Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-18
A MONTE CARLO TRAGEDY.
The Story Received by New Haven Ms
in Letter From a Croupier.

Inc story Received by q New Haven Man
in a Letter From a Croupier.
From the New Haven Evening Register
Julius Prokasky, proprietor of the Yale Hotel
and restaurant on Center street, bias Just re-
ceived a letter from a relative in Monte Carlo
who is one of the croupiers at the Casino de-
failing one Of the most remarkable tragedies
which has been enacted at this great gambling
resort, for which it has become famous
The letter states that about the goth of No.
vember there arrived at Monte Carlo a captain
Of French hussars (the name is not given. who
was accompanied bya most beautiful girl of about
twenty years of age. whom he had but day or
two before married the visit to Monte Carlo
being in their wedding tour. The couple ar
rived at Monte Carlo about noon and took up
their quarters at fashionable hotel
During the afternoon the captain expressed
wish to visit a French garrison located on the
outskirts of Monte Carlo, the officers of which
were old friends of his whom he had not seen
in some time. His wife gladly acquiesced in
his plans, and as he was taking leave of his
bride she jokingly remarked that it might be
well If he confded to her care the 5000 francs
which he had In his possession lest On his way
to and from the garrison he might be induced
to enter the Casino and become interested in
the play which was going on and lose the whole
amount. Although said in Jest there was
wealth of earnestness underlying her remarks
that induced the officer to acquiesce in her
request, and he turned over to her care the
5000 francs, all the money he had in the world.
As he left the house he promised to return by
10 O'Clock at night at the latest.
When he made the promise he fully intended
to keep his word, but the officer upon meeting
his friends at the garrison forgot about time,
and when he fully realized that he must return
Ecme it was long after the hour he had set 70
his waiting bride. The latter i'll the meantime
became hat Of .-
husbands non-appeaI ance at the time set. and
thinking thai perhaps he had stepped into the
Casino gu his return, had become inter ested
and had forgotten his promise she resolved 10
go to the Casino and meet him. She forthwith
set out for the palace, which she reached in
due time; and, entering. began to search for
her hege lord and master. She was unable to
hnd him, but the attractions of the place inter-
ested her and in the excitement OF the nome mt
she forgot all else except the gambling that
was going on about her.
In a moment of forgetfulness she resolved to
tempt fortune herself, ana sitting down before
table she began to wager money. AT the time
she had IN her possession the 5000 francs con-
nded to her by her husband, which she had
Carried with her for safety. Losing her own
money, she began the use OF her husbands
funds. Fortune did not favor her. but the ex-
citement and the hope of retrieving her losses
alluied her to continue, and before she realized
it the whole of her husbands possessions mad
passed from her keeping. When the last franc
had gone the realization OF her act came over
her. and, thoroughly alarmed, she arose and
staggered from the room.
Il was on the verge of dependency that she
staggered out into the grounds, and with but
FAINT idea of where she or where she was
going she began to wander aimlesslv about
In the course of her wanderings the letter
states, a Russian count observed her and be-
iIg struck by her demeanor and beauty, made
bold to inquire the cause of her excited condi-
ton She answered him. She told hIm the
tale OF her downfall. He sympathized with her.
He won hex confidence. and then, like an ani-
NAL sure Of his prey, he made propositions to
her. agreeing not only to pay back all she had
lost. but as much more besides. In her ex-
tremity. but scarcely realizing the enormty of
her crime. she consented and in desperation
accepted the counts arm TO fulfill them.
In the meantime her husband, in his Jour
ney nome from the garrison, had entered the
grounds of the Casino. and wac hurryipp
along with all possible speed to meet his wife,
when all unsuspecting, he came upon her
upon the arm of her escort The truth came
upon him like flash, and, without waiting for
explanations, but believing that his wife had
dlsgraced him he pulled revolver from his
pocket and fred at the couple He was an
accurate marksman. At the first shot his wife
fell corpse, ana at the second the Russian
count was sent into eternity. Standing over
their dead bodies. the French officer completed
the tragedy by sending bullet thr ough his
own brain. Their bodies were discovered
short time afterward, and, aside from a brief
period OF wonderment matters continued as
usual, the tragedy being forgotten in the
tumuit OF excitement that fills the atmosphere.