The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-08-14
The Ga1nester's Stake.

Inc marquis Angelo FOSearlhl nau
been travelling throughout Europe for
several years, sanitary measures indu-
eng him to visit Paris. To the gay
metropolis he was accompanied by his
daughter, the beautiful Olympia, she
being the only issue of three most un-
happy marriages.
The disappointment of Foscarini's
life had been in no6having had an heir.
He would have given his fortune, al
most his life, for son--one who could
perpetuate the only name of Foscarini.
His life was passed in orgies and every
sort of dissipation. He loved Olympia,
not as father should have loved his
daughter, but rather because she was
beautiful and one of the most precious
of his possessions. He kept her always
with him, and had refused her hand in
marriage to some of the most distin-
guished noblemen in Austria and It
ally.
Remain with me-" he said you
will have plenty of time to marry when
| am dead"
After a night of excitement and dis
sipation it was his habit to take bath
in the Seine, in order to revive his ex-
hausted energies.
seized with cramp, and had not some
one rushed to his rescue he would have
been drowned. In his preserver he re-
cognized an officer of the Trabans, one
whom he had met first at Piedmont,
and afterwards at Vienna, and whose
assiduties to Olympia had given him
some uneasiness.
The young officer, on discovering
that the man whose life he had saved
was no other than the Marquis Foscars
ini, at once requested permission to
call upon himself and daughter.
To this request the marquis most
coldly acquiesced, it being impossible,
under the circumstances, to venture
| refusal.
Stephen LIE Roy at once embraced
the advantage afforded by the position,
and within month of the accident the
Marquis and LIE Roy were inseparable.
LIE Roy was deeply in love with
| Olympia, but now wisely and cautious
ly repres6ed any manifestation of his
ieelings-moreover. had expressed him
self 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
having perfect confidence, made LIE Roy
his friend and coDfidant. While the old
nobleman was misled, the young peo-
pie, nevertheless understood each other,
and in all respects Olympia assisted her
lover in his scheme.
Thus lie Roy was enabled to pass
every evening at the hotel of the mar
| quis, and in order to humor the noble
man became devoted gambler. In one
month he had lost two months pay
and all he could borrow.
Olympia had advised him to play in
order to ingratiate himself with her
father. She lent. him gold which he
lost, and the more he lost the more fond
the old marquis became, for he knew
of no emotion save in play, no happi.
ness except that which he derived
from gain. At length the luck turned
in favor of lie Roy might after night
he won. The marquis was devoted to
bouillotte this game he had taught
Stephens, who, although Indifferent to
its merits nevertheless expressed ad>
miration for the game.
One evening lie Roy came half an
hour earlier to the hotel than was his
custom. On this occasion he brought
with him the sum of fifty louis. 1t was
the only money Olympia had still in
her possession, lie Roy was without
means, and was obliged to yield to cir
culnstances, as failure to play would
have called forth the i'll will of the mar
Quis aud deprived them of meeting.
"This is all that remains,'' said
Olympia sadly.
"Should lose it, this life of decep,
tiOn must end," responded LIE Roy. 81
will soon go TO the marquis and request
ycur hand in marriage"
" And if refused" replied the young
girl.
"Then will blow out my brains"
was the quiet rejoinder.
Olympia shuddered at the words, for
she well knew that lie Roy would keep
bis vow faithfully.
"TheTs is happiness in llfe," she
|
" Yes there Is happiness in life if
that life be shared by you," he respon-
ded. But deprived of that hope re-
fuse TO live"
"And death Have you no fear of
death ?"
"No, Olympia, he replied, thought
fully. A" do not fear. believe In u
great power. We OF this world are
forced into life, not of our own free
will, but through the will Of others.
This existence, with its suffering, its
hopes and fears, is our PUNISHMENT its
disappointments our curse. This is the
life of the flesh, that which is corrupt.
Bile beyond lies the life of the soul"
" But what may the soul not suffer
In the hereafter? What may it not en-.
dure ?"
Nothing except it be happiness, IRE.
sponded lie Roy. sour misery is here,
our peace is beyond the grave"
" And the grave" inquired the girl
with a shuddeE "the grave !"
Is what we mortals most dread, be-