Evening star., 1938-04-24

wide-fung windows of his summer
~ house. His eyes wandered through
tangle of dropping roses and clematis beyond
the gardens below, to where car was crawling
up the mountain road. The Car swept through
the open gates and came suddenly to stand
still. The Vicomtesse de Bressac, once known
as Lady Grace Massingham, the most popular
woman in Monte Carlo, climbed the little foot
path towards the chalet Besserley stepped
forward to meet her.
"Onoe more, my dear Graoe!" he exclaimed,
as he bent over her fingers Il am so happy to
see YOU"
"They told me in Paris that you were here"
She smiled. Victor said you were on no ac
count to be disturbed - that you had really
begun your "reminiscences"
'"The writing of those memoirs is only my
excuse to gain little solitude, which as you
know. means only refuge from boring people
You will lunch, of couse?"
MAY II"
He waved the car on to the chateau which
loomed in the background and led his visitor
into the chalet. ''You fatter me. Grace, you
know. by this prompt visit" he said.
my dear man." she replied, Il do the thing
l like best in life. As it happens, though. come
also upon serious enand. must have your
advice, and at once. may even have to ask
you to fight duel for me-"
'You know how l hate bloodshed." He
sighed. But it shall be DONE
''Sam," she oon6ded, that Dragounil won-
an has given up her establishment in Paris; she
is opening up her villa here and commencing
operations next month. Nothing will keep
Maurice away from the villa. The stories of his
losses will get into the press, his grandfather
will keep his word. He will be ruined Incl
dentally, so shall l."
Every ooncisely put" Besserley acknowl-
edged with sympathetic smile. 1T follows
without saying that the wicked Duchess must
not open that villa"
"She owns it; how is one to stop her."
Problems in my young life,' - he replied, Il
have solved by the dozen but never yet have
been able to solve them on an empty stomach"
They lunched before the open window, to the
music of few isolated feathered songsters and
the faint signing of the west wind in the pine
trees When the meal was over, Besserley
opened his desk, ran through some papers and
drew out gilt-edged glossy card.
THE Duchess opens her villa, see, on the
twentieth of next month" he remarked.
"You are going?" she asked.
II had no idea of accepting" he replied. Il
don't approve of heavy gambling in private
houses. What you are telling me, though, may
make difference.
Give me some advice" she begged. Tell
me what to do. You know the story of Maurice's
life up to now. He has lost twenty five millions
and his chdteoux - gambling. His grandfather
allows him now quite adequate income upon
one sole condition - that he never enters
casino or indulges in heavy gambling any
where He will go to this woman's villa and he
will lose as he always loses. She has had some
of his millions already. His grandfather will
hear about it and it will be the end. 1t will be
the end of great family, Sam. Even though
our marriage has been rather pitiful affair,
do feel my responsibilities.
Besserley was silent for several moments. Il
can give you no advice, Grace, for the mo-
ment," he said II will make some inquiries,
though, and will do all that possibly can to
help you"
It was late in the afternoon before Besserley
handed his guest into her car. The car rolled
away and Besserley climbed the rock-hewn
steps back to his chalet. The name of Besserley