The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-15

him this good fortune. After tonights
experience over baccarat he will DO
wiser. lie has no income to speak of,
aud once cured of his gambling mania
he may set to work, thanks to this
thousand-franc note so miraculously
laid in his way"
"You believe thatl A gambler Is
never cured. Miriac did not hesitate
an instant about appropriating the
money-which proves that his honesty
il less than tha. of the wretched
drunkard who found the frat note:
for that miserable creature had q
struggle between vice and duty. Be-
sides, VIC are following Mariac, and
look at him he has turned back to the
club. In fifteen minutes he will come
out again without coin left aud
will be as passionate player rs be-
fore. Give the other bauknote to
some charitable bureau, Don Quixote
Of optimism, that will be better than
continuing your experiment"
"No, l shall carry out my idea,'
cried George, with some vexation, and
he tossed up the third aud last bank
note in the air, letting it fall where it
would.
For moment the note hovored un-
certain, then carried by the breeze it
fu,tered down at tho feet of passer
whose attire, without denoting cx-
tremo want,yet gave evidence of de =
cent, self.respecting, but uumistaka-
bic poverty.
The man started back as the paper
fell, then bent and picked it up. lie
gave a stifled cry IA he saw what it
was, then lie looked around and stood
for little while motionlcss as if lost
in thought. After that, very slowly,
as if his feet were made of lead, he
tottered toward bench aud sat down.
The two friends, affecting to sauntcr
carelessly by, turned and sat down
near him. As they did so tho man
moved rcstlessly, as if to take flight,
but changed his mind, and burying
his head in his hands he seemed TO
think deeply. Presently, forgetting
the presence of others, he began to
mutter:
"She is dying My children are
hungry am faint for want of
food This money would be life
and health to my wife broad for
my little ones who could have
lost i,p At this hour it
could not have been wretch
like me who would hesitate in
in my place?'
George and Leon had risen quietly
and were standing behind him. HIc
was too desperate 10 notice that he
was not alone. Poor fellow, his face
was pale and thin, even bony; his
check bones ju,ting out with lcanness;
his eyes shone with fever; although
hc was still young hi, beard was almost
white. lie had suffered cruelty. that
was evident; want and privation had
aged him prematurcly. Ie was cry
ing now, tile tears fell fast, and he
was shaken by his sobs. Then he rose
abruptly.
"The temptation and struggle last
de longer than with the Others said
Leon; "but he has yielded as they did,
Strange to say, feel rutlled at this
confirmation Of my worst theories"
"Still wc may as well follow him"
replied George; "the wife and chill
dren are interesting"
The man walled fast, hc turned
the corner of the Faubourgh Mont
marte, and walked straight on with a
fixed gazs that saw nothing.
IL feel sure he is suffering afro
ciously," said George, with emotion.
"Nonsense!" replied Leon, "if he
suffers at all it is because lie found
only one bank note"
All at once the man stopped and
the two friends were almost thrown
against him. Above the door of the
building before Which he stood hun q
u red lantern marked; "Police sta
tion."
As the man was entering George
laid his hand on his arm. ''Where
are you going?" he asked.
81 want to see the commissary. Are
you an agentS'
"What do you want with tho com
missary?"
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