A ROMANCE OF THE CASINO

Evening Star, Issue 20994, 7 January 1932, Page 7

A ROMANCE OF THE CASINO

[By Alice E. Waters.]

A tall, well-dressed woman sat by herself on one of the lounges in the rapidly filling Casino. It was early afternoon, but there were already crowds around the tables, and the atmosphere was even then too close and heavy with many perfumes. The monotonous voices or the croupiers sounded as ever, bored and tired of life, Monte Carlo is always the same, yet, to the careful observer of human nature, always different. In that strangely mixed crowd there is much food for the student of his fellow-men, Ihe lookeron will never be disappointed. The lady of the lounge was restless. Once or twice she got up as if to go to try her luck, and then she glanced nervously at the entrance door, as it in fear of someone she did not wish to see. Mrs Shand was the bride of a fortnight, but she did not wear that look of serene happiness one would have 6XD©Ct©d. . • She and her husband had met in Cairo but six weeks ago for the first time. It had all happened very quickly. He was travelling round the world, a stern, strong Scotsman, with plenty of prejudices which the world had not knocked off. Being past forty and in love for the first time, he had the disease very badly. Enid l was very beautiful: he had taken her,for granted and asked few questions about her past life. Had he been less in love he might have wondered why she was alone in Cairo, who her people were, and why she was so ready to marry him at such short notice. But these questions come more often when the first glamour is gone, and their marriage was an accomplished fact long before that time. Her restless glance presently fell upon quite a young girl, who was evidently there for the first time. She did not look a day more than eighteen. She was unmistakably British, and from the country, judging by her dress, which was of a cut at least two years ■behind the times. But she was pretty and fresh, and looked out of place—if anyone ever could look out of place in Monte Carlo. She was watching the gamblers with interested but uncomprehending eyes. The older woman, after studying her intently for a minute, seemed to come to a sudden decision, which she acted on at once. Her uncertainty vanished, and she went up to the girl and spoke: “ Are you here alone? The girl blushed vividly. “Yes,’' she answered, looking piciously at her questioner and trying to move away. But a look in the other’s face held her.

“ Forgive me for speaking to von, you seem so young to be here all by yourself—and for the first time, I expect? ” “ Yes,” the girl answered lamely again. “ Won’t you come and sit down? 1 want to ask you something.” _ They were sitting side by aide on the lounge, and the girl found herself listening without knowing quite why or how she got there. “I want you to play for me. Beginners always have the devil’s own luck; you would be sure to, win. I want money—several hundreds—-dread-fully badly and at once. Of course, you’re astonished at my request; anyone would be. You wonder why I don’t play myself, perhaps. For one thing, I have played too much; I have no luck any more. And then my husband hates the idea of any woman gambling, let alone his wife. He may he_ back here any time. See, here in this bag are ten louis; it was all I could get together.” “ But,” interrupted the girl at last/ “ I couldn’t do it. I Know absolutely nothing about the game; and even if I did ” —stiffly—“ I couldn’t thing of doing such a thing.” “Oh, but if you knew. Listen” —desperately—“ I have only been married a very short time, and there were things beforehand I don’t want my husband to know; nothing disgraceful or terrible, but just things that might make him think less of me, and I couldn’t risk that, for I’m getting ridiculously fond of him. I never knew I could love like that. A few hundreds now would make everything all right. I’m telling you all just as if I knew you; but there’s a look in your face, and for all your youth and innocence, I believe you understand. Do help me.”

