New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-03-12

Ms bosom like distant and threatening thunder, he
Monsieur, all that possess il yours; what those
other gentlemen have won Is triIie but you-at
this present moment, yon might say to me old
man. leave my house I N
Marquis exclaimed Stephen.
Let me continue y the other cried, interrupt
ing him. I'VE met at the Pyrmont; at the casino
Of Naples also. Young man do you recoilcct that
twice told you that your attentions to my daughter
were displeasing to me ! =
But MARQUIS
lyon loved my daughter then, and had the
right Of showing you the door. But you loved her,
did Dc. you ], notsD
:. % you'love her stilIs Say, d. yoa!n
~ do, with my whole heart and soul !"
Well, them mi stake her ~ @
At these horrible words all the other gamblers
started up, electrified and speechless; but with
cAssped hands raised towards Stephen, and by the
expression Of their faces, imporing him 70 refuse.
But hes a fash Of heavenly joy lit up his coun-
tenancc. He endeayored to clasp the hand Of the
marquis, but he was coldly pushed back and see.
ing that play had made o mortal enemy of that
man, he drew himself up with nobility Of feeling
to which his antagonist was stranger, and said
In solemn tome:
Marquis, if you will accept me for your sonin-
law here, before these gentlemen ON my knees
implore You to take back all you have lost. But
fear twill be useless hoping
" Perfectly Y replied the marquis, in a tone Of
"Well, Them answered Stephen, coldly, al ac-
cept your proposal; tits for you to fix what shall
lose If You win.
The spectators uttered cry of horror.
Foscarini looked at them, from one to the ether
with smile Of contempt, and replied to Stephens
last words with
Whatever you please.n
There was q terrible pause.
q play your daughter, y said the young officer
L Al han Gil @Ao%T b,kh harn
and at home, against my paternal Inheritance my
name, my position, honor-a1l!n
/ "'Tis well" replied the marquis, and he flung
three cards on the table.
They were three aces.
| Stephen, without looking at his own, turned
them up.
They were three tens, and the fourth Of that
number also.
-Four tens n exclaimed the naval officer, in
terror.
Four tens ~ responded the two planters and
the Partisan banker. And as all foresaw some fear
full catastrophe they picked mp their hats collect
ed their winnings, and prepared to depart: but as
they were saying good-by to the marquis, the ruth
| less gamblers even were affected by the counte-
nance of the father who had lost his child, whose
face was bathed in tears; that millionaire who was
4 reduced to beggary seemed to ask mercy of the
| young man who had won all.
| Marquis Foscarini,n exclaimed Stephen, adj
vancing towards him, and speaking in o trembling
voice, % this is horrible dream; you have lost
nothing, ! have gained nothing ~
I" have lost nothingn cried the old man. with
bitterness; /" ask those who have gone away laden
with my gold if have lost nothing! If my conn
tenance and my tears say that, my face and tears
1iein
Thus saying, be disappeared before any one
could stop him. Shortly afterwards Stephen found
himself alone in the apartment.
It was ii ID the morning.
The young officer picked up the papers, the en-
gagements and the /. o. Us scattered about and
dung them into the fire. He wrote to tell Olympia
what had passed, and then he Quilted the hotel
Fifty steps from it he saw crowd of people ad-
vancing. On d litter they were carrying man
who had just been taken out Of the water.
twas Foscarini. He had been just saved in time
to preserve life.
Eight days afterwards Stephens, at midnight,
entered his own apartment, and WAS informed that
two persons were awaiting his return up stairs.
They were Foscarini and his daughter.
NY visit at this hour surprises you, doubtless,
monsieur said the Marquis slowly, g nevertheless
soon or late it WAS necessary that should come.
i am here TO redeem my engagement. You have
won my daughter; here she IS. / bring her to you
have used no force to accomplish it she has fol-
lowed me willingly. Is il not 50, Oympia2n
He asked this with bitter SMILE and then con- |
tinued
n have now no daughter; but You have NOT
wife yet, Monsieur Stephen. Twill never acknowl-
edge yon as my son-in-law. You are not noble |
enough for that. Olympia cannot be your wife
Yon see, then, monsieur, whether there remains |
anything to play for!n
And while those gloomy words left the two low
era petriied with the feeling of impending evil, in
the midst Of the room, he quietly shut the door and
placed the key in his pocket.
A My revenge, then ~ he cried iii low voice, |
taking two pistols from his bosom. :" See they
are both nnloaded, and pairs. will charge one,
ind you shall have the first choice If kill you,
ny daughter will be mine if you kill me- Olympia
viii be free, and then she can best Judge whether
Ter fathers assassin can become her husband y,
Stephen endeavored to expostulate.
# you take step forward--if you utter cry,n |
reclaimed the exasperated old man, al will dis |
barge the pistol at her!p
And as he spoke, he pointed the pistol he had |
harged while speaking at her head.
Stephen, In terror and agony for one he loved.
ropped into a seat Foscarini, without paving
be slightest attention to his child, who fell sense
.ss on the floor, presented the two pistols to Ste
hen, which he had placed together for an instant.
hanging them behind his back.
:" Fire, or she shall fall the victim!r cried Fos-
arina. holding the corner of handkerchief to his
ntagenist.
Ignorant of whose weapon contained the ball.
tephen grasped his. The two went off at the
anne moment 1t was Stephen again who was