Squatter sovereign., 1855-11-13

sonage was decidedly white His beard,
jet black, entirely covered the sides and
lower part of the face, even to the contour
of the mouth. 1t was very long and curled
gracefully down over the chin. Over his
head he wore cap, from beneath which.
long. black. glossy curls foated down over
his coat collar. In stature hefwas below
the medium size. hf 80 - -
cHAprras sfIS s.s-sss
"Play.''' said the stranger in low get.
turai voice, not unmingled with softness.
Robert Wilson involuntarily seated HIM
self opposite the dark stranger. a - %
With his gloved hand, the stranger
placed a fifty dollar bill on the table.
Highest wins" said he, laconically, as
he pushed the dice box over to Robert.
This was certainly an irregular game,
and an irregular method Of proceeding -
but it was simple, and in this respect was
preferable to him. so he placed cores
ponding amount by the side Of it. t.a
| Robert shook the dice, and cast them
upon the table. sa's 80
Twelve" said the stranger. as he
shook up the box and made his throw. u
Eighteen" continued he, sweeping the
stakes from the table. s1t z@2EsA A
The next throw Robert won. The
stake was doubled he won again. Mad
dened by excitement he placed all the
money he had OH the table. The dark
visaged stranger, without moving muscle
Of his brow, covered il.
At one fell swoop, Robert was penniless
again! ...-.4
Rising from the table in paroxysm of
disappointment he was about to rush from
the scene.
Stay - said the stranger.
81 have not dollar" replied Robert.
bitterly. ~ s arar
| "Your watch" as
"No." replied Robert, firmly. sit is my
wife's"
"Your luck will change again"
The young man hesitated.
''Sure to change" continued the ssran-
ger. s Ais'eL
| With desperate effort. Robert drew
the watch from his pocket. st
"Seventy-five dollars" said he tremu.
lously. =
The stranger placed the amount on the
table. ,..-
The dice descended Robert won!
For several successive throws he won,
but stalking all again he was once more
penniless.
The watch was put down again-it was
lost Robert was in despair.
"You have a wife g said the stranger
II have-God forgive me-" replied the
ruined husband, in burst Of bitterness.
"Of course you love her not, or you
would not be'here," continued the stranger.
carelessly. W -gs#
II do love her-as love my own SOUL"
exclaimed Robert, perplexed by the sin
guIar turn the conversation had taken.
The character of the professional gam
bier was too we'll known to him, not to sus-
pect that the dark stranger had some OBJ
ject in view in these inquiries. These
fearless tales of gamblers who have staked
money against the honor Of wife. fash
ed, across his mind, and he shuddered to
think how near he stood to the fatal prec-
ipice, which might hurl him in his mad
ness into deeper dishonor.
"You would have her know what you
have done!" said the stranger calmly.
"Not for the world - =. -. '
"Then play again; your chance is
good"
81 have not shilling" as "a
II will lend you.'
ION what security" asked Robert,
trembling for the answer.
Mortgage me your stock Of goods
"You know me, then 2" ssa.a3 -
{ '.No; you are shopkeeper."oaa.
F '.I will" s"
The stranger threw him three hundred
dollars.
Int minutes it was all lost
"The mortgage" SAID the dark being
before him."
"Can we make it here e asked Rob-
ert, overwhelmed with anguish.
mo; l will go to your house.
..Impossible : no. for the world. :"
.'Bai icll!l" said the stranger, ssernly.
: by heaven you shall not" z
'Hist! you shall be exposed"
Rob;. was obliged to consent. and borne
down By the terrible agony that prayed
upon him. he conducted his mysterious
companion to his once happy home. The
clock struck eleven rs they entered.
Il ~