Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wrecked.
luxuriously appointed ; everything glowed with that bri ght colour , and the beautiful reflections shone on the painted faces of the women , who had come out of the concert room beyond , and who were keenly watching the men who were winning most at cards . Sir Richard Marchester led Lilian to a seat near Jack and Captain Hastings ; they were in Jack ' s usual jdace in a corner of the room , with their backs towards them .
" I'll go nap , " said Jack . A little oath emanated from the man beside him ; it was only a word or two , but it rasped Lilian ' s feelings and made her uncomfortable .
" I'll bet you fifty pounds you don t get it ? " he added . " Done , " said Jack . Jack won ,. and a bottle of champagne was ordered . "How long are you going to play , dear ? " said a tall , dark woman , approaching at that moment , and eyeing the notes with vulture eyes as they passed into his pocket . "Some time yet , " said Harold Hastings , "don't wait this
evening . " He had foiled this woman before , and lie intended to foil her now . Only another ni ght in this dreadful place , and Jack would he a free man . He had won nearly enough to pay the bill .
"Have some champagne and go back to the dancing , a winning man must not leave the tabic first , " said Jack , pouring her out a foaming » lass of wine . She drank it , and Jack gave her a smile of approbation , and whispered a few words in her ear . Captain Hastings did not touch his wine , but the dark woman gave him a scowl as she tossed off the second glass and left them .
Play commenced , and game followed game until the welcome chime of two o ' clock fell on Hastings' ear , and he rose from the table . " Just this one game , " p leaded Jack , and Harold sat down , thinking it wise to concede the point .
The cards were quickl y dealt , Jack ' s eyes sparkled , as much from the influence of the wine as from the si ght of the cards he held in his hand .
" I'll go four , " said one . " Piiss four , pass four , " the others replied . " " I'll go nap , " said Jack , with a loud laugh . " You are in league with the devil , " said the man next to him , with a frown op his face . He was being bested in the luck that
evening . " Here she comes , " said the other man , looking towards the end of the room , and the tall dark woman soon appeared . " Have you finished , Jack ? I am so hungry , " and her dark eyes scintillated with a wolfish gleam , for was not her prey almost within her grasp ?
"So am I , said Harold . Another attempt to foil her , but the words fell on Lilian ' s ear , and scorched her innocent soul . it was acquiescence to consort with vice , and it made her heart tremble , but tremble with unspeakable disgust . "The last game , " said Jack , "and 1 have gone nap , and a nice little pile I shall have if I win . "
The woman ' s eyes rested on the notes , Harold Hastings' eyes were on his cards .
Ihe excitement was intense , one by one the cards were thrown , trick after trick Jack won , and now was the last round . " Hearts are trumps , can you beat that ? " and Jack threw down a card with the knave on it . " It is all up , " said an opponent , and they all threw down their cards , and Jack picked up the notes .
" Here yon are , Hastings , enough to pay the Jew . Thank Heaven I have AVOII , but you have stood by me nobly . It is my last night here . God only knows what I have lately endured . Don ' t leave me , " he whispered . The dark woman was soon at his side ; they passed by Lilian on their way out . " Two are company , " said the woman , looking at Hastings significantly .
"So are four , " he answered , "but you will have to eat your supper with three , " ho said to himself . " Four , " said Lilian , " then another wretch will join them . " " Sir Richard Marchester was hiding behind the Times on the opposite side of the room . He rose and found Lilian ; a gleam of triumph was in his eye ; he had played his cards well , played that
evening , not with paper marked with hearts , but with hearts living and human , one as honest , one as true , as ever the Creator created ; the other false to her vows , false to her womanl y instincls , which should at least have given the man an opportunity of an explanation . No , ho should be ruthlessly dismissed by a letter on the morrow , and she fully determined to see him again no more .
She plucked the love out of her heart , but gave its counterfeit to the man for whom she had but a friendly regard . Lilian Vernon was not the first woman to make a shipwreck of a fair life , and men will wonder and conjecture over the incomprehensible in their nature , and call it impulse , mood , or madness , yet perhaps never understand .
" Yon have seen enough , Lilian , " said Marchester , dwelling on her name , which he now felt permitted to utter , "You will fulfil yonr promise and give him his conge , and he richly deserves it . " But he knew that the man whom he was supplanting was playing to save the youth from ruin ; this Jack had told him the day after the meeting with Hastings , and relying on absolute secrecy he had " risked all to win all . "
The next day was a dull one : a fine drizzly ram began early in the morning , and the skies were leaden and gloomy . The air seemed to hold the smoke , and the gusts of wind continually blew it into the streets . Harold woke up late , feeling very tired and sleepy , and hazy
thoughts floated through his brain , without a very distinct idea of the events of the evening before . He rubbed his eyes , and at the same time appeared to rub a little recollection into his brain . The first thing to do was to see the Jew and pay the bill , and then post it on to Jack . Then—what a happy then—see Lilian later on .
