TIE & TRICK,

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2358, 20 August 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TIE & TRICK,

BY HAWLEY SMART,

Author of "Brekzie Lasoto.x,” "Broken - Bonds,”, "Social Sinners,” *• The Great Tontine,” "Ax Fault,” &e., &<;.

CHAPTER V.

HE WANTS ME. There was no immediate harm done hy that night's baccarat. The stakes were not ruinous, nor were cither Wheldrake or Glanfield gamblers. Hainmerton undoubtedly was, while as for the Count it was difficult to say what he was. He had been known as a high player in pretty well every capital in Europe, noted for being perfectly impassive under either fortune, winning or losing with the same steady equanimity, but ho always seemed indifferent to the stakes, being apparently quite as contented to play for moderate sums as not. Me most distinctly inter--posed once when Hainmerton suggested heightening the interest, saying that they were playing for amusement not battling in earnest, and when the evening tournament terminated he and Olanfield rose losers. But what came about was this ; the baccarat became a nightly affair. Hammerton invariably proposed it; Wheldrake as a winner, for his Homhnrg luck seemed to stick to him, could only acquiesce, and the others joined in, Olanficld because it did rather amuse him, and i’atroceni because as ho said ho always did as other people did. In one tiling the Count was somewhat like the other inmates of Wrottsley —lie was addicted to early rising, and, with tlie exception of Sir Jasper none of them could ho accused of that failing. He was strolling along the terrace one morning in enjoyment of his eternal cigarette, for Patroccni was an almost ceaseless smoker, when lie heard voices in Sir Jasper’s study which arrested his attention, nod caused him to pause and listen. He distinguished the tones of Jackson, the butler, and in another moment had caught his words. “ It's not right, Sir Jasper, it can’t be right, and I'm bound to tell you about it. The young gentlemen, you know, will have a game at cards before they go to bed. Young gentlemen will, and what’s more, I don't believe they exactly play for sngar-plnnis. They never did at Wrottsley as far as my memory goes, nor in yours either, Sir Jasper.” Old Jackson was right in his conjecture. Given one thorough gambler in a coterie, and whatever the stakes may he to start with, play is certain to get high if they continue, and so it had been at Wrottsley. The modest stakes with which they hid commenced no longer contented them.

“They will play this new game, Backrat, I’m told it’s called,” continued the old man, in his measured, deliberate manner. “1 play .a tidy hand at all fours myself, and I ain’t very bad at cabbage, neither.”

“Now, if you’ve got anything to say, Jackson, say it at once. I’ll take your skill at all fours and cribbage for granted,” “ I’ve been with yon, Sir Jasper, man and boy, for a matter of thirty years, and if an old servant can't speak ” “ I've excellent reason, to know he can, interposed the baronet, testily. “ Never mind the thirty years, let us pass over that period. Come to what you’ve to say at once.” “ Von know, Sir Jasper, I'm just as much concerned about things going wrong at Wfottsley as yon can be,” replied Jackson, in a wounded voice, “ Wiuit I've got to say is this. These gentlemen play tills Baekrat with two packs of cards of the same pattern mixed, and I happened to sort these two packs myself this morning. The great card, they tell me, in tin's game is nine, and it don’t want much of a card player to know there's eight nines in two packs of cards. Now, how many nines should you say I found in those packs of cards ? Thirteen, Sir Jasper; there were thirteen nines—thirteen nines! There must be something wrong, I take it.” “ Nonsense, Jackson," said the Baronet, sharply; “you must be mistaken —impossible. Do yon know what you’re saying? Do you know this amounts to stating that I have a swindler, a cheat, an unmitigated scoundrel amongst my guests ? ’ “ No, Sir Jasper, I’m not mistaken,” replied the butler, doggedly. “ I never join these games, but tonight I'll sit up and look on. Not a syllable to any one, mind. Remember if there should be any truth in your discovery the quieter the affair is kept tlie better.” “ Vou know best, Sir Jasper, but in my opinion a fellow who sits down to pick his friends’ pockets at a game of cards ought to bo kicked out of the bouse ; and it, though I'm getting old, I’d do it rayself.” “A fine old family servant,” muttered the Count, “ quite useless, utterly incorruptible, and an intense nuisance. Ho will do it; what a fo d he is, 1 warned him at liomburg that a child might detect him, and how ho escaped exposure there I can’t conceive. It was not likely Messieurs Glanfiold and Wbcldrake would find him out, but I—bah,of course, I see it every night. My dear Hammerton you are much too clumsy with your fingers to succeed as a chevalier i/'inr/iistrie, With which reflection I’atroceni resumed his walk. “It seems almost inc'cdible,” murmured Sir Ja“por, as Jaok.-on left the room, “ that I should have among my friends one who would condescend to unfair play. Vet I'vo sen too much of the world not to know, when one would least expect it, the taint crops up. How-

