Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-07
CHAPTER vi.

Two liked ideas can no more exist together
in the moral world than in the physical
two bodies can occupy the same place at the
same time; and "Three, seven, ace" soon
drove away Hermann's recollection OF the
old Countess last moments. "Three, seven,
ace' were now in his head to the exclusion
of everything else.
They followed him in his dreams, and ap-
pearcd to him In strange forms. Threes
seemed to be spread before him like ma G.
nolias, sevens took the form of Gothic doors,
and aces became gigantic spiders.
His thoughts concentrated themselves on
one single point. How was he to profit by
the secret so dearly purchased? What if he
applied for leaves to travel? At Paris, he
said TO himself he would find some gamb-
ling house, where, with his three cards, he
could at once make his fortune.
Chance soon came to his assistance. There
was at Moscow society of rich gamblers,
presided over by the celebrated Tchekalin-
ski, who had passed all his life playing at
cards, and had amassed millions. For while
he lost silver only, he gained bank notes.
His magnificent house, his excellent kitch-
en-, his cordial manners, had brought him
eral esteem.
When he came to st. Petersburg, the
young men of the capital filled his rooms,
Iorsaking balls for his card parties, and pre-
ferring the emotions Of gambling to the
destinations of flirting. Hermann was taken
to Tchekalinski by Naroumoff. They passed
through long suite of rooms, full of the
most attentive, obsequious servants. The
place was crowded. Generals and high s.ofi-
cials were playing at whist; young men were
stretched out on the sofas, eating ices and
smoking long pipes. In the principal room
at the head of a long table, around which
were assembled a score of young players, the
master OF the house held a faro bank.
He was q man OF about 60, with a sweet
and noble expression OF face. and hair white
as snow. On his full, fiorid countenance
might be read good humor and benevo-
lence. His eyes shone with a perpet-
ual smile. Naroumoff introduced Her.
mann. Tchekalinskic took him by the
hand, told him that he was glad to see him;
that no one stood on ceremony in his house,
and then went on dealing. The deal occu-
pied some time, and stakes were made on
more than 80 cards. Tchekalinski waited
patiently to allow the winners time to double
their stakes, paid what he had lost, listened
politely to all observations and, more polite
w J.,
when In a fit of absence some one had taken
the liberty of turning them down. At last
when the game was at an end, Tchekalinski
collected the cards, shuffied them again, had
them cut and then dealt anew.
Twill YOU allow me to take card?' said
Hermann, stretching out his arm above
tat man who occupied nearly the whole of
one side of the table. Tchekalinski, with
gracious smile, bowed in consent. Narou-
moff com mplimented Hermann, with laugh,
on the cessation Of the austerity by which
his conduct had hitherto been marked, and
wished him all kinds of happiness on the oc-
cason of his FIRST appearance in the char
acter Of gambler.
"Therep' said Hermann, after writing
some figures on the back of his card.
"Row much?" asked the banker, half
closing his eyes. Excuse me, L cannot
see."
"Forty-seven thousand roubles," said
Everyone's eyes were directed toward the
:"He has lost his head" thought Narou-
moff
"Allow me to point out to you," said
Tchekalinski, with his eternal smile, that
Won are playing rather high. Wenever put
down here, as first stake, more than 175
roubles."
VERY well," said Hermann; "but do you
accept my stake or not?'
Tchekalinski bowed in token OF accepta-
ton. 81 only wish to point out to you" he
said. sthat although am perfectly sure of
INV friends 1 can only play against ready
money. 1 am quite convinced that your
word is as good as gold; but to keep up the
rules Of the game and to facilitate calcula-
tions. I should be obliged to you if you
would put the money on your card"
Hermann took bank-note from his
pocket and handed it to Tchekalinski, who,