He made a hasty breakfast , drove into Commercial Road , told the cabman to wait , walked to the oflice of Mr . Cohen , paid the Jew his money , and drove to his club . He posted his letter to Jack , who was to leave town that afternoon for a toav abroad , attended to some business matters , and then lunched .
A wire from Aldershot altered his plans , and compelled him to leave town at once . Hastily summoning a cab he bade the cabman drive quickly to Waterloo Station , offering extra fare if he caught his train . But the train was not to be caught , the cabman , thinking less of
the horse and more of the fare , drove recklessly over a slippery crossing , the horse stumbled and fell , and Harold Hastings was thrown on to the pavement , picked up and carried insensible to a hospital , and there he lay for weeks hovering between life and death . One day the doctor said to him , " Do you feel strong enough to receive a visitor if "
" Yes , he said , eagerly , Lilians face passed before him : the dream ) vision of her beauty caused a flush of excitement to cover ln ' s pallid checks . How good of her to come , just like Lilian , so thoughtful , so loving ; and ho whiled away the few seconds' interval in a happy reverie . "I will leave you now for ten minutes , " said the doctor , as Jack entered .
"Jack , my boy , how are your" a shadow of disappointment passed over his face , " and how is Lilian ? " " Better than you are , " he said , but there was no gaiety in his tone .
"When will Lilian come and see me ? " he asked with a wistful look . " You had better read her letter , it is among the bundle , the doctor said I might give it to you ; but , Harold , prepare yourself lo read something unwelcome . "
Ad03801
BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM , SLOUGH . SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS . Established in the year 1827 for the Maintenance and Education of Destitute Orphans from all parts of the British Empire , of all Denominations , whose parents were once in jirosperous circumstances . Children are admitted between the ages of 7 and 12 , and are retained until 15 . The next Election will take place on January 12 th , when 10 Boys aud S Girls will be admitted . The Institution is UNENDOWED , and th 3 Committee earnestly appeal for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S GIFTS to enable them to meet outstanding liabilities . ANNUAL SIIISCKII'TION : —For One Vote , 10 S . Gd . ; for Two Votes , £ 1 Is . L . U--E DONATION : —Eor One Vote , £ 5 5 s . ; for Two Votes , £ 10 10 s . Lin ; PHKSKNTATION : — £ 350 . Rev . CANON FLEMING , B . D ., and A . MACKENZIE , Esq , lion . Secretaries . CHARLES T . HOSKINS , Secretary . Offices . —( J 2 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHIN , E . C . Haiders : — MESSHS . WILLIAMS DEACON , and MANCHESTER & SALFORD BANK , Limited , 20 Birchin Lane , E . C .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wrecked.
luxuriously appointed ; everything glowed with that bri ght colour , and the beautiful reflections shone on the painted faces of the women , who had come out of the concert room beyond , and who were keenly watching the men who were winning most at cards . Sir Richard Marchester led Lilian to a seat near Jack and Captain Hastings ; they were in Jack ' s usual jdace in a corner of the room , with their backs towards them .
" I'll go nap , " said Jack . A little oath emanated from the man beside him ; it was only a word or two , but it rasped Lilian ' s feelings and made her uncomfortable .
" I'll bet you fifty pounds you don t get it ? " he added . " Done , " said Jack . Jack won ,. and a bottle of champagne was ordered . "How long are you going to play , dear ? " said a tall , dark woman , approaching at that moment , and eyeing the notes with vulture eyes as they passed into his pocket . "Some time yet , " said Harold Hastings , "don't wait this
evening . " He had foiled this woman before , and lie intended to foil her now . Only another ni ght in this dreadful place , and Jack would he a free man . He had won nearly enough to pay the bill .
"Have some champagne and go back to the dancing , a winning man must not leave the tabic first , " said Jack , pouring her out a foaming » lass of wine . She drank it , and Jack gave her a smile of approbation , and whispered a few words in her ear . Captain Hastings did not touch his wine , but the dark woman gave him a scowl as she tossed off the second glass and left them .
Play commenced , and game followed game until the welcome chime of two o ' clock fell on Hastings' ear , and he rose from the table . " Just this one game , " p leaded Jack , and Harold sat down , thinking it wise to concede the point .
The cards were quickl y dealt , Jack ' s eyes sparkled , as much from the influence of the wine as from the si ght of the cards he held in his hand .
" I'll go four , " said one . " Piiss four , pass four , " the others replied . " " I'll go nap , " said Jack , with a loud laugh . " You are in league with the devil , " said the man next to him , with a frown op his face . He was being bested in the luck that
evening . " Here she comes , " said the other man , looking towards the end of the room , and the tall dark woman soon appeared . " Have you finished , Jack ? I am so hungry , " and her dark eyes scintillated with a wolfish gleam , for was not her prey almost within her grasp ?
"So am I , said Harold . Another attempt to foil her , but the words fell on Lilian ' s ear , and scorched her innocent soul . it was acquiescence to consort with vice , and it made her heart tremble , but tremble with unspeakable disgust . "The last game , " said Jack , "and 1 have gone nap , and a nice little pile I shall have if I win . "
The woman ' s eyes rested on the notes , Harold Hastings' eyes were on his cards .