i i-rr, I'll sec for mys-df 10-night. I’ll look on at. their gamo a bit.” Tin-re was to bo no shooting that day

nt. Wrottsley. Maude had got up a dance for the evening, to which many of their immediate neighbours were hidden. It

was not a Hill, hot a small, and it was Imped would prove a lively, dance, Miss Kversley had persuaded her father that the men would he hirer for Hi : duties of the evening' if they were left to He ir own devices during the day instead of being placed under the orders of old Chatterson, and to it had been resolved to give tin; dogs and keepers a holiday. I’alrowni turned the thing over in his mind for sometime. Of course he knew that his friend Hammerton cheated at cards ; he bad detected him at Hamburg, and that was what had given him his real holdover (ho luckless Fred. He had come fu him one day after Haminertnn had won some considerable sum at. cards from him the previous evening', and their conversation, i: brief, bad been to the point. The Count had relentlessly threatened exposure unless his losings were promptly returned, and demonstrated his capability of proving his case. Fred Hammerton blustered at first, hut quailed before I’atroceni’s Steady determination at last, and made restitution, thereby tacitly admitting the justice of the Count’s accusation, "H is no use, Captain Hammerton,” said I’at.roeeni, “my advising you to let tampering with the cards alone in future. Experience teaches mo that when a man has once or twice done it successfully no warning will save him from his inevitable doom. You are not the stuff of which the finished esc roc is made, and how rarely does ho fail sooner nr later to come to grief. And you come hero amongst nil the practised gamblers of Europe to attempt your common-place ruses. Anything more ill-advised I never hoard of. Nothing but the chance of your having played with a lot of babes and sucklings at the Cerc/e could have saved you from detection long since.” Fred Hammerton thanked the Count, and swore ho would never yield to such temntation again, hut the desire to neutralise, if not get tho better o Wheldrake’s extraordinary luck ha proved too much for him at Wrottsley as it had at Homburg,

But tin- Count, had no idea of Hammer, ton gelling into trouble in thiswise. The blasting of Harninerton’ssocial reputation would bo to take a very useful card out of his, Pntroooni’s hand, and tho Count had no idea of that. What use it was to be to him ho had at present no idea, but Patroconi was net the man to waste a, trump, even if a small one. Clear to him, at all events, Hammerton must have warning' of this conversation. Tho opportunity came in the billiard room during' tho morning', where at the Count’s suggestion ITammorton found himself doing battlp in a game of hundred up. At the Fi-ench cannon gam Patroconi took a deal of beating, bur, hj was by no means so at home in the En g' lish gamo, and Hammerton was quite his match.

I think, my friend, I would ho a little sparing in the use of those nine's to night, if we play. The bucolic mind is slow lo rouse, but pig-bended when it does arrive at an idea. From something I overheard this morning',” continued the Count, ns ho slowly chalked his cue, “I fancy our host seems to have an idea.”

“Do you moan,” replied Hainmerton, with visible trepidation “ that—that—my uncle thinks I play baccarat rather bettor than my neighbours?”

“I fancy that be and the family butler have arrived at the conclusion there is a little hanky-panky going on at the card table.”

“ No matter,” exclaimed Hainmerton, defiantly, “I’ll piny those nines to-night again, lint in very different fashion. Ho does not know it, but Cyril Wheldrake lias stepped between me and thirty thousand pounds. He lias bad the audacity to fall in love with my cousin Maude."

