Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-29

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
RACHEL RAYS SECRET
CHAPTER VIII.

CdAFlEh VIII.
What is thy enterprise-thy aim, thy object
CoLERIDGE's Wallenstetn.
The night, passed by Mr.. Vivian in such
troubled meditation and wakefulness, had
proved disastrous one for Albert Philipson.
He had sought the gambling rooms in a state
of unusual excitement, having fortified him.
self, by overindulgence in strong drink, for
desperate venture which he had decided to
make, in the hope of retrieving his losses,
which had been very heavy of late; and IN
stead of winning, as he had trusted to DO, he
had lost his sole remaining chance, and found
himself, at the close of the evening, terribly
involved, and not knowing where to turn tor
aid. He had already borrowed so heavily
that he could not hope to negotiate any far
. ther loans. Yet, if he could not raise money
in some way, total ruin must be the result.
He sought his chamber in noenviable state OF
mind; but, with his usual recklessness, he dis
missed his anxieties, as well as he could, for
the present. and throwing himself on his pill.
low soon managed to fall asleep.
With the morning, however, his perplexlty
returned in full force. Indeed, now that sleep
had cooled his brain, and he was able more
calmly to review his situation, the plight in
which he found himself seemed more evil
one than it had at first appeared. He arose,
made his toilette, and after scarcely tasted
breakfast sauntered out without any particu-
lar object, except, perhaps, to divert his
thoughts by little stroll, for he made it a
rule never to indulge in uneasy reflections if,
by any means, be could shake them off. On
his way to the bowling alley he encountered
Madame d'Estay, and from mere force OF
habit, stopped to exchange few remarks,
though in no mood to enjoy her society just
now.
"Que vous avey Tn:r triste, mon ami i" she
exclaimed, as she laid her hand Familiarity
within his arm. "What has arrived to you? ?
Permit that share your troubles"
"They are too heavy ones for you to assume
even share of, madame" replied the young
man, speaking gloomily, in spite of himself.
"You have suffered at play, NEST ce:pas :
I perceived last night that you were un-
lucky" she rejoined quickly, and in low
tone "Come apart with me and let me hear
all ABOUT it. 1t may be that I can help you. ="
"You impossible" said Philipson, though
ray of hope was awakened in him by her
words. He suffered her to lead him to re-
tired path, and there by dint of questioning
she drew from him full confession of his
losses.
"Crel! it is an enormous sum" she said,
shaking her head when he had revealed the
extent of his liabilities. "One which you
have no means of replacing"
"You tell me what I know only too we'll
already" he replied. "There is not chance
left me, that l can see. The best thing |
can do, suppose, is to put a pistol to my
head, as poor young Watched did the other
night. That would end my difficulties efec-
tually."
"Mon ami, do not jest so horribly" sx-
claimed his companion, with a real or affec-
ted shudder, of dismay. "But listen. Is there
no one here of whom you could borrow few
hundred pounds? Even that much would
help you"
"Of course it would" said Philipson. eff
I could raise one hundred. I'D try my chan
ces again, and feel sure that I would win.
1t is impossible that 1uck could 60 against
me any longer; after such break down as
this, the tide must turn. Besides" he added,
with a forced laugh, "sntre nous learned a
trick or two last night that would be of great
use to me now if could but put them in
practice. But learned them just too.late"
Madame d'Estay made no immediate reply !;
she seemed, for the moment, engrossed in
thought.
"Suppose," she said presently, "that you ap-
ply to your fellow-countryman for small
loan. He ought to be willing to assist you" I"
"Who? Vivian ?" he rejoined.
eyes"
"Oh that would be utterly useless" ex-
planned Phlipson. "He never condescends
to bestow any notice on me whatever; there.
fore it would be quite out of the question for
me to ask any favor at his hands"
"And yet he is rich-so rich" murmured
Madame d'Estay, half to herself II saw
him open his purse yesterday, and it was full
ofglittering gold coins. Ifhe carries so much
about his person, how much more must he
keep put aside, within his reach!'
81 doubt ii" said Philipson. "He would
not risk keeping very large sum on hand,
in such place as this; probably what you
saw was the extent of his present resources,
though his bank account is very likely un-
limited"
"But, mon ami, even what I saw was no
triAe-it would be fortune to you, in your
present straits" rejoined the Frenchwoman.
Albert Philipson gave her glance, half of
suspicion, half of inquiry; she spoke with a
sort of suppressed eagerness in her tone, as
though she had some object in view. She
avoided meeting his eye, and toyed with the
clasp of bracelet on her arm.
"And would you have me 60 to him and
say, Sir, have need of the contents OF your
purse please to hand them over to me with
out delay?" asked Philipson, ironically.
"Nay; tell him of your need, and ask him
merely for temporary loan. Surely he
would not be so churlish as to refuse
"And what security could l offer? p rejoin-
ed Albert "You do not suppose that my
country,len are as a rule, of such Quixotic
disposition as to be willing to lend money to