Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-12-27

two days, and for two days the
IL has not come up. l would
give my hand if tonight at mid
night that number does not win"
This young man OF %, who had
never done a diShOnOrable act,
conceived a horrible thought. BY
a aqnick glance he assured himself
that he was alone IN the deserted
street. Then, bending his knees
and reaching cautiously forward,
he stole the gold louis from out of
the fallen sabOt. Rlnning bIek
as fast as be could to the gambling
house he re.entered, bounded up
the staircase, thrust open the door
of the accused place, entered just
as the clock was sounded the FIRST
stroke Of midnight, put the gold
louis on the green cloth and e1-
claimed, "All on the 17.'
"Se, enteel!' won. Within a
single stroke Lucen pushed the 3G
LOUIS on the red. The red won.
he lett the y louis on the same
color. The red won again.
He made the double stakes
twice, three tines, always with
the same success. He had now
before him a pile Of gold and bills
lie had won back the paltry
amount, his last resource. that he
had lost in the beginning OF the
game. Now, rlsking 200 or 800
louis at once, fivcred 10y fantastic
fat, he was about to win back he
patrimony which he had squan-
deted in such a few years. He
pla ed desperately, like drunken
man. like il mIdmln, and be won.
He cast his 'OuIs on the table
reckously with a certainty and dis
daln.
But in his heart was burning
pain. He was haunted by thoughts
of The brggar chl'd sleeping in the
snow, Of the child lie had robbed
"She was still IN The same place.
/ OF course She was. In few mo-
meuts, yes, as soOa as | o'clock
strlkes-Iswear it-1 will 60 out
from here. | will take her sleep
ing in NY arms. will carry her
home. l Will put her in my own
warm bed. And l Will adopt her
and love her as my own daughter,
and | will take care Of her always,
always
But the clock struck /, 1:lS, 1I5
and Luclen was still sitting
at the internal table. Finally, a
minute before >, The proprietor
arose Orusquely and said in a loud
voice: "The bank is closed, gentle.
men. Enough Tor today"
Loucien bounded to his feet
Roughly repulsing the gamblers
who crowded about him and re-
garded him with enviOus admira'
ton be hurried aud ran toward the
stone bench. From a distance be
saw the child under the gasllght
"rhank God" be cried. "Sle is
still there"
lie went up to her and took her
hand.
'Ob, bow cold sic is, poor little
thing~
He took her IN his arms ano
raised her mp. The child's head
fell back and she did no
awaken.
GLOW souudly one sleeps at hel
age"
He pressed her against his ches
to warm her, and seized with
vague anxiety he was about TO kiS;
! her on her eyes to awaken her
! Then lie saw with terror that they
were halt open, and that they were
set and gbastly. y horrible sus
picion crOsset his brain. He pnt
his month clio e to the childs. Nc
breath came out.
While Lucjen was waning a fOT
tune with the gold louis stolel
from the child she had die J, died
with cold.
Choking With anguish, Luciel
tried 10 cry ont, and in the effor
he aroused from his nightmare ant
found himself lying on the settle
in the clubrOom, where he hat
dropped asleep shortly before mid
, night, and where the porter, th
last TO leave in the morning, ha'
! left him undisturbed, ont of sJ m
patty for his misfortune.
J The DeceE Der morn shon
= through the frosty panes. Lucie
went out, pawned his watch, tool
, ! a bath, ate his breakfast, the
D went to the recruiting Office, wher
: h. enlisted s. a private In to
1 FIRST regiment of African Ch az