“ And, judging from appearances, she witli him,’ rejoin'd Patroceni, as he made an elaborate can non.

“It has always, as I have told you Count, been my intention not partieulrly ro marry her; but most decidedly to marry her thirty thousand pounds. You understand.”

“,I understand that she is a very charming girl, and that, to speak metaphorically, you are a little late fur the train,” “ Not bad looking, rejoined Hammerton, bitterly. “She represents the discount on Ihn transaction. Now, you can hardly suppose that I am going to let Wheldrakc, or, for the matter of that a dozen Wheldrnkes, stand between mo and thirty thousand pounds,” “My dear friend, I’ve the greatest regard for you and the highest admiration for your amiable disposition, but as I told you before, I should not like to stand between you and thirty thousand pounds.” “It is getting high tiino to settle Wheldrake, and it possible it must be done to-night. I shall want your assistance, Li.sttn, my friend, the first time ho lands us all at baccarat and I exclaim, ‘By heaven’s. Wheldrake there’s no playing against your luck, you will accuse him of unfair play.” “But, my dear Hainmerton, although I hold all to bo fair in love as in war, and will assist you to the extent of my power, I can’t accuse a man without some grounds. Such a charge ns this unsubstantiated would simply ruin me not him, and it is his social destruction you would bring about.” “Certainly. Y’on have called me clumsy with the cards, Count; only help me, do what I ask, and see how I shall play them to-night. Remember, I never had' a bigger stake on.” “Depend upon me I will not forget my cue, nor bo slow to help you whenever 1 see the opportunity, but remember this, to ruin a girl’s lover is not the way to win her good graces.” “ I'm not quite so dull as you deem me, Count. Wait till yon sec my scheme executed. Game,” he continued, as ho made a scientific losing hazard into the top pocket, “and now I’m oil to write letters.”

“Hum!” mused Patroconi, as his companion left the room. “I’ve not much faith in Uaminertou’s powers of intrigue, but I’ll take care of myself, and if there are any chestnuts to bo picked out of the imbroglio it is not Hainmerton who will get them, and then tlie Count proceeded to knock the balls about till luncheon time.

But old Jackson was by no means the only intruder in Sir Jasper's sanctum that morning. A good deal later, indeed about the time Hammerton and Patroecni were playing the above recorded game of billiards, Miss Eversley suddenly made her appearance in a somewhat flustered and embarrassed state, hut for all that she had a bright (lush upon her cheeks, she bore a happy smile upon her lips. “ Papa, dear. I want to speak to you,” said tlie young lady as she sat down. “ Well, Maude, what is it? Anything of importance?”

“Of the greatest importance. I want to know if I may keep this ring.” “Why, who gave it you?’’ inquired Sir Jasper, as he glanced at the half hoop of pearls and diamonds held up for Ids inspection. “Cyril Wheldrake. And I should so like to keep it.’’ “A very pretty vine, and I see no particular objection,'’ rejoined the baronet laughing. “By the way, Mamie, lie don’t ask for anything in exchange, eh ? ”

“Xow, don’t he aggravating. Of trim si:, yon know he does. He wants me.” “ So Cyril Wdieldrakc has ashed you ton arry him. Well, my dear, 1 can’t say 1 was altogether unprepared for this. He's a man of property, and a line, straightforward yon tig fellow to boot. My Hear Mamin, I give my consent heartily, and my wannest congratulations to hoot ; ” and the baronet look his daughter in his arms and kissed her heartily. At this moment the door opened, and Mrs Fullerton made her appearance. “ Oh, dear, what is the meaning of this display of affection ? ” exclaimed the widow. “ I come, dasper, about a man to put up the sconces for to-night. What, tears Mamie.! What is the matter? Yes' Ido believe Mr Wiuddrake has found his tongue at last. What did he say, child? He must have been rehearsing his speech the last three weeks. It’s like reading yesterday’s paper,”

"Girls must he wooed, Clara. All women most be won,” rejoined the baronet.

