Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-12-23

HluLeJ vi ll-auu IOSI. SOQITary 10
my expectations, he arose and stroIled
listlessly from the tent. Il will play no
more tonight he said. You may not
believe it, friend, but l am directed
II saw no more Of him for few days,
cut learned that he had lost a few gold
pieces every night, waiting patiently
for his loved ace of diamonds, seeing
the money swept in by the harpy fingers
OF the dealer and then turned quietly
away. On the last night of the fair l
walked over to Autoine's tent. On
every side the hum of trade, the fash
ing of lights, the swapping of castsnets.
and twang of guitars were accentuated
by the sense that on the morrow the
vast caravan would be gone, and the
great prairie lie bald and bleak in its
loneliness. Inside the large booth ex-
cited players were grouped around the
table, and the clink of dollars was in
cessant. Antoine was dealing and his
usually impassive face was flushed with
mescal. Refugio sat almost in front of
him, with strange. drawn look ON his
features, ami his great, heavy belt In
front of him.
II have here, he whispered, patting
it excitedly, the bill Of sale of five
hundred mares and three hundred gold
gold eagles, S1l 600 in all. am wait
ing for my fate and shall win.'
''Antoine glanced across the table at
him neryously, l thought, and raked to-
gether his cards for a fresh deal. His
fingers trembled as they felt Reiugios
eyes on them. The cards were shufiisd,
cut by the right hand man and the first
two were laid face upward on the table.
They were the deuce Of hearts and the
king of clubs, 4 few pesos we're placed
on the deuce and turning his pack face
downward. the dealer drew the bottom
card and with slight, graceful motion
tipped 1t on the table. Il was the
fateful diamond ace. Rsfugio reached
over and showered a handful OF gold
pieces upon it. The next card was the
four OF spades and it hGttered down by
the ace. Refugio's painted shibboth
was fanked on either side by the club
ana spade.
"'Do you take tap:' he said to Au-
tome.
"'Bet all you like, said the latter,
savagely, and pulling out drawer of
his table he showed the ranged columns
of coin.
Eleven thousand pesos on the ace,
said RefugiO, emptying his belt.
1.-The game paused, while slowly and
quietly Antoine counted the money.
He examined the bill of sale carefully,
expressed his satisfaction, said ths
money was correct, and while the black
and blue eyes Of the assembled Mexi-
cans aud Americans were fastened on
his viry fingers with an eager interest.
resumed the deal. You know Mexican
monte. of course? In placing his money
on the ace Refugio simply wagered that.
the deck being turned face up and the
top ca.ds removed successfully and
placed on the table, an ace would show
up before a four. The tin lamp flick
cred titiully, the figures around the
green cloth seemed carved of stone aud
the deal went on. Refugio sat with his
face hidden, his head resting on MS
bands. The buriy -Frencirmau showed
no emotion. Sudderly, rs the cards
sank one by one to the boards, there
was a universal exclamation from the
watchers. The top card slipping down
disclosed an ace.
lyon have won, said Antoine. aud
he counted out the money. Il lett his
drawer and table bare. Il am ruined
man. he added simply, and walked ont
of the tent. 4 moment later VIC heard
pistol shot. We found him not ten
PAGES from tine spot OF his ruin, with
bullet III his heart. 4 tiny, Ieweled
pistol, womaL's weapon, lay near his
outstretched and Ierveless hand. Oh
the handle was chased in letters OF
silver the single word "Jllianna.
"Hsd he known Refugio's wife?'
81 think not. Simply a coincidence,
l suppose"