"ALL IS VANITY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 127, 26 June 1909, Page 3

"ALL IS VANITY."

It was their first visit to Monte Carlo, and it was with feelings not unmixed with awe that Sir. and ill's'. Smith, of Brixton, stood at the entrance to the gaining-hall. Josiah Smith was a proud man that day. He was fulfilling a promise made ten years ago to the lady who had then honored him by becoming his wife "Sarah," he had said impressively that first day of their honeymoon, as they paced up and down the promenade at Margate, "in tea years' time I'll give you another honeymoon. I'll take you to Monte Carlo, and you shall queen it with the best of them."

Sarah had gasped at Josiah's' munificence. Already she had been quite overcome at the glories of the Margate boarding-house, where dinner was served each night at seven, and where Josiaii insisted on her putting on her best blouse every night, "just to show 'em we know what's what," he said, asf he ' smoothed his hair with a brush, previously {well soaked in oil. The promise made on their honeymoon had been mo vain one. Business had prospered with Josiah Smith; the small fancy shop wilh which he had started was s'oon left for a. larger one. Not many years after that he became the owner of a very successful "Emporium" in the Edgeware Road, known as "Smith's Boh Marehe." Josiah had always a leaning*'towards things foreign, and goods described as "Le dernier cri" and "Chic" were frequently displayed in his windows.

He and Sarah had taken very few holidays during those ten years; they were saving. At the end of five years a week in Paris would have been quite possible, but Josiah scorned the idea. Monte Carlo was his Promised Land—his face was turned steadfastly in that direction.

Now the dream had come true, and they were really there. The "Emporium" had clothed Sarah in its very best; the dressmaker, who tried on what Josiah wittily called "Sarah's trousseau" expressed unlimited admiration.

Though the afternoon was very hot, Sarah, whose sens'e of fitness was somewhat faulty where clothes were concerned, had donned a red eilk dress and a huge black hat, in which Josiah assured her she "would put 'em all in the shade."

There was no doubt about the truth of Josiah's assertion—all the rest faded into absolute gloom by the side of the radiant Sarah.

For a little time they watched the tables, getting nearer and; nearer as they found their opportunity. With what seemed to Josiah unheardof audacity, Sarah laid a loui6 on the green cloth. She won, and the croupier pushed a little pile of money towards her. When she had gathered it up, Josiah plucked her arm. "Come jiway, Sarah; that's enough!" But Sarah, who up to this had been the most obedient of wives, would not stir. Instead, she sat herself down on a chair just vacated,' with an air of de termination which entirely vanquished Josiah.

"You go for a stroll round," she commanded, 'and don't get worrying me." Josiah meekly obeyed. He walked oft to another table, and timidly, almost involuntarily, laid a bank-note on "Rouge." "Xoir" was called.

He staked again. Once more he lost. It was frightful; this must not go on; he would see what Sarah was doing, and make her come away. The crowd was so great that he found some difficulty in getting near her. "How are you getting on?" "Oh, all right!" she said; "but give me some more money." "Xo, no! You muet come away." "Xonsense, Josiah! lam going to have one more try. I will stake on my age. That is sure to bring us luck." "Twenty pounds! Wliv, we shall not have enough to get home" with." Had his prudent, economical Sarah gone mad?

"I tell you, I know I shall win this time. Don't be a coward, Josiah." Once more Josiah did as he was told. Perhaps Sarah was right; he had heard before that staking on one's age was lucky.

He lingered near, straining to hear the croupier's cry., He could not believe his good fortune when he actually heard the longed-for number called treate-quarto-Sarah's age last birthday, although no one would ever believe it, Josiah had frequently assured her. Sarah had risen and was leaving the table, but on he r face iwas none of the elation Josiah confidently expected to find there. She was speaking angrily to an Englishman who had been standing behind her chair watching the play. Josiah came up to her. "It is your fault," Sarah was saving to the stranger, her face redder than the silk dress with anger. "You listened when I told my husband I would stake on my age. What hay my age to do with you, I should like to know. Josiah, L" an y thin g to do with this man?" 'Certainly not, my dear —certainly not!" ~ J

••Well he was watching me, and—and '

loor Sarah broke down and sobbed. You can understand, Josiah, 1 knew he wanted to find out my age, and I was determined lie shouldn't—so—so—instead of staking on thirty-four I put it on—on—on—twenty-eight!" —Bv 15 A. Taunton. *