‘‘Yes, but in these days of telegraphs and railways wo expect it to be done in somewhat quicker fashion. When they have made up their minds to endow us with all their worldly goods, they needn't travel by goods train to do it.” “ You’ve no right to say such things,” Auntie. “If Cyril had wooed in such si ip-ilasli manner he might have had No for an answer ’’ “ Never mind, my dear, perhaps I’m thinking of my own affairs. Wo don’t all dance to the same step. Anyway, Maude, you’ve my best wishes for your future happiness.’ "Weil, Clara, you’d hotter educate a young man up to your own standard.” A young, fascinating widow, you’ve heaps of admirers. Take one of ’em in hand, and let’s sec a model young man of your breaking in. Try Ghinficld, for instance ” “Ah,” said Maude, laughing, "Aunt is taking great pains with Mr Glanlield, though not quite in that direction.” “ Don’t ho irreverent,” retorted Mrs Fullerton, with mock solemnity. Everybody lias a mission in those days. .Aline is to protest against the slang of the day. "Air Glanlield is much improved already by my animadversions o:i ids disgraceful abuse of the language of his country.” With this remar!; and a peal of laughter the widow swept out of the room. “Does she mean marrying him, Maude.” "That’s very difficult to prophesy about, papa. Us very hard to tell when Auntie’s in earnest, and then remember Air Glanlield is by no means an emotional man. He is a little struck with Auntie, no doubt, hut whether anything will ever come of it I’m sure I can’t say, though 1 think they would suit each oilier capitally. And oh, here’s Cyril,” ami as she spoke the door opened and Wheldrake catered the room. "Aly dear -Sir Jasper, Maude has told you all. Will you let her keep the ring I have given her? Will you trust mu with her for life ? ” “ Thorn is no one to whose charge I would more willingly conlido her. (Sire's a good girl, Cyril, and I honestly believe will make you a good wife. Your father and I were staunch friends, Alay you both be happy.”

CHAPTER VI,

PLAYING THE NINES. The news of Maude’s engagement speedily permeated the house ; such news ever travels quick in country neighbourhoods, where small events assume proportions of much greater magnitude than they do in cities. The stone that creates a perfect storm in the pool, thrown into Hie torrent is hardly noticed. All Wrottsley knew before the evening that Mr Wheldrakc was engaged to be married to Miss Eversley. There was no need to keep the matter a secret, nor was there the slightest pretence made of doing so-indeed, Mrs Fullerton would have suffered severely had she been called on to exercise such repression. Never had Maude looked prettier or brighter than she did this evening as she received the congratulations of her friends. That those of the men should come latest was but natural ; the male creature is usually slow to understand love-making in which ho is not concerned, nor does he deem a girl’s engagement of quite the same importance it always assumes in a woman’s eyes. She recognises that the step is taken irrevocably which makes or mars her future should that engagement bo carried out, that her life-long happiness or misery are scaled in that quarter of an hour that consigns her to the keeping of a stranger. He wakes to that a great deal later and little dreams how it may influence Ids destiny, lie is not, however, risking his all upon the event; the woman is. “ Love is of man’s life a thing apart, Tis woman's whole existence.” A lottery in which there are perhaps nearly as many blanks as prizes. Two people covenant to live together for life, only to find they are living with somebody else, and that they have not in the least married the person they thought they had. The seamy side of the character lias been carefully concealed on either aide up to the steps of the altar. “ By Jove, you know,” said Mr Glanfiold. as with Mrs Fullerton on his arm he left the hall at the end of a valso, and entered tile drawing-room, “ sort of thing this, that knocks one quite over. Wonderful fellow, Wheldrakc, enters himself for one of tlie best stakes of the year, makes all the running, and wins in a canter,” “ L’crhaps you wouldn’t mind putting that in English, Mr Glantield,” rejoined tlie widow, suavely. “Beg pardon, Mrs Fullerton, I quite forget. I mean, you know—well, I mean that he cut out the other fellows ; and that he made love to Maude and won her, while the other men were only thinking about it.” “ Why don’t you take a leaf out of his book, Mr Glaiiliuld ; we women dou’tdislike a little audacity on the part of a lover,” “No, of course not. Admire a fellow that goes a regular perisher, right off. But won’t you sit down.” “ A regular perisher ! ” “ I apologise,” exclaimed Glanfield, hastily. “ ] mean that falls in love no end at once.” “Awful difficult work,” ho muttered, as he seated himself beside Mrs Fullerton on tlie ottoman, “talking to these women, their knowledge of English is so limited. “ Who is this Count Patroconi ? ” “ t don’t know. Hainmerton pinked him up somewhere abroad. Hombnrg, I believe, and 1 fancy lias promised to give him a start in London Society, not very difiieult in these days. A croupier from Monte Carlo, with decent manners and coat, and an introduction or two would make Ids way.”

