The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-30

in the rear. Folding doors, which had
been drawn back, showed there were two
rooms which now seemed but one.
We entered amid confused sounds from
various parts of the room. At one side
were four roulette tables on another side
was rouge ct noir, and dispersed literally
around the room were number of small,
round tables and chairs, at which several
gentlemen were playing ecarte, pique, &c.
l remarked there were also some ladies who
slipped their liqueurs, some playing and
others looking on. My friend and l sat
down and played ecarte, he telling me in
the meanwhile that the house was kept by
rich lady who had three others beside,
but this was the smallest and most private
of all. "You see that cerical-looking
parsonage leaning against the mantel-
piece ?" he said "Well, that's her detec-
tive; and that young lady with whom he is
conversing and whose golden hair looks
still brighter beside his raven locks, is his
daughter. Take care you never get caught
in her tolls" added my friend. l assured
MN OlipiO NOo hO1 sthJ VI bhuO' l1lO-
tie thought then in what strange place
would afterward see her.
After getting tired of our ecarte and
champagne my friend suggested that we
should try our hand at roulette, and we
went over to the table. The keeper was
just calling out, "Choose your colors, gen.
tleman," and then when the ball ceased
rolling cred wins this time" while he
raked the shining pieces in from the losing
colois. l put a five-franc piece on the
black. The ball rolled, and l won. left
the money still there, and won again.
l had left off playing for few minutes
and was standing at the side-table, eating
some roast fowl, when / noticed young
man, dressed very we'll, but rather fiashy.
What called my attention to him was the
glitter of his diamond studs, which
sparkled with that white and peculiar glow
which only pure gems emit He had been
playing very high during the evening, and
though winning now and then, must have
lost rather more than he gained. He ad-
dressed me, as we stood there, by saying !:
"Young man, why don't you cover the red
sometimes when you play, if you're afraid
to go any higher?"
said: 81 am not afraid, but only play
for amusement"
"You must excuse me-" he said, "for
giving you hint, but did not think you
Mere not a gambler; ], myself, only play for
amusement's sake, but still like to win, if
only to be able to balance my play, and if
one plays only on one color, he is sure to
lose sooner or later; the black, no doubt,
wins often, but if you have luck and win
your gains are so much more as you ascend
from black.
Our conversation continued in like
strain for some time, when we agreed to
try our luck once, and it being only about
half, past one o'clock, we took our places at
the table.
" played very coolly on black and red,
venturing coolly on the blue, and had my
share of luck, for, in about an hour and a
half, / found myself in possession of nearly
800 francs, my friend, in the meantime,
playing on high colors and the young man
with the diamonds playing ON them too,
but losing heavily, and drinking deeply of
champagne between each roll of the ball.
But this time, as judged, he must have
lost nearly 1000 francs. Soon he came
around to my side touched me ON the shoul-
der and said: Can speak to you one mo-
ment ?''
/ said certainly, and followed him into
the refreshment saloon. ARRIVED there he
said: i would ask great favor of you,
were sure it would not be inconvenient' y
at the same time taking N1m his pocket a
small, jeweled watch. Would you lend
me five hundred francs until tomorrow,
and take this as security" he said. ]
took 1t in my hand; it was a beautiful piaee
Of workmanship and was surprised to
find 1t was lady's. pressed the spring,
it flew open; some letters caught my eye,
and saw there was something engraved
on the inside. held it closer, and read
"Claude Mariette," and underneath, in
different style of letters, "Un oubli."
was too polite to inquire into or remark
anything about it, so / said: ~ will lei
you have the amount, but / must tell yor
first that ! leave Paris tomorrow. Hs
said: "That makes but little difference
/ cannot get money till morning, but VIC
can meet at noon at the Cafe de Londres
Rue de Faubourg st. Honore, IL you will
not leave before that hour" / mentioned
that that would be agreeable and naua hin