Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-14

captain.
Ernest mechanically put down few
ducats on the re-.
"Red wins" said the banker, in the
same tone. make your game while
the ball rolls"
Why need We follow the fortunes Of
Ernest on this fatal evening, a. he yield
ed step by step to the seduction tc
which he was now exposed for the first
time In his life? Long after 5teiniord
left the gambling house, he continued
to play. His luck turned. He had soon
lost all his winnings and the money gel
apart for his bridal presents. He had
broken the BANK notes, the money he
had received from his father for the
purchase of bis com mission, and though
he saw bill after bill swept away before
bis eyes, he continued to play, in the
desperate hope OF winning back his
losses. At length his last ducat was gone.
He rose and left the room, the last
words ranging in his ears being:
"Make the game, gentlemen, while
the bail rolls"
Despairing and heart-stricken the
young man sought his hotel and cham
her. On the staircase he encountered
Madame Won Berlingen, but he saw her
not his eyes we're glazed-he did not
notice or return her salutations. He
threw himself upon his bed without
undressing, and toward morning fell
into dream-peopled slumber.
When he arose late next day, he
looked at himself in the glass but
scarcely recogniz his own face, 80
changed was be by the m rental agonies
be had undergone. When he had paid
some little attention to his toilette, he
received a message from Madame Won
Berlinger, requested the favor of an in.
teryiew in her apartments. He me
cha ical y obeyed the summons, though
Ill-htted 70 sustain conversation with q
lady.
The widow requested him to be seat
ed.
MIR. Walstein," said she, "you are
growing very ungallant. / met you last
night upon the staircase, but, though |
spoke to you, you had not word or
nod for me-"
Last night, madame" answered the
young man, d" was very
much beside myself. Ga, MADAME
you knew all"
81 do know all"
"What, that | have been gambling
that | had thrown away-yes, those are
the words-every ducat of the money
my poor father furnished me with
which to pure 4ase my commission?'
"Yes-but the loss is not irrepsra-
ole."
Pardon me, madam. My father,
.hough reputed wealthy, is unable to
urnish me with a similar sum, even if
were base enough to accept 1t from
lis hands"
Bot if some friends were to step for
ward"
ALIAS! | know none."
"Mr. Walstein, am rich; a loan of
he requisite amount would not affect
ne in the least
"Oh, madame" cried the young man,
If you would indeed save me by such
you would be an angel of
nercy."
"What is the amount of your loss?'
inquired the lady calmly, rs she I'M
ocked her desk.
Three thousand ducats," answered
ernest. "But | can give you no secu-
ity for the payment"
"Your note Of hand is sufficient" said
he lady, handing the young man a
package OF notes.
please to count those and see if the
um is correct. Here are writing ma
erials.
Ernest did rs he was bid-counted
he money and then sat down to the
lesk.
Write at my dictation," said the
ady dryly.
Ernest took up the pen and then
Tine date"
Ernest wrote it.
Received OF Annie Won Berlingen
.he sum of 600 ducats.
Ernest wrote and repeated-3,00 600
lucats.
in consideration ! promise to
marry the aforesaid Annie Won Berlin
zen"
"Marry You"
"Ay-to marry me- Am deformed, |
am ugly, am l poor?'
Il cannot do it-you know not the !
reason that makes me refuse"
Then 60 home to Your father ard |
confess your guilt"
Ernest reflected Il few moments. He
could not 90 home to his father with
the frighttui tale. 1t was a question
between suicide and marriage. he
signed the paper.
Now then, baron, saidthe widow to
herself, as she carefully secured the
promise, you cannot say that you
broke the heart of Anna by your cruel
ty. Take the money, Ernest" she
added aloud, "go and purchase your
Ernest obeyed. His dreams of yes
teIday morning had all been dissipated
by his own act; he felt degraded a
broken spirited criminal. He had sold
himself for gold
Here comes Captain Ernestp cried
a youthful voice. And q beautiful
blue-eyed CIR. of nineteen stood ct the
gate of pretty farm house, watching
the approach of a horseman, who, gaily
attlred In huZy lr uniform WAS gallon