“Yes; what constitutes intense vnlearity in onr own country is voted so interesting in foreigners. Not that the Count is vulgar ; his manners are really eon rtly.”

“lie’s all bow and scrape; but he’s not a bad sort fur a foreigner. 11 e can shoot, and the way ho took the change out of Parson Pilcher tint day at the Hangers was simply delicious. Bat I don’t think I’d try him too high.” “Try him too high, Mr Glanfudd 1 ”

“ Excuse mo, it’s a racing expression I mean ask too much of him.”

“ You really are insufferable. Racing again,’ she muttered half audibly, " 1 d-. darn tho man Ihinka of notiling else.” " Well, I can’t help it,” ho replied, in answer to her half uttered thought, ‘' there are times when I regret I ever look to it, but there’s a fascination ”

“ Ah, Mr Glanlield,” interrupted the widow, " you can’t think how delighted iam to hear you say so. I am sure if you would turn the great abilities you possess to the study of higher things yon would ho certain to ”

“ No, nonsense ; do you really think so ?” cried Ginn Held excitedly. “I will —I will—l’ll go in a regular huster. I can’t ride, and I hate hunting, but I’ll lake a pack of hounds.” “ That’s his idea of higher things, murmured the widow to herself. " Oh, these men, these men 1 You don’t quite understand me, Mr Ghmlield, she continued aloud. You might almost as well remain constant to that wretched Racing Calendar.” “ Come, I say, don’t speak disrespectfully of the Racing Calender. Where should we be without it ?” “ He’s very dense,” thought Mrs Fullerton, “ but, fortunately, I am very patient and have plenty of lime to spare.” But. here that lady's further mameurres wore interrupted by her hand being claimed for the Lancers, and Mr Glanficld was spared further insidious assault for the present. Still his assailant was a woman of energy, who had made up her mind that he would suit her, and, to use his own language, ho had not a hundred to one chance of escape, did he but know “ It strikes me, my dear friend,” said I’fitroccni, as he and llammerton lounged into the dining-room in pursuit of some refreshment, “that, as I remarked before, you’re a little late. Wholdrako has won the game while you’ve beer, shuffling the cards.” “Cue game does not make a rubber, Count. Only let luck favour me, and yon shall sec us ties before the night is over.” “Should I see that, I shall feel interested in watching who wins the trick,” rejoined the Count, as he filled a. glass of champagne. “To your go >d fortune, won ami. Have you made your felicitations on the auspicious event ?’ “ Not yet,” rejoined llammerton, with a sinister sneer. “ I'must, as a matter of course, though there will bo small subject of congratulation, if I know anything of my uncle, by this time tomorrow.” The music rang out its merriest, and never had Maude felt in higher spirits than as she whirled round the old ball in her lover’s arms, to the strains of the Manola raises. She was feeling all that elation which is so often the presage of disaster. The storm clouds often gather in succession to those very gay mornings, and a delirium of spirits often terminates in a delirium of grief: There is much wisdom in that old Scotch expression of a person being fey. “ Mine at last, Maude,” said Wheldrako, as he bore his fair partner through the opening into the drawing-room for a minute or two’s rest, “and let mo plead for an early day. You have never seen Italy, and I mast show you Romo, Florence, Naples, and the buried cities. How often we have talked over Pompei.” “ Oh, that will be delightful. I shall so enjoy a wander through Italy. Let us make quite a long tour of it, Cyril.” “ Yon must not quite forget the old homo, Maude, broke in Sir Jasper, who had overheard his daughter’s speech. “ Nor you, Cyril. One of the first flight musii t be absent from the country when bridles are ringing and bits champing. Whatever comes, you promise to be home for Christmas.”

