The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-20
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.
THE CAPTAINS Loss AND WIDOWS
GAIN.
pY eEoRan Auausrna 49,

Az nightian on an autumnal evening when
the stars were just beginning 10 tWInkle over
head, like diamonds on canopy OF azure, two
young men were standing together engaged in
conversation, on the steps OF the BiacK Eap le q
fashionable hotel in one of the principal streets
OF the gay and celebrated city OF Vienna. One
OF them wore the rich uniform of an Austrian
huzzar; the other was clad in the civic costume
oil q gentlemen.
$50 all is completed at the Ministry of War,
except the signature of the commission, and
the pay ment oil the purchase money!" said the
soldier.
Exactly so.p
"And tomorrow, then" continued the huz-
Ear, ~ am TO congratulate you on the commend
OF company, and salute you as Captain Ernest
Walstein.n
The last speaker was Captain Christian Stein
tort, an oihcer who had seen some two years
service.
"Ah my boy |" continued he, twirlinp his
jet black moustache, "your uniform will be q
passport to the smiles OF the fair. But you
already seem to have made your way to the good
gTaCes of Madame Won Berlingen the rich
widow who resides at this hotel.
bah che is torty," answered Ernest care
lessly.
But in fine preservation, and a beauty for
all that" said Captain Steintort THE Baron
Won Dangerdeld was desperately in love with
her, but within very few days the widow seems
to have cut him. You are the happy man,
aftt all.n
"Undecelve yourself, my dear Christian. - said
Ernest, blushlng. 81 have only hirted with the
ndhuSNIhG " luOW. MY mana rs aIrpHOV ENGAGED
to charming girl, Meena Altenberg, the play
mate OF my infancy, adopted and reared up by
my lather. am to marry her as soon as get
my company
"And what is to support you, Captain Err
nest ?r
MY pay, of course, and the income of the
moderate dowry my iathcr proposes to give his
lay orte: SO you see my lot in life is settled.n
precisely so," replied the Captain. But
since you are free this evening / engage YOU
10 pass II with NE. Have you got any money
about you?n
"a good deal. Besides the price of nv com
mission, which is safely slowed away in bank
notes in this breast pocket, / have handful of
ducats about me, with which / propose pur-
chasing some trlnkets for my bride. But / have
gold piece or two that can spare if -n
"Pooh pool! I'm well enough provided
answered the Captain. You know this is pay
day. Come along"
But whither?p
''You shall see"
With Il ese words the Captain thrust his arm
within that OF his companion, and the pair
walked Off at a rapid rate. After passing
through several streets, Steinfort halted, and
rang at the door OF a stately mansion. IL was
opened by servant in handsome livery and
the young gentlemen entered, and went up
stairs.
Wastein soon found himself in scene yery
different from any of which he had ever
dreamed in his simple rustic lie upon his
fathers larm. Around large deal table COW
cred with cloth were seated more than a dozen
what was going forward that the Captain and
his friend took their seats unnoticed. At the
head OF the table sat a man in q grey wig with
pair of green spectacles upon his nose before
whom lay pile OF gold, and who was buslly
engaged IN paying aud receiving money, and in
giving an impetus to a small ivory ball which
spun, at intervals, its appointed course. Wal
stem soon learned that this was ToUqe-et-n0jy
table, The gentleman in the grey wig was the
banker.
make your game, gentlemen" said this iudi-
vidnal, "while the bail spins. Your luck's as
good as mine. It's all luck, gentlemen. at
rOuge-et nop RouJeet-noir, gentlemen, the he
finest in the world. Black wins-it's yours, sir
twenty ducats and you have doubled IL. Make
your game-bIack or red"
Try your fortune, Ernest" said the Captain.
Ernest mechanically put down a few ducats
on the red.
Red wins" said the banker, in the same mo-
notonous tone. Make your game gentlemen,
while the ball rolls.n
Why need We follow the fortunes of Ernest
ON this fatal evening, as he yielded, step by
step, to the seduction 10 which he was now
exposed for the first time in his lie? Long
after Steintort lett the gamDing-house, he con.
t1nued to play. His luck turned. He had soon
lost all hls winnings, and the money set apart
Tor his bridal presents. He had broke the
package OF bank notes, the money he had re-
celVed nom his father for the purchase of his
commission, and though he saw bill after bill
swept away Before his eyes, he continued TO
play, in the desperate hope OF winning back his
losses. AT len9l b his last ducat was gone He
rose and let the room, the last words ringing
in his ear beng:-
rolls" W. '"''
Despairing and heart-stricken, the young man
sought bis hotel aud his chamber. Ou the
staircase he encountered Madame Won Ber-
hpgen, but he saw her-not-zhis eyes we're
elaZed-he did not notice or return her saluta.
HOB. he threw himself upon his bed without
undressing, and towards morning iell into on
unrelreshng and dream-peopled slumber
When ne arose late the next day, he looked
at himself in the glass, but scarcely Recognized
his own face, so changed was he by the mental
agomes he had undergone. When he had paid
some little attention to his toilette he received
message from Madame Won b rlngep. re-
questing the iavor of an interview in her anart-
ments. He mechanically obeyed the summons.
though i'll fitted to sustain conversati On with
a lady. "
The wido W requested him to be seated.
"Mr. Walstein," said she, with smile. "Vop
are growing very ungallant. l met Won last
nlghl upon the staircase, but, though spoke
10 YOU, you had not word or a nod Tor me.r
Last night, madam" ans wered the unfor.
luhate young man, 81 was beside myself n
maqam-n you knew all.n ~
II do know all, replied the lady.
tb, OWL oI,,ai enaV had oeen gambng-that had
5snloWn s away-yes, those are the words-everV
uuCaI OF tne money my poor father furnished me-
with which to purchase my commission !" 'u nie
irrepal able" 0'S 's uoI
Pardon me, madam. My father. tbousb 20
putea wealthy, is unaole to furnish me win
similar % sum, even If J were base enough t@
ACCEPT 1t at his hands" SH ~
But If some friends were TO ster forrr,.,s,
Alas know nOne."
MI. Walsteln,' said the lady "T am ,iol.
ioaH OF Ihe requisite amount would not AFFECT
oh madam" cried the young man. .gr vo,
would indeed save me by such generositv 49,
would be an ANGEL of mercyD 0'i'S' yOu
hnf ic fha ,R,g.s