The Princeton union., 1879-04-16
THE CARD-'rABLE.
A Story That Tells Its Own Nor,

Lydia Dearborn sat alone in her little sit
ting-room, ans her countenance was sad and
responding. She was not over six-and- -twen-
ty, and though her face was pale and wan
| 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 a stranger entered
She started up with fear at thus seeing q
| strange man enter her apartment unbidden.
"Lydla,".. said the stranger, "don't you
know me?"
The young woman started at the sound o1
| the voice, aud the blood rushed to her brow
4 and temples. She took step forward and
gazed more sharply into the intruder's face.
'James?" she murmured, interrogatively.
"Yes, my sister," he replied. "Didn't you
know me?"
| Instead of answering in words, Lydia rush.
ed forward, sank upon her brothers bosom,
and wept for joy.
And you didn't know me?" said her broth.
er, with smile, after he had taken a seat
| why, no, James," she replied. "Five years
| have altered you wonderfully. But then that
| beard all over your face makes a good deal
difference"
AN the difference in the world, sister,
saidJames. 1.-TWO years ago, while my ship
lay at Canton. had my beard all shaved off,
ana when came aboard some of my own men
dld not know me at first"
"Then I wish you'd shave it off now," said
his sister, "for YOU look more like bear
| than you do like James BarrOws"
| The brother laughed, and then the conver.
satlon ran for awhile upon various topics sug.
gested by the return of the loved one James
Barrows was now thirty-two wears of age
and had been absent for five wears, during
which time he had command of fine ship. g
by the way" said the brother, at the end
OF half an hour, II stopped in-street on
my way here, and saw Kate Waldron. She
told me she heard you say you wished your
husband had never known me. Did YOU eve1
say such a thing as that?"
Lydia's eyes filled with tears in moment
and deep sob broke from her lips. HeI
brother was startled He moved to her side
and put his arm about her neck.
! what is 1t, my sister?" he asked anxiously
"Alas, James, will tell you," she replied
But first let me assure you that I did not
mean exactly what said to Kate. You re.
member about five years ago, when you used
TO tell me such stories about the gambling g
| scenes, that Ambrose asked you to teach him
to play 'picquet, as you called it. You taught
him the game, and for one or two evenings
you went with him to some social card par.
ties"
Yes, yes-1 remember all that" said
James.
"Wel," continued Lydia, "the spirit of gam.
ing is now fastening itself upon him. can
see 1T plainly, though he tries to laugh away
my fears. know it so, for have been told
| by one who is my friend, and who told me ou1
OF pure friendship for Ambrose But / have
not yet dared to let him know how sure my
information is, for he would be angry did he
Know that any one had told this to me. Oh
know his impetuous nature, and fear ht
will be lost ere he is aware of it. Evil com
thinks them friends"
! And do you think he has gone to the care
table to-nlght?' inquired her brother.
II am afraid so," she replied. "And if hi
does-oh! 1 dare not think of it! He has
a good deal of money with him. Before you
came =! was weeping over my fears. have
cerning his course, for feared 'twould only
make Lin more excited. Alas! I know moi
what to do. I do not think he has yet lost
| much, but know he will never leave the
fascinating habit until he is ruined, unless
something can be done to move him"
Wis true enough, LYDIA" returned the
Captain, Il did teach Ambrose to play
though God knows never meant to teach him
to gamble-and I will cure him now if can
Do you think he is at it now?"
| ~ hlnK he would have been at home before
this time if he mad not fallen in with some O.
his evil associates" said LYDIA"
| Then, my dear sister, you rest here while
| if can."
'But you'll come back soon," said his sis
ter.
James stopped, aud thought for a moment
Il don't know" he said. But don't You be
worried. No harm shall befall Ambrose to-
night"
4 Il
1t vas just nine o'clock as Ambrose Dear
porn entered gambling house. His business
mad kept him later than usual, and having
MADE a good sum in trade that day, he had
determined to stake the amount upon the
altar OF IL fortune. His wife was right in he1
Tears. The card table had gained fascinating
power over him, and he had lost some heavy
sums; but on the previous evening he had
pee pesn @ cursed with a turn on winning luck, and
,ast tat won won PACK very nearly as much as he had
,cse; ana ne was now on his way to continue
MS luek! He meant only to play an hour OF
SO, ana then go home. He went up to the
sldeboard and took a glass of wine, and as
ne turned he met stranger, who had appar
emily come for the same purpose.
dood evening"" said the stranger in 9
pleasant tone, as he poured out a tumbier full
OF warer from the pitcher and drank it
Ambrose returned the salutation. II came in