outWit. but once
in ten times he may blunder his way
to success. I am uneasy since Brookes
recognized me-"
He played for half an hour on the
even chances in maXimumS. Grad
ually his pile grew.
When he became conspicuous he
changed his table He had no fancy
for the limelight in which the large
winner sits.
The wheel spun on to its destiny,
the hand that guided it beyond the
comprehension of man. The warning
cry of "Rien ne va plus" preceded the
little click of the falling ball by only
a few seconds.
.'OuatOrZe. rouge ct pair, the crou-
piers monotonous voice announced.
Londe collected his winnings, drop
ped a mile note in the bolte and
strolled away. In a corner OF the
bar he found Judith. For a single
moment his lips closed tight and there
was a glitter in his eyes. She was
seated side-by side with the young
man who had accosted them in Gro s
II have been telling Mr.. Brookes
that you would like to speak to him,
she remarked. How opulent you
seem. Can l have the ermine wrap"
II have been winning. Get the
ermine wrap if you want it
He handed her a packet of notes.
She sprang up with the eager cry OF
a child.
Joseph you are adorable. l will
meet you here at T." =
She forgot to say goodbye to the
young man. He seemed suddenly TO
have lost all interest for her. She
moved across the room, divlnely
graceful, a happy, beautiful young
woman. without a care in the world
Brookes seemed. almost stupetied
He gazed after her until she had
passed out of sight.
Nurse Judith he muttered. I'm
possible
Nevertheless, true" Londe OBJ
served, calmly. Il desire to offer you
my apologies. I am Sir Joseph Londe
and it was | who operated on you
in the field hospital behind Ypres.'
Il was sure of it, the young man
declared But why
Stop" Londe interrupted Il de-
sire to ask you question. Have
YOU mentioned meeting me TO a soul
in Monte Carlo?"
Il haven't spoken to Il soul here, .
"A