Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-25

straight lines of poplars. Within the room a
silver lamp suspended from the ceiling threw
light upon the table. leaving the farther
parts of the room in shadow. The walls
were hung with faded tapestry. On
the low bedstead in one corner lay hand
some cloak, a sword, and one of the clumsy
pistols of the period. Across a chair lay
another cloak and sword, and on the win
dow seat, beside pair of saddle-bags, were
strewn half a dozen such trihes as soldiers
carried from camp to camp-a silver comit-
box, jeweled dagger, a mask and velvet
cap.
The faces of the players, as they bent over
the dice, were In shadow. One-a slight,
dark man of middle height, with a weak
chin, and mouth as weak, but shaded by
a dark mustache-seemed. from the occa-
sional oaths which he let drop, to be losing
heavily. Yet mis- opponent, a stouter and
darker man, with a sword-eut across his left
temple, and that staggering air
which has at all times marked the profess
sional soldier, showed no signs of triumph
or elation. On the contrary, though he
kept silence, or spoke only formal word or
two, there was gleam of anxiety and sup
pressed excitement in his eyes, and more
than once he looked keenly at his compan-
ion, as if to judge of his feelings or learn
whether the time had come for some expert
ment which he meditated. But for this, an
observer looking in through the window
would have taken the two for only one more
instance of the hawk and p4geon.
At last, the younger player threw down
the caster, with a groan.
"You have the luck of the evil one," he
said bitterly. How much is that?"
1.-TWO thousand CROWDS" replied the
Ill nj
more?"
"No! I wish to heaven I had never
played at ALL" was the answer. As he
spoke, the loser rose, and, going to the
window. stood looking moodily out. For
few moments, the elder man remained
seated, gazing at him furtivsly, but at
length be too rose, and stepping softly to his
companion, touched him on the shoulder.
"Your pardon a moment, M. lie Vicomte," )"
he said. sam right in concluding that
the loss Of this sum will inconvenience
you?"
"a thousand feDdsI" exclaimed the
young Vicomte, turning on him wrathfullv.
us there any man whom the loss OF 2, 600
crowns would not Inconvenience? As for
me-
'For you," continued the other, smoothly
filling up the pause, "shail 1 be wrong in
saying that 1T means something like ruln?"
"Well, sir, and If it does?" the young
man retorted. drawing himself up haugh-
tily, his cheek shade paler with passion.
depend upon it, you shall be paid. Do
not be afraid of thatP'
''Gently. gently, my friend" the winner
answered, his patience in strong contrast
with the others violence. 81 had no inten-
tion of insulting you, believe me. Those
who play with the Vicomte de Ianthenon
are not won't to doubt his honor. 1 spoke
only in your own interest. It has occurred
to me, Vicomte, that the matter might be
arranged at less cost to yourself"
"How?" was the curt question.
MAY I speak freely?" The Vicomte
shrugged his shoulders, and the other, taking
silence for consent. proceeded: "YoE. vi
comte, are Governor of Lusignv Tor the
King of Navarro; I, of Creanee, for the
King Of France. Our towns lie only three
leagues apart. Could by any chance, say
on one OF these fine nights become master
of Lusigny, it would be worth more than
1000 crowns to me. Do you understand?"
"No," the young man answered slowly,
II Dc not"