The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-08-14


deception. Let the issue be what 1t
will, am resolved to solve it; IL hap
piness is to be ours, we will thank
heaven for the boon, If not we will say
farewell"
At this instant the Marquis Foscar-
mi entered the room, and LIE Roy ac-
companied him TO the table, where they
seated themselves to play, others being
assembled. At the gaming table there
was Paris banker, captain of an
English vessel, and two planters from
Havana, all absorbed in the chances Of
the game. LIE Roy commenced by
throwing down ten louis, then ten more,
and so on until he lost nearly all. AS
he pushed the moneg aside he shivered,
and his head sank upon his breast.
Foscarini laid his hand upon his arm.
"Why, what is the matter, LIE Roy?"
he said in surprise.
Nothing" responded the young
officer, as he once more placed ten louis
upon the board. This time he gained
one hundred. gradually the sum ins
creased and doubled. The banker won
1900 francs, the captain 90, 900,
and the planters 10000. It was the
Marquis Foscarini who had lost all this
money. Much excited the gamesters
drank together, and then promised to
meet again in few hours.
At the solicitation of Olympia, lie
Roy postponed speaking to her father,
whose loss had been very great.
The meeting of the party again took
place as arranged, and Foscarini lost
all he possessed in the world-his pala-
ces in Florence and Naples, his villas
at the foot of Vesuvius and In the
neighborhood of Rome there remain
ed not vestage Of his large fortune.
He was ruined. Through the closed
shutters and the crimson curtains the
day was piercing, and made the dying
candles look more pale. OF these six
| gamblers, four resembled statutes. The
| immense losses of their host amazed
them, although accustomed as they
were to loss as result of gaming.
Two men alone among them seemed
to retain their self-possession, and they
we're LIE Roy and Foscarini. The lat
ter was searching his pockets in vain
hope of finding something to stake, but
not even his watch remained. His
countenance was terrible to behold.
Gentlemen" he at length said, "all
I once had is now yours, and you can
with authority bid me quit this house,
which is no longer NINE"
Marquis % exclaimed LIE Roy.
"Nay, listen to me-" continued Fos-
carini, addressing lie Roy.
"You once loved my daughter, and
l refused you her hand"
"You did,"
"Oo you love her still ?"
Yes, fervently."
"Again, repeat, are you sure that
YOU love her as you once professed r.
| 81 do"
"What say you, then, to play for
her 2"
At these terrible words all the games
ters arose, but were incapable OF speak
ing, so great was their excitement. In
gesture they implored LIE Roy torefuse.
"Did you not hear me 2" continued
Fosoarini. Will you play for the pos-
session of my daughter ?"
Will you not accept me as your
son.in.law, Monsieur lie Marquis? II
so. l beg to restore to you all that
chance has given, and that you have
lost through me-"
"I refuse most positively" respond
ed the marquis.
"Then l accept your proposition"
replied LIE Roy, coldly now listen
to mine."
All present expressed horror at such
an arrangement. Foscarinl returned
their gaze with one of sovereign con-
tempt and indifference. Then turning
to LIE Roy, he said =
"Be it as you wish"
81 play for your daughter" replied
the young officer, "against all pos
sess in the world, my name, my person
and my honor"
"It is well, responded the marquis,
as he speedily threw three cards on the
table. They were three aces. LIE Roy
also threw three cards they were
three tens he drew fourth card, it
was ten. He had won.
All arose, desiring to depart. AS
they saluted the marquis they saw that
he was weeping. The loss Of his child
and his millions had reduced him to q
state of wretcheduess beyond even the
misery Of mendacity
lie Roy approached the marquis.
For All instant lie paused.
Monsieur le MarClLs," he said, aS
length, this has been horrible,
dream you have iost nothing AMI
gained nothing"
What do you mean ." inquired Fos-
carini You say have lost nothing.
Ask those who leave this house laden
with my gold il have lost nothing :.
Oh, no, my tears and emotion are
naught to you
Thus speaking he paesed from the
room, and no one attempted to prevent
him so doing, and soon LIE Eoy found
himself alone in the apartment.
The young officer was about to de-.
part when Foscarini suddenly re-enter--
ed the apartment, accompanied by
Olympia.
Monsieur" he said. addressing Lo'
Roy, am aware OF my position, but,
even now tell yons Ohat you cannot be-
my son In. law"