“ Trust mo for that, Sir Jasper ; ah, Hammerton.” ho continued, as that gentleman approached with an evident smile of congratulation on his face. You have heard of ray good fortune. I know wo both have your good wishes.” “I have just come to offer them. Shake hands, Wheldrake. In the flush of victory have a kindly feeling for the beaten man,”

“ What do you mean, Fred,’ ended Maude in open-eyed bewilderment. “ Nothing, nothing,” replied her cousin. “If I cherished dreams— My dear Maude, may you be happy, and for your sake I trust, as I believe, that the best man has won,” and Hammerton retired abruptly, with a rather conspicuous use of his 'pocket-handkerchief. 11 It is incomprehensible,” exclaimed the girl. “What oau he, mean? He never spoke a word to me but such as a cousin well might.”

“ No matter if he did, sweet,” rejoined her lover. “If at all events it never dawned upon him that ho loved yon until he realised that he had lost you, I just now can sympathise with him in the bitterness of his disappointment,’ ‘This won’t do, Mr Wheldrake. It won’t indeed,” cried Mrs Fullerton, who at that moment entered the room. “ You must pardon rny interrupting you, but it's well-known that from the moment a girl’s engaged till the day’s she’s married she belongs to everyone but her fiance. He, as Mr Gianfield would say, 1 takes a back seat.’ Wo oau spare you, Maude, no longer. I’m dying to see the ring, the ring, you know, and so are half-a-dozen young women who will have a sleepless night should their curiosity remain ungratified.”

“ I yield, Mrs Fullerton,” replied Wheldrake laughing as he resigned his place on the ottoman to the’ widow. “Don’t abuse my poor bauble if you can help it. I know it is not worthy of her any more than I am.” “ There’s a meek humility about that speech that augurs ill for your future, my dear,” remarked Mrs Fullerton with that serio-comic gravity that was one of her greatest attractions, and they were many, as Cyril left them, “ No, Maude, don’t pout or show temper but show me the ring ” ‘ 1 Temper, auntie,” rejoined the girl laughing. “I’m in love with all the world to-night, and the happiest girl in England f there’s my ring, is it not a beaut, y ?’ “ It is pretty,” rejoined Mrs Fullerton.

“It's lovely: its quite too delicious,” exclaimed one or two young ladies who had accompanied the widow from the hull with all that enthusiasm about greeting tho conqueror that always characterises the sex, albeit mingled with a sotipgon of jealousy, when first welcoming one of themselves, who has returned triumphant from the war path, and then the ring was passed from hand to hand, eliciting various expressions of commendation and approval. “Mr Wheldrake, I am told I may tender my good wishes,” observed Patroceni, as he ran against the young man in the hall. You will renounce the card table now ; men drop it when they marry—at least for tho honeymoon.” “ Thanks, Count. I never was much of a gambler. When I play it is simply out of good fellowship, or to pass away the time, and I take care I do not play too dearly for my amusement.” 1 I’m a physiognomist,” rejoined Patroceni. “ Yon have tho face of one of fortune’s favourites, Mr Wheldrake. It is men like yourself, indiil’creut to winning, who break hanks. I shall be curious to sec how the capricious goddess treats you to-night, should we play.’ “To-night,’ exclaimed Cyril. “Why my star is in I lie ascendant. Have I not won tho prize I set my heart on. Surely, Count, you have not forgotten tho old play

