The poisoned paradise: A romance of Monte Carlo

A ROMANCE OF MONTE CARLO
BY ROBERT W. SERVICE AUTHOR OF “THE TRAIL OF NINETY-EIGHT,” “RHYMES OF A ROLLING STONE,” “THE PRETENDER,” ETC.
NEW YORK DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY 1922
Copyright, 1922, By DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY, Inc. First Printing, Oct., 1922 Second Printing, Nov., 1922 Third Printing, Jan., 1923 PRINTED IN THE U. S. A. BY The Quinn & Roden Company BOOK MANUFACTURERS RAHWAY NEW JERSEY
THE POISONED PARADISE
The boy was sitting in a corner of the shabby room. The mother watched him from her pillow.
“What are you doing, dear?”
“Drawing, Mother Lovely.”
“Strange! Always drawing. Did I ever tell you that your father was an artist?”
The boy looked at her thoughtfully. His eyes were like her own, dark and velvety; but his sunny hair contrasted with her black braids.
“No, Mother Lovely. Had I a father?”
“Yes, dearest. He died just before you were born. I came here hoping that his people, so rich, so proud, would be glad to see you. But, no, they cannot understand.... We’ll go home together, you and I, to my home.”