The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-06-18

ADiopiO"O SbOOu lOl q lOuB NllS OS-
hind Richmond's chair, looking over
that gentleman hand, and watching
his play. AS for me, took little inter-
est in the game, and most of the time
was watching Chauncey himself. 1
could see by his eyes that the dem on of
play was again awake in his bosom
Moreover, he despised Richmond, and it
provoked him to see how the fellow was
fleeing his opponent, drover from up
country. Not that Richmond was play
ing an unfair game, but his superior
skill and discernment enabled him to
judge his hand much more certainly
than the other. Chauncey felt that if
he could only be in the countryman's
place the thing would be trifle more
equal.
Once he looked over at me with an
imploring glance, as much as to say,
"Old fellow, haven't you got any cash
about you2 L know 1 could win to-
night" But shook my head; and L
was glad too that 1 could do so honestly.
Then 1 saw Chauncey more than once
look wistfully at the diamond on his
finger,-a valuable stone, worth some
thing like thousand dollars. 1 knew
that he priced that ring very highly,
and had never allowed himself to
risk it.
Presently the drover pushed back his
chair, and arose.
i've had enough, calkerlate," he
said, rather crestfallen. What col
latyral I've got I'm ruther disposed to
hold on to. Anybody want to take my
place ?" And he looked around in
quiringly.
Chauncey stepped quickly forward to
the empty chair.
"I'll take it," said he, without hesi-
tation. "I'll give you chance to win
what little 1 have, Rich" And he took
out about fifty dollars, and laid them on
the table. Richmond did not answer a
word, but went on shuffiing the pack
On the very first hand Chauncey risked
his whole "pile,'' and lost it.
Is that the way of it?" he said,
pleasantly. Well, we'll let's see what
this will do" And he drew the dia-
mond from his finger and flung it on the
table. You know the ring, Rich. OF
course you'll go me a thousand for it ?"
Richmond simply bowed, and the
game went on. Disbrowe evidently
meant to put it to the test to win or
lose it ALL" Again he kept on betting,
with perfect assurance, and staked the
entire value of the ring. Then he
"called" his opponents hand and upon
its being shown, was surprised and de-
lighted (for was really feeling anxious
about it, to find that my friend had won.
Richmond merely bit his lip disdainful-
ly, and motioned Chauncey to cut.
1t was Richmond who was leading the
betting this time. He ran the stake up
to two thousand dollars, the exact
amount in Chauncey's possession recl1-
oning the ring; and then the hands were
again dropped. could hardly retain
myself. Chauncey had again won, and
had now three thousand dollars, still re-
tanning his ring. 1 stepped forward and
begged him to leave off before he became
himself the loser; burt at that Richmond
spoke up in his cold, sneering way
{" Mr.. Disbrowe will certainly not
think of going without giving me salts
faction especially since he is already in
my debt to the amount of sixteen thou
sand dollars"
Disbrowe sprang to his feet, his eyes
fairly blazing.
Sir" he cried, "none but coward
and blackguard would speak like that
You shall never fling that debt into my
face again, sir. I'll play it out with you
tonight if die for it. Then he unbot-
toned his coat, and drew out paper,
which at once recognized as the in
surance policy. Here" he went on,
excitedly, is policy on my life for
twenty thousand dollars. 1t is paya BILE
to Redwood. He shall assign it to you,
all but five thousand dollars, which give
him. Then l will put another thousand
to it, and play it against the sixteen
thousand which 1 owe you. If win,
am clear of you forever if lose, them
-Disbrowe lifted his hand solemnly in
the air, and the whole room was breath
less, hanging on his words, which rang
out loud and clear" then, upon my
honor as a gentleman, I aOiU shoot ny-
self dead at this table, and the money
will be yours. You know me, Gaunt
~