West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-03-01
An AGREEABLE SURPRISE.
4 Ru.e to Cure ~ Young widow OF
Gambling.

There resided in Bordeaux Young
rich and handsome widow. who
had Tor SIX months necessarily lamented
the loss of her husband. tenderlv be.
loved 4 fatal storm had wrecked the
vessel in which he had embarked. and
every soul on board was supposed IN
have perished The young widow.
though surrounded by admirers. OBJ
served dscrupulously the rules of decorum
At length, however, the persuasions of
her friends had effect and she once
more threw open her doors to receive
company.
Madame st. Amere had one foible-
she loved To play 10 excess: and this
lolole alone threatened 10 involve her
In much trouble. On the evening of
her hrst fete tall, graceful figure,
masked, followed her, paying her in.
Vulnerable silent attentions To rid her
sell oi his opportunities she sat down at
card-table, and was successful for
about an hour.
The mask, who had fixed himself be-
hind her chair, then solicited the honor
of playing with her, which she granted
and renewed the game with fresh spirit
though not with equal good fortune,
skill OF the impertinentmask, and staked
to an immense amount Still the stranger
was triumphant, and, pulling from his
pocket large purse of gold, tauntingly
dared her TO risk a like amount. Although
absolute ruin might have been the con
sequence of her imprudence, Madame
would not recede, but anxiety and vexa-
tion disturbed her countenance. For
some time the game was doubtful: at
length the malignant deity decided
against her, and the rash widow found
her fortune destroyed by one nights
folly. Her anguish could not be con
cealed; she rose abruptly from the card
table, when the mask, in an insinuating
tone of voice, limited TO her that she
need not put herself 10 any inconven.
fence TO make up this debt of honor. rs
he could wait, or compromise il in some
other way, with more pleasure TO him
sell and Jess embarrassment TO her
She darted on him look of rage and
contempt.
"Who are you, wretch ~ she ex-
claimed, who darest thus TO insult me
in my own house?'
Softly, Madame" replied the mask
am no gambler nor needy adven-
turer-there are ladies who would not
be ungrateful for such an accommo
dation."
Madame burst into tears.
Good heavensl must endure this
insolence? Quit my house, sir; and if
you are gentleman, make good your
claim tomorrow"
No, Madame, will not quit your
house tonight; my claim is on your for
tune, or yourself, and / will make il
good, let who will dispute it."
With these words he removed the
mask, when Madame uttered shrek of
joyful surprise, and tainted in his
arms
The company crowded round. They
were chiefly relations, who immediately
recognized the Chevalier st. Amere.
The raptures OF Madame may be easily
imagined, when, ON recovering. her
husband informed her that he had been
saved from the wreck by brave sailor,
who had taken him into his own ship.
which was bound TO Peru that he re-
NAMED there till convenient oppor-
tunity offered for his return, and, hav-
ing been fortunate enough To amass n
considerable portion of wealth, had
meditated this agreeable surprise, in
hope of curing her ofa destructive habit,
the consequences Of which he had long
dreaded.
Madame embraced him with trans.
port, and assured him she would never
again yield 20 temptation, or continue
a practice Of which she now saw the
madness in glaring colors.
Having received the congratulations
of their friends, the amusements OF the
evening, which had been 80 strangely
interrupted, were again renewed, and
the adventure was for many months the
talk throughout Bordeaux