FOR LOCAL READERS.

Southland Times, Issue 19185, 24 October 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

FOR LOCAL READERS.

is your game. If you nnd your charming wife are suddenly summoned away to-morrow the matter ends. Otherwise, I think Mr. Falkner " — T shrugged my shoulders significantly. " And, by the way, it might be just as well if you refunded to Chadwick the money you've won since he has been playing with you." " And then ? " " And then I shall have ono more good after-dinner story to tell when I return to town — that is all. Mr. Falkner shall never know." " You are very generous. You can have no idea to what straits we, my husbaud and I, have been driven." With a well -simulated sob she buried her head among the pillows.

"You will pardon Mrs. Marchand's lack of self-control. As you say, I think a trip is what she needs, what we both need ; and I think," he added, with a smile, " wo all need something to drink after tho events of the evening. Will you join us in a whisky-and-soda ? Come, don't say no." As ho spoke he poured out some whisky from a decanter, and added some soda with perfect coolness and calm. I did not care about drinking with such company, bnt could think of no reasonable pretext for refusing, so tossed off the whisky-and-soda with a cheerful " Here's luck 1 " which had an ironical tone in it.

I stepped backward toward the door, which he held open. Then, suddenly, I felt my head reeling and n loud .singing in my oars.

When I awoke it wns morning, and I was in my own room fully dressed, lying upon my bed. Dazed and giddy, I tried to collect my thoughts, and at last the remembrance of the previous evening Hashed upon me.

I rose and staggered to the room occupied by Captain and Mrs. Marchnn'.l, but, ns I suspected, tbe birds had flown and five nest was empty. Taking advantage of the stupor into which the "lass of drugged whisky had thrown me, the clever pair had guiltily absconded, leaving no trace behind them.

Our host heard with amazement my tnle of their treachery and trickery, but tho scandal never became public. And the only reason for the telling of the story is that during a recent trip to I recognised in one of the reigning stage beauties Mrs.

M-irchand, who once telegraphed a bridge hand to her fellow trickster ftt Herbert Falkner's home.