Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-12

money, and again the croupier made
his monotonous announcement:
"Suivi," Hargrave responded.
He found himself with two tens.
demanded card. and was given an
other ten. Trentino threw down a
six. The faintest of smiles was part
ing his lips. Again the cards were
dealt Hargrave drew one, and
found himself with a seven. Trentino
hesitated. He held a five and his
draw was a volente. He elected to
draw and turned up a three. Har
grave paid and rose to his feet.
Once more" Trentino invited.
Hargrave shook his head.
Congratulations" he said. II
fancy that your luck may have
changed
Violet was alone with him for q
moment while they waited for the
cars She suddenly grasped his hand
do you know. I think it's wonder
full" she exclaimed. Il like 1t. /
think it's amazing. I hated that luck
of yours There was something
wrong about it."
As a matter of fact" he conf1ded.
taking her arm as the car drew up
Madame la Comtesse has lost all
interest in me. She declared that 1
was no longer fey"
Hargrave, as he took his place IN
the box with the rest of his guests.
leaned back in his chair, looked out
upon the Individually brilliant scene
and felt some faint return Of tn
mornings depression. The dancing
had already commenced, but It was
impeded by the large number of pee
pie crowding the place for seats to
view the spectacles. 1t seemed to him
FL of
he was. that the whole much -adver
tised phantasma goria of hilarity wa
struggling against surfeit of pleas.
ure, that the real light-heartednes:
of expectancy, savoring life and find
ing 1t good. was absent. Violet alone
was one Of the noticeable exceptions
She rose to her feet with Joy when
Hargrave invited her to dance. and
moved as though her feet scarcel,
touched the ground.
II am so happy tonight" she de-
clared. II have the feeling that
something has happened, that all this
Is going to turn into something real
II wonder why tonight, Of all
nights?" he reflected.
Il don't know what started it," she
answered. THE princess not coming
to dinner, perhaps. and then I was
1T was your loss, too" he reminded
her.
II don't mind about that" she said.
II can't help it, but there does seem
70 have been something uncanny
about the way you gambled and al
ways Won"
you're not suggesting any unpleas-
ant associations in connection with
me, trust?"
"Of course. not Only they say that
so many unhappy or unfortunate peo-
pie. the people upon whose lives some
curse lies. are always lucky at games
Of chance"
you've been talking to Fedora
Fayaldi, or else you've been imbibing
some OF the superstitions Of the
place." he told her.
Perhaps So" she confessed. II
suppose we all do get a little fanciful
here"
Even in this, your paradise?"
Even in paradise, ! suppose there
are byways II one chooses to look for
them"
Dancing became a farce, and they
returned presently to the box,
thronged now with visitors. There
was a ballet to watch upon the stage
champagne being served at every pos
sible corner, dancing en- masse to the
strains OF music almost drowned by
the clamor Of voices. AS q spectacle
1t became more and more marvellous
every moment.
Come and jog around" Pellingham
invited Violet.
She shook her head.
"a little later. please"
"The crowd will only get worse" he
protested.
ITO tell you tho truth" she con
, flded. II want to keep my frock al
right until after supper time. Their
I shan't mind so much what happens
to IT."
You're always avoiding me-" he
grumbled. II couldn't propose to you
in that seething mob"
II should almost have to accept you
for your courage, If you did" she
ert?" she added, leaning toward hin
as he struggled into the box.
Can you come out for a nloment?'
he begged. Il want you to NEE
Sadie's father-Mr. Wegges. you
| know. I haven't been able to tel
him yet" he explained. dropping hi!
voice. that you're not my sister. ant
they think 1t queer that they've seer
| nothing Of you"