The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1896-05-12
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had in view.
A about a quarter past twelve o'clock
Sydney's losses amounted to upwards
of forty pounds; and he wished then
to withdraw from the game. but was
persuaded by Stanley and his friends
that fortune must soon change, ana
so continued and played Oh.
Stanley, having frequently cast bis
ewes toward the ormulu clock upon the
chimney-piece at last suddenly start
ed to his feet, and, sweeping the cards
together, hurled them towards the nre-
place, saving that there should be no
more play that night; that he was
very sorry that it had been at all pro-
posed, and that his uncle, when he
should come to know what had been
the very serious result to one of the
party, would be excessively angry.
And then he exclaimed, at the very
top Of his voice: Perhaps you are
not aware. gentlemen, that Sydney
Drummond has lost one hundred ana
twenty-five pounds"
And hardly were those words uttered
when the clock upon the mantle-piece
struck "Oney
No one, not even Sydney Drummond
himself, was at all pleased that play
had been so suddenly and so uncere-
moniously terminated.
Stanley'S friends made great out
cry; and Sydney, having said. haughtl-
ly, that for his losses there was no &C.
casion that Mr.. Claremont should be
under the least concern, Quilted the
room; and, agitated and angry with
himself for the weakness he had dis
played, proceeded to bis own bed cham
Der.
When there he went to his port
manteau and drew from 1T roll OF
bank notes; and, counting them over,
murmured to himself, with Quivering
lips and trembling voice: poor grano-
mother, poor Tony!'
Having returned to the gambling
party and paid his debts, amounting,
altogether, as has just been stated, tc
a hundred and twenty-five pounds;
He was about to retire, but was not
allowed to leave.
He was compelled to remain until
there was general dispersion; and it
was considerably past o'clock before
Sydney, utterly wretched and full OF
shame, had thrown himself upon his
bed, to doze and dream painful
dreams, to awaken suddenly in great
terror and then to doze and dream
again.
Worn and haggard on the following
day looked Sydney, and very sOrrowful
were the Stealthy looks hich Frances
fixed upon his pallid features.
Stanley expressed his regret that
the young man had been so very I'M
fortunate, and lost no time In inform
ing his uncle that Mr.. Sydney Drum
mOnd had, on the previous night, lost
a hundred and twenty-five pounds.
Sir Lognlen was very sorry for that,
and sorry, too, that Sydney should
have suffered himself to be prevailed
upon to play.
''It is 40 fatal habit, I know. Sir
Lcghlen,' Sydney said. Il had, sup.
pose, need of a lesson; have received
a heavy one and shall profit by it.
have never played before, and will
never play again in all my life-nev-
er!.v
"You will do we'll to adhere to that
resolutions" said the Baronet.
Stanley's friends had been gone
some hours, and the moment for the
departure of those who were about to
proceed toward London had arrived.
Carriages were in waiting, and the
travellers descended to them. Frances,
leaning on the arm of Sydney, who
was carrying in his hand, and by, as
we have before seen him do, the strap
which was around it, the box in which
had been placed the money and dOcu'
ments which at Wexford had been
given to his care.
When in his bed chamber, and about
to unlock the cupboard in which he
had placed his money-chest, Sydney
had seen lying on the carpet and had
taken up. watch-seal Of somewhat
remarkable pattern.
He conjectured that it must have
been dropped there by some one OF
Claremont's inebriated friends, who,
on the night before, and mistaking his
way, had blundered into Sydney's
room.
Sydney placed the seal in his waist
coat pocket, intending to ask immedi
ately of Stanley if he could say to
which of his friends it belonged.
To be continued.)