axiom ‘Follow your luck.’ I shall simply ruin you all." "Perhaps so, but there is another old edge, ‘ Lucky in love, unlucky in cards.’ I repeat I shall be anxious to see whether you falsify it ” But tho revel draws to a close, the carriages come round, and with many protestations of what a delightful d ill 00 it has been, the guests take their departure. Old .Tacks,in closed the sapper room and tho house part)' gather round the table in the drawing-room which has done duty all night as a supernumerary buffet. This table stood near tbo recess in which preparations for cards had been made as usual. “ You won’t desert ns to-night, Wheldrake ? Wo count upon you to make up onr party,” said i tarn merlon, as he restlessly fingered the cards. Besides you owe ns our revenge. “AH right, Hammorton,” rejoined Wheldrake, as he crossed to tho card table. “ Five minutes, as soon as the ladies have gone, I’m your man, and here’s my gage,” and as he spoke he throw his note caso on the green cloth, and then turned back to the buffet, where much lighting of bedroom candles and judicious mingling of seltzer, etc., was in progress. " Did you see Miss Eversley’sbetrothal ring, Air Glanlield. It is simply delicious,” said the widow. "I never heard a ring called delicious before. Would you be kind enough to ” “ Yes, I’ll take anything with ioo in it,” interrupted the widow tartly. “ I believe the man’s a fool,” muttered Mrs Fullerton to herself. “Nice looking, very; got her good points. But uncertain in temper,” murmured Mr Ghinficld. softly. But Sir Jasper, in the fullness of his heart, was suddenly inspired with a .speech. The country gentleman is not unusually great in his oratorical efforts. Sir Jasper had one merit—it was brief. " Aly friends, you all know what has happened—that my girl has accepted Cyril Wheldrake for her husband. I want yon, before you say good-night, to drink one glass of champagne to their future happiness. Champagne, Jackson. Here’s luck and prosperity to the newlyengaged pair.” During Sir Jasper’s speech, and the subsequent hand-shaking and congratulations, tho Count, at a whisper and gesture from Hammerton, stepped forward, and so to a great extent masked the card-table, at which the former stood. Quickly as thought, Hammerton seized the note case and promptly slipped into it some of those surreptitious cards which it was his miserable madness to use when playing. “The twig is limed 1” he whispered ; “don’t forget your cue, Count. Hero, give me a glass, Maude, 1 drink your health—and happiness.” “A bright, merry wedding, my dear, and don’t keep us long ere you set the bells ringing,” said Airs Fullerton, as she raised her glass to her lips.

" You are all so kind : how can I thank you ? replied Maude, in a half tearful voice. I must leave Cyril to do it. Good night, everyone !” and so saying tho heroine of the evening hastily made her exit.

The Indies troop off to bed ; Wheldrake and Glanfield follow them out of the room and linger over these last good nights. “ Fortune has favoured me more than I oould hope, exclaimed Hammerton, excitedly. “Don’t forget your cue, Count, and strange though it sound, let Wheldrake win but once to-night, and ho gets up from the table a ruined man.”

“You arc clever, my friend,” replied Patruceni, “I shall wait the result of your little comedy with much interest.” “Ah, here you are, Wheldrake,” cried Hammerton, as Cyril and Gianfield reentered the room, “Come and give us our revenge.” “ Willingly, as I told you before, so I warn you again, it is my day.” “An imprudent statement,” said Patrooeni. “ Take revenge, but never it. If ever you s)ionld break the bank at Monaco, remember my advice, instead of letting them take revenge take a ticket yourself for the next train.” “Against a public bank, yes,” said Sir Jasper, “ but the advice hardly applies to gentlemen.” “Of course not, uncle,” replied Hammerton, “ the Count's advice only applies to a public gaming table,” and; without farther comment he commenced dealing the cards., “ You to bank, Wbeldrake.” They had not been playing more than half an hour before the door was stealthily opened, and Maude peeped into the room. “My ring,” she murmured. ‘I cannot sleep without it on my finger. Auntie says she left it on the table. I would not have Cyril know I had been so careless for the world.”

