The morning call., 1891-07-05
SAVING THE HONOR
OF A FAMILY.
Albert Delpit Tells an Exciting Incident
Of the Gambling Table.
The Sudden Cry Of Warning in the
Very Act SEEKING Hand With the Stolen
Bank Note Crumpled in 1t.
Written for THE SUNDAY CALI.

Written FOR THE SUNDAY CALI.
They were talking of a cheating gambler
who had just been driven from club in
Paris and each one related a story; our
friend Captain j alone said nothing.
''Do you intend to be the only one not
furnishing your contribution" demanded
of him.
''If you insist"
"That's exactly what we dor
Every well. However, l warn you that
my story does not much resemble yours and
that my robber is exceedingly interesting"
$50 much the better! We are all earsP'
The Captain lighted cigarette and stood
leaning against the ma ntelpiece of the salon.
We had drawn nearer to hear him the bet
ter, with that somewhat curious eagerness
of men, who, after all, are only big chill
dren. From without the bright sunlight of
May shone through the half-clOsed window
shutters.
THE UNION CLUB.
sit was six years ago." said the Captain.
81 was in garrison at NJ. dull town in
duh little department. Not an amuse-
ment; not theater; only frightful cafe
concert of low standing. Once my days
work finished, l knew not what to do, and
gradually | had grown into the habit Of
going every evening to the Union Club, the
only one the town possessed. 1t was named
thus because its fIeQuenters constantly dis
puted there. In general, they played but
little there, except during the three great
fairs OF the year, each Of which lasted eight
days.
''One autumn afternoon, toward the COM
nenctment OF one of these fairs, L arrived
early at the club
"a great many people whom l did not
know were there; rich farmers who rarely
came to town, or the gentle folks OF the
country who seldom abandoned their
chateauX.
A BIG GAME ON HAND.
There's big game Oh hand today
said an habitue to me; it will be a curious
sight.
Il turned toward the gaming-table and
restrained IL movement of surprise. The
banker was a young man of % OF %. whom
l knew by sight. | took an interest in him,
for his father, who mad died bravely at Ma
genia had left him but little fortune and a
name difficult to bear. He came to the club
but occasionally and did not play. was
therefore greatly aStonlshed to see him rum
ming a bank and big bank, too, for notes
and louis were heaped up i'll front of him.
How mu:h Is on each square, asked
some one.
oh! said a wealthy farmer, laughing,
NJ. de Mertens Is in luck; he can run a
bank without limit
The young man was very pale; there was
a sort OF wildneSS in his eyes.
" Bank without limtp stammered he.
This was the signal for ill-luck. Ten
times in succession the unfortunate Mer-
tens lost In a quarter Of an hour the bank
was broken.
THE ALARM AND CAPTURE.
''Another player took his place, and the
game went on with such animation and ex-
element that l caught the fever myself and
began 10 play Ike everybody else.
There was 10 longer any room around
the table, and played standing. holding ia
my hand my hat into which | neryOusly
cast my winnings, which increased minute
by minute.
The game had grown more exciting than
ever, when some one called out TO me:
90 on are being robbed, Captainp
- | made a sudden movement and Instinct
lively seiz ID hand, the hand of NJ. de Mer-
tens, in which was crumpled a thousand
franc note he had just stOlen from me.
THE unhappy mans face was conyulsei
81 exchanged glance with him-one
only-and saw something touching in his
eyes widened by fear.
PRESENCE OF MIND.
M de Mertens is merely doing what he
has perfect right to do, SAID i, TRANQUILITY
and | am amazed that any one should dare
to make such an accusation against such a
man as he is. We are partners; lie has
there is about it.
The explanations were brief. The indi-
vdual who had given the alarm was max
ing his first visit to the club and was un-
acquainted with NJ. de Mertens the players
who were standing were somewhat Gro wded
one against another; the new conner had
seen hand slip into the hat and, believing
that | was being robbed, had cried out He
made humble excuses to NJ. de Mertens,
whom everybody surrounded. lamentiDg the
deplorable incident brought about by the
stupidity of an awkward fellow.
They then resumed playing and NJ. de
Mertens took his departure.
THE MOTHERS VISIT.
Three days passed without bringing me
any news of the young man. Nothing was
more natural than that he should not be
very anxious to sea me again In saving
him had saved the posthumous honor of a
brave soldier; but still thought it strange
that he had not sought in an indirect man
ner to show mo his gratitude.
One evening was going out to pay some
visits when my orderly informed me that
lady was waiting to see me in the salon.
at was woman OF a. years of age, with
calm, proud visage and royal look.
60 am Nine. de Merteus, said she to
me; my son has told me all and have
come to thank you for having preserved the
honor Of our name
" Madame
"'My son was madly in love with a
woman who necessarily demanded money
of him; he ruined himself for her: he
played and lost You know the rest
81 was exceedingly i'll at ease for the
grief of this noble woman moved me deeply :;
she was standing before me and tears
glistened in her black eyes.
A FOLLY OF YOUTH
SIT was folly of youth. madame I
stammered. will see your son-I will
lecture him.
"She gravely shook her head.
lyon win not see him, Captain: he has
enlisted in the marine infantry and came
here only after he had departed"
We had listened to Captain j without
interrupting him; when he had ceased
speaking there was brief silence.
And the denonement. Captain? What
became of NJ de Mertens?'
''He died. messieurs. Several years ago
received letter from Kelung; poor little
letter, written with pale ink upon paper
which was already yellow. 1t contained
these few lines:
~ am grievously wounded. Admiral
Courbet has just brought me the cross-but
| am going to die. | send it to you-my moor
cross-to you who saved me, and | shall be
happy il you will wear it,
That is why, messieurs instead of fasteu-
ing to my uniform the decoration which the
Chancellerie of the Legion of Honor be-
slowed upon. me. wear the cross of Ser
geant of Marine Infantry Mentans. who.
after having acted the thief, died at Kelung
like hero ALBERT DEIpIr