Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-20
Rut there was that which seemed l;k. a

But there was that which seemed like
molten iron in his heart, and he thought
only of the little beggar-girl asleep in the
snow-the child that he had robbed of her
only store.
"She is still asleep on the bench of
course, she must be therel In little
while, yes, at the stroke of one, swear, L
will leave this placei will go and take
her, fast asleep, in my arms l will take
her home, lay her upon my bed, and | will
rear her and love her as my own, own
child / will provide for her handsome
dowry, and watch over her from this day
forth !"
So thought the infatuated gamester. But
the clock struck one-the quarter-the
half-three-quarters-and Lucien was still
seated at the gambling-table
At last, one minute before two, the
banker brusquely arose, saying:
"The bank is broken, gentlemen. That
will do for to-day"
With one bound Lucien was on his feet.
Pushing roughly aside the crowd of play
ers who surrounded him, watching his
play with envious admiration, he rushed
from the room, hurried down the stairs
and ran at full speed to the stone bench,
on which, by the dim light of gas-iet, he
could seen the form of the little girl.
"God be praisedp he exclaimed. "She
is still therep
He drew near, and grasped the tiny
hand.
"My God how cold she Isl Poor little
thingp
He raised her gently in his arms to
carry her away. The child's head fell
back heavily, but she did not awaken.
"How they sleep at her agep said
Lucien, compassionately.
He pressed her to his breast to warm her
icy form, and, seized with a vague alarm
at the heaviness of heI slumber, bent over
to imprint kiss upon her eyelids, as often
before, he had on those of his hearts
| choice.
But as he leaned over the pinched little
face he saw, with terror, that the lids were
partially opened, half disclosing the eye
ball, CLASSY, sightless, immovable
AS the horrible suspicion shot through
his brain, he put his mouth close to
the lips of the child, but no breath came
through the set and icy lips.
While Lucien had gained fortune
with the louis dor stolen from this beggar
girl, the poor little homeless waif had
died of cold in the street.
Almost suffocated with the terrible an
guish and remorse that had seized upon
him, Lucien endeavored to utter shrek.
and in that effort awoke from his night
mare on the bench of the gaming-room,
where he had fallen asleep little before
midnight, and where the porter, upon
closing up about FIVE o'clock in the morn
ing, had left him undisturbed, out of pity
for his misfortune.
The foggy dawn of bleak December
morning was family cleaning through the
windows when Lucien left the Inflated
place, put his watch in pawn, took bath,
breakfasted and went directly to the re-
cruiting office to sign an agreement as vol
unteer in the Fifth Regiment of the Light
Cavalry of Africa.
Lucien de Hem is now Lieutenant; he
has no income but his salary, but he man
ages to live very comfortably thereon,
being an officer of excellent habits and
neuer touching card. 1t seems that he
even finds it possible to lay up little
store, for the other day, in Algeria, COM
rade wko was walking short distance be-
hind him in one of the steep streets of
Kasba, saw him give aims to little Span
lard asleep upon doorstep, and was so
indiscreet as to satisfy his curiosity con-
corning the amount Lucien had given TO
the beggar-girl. The inquisitive fellow
was greatly surprised at the generosity of
the poor Lieutenant.
Lucien de Hem had slipped louis dor
into the hand of the sleeping child.