The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-24
A CROUPIER'S STORY.

L
perhaps not, but what I used to be does
not matter. I have been croupier long
enough to forget other things.
watch the people and can always tell
just what they play and whether they are
used to it or not.
One day saw bride and groom, they
looked to be. He was a great, tall, dark
fellow, a superb specimen of physical
strength, with q passionate mouth, but a
splendid chin, which should have redeem
ed it. She-well, she was what You would
have expected him to fancy tiny woman
with tangle of golden curls and wide
open blue eyes heavily fringed in brown
the sort of dependent little creature that a
draws out all the good in a fellow because
she loves and believes in him.
He teased her to play, and at last she
consented, though reluctantly.
She clapped her tiny gloved hands when
she won, as she always did, and soon had
little pile of silver into her portemonnaie
with laugh as clear as silver bell, say
ing, 81 know when to STOP
He was still playing and did not stop
until she drew his stakes away and said:
'fCeme, Phil, we must 60" Then he
yielded to her smile, and they moved
away. I smiled grimly to myself knew
fiercely. The gambling fever was in his
blood.
was right. In half an hour they were
back, and he won steadily Once she
snatched his 20 franc piece from the red
and put it the star. 1t won, and she
had her 100 francs. He was like mad
man and struck her on the back, not
meaning to hurt her, but because he was
beside himself with joy.
She shrank from him little and grew
pale at his loud laugh.
"Come away, Phil. Indeed, you've
played enough - heard her whisper.
SIN minute he said, shaking off the
little hand laid SO gently on his arm.
Her eyes flashed, and with a swift move
ment she snatched his stake and swept his
money away from him.
Hang it, 1 would have wonl'' he cried
fieroely.
"Oh, Philip was all she said, bat her
tone, SO hurt SO surprised, recalled him
to himself.
They walked away a few steps, and
could hear them talking.
'Don't play any more, Phil-please
don't, heard her say.
"Just once more, " he urged, land then
will 60"
ooh, Phil, I'm so tiredl Please take
me home. Don't leave me here alone
said the pleading voice.
''Just minute, Dolly and he came
back to play.
There she stood, alone. About her
surged the crowd, a motley one. Curious
looks were cast upon the fair young Eng
lish girl. One man spoke rudely to her,
but she needed not. She did not hear him.
She heard only the beating of her heart
Across her face swept every emotion.
Such proud little facei I read it like a
book.
Cut to the quick she was that he should
only neglect her. Wounded pride, annoy
ance, affection, all were battling within
her.
But the woman's love, which is stronger
far than pride, conquered. I saw her turn
and look at him and the heart break crept
into her face. Others were looking at
him, too, for he was playing high-10O,
200, 800 franc stakes-and losing every
thing.
She murmured to herself, "Oh, Phil,
didn't think you would have done it!'
Then she drew off her gloves, and upon
her pretty, slender, jeweled fingers I saw
a wedding ring. Perhaps she remembered
the ''for better or for worse with which
that ring was placed there, for she kissed
it furtively; then came swiftly to him.
"Phil,'' she said one hand upon his
shoulder.
He turned, not quite deaf to that voice
yet. He was like man in dream, his
ruddy face white and drawn, his eyes like
black Goals. The gamblers passion qutv
cred in every line of his figure.
f'Phil,'' that sweet voice, full of love
and pleading, said again, "when 1 show
you this" her finger on her wedding ring,
''you will come with me, won't your"
He looked irresolute.
just then she caught my glance, full of
pity. She drew up her proud, little head
like deer at bay. She was game to tho
5-.3A L.
croupierl
You never refused me anything before.
It is I-Dolores-who ask you. Come
Her eyes looked into his, and her great
love forced him to yield. "Just this once, -
he said hoarsely, finging down a 200 franc
note.
I saw her lips move. She prayed he
would lose. She was right. 1t was the
turning point. Had he won then he would
have played on and on until the end, and
then-who knows what thenP If there be
a God, surely he helps such souls as his,
for he lost
t'Come, Phil she said again, and IS If
dazed be let her lead him away.
Then the play stopped, and as turned
to go I saw them again. He was seated
upon a bench, his head on his hands, to-
tally unnamed. She stood beside him
with almost lnotherly kindness.
Poor old fellow Never mind. You
have me STILL she said.
He looked up at her, and if there was
ever worship in a mans eyes it shone in
his.
Eyes, he said TREMENDOUSLY. "Thank
God, I've got you still, my salvationi I
don't deserve your love- Dolly, but, please
God, will
Once afterward saw them. He looked
we'll and better, somehow, and she-well,
I'm not good at expressing things, but
think she never forgot that half hour all
alone Some things kill a woman. She
loved him a la mort and forgave him all,
but I think the joy of loving him died
within her soul that day.
She seemed older and had look in her
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