Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-09-14

SIidTicS AticSuuIy spVho III cVitVW, put
firmly. His sister, beautiful as rose of
early summer, and as pure, listened with
resolute incredulty.
81 cannot believe it," she said "some
men might deceive me but not Walter
Harling. Deception is not in his heart,
and he could not wear it upon his face
know that he. carries his soul in his
looks -
"And yet, my dear Edith, it is plain
that I've has deceived you. Not only has
he frequented the gaming houses, but
houses Of worse repute."
"How know you this ?"
81 have it from Thomas Aubrey"
"And would you believe him against
Walter Harling ?" demanded Edith, with
cheeks flushed.
~ think Thomas Aubrey is trying to
lead proper life," replied the brother
"But have it not upon his authority alone.
Others, whom cannot doubt-men whom
I\bave purposely set to watch Mr.. Har-
ling's movements have told me the same
story.n
Edith's eyes flashed, and her fingers
were clutched in the folds of her robe.
mr. Aubrey has spoken to you of
gaining my hand ?" she said, in hushed
tone.
"He has Linted at such q thing but 1
have given him no encouragement. Do
not think, my sister, that l make this ac-
cuasation in, his interest. God knows that
your good is my only aim."
Edith kissed her brother and said that
she believed him and then she walked to
the window, and looked out ipto the dark
ness. When she came back her lips was
compressed, and new light was upon her
face and in her eyes.
"Charles," she said, ''let this matter
rest between us for season. My love may
be blind, but my reason is not. l will set
an agent to watch. Fear not TO trust me.
My agent shall be every way reliable. L
mean to kno,c Of this"
"Really I" said Walter Harling, as he
took his hat from its peg, :" begin to tire
of this. ! gain much insight into the un'
der currents of life in our city, it is true !;
but the views are not pleasant. will leave
others to write up the stories of these
| dens.n
'But you will 90 with me this evening ?"
said Gideon Smart "You must see the
inside of the Royal Bengal. 1t is the most
famed gaming hall in the country"
YES" answered Harling-" will go
this evening for l own that l have Gu
riosity TO see the inside of that place."
And the two set forth. 1t was early in
the evening when they reached the vesti-
bule of the Royal Bengal, and the seminal
at the door passed them in. Close behind
them followed fair-face boy whom the
guard stopped but the lad presented a
card hearing a name which was authority
in the place, and he was allowed to enter.
my dear Harling, let us have a glass
o wine,n said Smart, as they passed near
the bar, in the outer ball.
"No,n answered Harling. ~ do not
use wine"
..But, Just a drop for friendships sake
"Wine is an evil with which l do not
tamper, and would cement no friendship
in such treacherous element. You will
excuse me, Mr.. Smart"
"Gideon Smart bit his lips, for he saw
near at hand witnesses-there by appoint
ent-whom he had hoped to entertain
with tie sight of Walter Iarliug drinking
wine at the bar of the Royal Bengal.
And at the same time the fair-taced boy,
who stood apart in the shadow, but near
enough to hear and see, clasped his hands,
as though dreadful emotion, and brighl
limpid light was in his wonderful deep azure
eyes.
From the bar room the two men passed
on into the main saloon-a sumptuous pal
atial room-where gold aud cut glass re.
fiected the light of a thousand gas jets, and
where pictures and statuary of the first
quality abounded. Here are the appliances
for neutrality-suspicious. of every descrip
ton. At the far end of the room they
found faro-bank at which no one was
PLAYING, though the dealer sat at his pos
awaiting customers.
"Do YOU understand faro ?'' asked Smart
nd ut a
game of hazard, )" replied Walter.
This is a curious game. Let me ex
plain IL to you"
, Walter was curious, and as no one was
playing at the table, he drew near and list
ened.
"You observe these cards fixed in the
face of the table the thirteen ranks OF th'
pack, from ace to king inclusive. Hav,
you piece of silver in your pocket p''
Walter took out a half dollar and ex
tended il to his companion but Smar
said,
{" No just lay it upon one of thos'
cards.
And Walter laid it downS
r At a motion from Smart the dealer be
, gan to draw cards from the deal box, ant
r lay them down alternatively to the righ
aud left.
"Queen wine !" said he presently, an,
pushing silver half dollar over the board
e Walter picked up his money and put j
in his pocket.
: Here" sai1 his companion, -" yo,
have left this"
:, "What ?"
f "The half dollar you have won."
0 Don't insult me, Smart. l had N
thought of trying my fortunesin that man
' ner. Give that piece of money back to th
4 man who owns it. You may smile at m
Z simplicity but half dollar taken in tina
: way would burn through my pocket an
4 SINCE my conscience. III have none oft.
!. Gideon Smart slipped the money into hi
r own pocket, and as the backs of the twai
. were turned the boy who with the marval
Gus eyes wore look upon his face that wa
G seraphic.
a Shortly after this, while Walter was en-
gagged in examining an exquisite painting
n Smart Joined man who had been muffie
n up in his cloak in another part of the hal
|. :" Have you seen ?" asked Smart.
n ~ have seen thus far" answered Tor
Aubrey, letting his cloak partially fall.