The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-06-03
WON BY CARDS.
!" For Christine. "

"For Christine"
"For Christine !" the stranger le-
peated, as he took his place at the table,
while the old woman, with q ringing
laugh, shuffled the cards once more,
and again the game went on.
1t was wild, wierd scene, which per
haps could not have been witnessed IN
any other part of the globe.
A group of men, in every description
of dress, numbering no less than a
hundred, stood looking on-some in
silence, come uttering oaths and handy
ing coarse jokes, as they watched
Madame Dupray, the wickedest woman
in the colonies, fleece her last victim.
Two weeks before, she had announced
that she should set her daughter up to
be played for. If the man lost he was
to pay Madame one hundred pounds; if
he won-Christine was to pass into his
hands, the Madame's control over her
at an end
This was Madame's latest desperate
game, and in anticipation OF this she
had kept her daughter in secluslon.
Only few had ever looked upon her
face, and those few raved so about her
beauty that it infamed the hearts OF
their comrades.
To night she had stood before them.
Never had their eyes fallen on such
loveliness. Madame arrayed her in
costly robes but even though she had
been clad in rags, her rich, radiant,
dusky beauty would have bewildered
the eye.
Her beauty infatuated the beholder,
and one by one the men advanced, and
flung down their one hundred pound
stake, and one by one they arose, de-
feated. while Madame's servant swept
the gold away.
Some risked, but the game went on !;
others played game after game, until
their pockets were cleaned out, before
they woald give up.
Madame was exultant; she was reap
ing a rich harvest tonight. What a
lucky thought it had been.
Her skill in cards was something
almost Internal, as many poor fellows
could attest to their sorrow. Hardly a
miner, with his bag of gold, came
down from the mountains whom the
Madame did not lure into her den; and
once in the fascination would be SC
strong that, when they went out, they
did 80 ruined. Some had retrieved
their fortunes others chad gone tc
the dogs" and many poor fellow had
filled suicides grave.
Tonight but few had intended tc
play when they entered, but now the
last victim was sitting down. He KEEP
his hat slouched over his eyes; no on,
knew him. He had dropped in to lool
on he had no intention to have any
thing to do with this "hellish game,
as he called it.
Madame played like one possessed
but her good luck was leaving her. Sh
laid down no card her opponent cou!t
not defeat; and, as the game progressed
stiffness reigned. every sound died GU
all we're absorbed in seeing if, in
deed, Christine Dupray was to be wol
to night.
One card more! Madame threw tn
pack on the floor in rage, and tn
stranger arose, saying:
"Christine is mine -
A wild, deafening cry arose; thong
defeated themselves, the men were gla
that some ono had Won her-Madam
could not play that game over.
The stranger advanced to Christin
he saw the wild look of alright in he
beautiful. dusky eyes, and his voice IN
tuitively became softer, as he said +;
"Get your hat. This is no place, 10
Won. You will be safer with Inc tina
here" glaucing around upon the rough
} wild g'oup. L.
AZ one ia a dream she obeyed him
end the men parted TO let them pas
out. Madape said no word OF adiea I
her daugatef she only muttered curse