The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-10
0 ~ e


] re ,orts in Savannah, Georgia. Nhe
countenance OF one was dejec u,
clouded by bitter disappointment, whlie
the eyes of The other, the youngest Of
| the twain, flashed with triumph.
Both were handsome, tall, dark
featured, and the pOssessOrs of iaultlees
puyslques. There Were gray hairs III
the flowing beard OF one; the mustache
Of his companion being silken anurn.
81 would not let our little game break
me 50 completely. Fortune has not IA
yored you tonight; when we meet again
the tickle goddess may smile upon you,
and fill your pockets with gold"
The person addressed turned quickly
upon the speaker.
wv hen we meet againW he cried, and
the words shot over his lips like poi
soned arrows. "Su, do you know thai l
am pennlless? Tnls night l have played
away my god, my plantation, and
IoHeW
Nv Were they not fairly won?" asked
| the younger man, a flash OF resentment
| in his dark eyes.
~ trust SO, Dut do not know" was
the response, agoAIzingly spoken. "Bal-
lard, have drank deeply Tonight. The
wines have Eclouued my brain, and dur
| ing The last games l saw fifty cards III
my udnuS' lulo MAJ NC puO " III coHI.
alter all. Tell me, BalIard-as you snail
answer to God for your deeds-tell me
truly ii | staked lone"
You dId, SIT; but, Chatfant, you are
in no condition to discuss your losses
noW."
Losses" and the planter glared at
his late antagonist like tiger. "Tell
me, did lose lone!'
| 'Cnaifdnt-"
"Don'v Chatfant me. l want a reply TO
my question. DID /"
Il nave won the girl-therer was the
response, Almost saYagely spoken. "YOu
viii view things III cAlmer light TO-
morrow"
~ view them calmly now. Ione-lost! !!
| lost! ana III game OF cards. L am
sober low, Ballard. You do not think
OF what IhaVe done. Surely you do not
intend holding Me TO Lue result OF the
game"
"Most undoubtedly | do"
"LOs -Detrayed-soldp
Walker Cnuffaut uttered these words
| in the agonlZ.ng accents of de, ,pair, and
| ell Win sWOoning cry AT Ballard's
| ieet.
The toolF' exclaimed the young man,
| as he gaZed contemptuOusly upon the
prostraLe planter. II dld not tnink he
was 50 womanisn. The girl is mine; he
| slakeu her against the plantation, lately
MS, and won. By The nends OF IOphel,
l Will keep her! piayet to win, and ii
The game was in my Aands, it Is no per-
sons business save my OWn."
lie raised the planter ana placed him
ON u SeJtee, then rang a bell, and a col
ured servant appeared.
"Mr. ChaHanL mas fainted," he said,
"A ntA has Htt,i
recovered, tell him thai l will see him
| tomorrow
Then with scornful glance at the
man whom he had feeCeQ, jerome Bal
laru lett the mouse.
For AN hour tne planter did not speak.
When he opened his eyes he motloueE
10 the elegant side board, and the al
tenuant brought some VINE. POURING
out great quantity, he swallowed 1t at
a single draugut, and with the helm of a
chair got upon his feet.
mot MoIu" he said to the servant
who was getting ready TO deliver Bal
Iaru's parting message. 81 dun't want
10 talk 10 any man until the fire that Is
burning Ill my brain consumes every
partlcle OF my lnlamy. Not word, sir.
| Good night"
lie looked older by ten years when he
nat pulled over his eyes, ana swugger-
ing gait. Never before did the White
hairs in his beard snow themselves So
prominently, and deep furroWs in his
| cheeks and forehead told the story OF
| sorrow and remOrse. He seemed to
avoid mankind as lie passed down the
| S rect, lor he kept in the shadows and
appeared to feel satisfied when alone.
4 few miles from savannah was the
delightful plantation where Waller
| Chuffant had grown wealthy. 1t was
large, 1ertne and well looked after. He
was the owner OF several hundred slaves,
and lived in "a luxury tuat made him an
enyied man. Some said tuat ne was a
wluower, and the father of tue dark
,kluned beauty who lived on the plauta-
ton, While others declared that she was
| but his proLeg ge-,he child of a Cuban
| woman, who had committed her to the
| plauLer's care.
Regarding her identity the planter
| mad maintained a rGtlCenCe that was
pprpleXIng; but now and tnen he would
saw, clone is NINE" Ills words served
| to coutirm the advocates OF the conflict
llug theories in their doctrines, Tor ue
might mean that she was his child, or,
that she was his by gift.
He was known as one of the most
reckless gamblers III Lle south. Al
t MES he would return from Savannah
almost loaded down with winnings:
tneu the hckle goddess would desert
him, and til usands would laIl into tne
nurses of his antagonists. Some peopie
.alu that he would stake his life some
day and play it away.
1t WAS almost morning when the
pianter ordered his carriage, and told
the driver to take him home; then he
flung him eli back upon the cushions,
and did not lift his head until the
vehicle came to halt before his hand
some residence.
"Homew he cried, springing out.
"No-not my home! l nave at last
reached The end OF the string. There is
uut one thing left tor Walker Chatfant
to do"
lie spoke in a tone burthened with
mad determination, and his eyes flashed
wildly as he entered the mouse and
opened the parl0r door. The lamp was
burning on an elegant table, and re-
vealed the masnifcent appointments Of
Jne place.
"Where's Ioue?" he demanded Of the
slave, VINO stood gaping AZ the door.
"Abed, massa."
81 want her. Tell her to come here
Immediately
The servant departed, and few mo-
ments later u tall, regal looking girl
strobe into the room. She looked wildly
beautiful en- deShabijle. Her hair, stream
ing over her WnILe shoulders, almost con-
ua1ial her npuvJnr Nh sOm and nar pNnS