The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-04-26

Sir Basil DOVetree'S Last Stake.
were worth Il mans while to hazard at
Il single throw. You said at a single
throw, did you not, Warrington?
Il did," replied the creole, lOlling back
in his chair with a careless air, and
gazing listlessly at the diamond buckles
in his shoes.
Sir Basil started up in his seat. Put
down 100000, Pelham, and I'll risk
Ravensmarsh against the sum-. he
said, pouring out q bumper of old Bur
gundy, and then swallowing the same.
mo, Basil, not IT, returned the lat
ter, veIy slowly. Forty thousand
pounds! Cad O. mercy! [ am not quite
deranged enough to venture so large an
amount as that on a single throw of
the dice. I thought, Basil, you would
like to get a chance Of rfdding yourself
of the old place, um?" he added, sig
nificantly.
Sir Basirs featured quivered spas
medically; hand, cold and hard as
! steel, seemed to be graphing at his
heart.
Stretching his arm across the table
he seized hold Of the dice-bOx, and
ratified it's contents.
Those sounds were music to the Gre
Ole's ears.
Sir Basil Dovetree's hands were
trembling, and chilly as ice.
Il am ready, Pelham" he said
hOarSely. 'RavcnSmlrSh against your
f2OOOO!"
The guests gathered around the table,
/ at which the young baronet was seated,
curiosity and amazement depicted Oh
the features Of ALL
Tho croOln'S focn JyOpn itS 11c11a1 oy
pressiOn-it betrayed neither eagerness
nor fear; it was placid as the bosom of
a lake in summer time.
All were looking on.
''NOW!' cried Sir Basil, suddenly
throwing the dice.
''Twelve!" he added, in an exulting
voice.
Pelham took up the other dice-box,
which was to all outward appearance,
! precisely the same as the first, and ran
his finger rapidly round its edge; as he
did SO his countenance fell, Sir Basil
had used the loaded dice. which the
creole had secretly placed in the box.
! Pelham Warrington was caught in his
/ own snare, and the blrOnet had, by ac-
ident, won 100000.
"BraYov' exclaimed the victor. Ira
YensmarSh is still miner
"Ay, for the time being" Warrington
! muttered between his set teeth, conceal
! ing as best he could the dfslppoint-
ment and rage he felt at the utter fail
ure of his wicked scheme. Chime be
! the triumph to-day, tomorrow it may
be mine" he added within himself, as
he complacently handled the pack of
cards, all the while weaving fresh plans
of villaily and plotting how he could
possibly carry them into effect
Sir Basil did not remark. the creole's
abstracted manner, which, strive as he
would, did not escape the observation
OF many of those present.
Pelham Warrington was filled with
bitter feelings, and in his utmost heart
he had garnered up, a whole host of
vile intentiOns-al of which were to be
levelled against the unfortunate Sir
Basil Dovetree.
That same night the young baronet
staggered into the presence of the
woman who had so generously trusted
him, and reeled into a chair
She took no notice of his condition; !;
she was accustomed to see him over
come by wine and excitement, and con-
sequently the scene had nothing in it
new.
But, Notwithstanding that fact, Ger
trude could not help feeling q growing
Indignation against the man who was
thus constantly forgetting the respect
due to himself and cruelty neglecting
her.
Let man be ever so handsome, and
clever, and good, and let a woman love
him ever so deaflyy affairs must re-
verse themselves against him when he
chooses to reverse them against him
self. -. ~ }
On the following morning Pelham
Warrington sought poor Gertrude in
her lonely bower, and there and then
he commenced his nefarious designs
upon the peace of an innocent and
much-injured woman.
You are consumed with solitude,
Lady Dovetree" he began, in sympa-
thizing accents. "It is really too bad
of Sir Basil to condemn you to this
sort Of life! I have told him as much
over and over again; but he is welded
to pleasure, and am afraid is rather
selfish-most men are apt to be So, ]
think-which is a grave fault in our
sex, is it not, Lady DovetreeY
She smiled family, not knowing what
answer to make him, and he proceeded
growing bolder at every word he spoke
"Such charms as yours ought to make
man forget verything but love fol