The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-11-22

meath which, long, black, glossy curls
nOatcd down over his coat collar In
stature lie was below the medium size.
CHAPTER III.
"Play ?" said the stranger, in low.
cultural voice, not unminged with soft
ness.
Robert Wilson involuntary seated him.
self opposite the dark being.
With his gloved hand the stranger
placed a fifty dollar bill on the table.
Highest wins" said lie lacorically,
as he pushed the dice box over 10 Robert.
This was certainly an irregular game,
and an irregular method of proceeding;
but it was simple, and in this respect was
prcfe able to him, 50 lie placed a CORES
ponding amount by the side OF it.
Robert shook the dice, and cast them
upon the table.
" Twelve" said the stranger, as he
shook up the box and made his throw.
FL .hteen," continued he, sweeping
the stakes from the table.
The next throw Robert won. The
stake was doubled; he won again. Mad
dened by excitement he placed all the
money he had on the table. The dark
ysaged stranger, without moving mus
Gle OF his brow, covered 1t.
At one fell Swoop Robert was penni.
less again !!
Rising from the table in paroxym of
disappointment he was about to rush from
Tie scene.
Stay ! said the stranger.
Il have not dollar" replied Robert,
bitterly.
Your watch"
NO." replied Robert, firmly, ait is
my wife IS"
Your luck will change again"
The young man hesitated.
"Sure to change continued the
stranger.
With desperate effort Robert drew
the watch from his pocket
Seventy-fye dollars, said he tremu-
lousy.
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 p said the stranger
al have-God forgive me = replied
the ruined husband, in burst Of bitter,
mes
"Of course, you love her not or you
would not be here" continued the stran.
ger carelessIy.
al do love her--as love my owr
soul > exclaimed Robert, perplexed by
the singular turn the conversation haC
aiken.
The character Of the protest. nal gam
bier was too well hnown to him, not tC
suspect that the dark stranger had some
object in view in these inquiries. Those
fearless tales of gamblers who have stakeC
money against the honorof wife, flashed
across his mind, and he shuddered tC
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 2" said the stranger calmly
"NoL for the world"
Then play again, your chance il
good"
81 have not a shilling"
81 will lend YOU
ION what security" asked Robert
trembling for the answer.
Mortgage me your stock OF goods.
"You know me, then ?
No; you are a shopkeeper."
, al will. ,
The stranger threw him three hundrc
+ dollars.
In ten minutes ii was all lost
''The mortgage, said the dark being
"Can we make it here" said Robert
, overwhelmed with anguish.
"No; l will go to your house"
, Impossible, not for the world"
But aciH y said the stranger stern
Iy.
=, "By heaven, you shall not"
"Hist! you shall be exposed"
. Robert was obliged to consent, an
borne down by the terrible agony tha
$ preyed upon him, he conducted his my'
n terious companion to his once happ
. home. The clock struck eleven as the
$ entered. ., ,
! "Your wife is not at home," said Il
e stranger.
Robert was surprised to find that Al
:. gely was not in her accustomed seat
y the fire. Full of painful misgiVlng
: why, he knew not, he fastened 10 III
apartment to see if she had retired; thel
= was no trace of her to be discovered.
- ~ Returning to the sitting room, he four
. the strange gambler seated by the fir
:. intenlly roring over the pages Of boo
IL IL he had taken from the centre table.
ct ct "Left you, should say; women a
~ ~ so tame,' replied the stranger, sternl
~ cleft me no t. exclaimed Robel
70 casting himself into chair, and venllI
y deep groans, the anguish of his SOUL
,e 20 "The mortgage continued the stro
le ger, sharply. >.
u " will write it in my room," rcpll
" the young man, leaving the apartme
!; ( Wiping away the tears which cOurS
a ,J in great drops down his haggard cheeI
~ ha n;cked ont blank mortgage from