Ihe excitement was intense , one by one the cards were thrown , trick after trick Jack won , and now was the last round . " Hearts are trumps , can you beat that ? " and Jack threw down a card with the knave on it . " It is all up , " said an opponent , and they all threw down their cards , and Jack picked up the notes .
" Here yon are , Hastings , enough to pay the Jew . Thank Heaven I have AVOII , but you have stood by me nobly . It is my last night here . God only knows what I have lately endured . Don ' t leave me , " he whispered . The dark woman was soon at his side ; they passed by Lilian on their way out . " Two are company , " said the woman , looking at Hastings significantly .
"So are four , " he answered , "but you will have to eat your supper with three , " ho said to himself . " Four , " said Lilian , " then another wretch will join them . " " Sir Richard Marchester was hiding behind the Times on the opposite side of the room . He rose and found Lilian ; a gleam of triumph was in his eye ; he had played his cards well , played that
evening , not with paper marked with hearts , but with hearts living and human , one as honest , one as true , as ever the Creator created ; the other false to her vows , false to her womanl y instincls , which should at least have given the man an opportunity of an explanation . No , ho should be ruthlessly dismissed by a letter on the morrow , and she fully determined to see him again no more .
She plucked the love out of her heart , but gave its counterfeit to the man for whom she had but a friendly regard . Lilian Vernon was not the first woman to make a shipwreck of a fair life , and men will wonder and conjecture over the incomprehensible in their nature , and call it impulse , mood , or madness , yet perhaps never understand .
" Yon have seen enough , Lilian , " said Marchester , dwelling on her name , which he now felt permitted to utter , "You will fulfil yonr promise and give him his conge , and he richly deserves it . " But he knew that the man whom he was supplanting was playing to save the youth from ruin ; this Jack had told him the day after the meeting with Hastings , and relying on absolute secrecy he had " risked all to win all . "
The next day was a dull one : a fine drizzly ram began early in the morning , and the skies were leaden and gloomy . The air seemed to hold the smoke , and the gusts of wind continually blew it into the streets . Harold woke up late , feeling very tired and sleepy , and hazy
thoughts floated through his brain , without a very distinct idea of the events of the evening before . He rubbed his eyes , and at the same time appeared to rub a little recollection into his brain . The first thing to do was to see the Jew and pay the bill , and then post it on to Jack . Then—what a happy then—see Lilian later on .
He made a hasty breakfast , drove into Commercial Road , told the cabman to wait , walked to the oflice of Mr . Cohen , paid the Jew his money , and drove to his club . He posted his letter to Jack , who was to leave town that afternoon for a toav abroad , attended to some business matters , and then lunched .
A wire from Aldershot altered his plans , and compelled him to leave town at once . Hastily summoning a cab he bade the cabman drive quickly to Waterloo Station , offering extra fare if he caught his train . But the train was not to be caught , the cabman , thinking less of
the horse and more of the fare , drove recklessly over a slippery crossing , the horse stumbled and fell , and Harold Hastings was thrown on to the pavement , picked up and carried insensible to a hospital , and there he lay for weeks hovering between life and death . One day the doctor said to him , " Do you feel strong enough to receive a visitor if "
" Yes , he said , eagerly , Lilians face passed before him : the dream ) vision of her beauty caused a flush of excitement to cover ln ' s pallid checks . How good of her to come , just like Lilian , so thoughtful , so loving ; and ho whiled away the few seconds' interval in a happy reverie . "I will leave you now for ten minutes , " said the doctor , as Jack entered .
"Jack , my boy , how are your" a shadow of disappointment passed over his face , " and how is Lilian ? " " Better than you are , " he said , but there was no gaiety in his tone .
"When will Lilian come and see me ? " he asked with a wistful look . " You had better read her letter , it is among the bundle , the doctor said I might give it to you ; but , Harold , prepare yourself lo read something unwelcome . "
Ad03801
BRITISH ORPHAN ASYLUM , SLOUGH . SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS . Established in the year 1827 for the Maintenance and Education of Destitute Orphans from all parts of the British Empire , of all Denominations , whose parents were once in jirosperous circumstances . Children are admitted between the ages of 7 and 12 , and are retained until 15 . The next Election will take place on January 12 th , when 10 Boys aud S Girls will be admitted . The Institution is UNENDOWED , and th 3 Committee earnestly appeal for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S GIFTS to enable them to meet outstanding liabilities . ANNUAL SIIISCKII'TION : —For One Vote , 10 S . Gd . ; for Two Votes , £ 1 Is . L . U--E DONATION : —Eor One Vote , £ 5 5 s . ; for Two Votes , £ 10 10 s . Lin ; PHKSKNTATION : — £ 350 . Rev . CANON FLEMING , B . D ., and A . MACKENZIE , Esq , lion . Secretaries . CHARLES T . HOSKINS , Secretary . Offices . —( J 2 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHIN , E . C . Haiders : — MESSHS . WILLIAMS DEACON , and MANCHESTER & SALFORD BANK , Limited , 20 Birchin Lane , E . C .