Great Falls weekly tribune., 1896-03-13
A CROUPIER'S STORY.

| used To II or not.
One day saw bride and groom, they
looked to be. He was a great, tall, dark
fellow, superb specimen of physical
strength with passionate mouth, but q
splendid chin which should have redeem
ell it, She--well, she was what you would
have expected him to fancy-a tiny woman
with u tangle of golden curls and wide
open blue eyes heavily fringed in brown
tho sort of dependent little creature that a
man worships all his life; the kind that
draws out all the good in fellow because
she loves and believes in him.
He tcased 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
doubled all he gave her. She poured the
little pile of silver into her portcmonnaie
with laugh as clear as a silver bell, say
ing, II know when to STOP"
He was still playing and did not stop
until she drew his stakes away and said:
"Come, Phil, We must go.' Then he
yielded to her smile, and they moved
away. 1 smiled grimly to myself 1 knew
he would return. The man was bitten
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 1t on tho 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 shranl1 from him little and grew
palo at his loud laugh.
"Come away, Phil. Indeed, you've
played enough I heard her whisper.
I'm minute" he said, shaking off the
littlo hand laid so gently on his arm
Her eyes flashed, and with swift move
ment she snatchcd his stake and swept his
money away from him.
''Hang it, l would have won!" he cried
fiercely.
"Oh, Phil" was all she said, hut her
tone, so hurt, SO surprised, recalled hinl
to himself.
They walked away few steps, and J.
could hear them talking.
Don't play any more, Phil--please
don't" heard her say.
".Just ones more" he urged, land then
I will co.
ooh, Phil, I'm so tired! Please take
said the pleading voice.
Just a minute, Dolly" and he came,
back to play.
There she Stood alone. About her
surged the crowd, motley one. Curious
looks We're cast upon the fair young Eng
lish girl. One man spoke rudely to her.
but she heeded not. She did not hear him.
She heard only the beating of her heart,
Across her face swept every emotion.
Such a proud little face! l 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 turI
and look at him and the heart break crept
into her face. Others were looking at
him, too, for he was playing high-100.
200 300 franc stakcs-and losing every
thing
She murmurcd to herself, sob, Phil,
didn't think you would have done i'll"
Then she drew off her gloves, and upon
her pretty slender, joweled fingers I saw
q wedding ring. Perhaps she Remembered.
the 'for better or for worse with which
that rire was placed there, for she Kissed
it furtiNcly; thon came swiftly to him.
Phil, she said, one hand upon his
shoulder.
He turned, not quite deaf to that voice
yet. He was like a man in d dream, his
ruddy face white and drawn, his eyes like
black Goals The gamblers passion quiv-
cred in every line of his figure
Phil, that sweet voice, full of love
and pleading, said again, "when l 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 q deer at bay. She was game to tho
croupicr!
you never refused me anything before.
1t is I-Dolores-whoa ask you. Come"
Her eyes looked into his and her great
love forced him to yield. "Just this once"
he said hoarsely, tlinging down 200 franc
note
l 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 then? If there be
n God, surely he helps such souls as his,
for he lost.
Come, Phil" she said again, and as IT,
dazed he let her lead him away.
Then the play stopped, and as turned
to go l saw them again. He was seated
upon q bench, his head ON his hands, to-
tally unnamed. She stood beside him
with almost motherly kindness.
Poor old fellow! Never mind You
have me STILL" she said
He looked up at her, and if there was
ever worship in Il mans eyes it shone in
his.
Yes" he said TREMENDOUSLY. "Thank
God, I've got you still, my salvation! L
don't deserve your love- Dolly, but, please
God, / will"
Once afterward saw them. He looked
well 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 Ia mort and forgave him all,
but | think the joy Of loving him died
within her soul that day.
She seemed older and had look in her
face like IL madonna.
That is all my story. but until din