The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-02-15
THE CARD TABLE.

sitting-room, and her countenance was
sad and desponding. She was not over
six.and-twenty, and though her face was
pale and wan, yet she was beautiful. A
warm fire burned in the CRATE, for it was
winter and the lamp upon the center
table was lighted, for it was evening.
She sat thus, trying to read, when the
door was opened and stranger entered.
Sb. started up with fear at thus seeing
sti ange man enter her apartment un-
hidden.
The woman started at the sound of the
voice, and the blood rushed to her brow
and temples. She took step forward
and gazed more sharply into the intru-
der's face.
"Jamesw she murmured, interroga-
lively.
"Yes, my sister. Didn't you know
me f'
But, instead of answering in words,
lydia rushed forward and sank upon
the mans bosom, and there she wept for
ioy. Is was, in truth, her own brother.
"And you didn't know meT he said,
with a smile, after he had taken seat.
"Why, no, James. Five years have
altered you wonderfully. But then that
beard all over your face makes a good
deal of difference"
All the difference in the world, sis
ter. Two years ago, while my ship lay
at Canton, / had all my beard shaved
off, and when ! came aboard, some of my
own men didn't know nae at first"
"Then wish you'd shave it of now,
for you look more like bear than you
do like James Barrows."
The brother laughed, and then the
conversation ran for a while upon vari'
Gus topics suggested by the return of the
loved one. James Barrows was now
thirty-two years of age, and had beer
absent from his native city for five years
during which time he had command
of fine ship.
"By the way" said the brother, al
the end of half an hour, stopped IL
New York on my way here, and / saw
Kate Waldron there. She told me sh'
heard you say you wished your husband
had never known me. Did you ever sa.
such thing as thatT'
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in
moment, and deep sob broke from he
lips. Her brother was startled. lie move
to her side, and put his arms about ne
neck.
"What is it, my sister7" he aske'
anxiously.
"Alas, James, l will tell you. Blu
first let me assure you that | did no
mean exactly what said TO Kate. Yo
remember FIVE years ago, when you use
to tell such stories about gamblin
scenes on the Mississippi, Ambros
asked you TO teach him how to pla
poker as you called it. You taught hir
the game, and in one or two evening
YOU went with him to some social car
parties"
eyes, yes-I remember all that"
"Well--the spirit of gambling is no'
fastening itself upon him. can see
plainly, though he tries to- laugh ava
my fears. Iknow it is so, for have bee
told by one who is my friend, and VIII
told me out of pure friendship for An
brose. But have not dared TO let hil
know how sure my information is, for b
would be angry, did he know that anyor
had told this to me. Oh, know his impe
uous nature, and / fear he will be lost el
he is aware of it. Evil companions al
leading him astray. He thinks thel
friends"
"And do you think he has gone to I'll
card table to-nightW
CT am afraid 30. And if he does-ol
dare not think Of it. He has muC
money with him. Before you came
was weeping over my fears. l have new,
let him know how much knew concer
ing his course, for feared 'twould on
make him more excited. Alas! kno
not what to do. do not think he b
vet lost much, but know that he W
never leave the fascinating habit uni
he is ruined, unless something can
done to move him"
"By my soul, Lydia" returned t
captain, warmly, did teach Ambro
to play-though God knows l new
meant to teach him to gamble-an'
will cure him If / can. DO you thi
he is at it now 2"
II think he would have been home
fore this time, if he had not fallen
with his evil associates"
"Then you rest here while 20 a
find him. BY my soul, I'll save him
can"
"But you'll come back soon %
James stopped and thought for
moment.
81 don't know" he said. But do
you be worried. No harm shall bel
Ambrose tonight"
*** xxx *x* "
II was just nine o'clock a. Ambr
Dearborn entered one of the gambl
saloons Of the city. His business
kept him later than usual, and hav
made some fifteen dollars
trade nee dark, he had determined
stake that amount upon the altar
fortune.
His wife was right in her fears.