“ I really would,” said the girl in a different tone, “if ,I could,, but ” “Oh, as for knowing how to play roulette, you’ll learn that in two spins of the wheel. Come, and I will snow you.” She thrust a gold chain bag into the girl’s hand and gently pushed her into a vacant corner at the table nearest them, where they could get a full view of the game. She stood behind explaining in a quick undertone. The girl was neither slow nor stupid, and roulette is very simple. Some people are born with the gambling instinct _ and never discover it all their lives, whilst chance reveals it .to others all too soon. The girl must have been one of these. Almost unconsciously her hand was in the bag feejing for a gold piece, and she placed it confidently on No. 23. “ Vingt-trois, rouge impair et passe I” rang out in the flat, guttural tones of the croupier. “ You’ve won, _‘ en plein ’!” whispered Enid excitedly. “What an omen! For God’s sake go on now, and look well after your stakes. There are thieves everywhere. Follow your luck and listen to your inspirations. I shall leave you now,” and she moved away to one of the trente-et-quarante rooms. There was a certain handsome young Barton —no credit to his family, for all his fine looks—living in the reign of George 111, who had 1 been noted for his reckless gambling, which had led to his eventual ruin. He was not an ancestor to be proud of; but Katherine Barton, his descendant, might have been an interesting case for faddists about heredity. She staked every time, nearly always with success, sometimes on the even chances, doubling and redoubling when she won, and sometimes on the numbers*- She had the beginner’s , confidence, and she felt she was going to win before she staked. Everyone who has had a lucky hour at the tables knows the sort of instinct which tells him just what to do and when to do it. Notes and gold were pouring in, and the golden bag was filling. Surely the spirit of the eighteenth century ancestor was looking out of Katherine’s bright eyesl She had forgotten everything in her excitement, and saw only the green table and_ that fickle little ball which was bringing her luck each time it rested after its short, whimsical career. People were beginning to watch her and to follow her extraordinary luck; but she was oblivious of their attention, and the little yellow pieces went on piling themselves up. A tall man who had just entered the rooms caught sight of her over the heads of the people. He stopped short, hardly believing his eyes. Then he pushed his way to her side. “ Kathie, it can’t be you!” Perhaps only one voice could have distracted her at that moment. She turned at once, and the look that came into her eyes at sight of him told its own tale.

“Jim! You!’’ joyfully. “I thought you were on your way round the world.” . “ And what are you doing hero, Kathie, all alone and gambling? I can’t bear to see it. What would your people say?”—sternly. “Do come away.” , . . , She gathered up her winnings and got up at once at his bidding. “ I’m with Aunt Mary at Mentone, and I came here all by myself for fun, just to look on, and then a woman persuaded me to play for her. She wanted money, and somehow she made me do lt ’“ Then I’m ashamed of her,” he said; “ a little thing like you. Where is she?” „ , , “ Here. Of course, 1 must find her at once and give her her money. But tell me about yourself, Jim. How is it that you are here?” —radiantly. “Ah, Kathie, haven’t you heard or seen it in the papers? 1 was married a fortnig t ago in Cairo.” “ Married! No, 1 didn’t know. Ive had no home news for ages.” All the joy had gone from her voice and the sparkle from her eyes. “We are here ‘en passant. My wife wanted me to see the most beautiful spot on the Riviera. Ah, there she is, through that door. Come and be introduced.” . , The two women were face to race before they recognised each other. “ Enid, this is one of my oldest little friends and our nearest neighbour up north. I’ve known her since she was a baby. Miss Katherine Barton—my The bright smile with which Enid welcomed her husband faded away. She shot an appealing look at the gir whilst they greeted each other in formal fashion. ' , , “ Some wretched woman has been teaching her to gamble. Cun you see her yet, Kathie? Because, when you do ”—he set his jaw squarely—" I want a word with her.” Katherine paused one second. “ No, I can’t see her anywhere ’ with decision. “ Ah, Jim, why are you so hard on her?” said his wife; “ perhaps she wanted the money dreadfully badly. Listen, dear. Won’t you go and take a table for tea at Giro’s? I will stay with Miss Barton till she finds the •owner of the bag. I feel 1 must protect this unknown from your scorn. The husband of a fortnight is docile. Giro’s was crowded, as usual, and the atmosphere tropical. “ Enid, is it because you are so proud of yourself in that new fur coat that you keep it so tightly wrapped round you?” said Jim laughingly and lovingly. “ You must be suffocated.” Enid held the cloak closely to. her. “ I’m cold. One always gets the shivers at sunset in this climate.” “And that woman? Did you find her? And what did she say?” “ She said Oh, she wants to do all sorts of things for Miss Barton.” “ But I want nothing now,” said Kathie, for her sun had set and she, too, was shivering in the twilight.