Old Jackson and his rayrtnidoms had put out most of the lights in the drawingroom before retiring, leaving only those which lit up the recess. Stealthily Maude crept across the semi-obscurity to the small table near the ottoman, where she at once regained her treasure. She was about to retire as noiselessly as she had entered, when her cousin’s voice at the card table, arrested her attention. “By Jove, Wheldrake, there is no playing against your confounded luck,” cried Fred Hammerton, petulantly. “ Will Mr Wheldrake permit me to observe he drew a card—of course inadvertently—from his case, with that last bank note?” remarked Fatroceni, severely. “ Sir, do you know what you are saying f” said Cyril, fiercely. “ A mistake, no doubt,” rejoined the Count, quietly. “Do yon dare to accuse mo of cheating ?” said Wheldrake, as he . sprang to his feet. “ An accident, of course, but aa awkward one, Signor.” “ Sir, I throw the accusation back in your teeth. I produced no card, and you know it;” exclaimed Cyril, furiously. “Absurd, Count, your eyes must have deceived you,” cried Hammerton, starting up and placing his hand on Cyril’s note case. “ But that down immediately. How dare you lay hands on my property, Captain Hammerton.” “ Pray ho calm, Wheldrake, I am doing the very best I can for you. You surely can have no objection to ray emptying your notecase on the table.” “ As if anyone who knows Cyril Wtteldrako oould possibly suspect him of anything so shameful,” cried Glanfield, in tones of honest indignation. “My eyes are good. I have played in most capitals of Europe, rejoined the Count, in the blandest of voices, and with no symptom of irritation, and learnt to my cost how fortune can be assisted—” “ Silence, gentleman,” suddenly interposed Sir Jasper, who had been a silent looker on at the vicissitudes of the card table. “ Cyril, I am distressed beyond measure that any guest of mine should venture to bring an accusation against you. Fred,” he continued, turning to Hammerton, “ Count Patroceni is a friend of yours. Yon are responsible for his presence here. I need scarcely eav that nothing but the most substantial proofs can make any of us believe the charge against Cyril Wheldrake.” Maude, who had listened spollhouud and breathless to the altercation, stole forward at her father’s words. She had gathered enough to know that her lover was accused of foul play by that foreign friegd of Fred b, and she inwardly blessed

her father for thus taking up the cudgels in Cyril’s behalf. ‘‘ For heaven’s sake he calm, Wheldrake," exclaimed Ghinficld, laying his hand upon the excited man's srni. “Wo will kick the fellow mu, of the house in two minutes.” “Empty the ca so,” was Patroceni’s sole retort. By this time the whole party were on thHr fci-t with the except ion of the'.omit, who still remained seated, calm and immovable. All eyes were turned upon Hammerton as he turned nut the notes, and, to the amazement and horror of Cyril, Glanlield, and Sir Jasper, three cards with them. “ Sir Jasper, Glanfitld, you can't believe—” “Liar, was I?” said Patroconi. in sneering tones ; “I think nut, Mr Wheldrake, there are three witnesses against yon.” “Look at that man,” exclaimed Cvrih as he pointed his finger at the Count. “ What object lie, whom to my knowledge I never injured, has in plotting my downfall, I can’t guess. I cannot form a conjecture, but so surely as I stand before you this night, a mined and disgraced man, so surely am I Iho victim of treachery. I can hardly hope that anyone present will believe my innocence.”

Suddenly, like a Hash of light, Alaude darted out of the obscurity, threw her arms round her lover, and cried, “ I would stake mv life on your innocence, Cyril.”

“ Heaven bless you fur that, my darling, lam the vic-im of a deep-laid plot, hut believe me, Alaude, lam as worthy to bo your husband now as when I won consent from your sweet lips some hours ago.”

'• It is time this painful scene was put an ciui to,' said Sir Jasper. “ Afrer wliat low happened you cannot, as a man of honour, hold my daughter to her troth.” “ And do yon think I would be released from it?" cried Maude, proudly. “ Only this morning I promised to marrv Cyril. Do you suppose I will abandon him at the sight of the first trouble that clouds mir sky ?” " No, whilst this st-nin rests on mv character I 11 make no girl my wife.” “Oh, Cyril, my love, my love, you are not going to leave me,” moaned Maude, in her agony. ‘ Yes, dearest, I’ll not drag yon through the mire that lies before rnc. Do von think I could see yon pointed at as a cardsharper’s wife ? Igo forth from amongst you to-night a wanderer and an outcast, but the plot will some day be unmasked, and that foreign adventurer seen in his true colours at last. ” " Count Patroceni is my friend, sir,” interposed Hammerton, hotly. “ I congratulate you on the acquaintance. Good-bye, Sir Jasper. Adieu, my love, and as ho spoke he handed the half-fainting girl over to her father. " The game, gentlemen, is not played out as yet. Listen. Like all gamblers you are superstitious, I have a presentiment. We shall play once more, our lives the stake, and it will be my turn to win.” (To he continue'!.)