The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-11-13
EVANSVILLE IND. TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER IS sls.
A BAD SPECULATION;
Or 4s 3 E-1a.
tn 3 RARK1 STRAIN ER.
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Eeq THE hDARK1 STRAIN GER.
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lssssf ~ s~ef CHAPTER III.
s'Play?y said the stranger, in q low guttural
voice, not unmingled with softness. ~
Robert Wilson involuntarily seated himself
opposite the dark being. ~ go
With his gloyed hand the stranger place q
fifty dollar bill onsthe table. s aasu - xs7z,
Highest wins,p said he laconically, as he
pushed the dice box over to Robert
This was certainly an irregular game, and
an Irregular method Of proceedings it was
simple, and in this respect was preferable to
him, so he placed corresponding amount by
Robert shook the dice, and cast themi upon
the table. 81
"Twelve," said the stranger, as he shook up
the box and made his throw.
Eighteen continued he, sweeping the
stakes from the table.
The next throw Robert won. The stake
was doubled; he won again. Maddened by
excitement he placed all the money he had on
the table. The dark visaged stranger without
moving muscle of his brow, covered it.
At one fell swoop Robert was penniless
again!
Rising from the table in paroxysm Of dis
appointment he was about to rush from the
scene. s
"Stayl" said the stranger.
81 have not dollar,' replied Robert, Bit
terly.
"Your watch" M f
"No," replied Robert, firmly, "it is my wife's''
"Your luck will change again"
The young man hesitated.
"Sure, to change" continued the stranger.
With a desperate effort Robert drew the
watch from his pocket.
Seventy five dolars," said he TREMENDOUSLY
The stranger placed the amount on the
table.
The dice descended-Robert wont
For several successive throws be won, but
stalking all again he was once more pennless
The watch was put down again--it was lost!
Robert was in despair.
"You have wite?' said the stranger.
II haye-God forgive mel" replied the ruin
cd husband in a burst of bitterness.
"Of course, you lore her not or you would
not be here, continued the stranger carelessly
81 do love hcr--as love my own suullb
exclaimed Robert, perplexed by the singular
turn the conversation had taken.
The character Of the professional gambler
was too we'll known tohim, not to suspect that
the dark, stranger had some object in view in
these inquiries. Those fearless tales of gam
blers who have staked money against the honor
of a wife, flashed across his mind, and he shud-
dered to think hownear he stood to the fatal
precipice, which might hurl him, in his mad
ness, into deeper dishonor..
"You would have her know what you have
ldone?, said the stranger calmly.
'Not for the world"
"Then play again, your chance IS good.r
II have not shilling" n
II will lend YOU"
"On what security" asked Robert, from
bling for the answer.
Mortgage me your stock OF goods"
"You know me- thenH'
''No; you are shopkeeper."
81 will"
The stranger throw MIN three hundred dol
lars.
In ten minutes it was all lost!
t"The MORTGAGE said the dark being.
'.Can we make it here" said Robert over
whelmed with anguish.
"No; / will go to your house"
"Impossble not for the world"
"But | ,csNl said the stranger, sternly.
"By heaven, you shall not"
"Hist! you shall bcexposed."
| Robert was obliged to consent, and borne
down by the terrible agony that preyed upon
him, he conducted his mysterious companion
ITO his once happy home. The clock struck
eleven as they entered.
| s'Yo,fr wife is not at home, I" said the stranger.
Robert was surprised to find that Angely
was not in her accustomed seat by the fire
Full of painful misgivings, why, he knew not
he FASTENED to her apartment to see il she had
retired; there was no trace of her to be discov-
Tered.
Returning to the sitting room, he found the
lstrange gambler seated by the fire, intently
lporing over the pages of book he had taken
from the centraAable.
LEFT, you, should say; women are SC
) tame. replied the stranger, sternly.
sIeft me! no!' exclaimed Robert, casting
lb;mselfinto shair and venting deep groans
1.-The anguish Of his soul.
"The mortgage continued the stranger
sharply. =
: Isoung man, leaving the apartment.
Wiping away the tears which coursed IL
: great drops down his haggard cheeks, he pick
: ed out a blank mortgage from his papers, ant
. loroceeded to fill it out The task completed
: lhe turned to the sitting room.
I'll As he opened the door he started bach
with astonishment at beholding Angely seatee
!, by the CRATE, reading the last number OF Har
!, ,lper!
> sWhy, Robert, ibid not know you had go
E s[home,f said she, rising placing chair befor
. the fire where his slippers lay, ready for hin
to put his feet into
The dark stranger was not there.
y aWhat is the matter with you Robert, hov
strangely you appear" continued his wife,
IS aDo Ip' and Robert stared and looked rount
him in wild amazement. Where was the stran