The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-09
A GAMBLERS STAKE.

The Marquis Angelo Foscarini ha,
been travelling throughout Europe 70
several years, sanitary measures in
ducing him to- visit Paris. To the ga,
metropolis he was accompanied by hi
daughter, the beautiful Olympia, she be
ing the only issue of three most unhappy
marriages.
The disappointment of Foscarinps lit
had been in not having had an heir. HI
would have given his fortune, almost hit
life, for son, one who could perpetuatt
the noble name of Foscarini. His life
was passed in orgies and every sort o.
dissipation. He loved. Olympia, not al
a. father should have loved mis- daughter
but rather because she was beautiful
and one Of the most precious of his pos
sessions. He~kept her always with him.
and bad refused her hand in marriage to
some of the most distinguished noble
men in Austria and Italy.
"Remain with me-" he would say;
"you will have plenty OF time to marry
when l am dead.
After night of excitement and dissi.
patton it was his habit to take bath in
the Seine, In order to revive his ex.
hausted energies.
One day while bathing he was seized
with a cramp, and had not some one
drowned. In his preserver he recog
nized an officer of the Trabans, one
whom he had met first at Piedmont, and
afterward at Vienna; whose assiduIties
to Olympia had given him some uneasi.
ness.
The young officer on discovering that
the man whose life he had saved was nc
other tnan the Marquis Foscarini, at
once requested permission to call upon
himself and daughter.
To this request the Marquis most
coldly acquiesced, IL being impossible
under the circumstances to venture a re-
fusal.
stephen LIE Roy ae eonco embraced that
advantage afforded by the position, and
within month after the accident the
Marquis and LIE Roy were inseparable.
LIE Roy was deeply in love with Olym-
pia, but now wisely and cautiously re-
pressed any manifestation OF his feel.
ings-moreover, had expressed himself
to the Marquis as being entirely cured
OF his very eXtravagant passion.
He addressed Olympia without any
apparent trembling or embarrassment,
paying her only the ordinary compli-
ments permitted by society. The Mar
quis feeling entirely reassured, and hav-
ing perfect confidence, made LIE Roy his
friend and confidant. While the old no.
bleman was misled, the young people,
nevertheless, understood each other, and
in all respects Olympia assisted her
lover in mis- scheme. Thus LIE Roy was
enabled to pass every evening at the ho-
tel OF the Marquis, and in order to hu-
NOR the nobleman, became a devoted
gambler. In one month he had lost two
months salary and all he could borrow.
Olympia had advised him to play in
order to ingratiate him with her father.
She lent him gold, which he lost, and the
more he lost the more fond the old Mar
quis became, forshe knew Of no emotion
save in play, no happiness except that
which was derived from gain. At length
the luck turned in favor of LIE Roy-nIght
alter night he won. The Marquis was
devoted to bouillotte; this game he had
taught stephen, VINO, although inditfer-
ent to its merits, nevertheless expressed
admiration for the same.
One evening LIE Roy came half an hour
earlier to the hotel than was his custom.
On the occasion he brought with him the
sum of fifty louis. 1t was the only money
Olympia had in her possession. lie Roy
was without means, and was obliged to
submit to circumstances, as failure to
play would have called forth the ill will
Of the Marquis and deprive them Of
meeting.
ssrhis is all that remains," said Oiym-
pia, sadly.
"Snould lose it this life Of deception
must end" responded LIE Roy. II will
then 60 to the Marquis and request your
hand in marriage"
.'And If reiused," replied the young
girl. =.
"Then I will blow out my brains," was
II fnin nhn
olympia shuddered at the words, for
she well knew that LIE Roy would keep
his VOW faithfully. .,,7
'rhere is happiness in liie," she mur-
INJURED.
"Yes, there is happiness in life if that
life be shared by you," he responded.
"But deprived Of thai hope l refuse to
live"
death?"'
"No, Olympia" he replied thought
fully. 81 do not fear. l believe in a
great power. We Of this world are forced
into life, not of our own free will, but
through the will of others. This exist
ence, with its suffering. its hopes and
fears, is our punishment; its disappoint-
ments our cures. This is the life of the
flesh, that which is corruptible; beyond
"But what may the soul not suffer in
the hereafter? What may it not en-
dureW
"Nothing, except it be happiness" re-
sponded LIE Roy. sour misery is here,
our peace beyond the grave"
"And the grave~ inquired the girl
with a shudder; "the grayep
sis Wnat we mortals must dread, be.
cause it possesses horror. The hereat-
ter is an unknown. land; but let US for
get this for the present. Whether lose
or win, this night am determined to
speak. We have too long yielded to de-
ceptIon. Let the issue be what'it will,
am resolved to solve it. If happiness is
to be ours, we will thank heaven tor the
boon; il not, we will say farewell"
At this instant the Marquis Foscarini
entered the room, and LIE Roy accom- pa
MED him to the table, where they seated
to play, others being assem-
bled. At the gaming table there was
Paris banker, captain Of an English
vessel, and two planters from Havana,
all absorbed in the chances oil the game.
LIE Roy commenced by throwing down
Ten louis, then ten more, and so on until
be lost all. AS he pushed the money
aside he shivered, and his head sank
upon his breast. Foscarini laid his hand
upon his arm.
"why, what is the matter, LIE Royw
be said in surprise.
+ba