Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-03-27

fulfilled. l won and won ana won
again till heap Of gold and notes was
in front Of me, and was the center Of
all eyes at the table. played reckless.
ly, and yet could not lose till sudden
1y my attention was distracted by the
arrival of Colonel Haughton, who leaned
over my shoulder and placed his stake
next to mine. As he did SO the ring
seemed to emit a faint sparkle, and
felt as if my careless good fortune had
deserted me- l wanted to win now,
whereas before had played for the ex-
citement only with the true gambler
spirit. And yet from that moment
lost. He also lost heavily-so heavily
that wondered if he were rich enough
to take it as philosophically as he APP
peared to. Nevertheless SO large a sum
/ had won at first that, though much
{ diminished, it was still small fortune
that gathered up when we left the ta-
bles.
'sYou brought me bad luck" I said
to Colonel Haughton as we walked back
to the hotel. "Do you know, think It
was your ring"
"I would never wear it again II
thought that. :" he answered Then, as
) we reached the garden and my father
passed on to the salon. '"Theo," he con-
tinued, ''stay moment. have some-
thing to tell you. My darling, love
you. love you more than life. Will
you try to care for me little in returnf
l want you for my wife. worship
youl'
All, Lionel, beloved, it scarcely need.
ed the assurance.of your love for me to
bring me the certainty of mine for you'll
If ever the gates of heaven open to NOR
tai eyes, they stood ajar for us that
night. The starlit garden was changed
into veritable Eden, and we walked
with wondering joy therein and rocked
not Of an angel with flaming sword,
who waited silently to drive us from
our paradise into outer darkness.
1t was scarcely noon the following
day when we began the ascent Of the
Dent du Chat, one Of the mountain
peaks that tower above AK.
II feel as if had wings and must
soar into higher atmosphere, had
said gayly. 'and since we cannot fly
let us climb. want to reach the top
Of that mountain with you and leave
the world behind us. Let us 60.
We were to ride up certain distance
and then disinount and gain the highest
point ON foot. Three guides accompanied
US, following leisurely, talking and ges-
ticulating to each other and paying lit
tie heed to us, save an occasional frantic
rush at the mules when we approached
an awkward corner Of the zigzag path
way, which had the effect of adding a
momentary uncertainty and danger to
our otherwise tranquil ascent. Wewere
not sorry when, after two or three hours
Of this progress, the guides told us we
must halt, and that they would remain
in charge Of the mules till we returned to
them 1t was rather toilsome climb,
and the sun was beating fiercely down
upon us, but we felt rewarded, when,
not far from the top. we reached pla-
teau where we could rest, while cool |
breeze from the distant snowy peaks re-
vived u.s.
Here is an armchair all ready for
you," Lionel said, leading me to where
soft couch Of mossy turf lay beneath |
the shadow of an upright, projecting
piece of rock. A yard or two farther on
the precipitous side of the mountain de- |
scended, sheer and impossible down al |
most to its foot terminating in dark
and narrow gorge between two ridges. |
Away on the left far below us nestled !
AK, and by its side the Lao du Bour- |
get with its island monastery surround |
ed by water as blue as Geneva's own.
''How lovely it isP' exclaimed. IT |
never knew before how beautiful life |
could be-
"Nor L. he answered. 81 have been
waiting for my wife to teach me. +" And |
then he told me of life in India, and of |
many adventures he had had, and final |
ly we spoke again of the ring and of my |
strange and sudden illness on that day. |
''Some day will tell you all about
it," said, land why have such Gu
rious feeling against tho ring. 7 wish !
you would not wear it. Yet now that |
you possess it have sort of supersti- |
tious dread that if you part with it it
will revenge itself upon you in some |
way. am sure saw it sparkle last |
night when the cards went against US.
You were SO terribly unlucky."
"Unlucky at cards. lucky in love. he !
quoted. but l noticed shadow on his
face. "What have you done with all
your wealth, little gambler? You have
not had time to spend it yet"
''Fare it is, answered, drawing
out L. = pocketbook. in which Ihad stuff
ed the notes, ''but l have taken dis
like to it. shall give it away, I think.
I would rather be lucky in another
way"
IT will send the ring to India on my
wedding day." Lionel exclaimed. Till
then will you wear it for me?' and
drawing it from his finger he was about
to place it upon mine.
But would not allow him to do so,
and laying it on the bank notes said:
'There's q contradiction! Good luck
and bad luck side by sidel Let US leave
them there" added half laughing,
half in earnest, ''and start again
afresh.
He turned suddenly away, and fear
ing he was vexed I laid my hand upon
his arm, but he shook it gently off. and
then saw he was singularly pale, and
that his breathing was quick and short,
and his eyes had a strangely troubled
and intent look. "Lionel, you are ill.,. :"
I cried "Oh, what is it, love? What
can do for you?''
eft is nothing" he said family, but
his voice was changed. "It will pass off.
Twill return to the guides and get some
water Wait here till come back.
''Let ME come with you, l entrear-
ed, but he shook his head and said he
was better and would be quite well if
would do as he wished. Then he began
the descent. l watched him for few
moments, till he was lost to view at a
bend of the mountain, before returning
to my seat But the sun had gone in,
and it seemed cold and dark, and dull,
heavy weight rested on my heart Twas
lonely there without him, and the mo-.
ments dragged on slowly and wearily,
till l felt the suspense and stiffness un-
endurable