The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-05-21

any trickery TO attain the object he
had in view.
"A about a quarter past twelve O'Clock
Sydncy'S losses amounted 10 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, and
SO continued and played on.
Stanley, having frequently cast his
eyes toward the Ormulu clock upon the
chimney-piece at last suddenly start
ed 10 his feet. and. sweeping the cards
together. hurled them towards the fire
place. saying 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 lie
should come TO know what had been
the very serious result to one of the
party, would be excessively angry.
And then he exclaimed. ut the very
top of his voice: perhaps you are
not aware. gentlemen, that Sydney
Drummond has lost one hundred II
twenty pounds"
And hardly were those words uttered
when the clock upon the mantle piece
struck One
No one, not even sydney Drumnond
himself. was at all pleased that play
had been so suddenly and SO uncere-
moniously terminated.
Stanley's friends made a great out
cry: and Sydney. having said. haughtl-
ly. that for his losses there was no oc-
casion that Mr.. Clarcmont should be
under the least cOncern. quilted the
room; and. agitated and angry with
himself for the weakness he had dis
played. proceeded 10 his w bed cham
Der.
When there he went to his port
manteau and drew from Ii a roll OF
bank notes; and. counting them over,
murmured to himself, with quivering
lips and trembling voice: Poor grand
mother, poor Tony
Having returned to the gambling
party and paid his debts, amounting,
altogether, as has just been stated, TO
Il hundred and twenty-five pounds:
He was about TO retire, but was not
allowed TO leave.
He was compelled to remain until
there was Il 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 ana 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 sorrOwtul
We're the stealthy looks hich Frances
fixed upon his pallid features.
Stanley expressed his regret that
tbA wanna man had hnnn Ga vnr- nm
fortunate, and lost no time in inform
ing his uncle that Mr.. sydney Drum
mond had. on the previous night. 10 It
Il hundred and twenty-five pounds.
Sir LOgnlen was very Solry for that.
and sorry. toe. that Sydney should
have suffered himself to be prevailed
upon 10 play.
1T is 40 fatal habit. | know. Sir
L"ghlou," sydney said. Il had. / sup
pose. need of a lesson: | have received
a heavy one and shall profit by il. |
have lever played before. and will
play again in all my life-nev-
err
'You will do well to adhere to that
resolution" said the Baronet.
Stanley'S friends had been gone
some hours. ana the moment for the
'N ~ Tvs IL WIZ si'otN w
proceed toward London had arrived.
Carriages We're 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 ut Wexford had ~
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. Il watcl-Seal Of somewhat
remarkable pattern.
He conjectured hat il must have
been dropped there by some one of
ClaremOnt'S inebriated friends. who.
on the night before. and m%istaking his
way. had Numbered into Sydney's
room.
Sydney placed the seal in his waist
coat pocket. intending TO ask immrdi-
ately of Stanley if he could say 10
which of his friends it belonged.
~