The Somerset reporter., 1895-12-10

Hem put his hand into his pocket Then
he remembered that a moment before
be had not been able to find single
piece to give the errand boy at the club.
Urged by an instructive feeling of pity,
however, he went up to the child, and
was about to take her in his arms per-
haps, and carry her to place Of shelter
for the night, when, in the sabot lying
IN the SHOW, be saw something glitter.
ing. 1t was gold louis
A benevolent person, a woman, doubt
less, passing by, bad seen the shoe lying
before the sleeping child ON this Christ
mas eve, and recalling tic touching leg
end had given muniteently so that
the abandoned child might still believe
in the ei.'s II a4e by the infant Jesus,
and in suite 81 her misfortune have
some confidence and hore in the good
ness Cf Providence.
a louis lnat meant several days of
rest aud ease for the heegpr. Lucien
WAS about 10 Nukcn her and tell her
about ! when ne heard close to his ear.
as IN dream, voice-the voice of the
olander-murmuring these words:
Il have not stirred from here for two
days, and for two days the ~ has net
como up. | would give my hand if to-
night at midnight that number does not
win.
This Young man of %, who had never
done adlshonorable act, conceived her
rlble thought. By quick glance he as
sured himself that he was alone in the
DpEnTtnH fIhatt ha,Iinr,
and reaching cautiously forward, he
stole the gold louis from out Of the
fallen sabot. Running back as fast as he
could to tho gambling house he re-en-
tered, bounded up the staircase, thrust
open the door Of the accursed place, en-
tered just ms the clock was sounding the
first stroke OF midnight, put the gold
louis on the green cloth and exclaimed,
- All ON the II.
Seventeen won. With a single
stroke Lucien pushed the 36 louis on the
red. The red Won. He left the ~ louis
ON the same color The red Won again.
He made the double stakes twice,
three times, always with the same sue
fess. He had now before him pile of
eold and bills. He haG won back the
oaltry amount, his last resource, that he
mad lost in the beginning of the game
Now, riSking 200 or 300 louis at once,
favored by fantastic fate, he was about
TO win back the patrimony which he
had squandered III such few years. He
Played desperately, like drunken man,
like a mailman, and he won He cast
h.. 1Cr, l,a taI,1n ,.a,l-
certainty and disdain.
But in his heart was a burning pain.
He was haunted by thoughts Of the beg
gar child sleeping Ii the snow, of the
child he had robbed.
''She was still in the same place OF
course She was. In a few moments. yes
as soon as | O'Clock strihes-I swear it
| will 20 out from here. / Will take her
sleeping in my arms. l will carry her
home. l will put her in my own warm
bed. And | will adopt her and love her
as my own daughter, and | will take
care of her always, always. "
But the clock struck /, l:15, ID
and Lucien was still sitting at the in
fernal table. Finally, minute before
2, the proprietor arose brusquely and
said in loud voice: 1.-THE bank is
closed, gentlemen. Enough for today"
Lucien bounded to his feet Roughly
repulsing the gamblers who crowded
about him and regarded him with en-
vious admiration he hurried and ran to-
ward the stone bench. From distance
he saw the child under the gaslight.
THANK God - he cried. "She is still
there.
He went up to her and took her hand
"Oh, how cold she is Poor little
thingr'
He took her in his arms and raised
hAr mn The child's head fell backward