The Argosy, June 1904 — page 31: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DESPERATE DEAL. “Come, then! For Heaven's sake, why do you look so lugubrious? It 1s not like you at all. Is it that she does not love you?” “She consents to marry me. ‘That is enough, is it not?” “Yen es,’ said Fournier © slowly. “Where is she? In Belgium?” “No. In Algiers harbor.” “ Drowned?” “No: on a vacht.” “Oh! You are, then, traveling on a yacht, and Algiors is stmply one of your ports. Now | begin to understand. By the way, what will you do with Lisette?” * Let her forget me—or, tell better later on.” * Certainly you must be attentive to your cousin until you marry her. Is che young?” “Yes, and a widow.” Fournier whistled impolitely. * Mv father is with us,” said Alfred. “Oh! How long will you remam in Algiers?” * Oh, that depends. It was my couxsin’s idea. She had spent six months at the chateau, enough to make any virl feel gloomy. She wished to sce something of the world, and as she had plenty of money, we came.” “Then you are her guests? ” well, I can “Yes, you can put it that way. She insisted. She even purchased the vacht.” “You are indeed to be congratulated. YT wish a young widow with plenty of money would fall in love with me. Now, then, since vou are here, I must do something to make your visit pleas- ant, and 1 want also to see your fian- cée, There is the ball night after next.” * What all?” “The governor-general’s. Fiver see a ball in Africa? Well, if you came to see things, that’s the ‘place to do it. Things of all kinds and descriptions. I must see about tickets. Are there any more In your party?” “No. My father, Maric, and my- self.” “Good! It will not be difficult to obtain three. Now what do vou intend to do with vourselves? Where were vou voing when I met vou?” PRODUCED BY UNZ.ORG O17 “Nowhere in particular. I wanted to stretch my legs a little.” “You have not, I suppose, because of this new love of yours, lost all in- terest in play? ” “T have not lost interest, but on board the yacht I do not have many Oar nnHeey, ‘“T know where, lively game is im session. vay?” “JT have but a hundred francs with me.” “Pooh! Am I not here to vouch for vou? Come along. I have some time to spare myself.” So the two cronies, linking arms, sauntered out. And a man who had apparently been asleep at another table woke up, smiled, and shook himself. After which he walked to the telegraph office and sent a message. It ran: BUNKER HILL, London: Parties are here—will be here at least two days -—governor’s ball night after next. at this moment, a What do you LARKINS, CHAPTER NII. THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S BALL. THE crash of the infantry band offi- cially proclaimed the opening of the governor-general’s ball. It promised to be a gorgeous affair from the very first. One must, however, behold such a gathering to realize what it is. In ‘America a throng is brillant because it is composed of people of high posi- tion, wealth, or noted intellect. In London. it is much the same, with a uniform now and then to relieve the monotony of the dull evening dress of the Anglo-Saxons. At a “palace ball there is brilliance indeed, but it is largely of the same va- riety, with an Indian prince or mogul to add a bit of Oriental splendor. But this ball of the governor-gener- al’s in Algiers was a scene to be remem- hered. Governors had had balls before this one came from Paris to introduce the régime of extravagance that had al- ready made him famous on the Medi- terrancan. The infantry band was composed of a hundred pieces, and was located on a balcony out of sight from cComiclboo@ CO ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED