Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-08-28

teach men and women homes" she
said, with a laugh. "You have been
blind not to see it all before. You know
l never really loved you"
He turned away with almost a sob in
his throat She looked at his bowed
head curiously. Suddenly she leaned
toward him, almost eagerly.
"Herrick. " she said, "give me the 30
francs. Let us risk all or nothing. I'll
try my luck"
He looked at her modify, then drew
tire coins from his pocket and tossed
them into her lap. "As You will. " he
said. 1T doesn't matter now"
She caught the money quickly to-
gether and rose.
"In go alone" she said. You'd
spoil the luck. Something tells me l
shall win tonight"
He watched her as she walked quickly
in tho direction Of the lighted building.
then turned and thrust his hands into
his empty pockets and walked slowly
and dejectedly in tho opposite direction.
With a mad rccklessness which was
characteristic of her, she staked all her
small capital ON the first throw-and
won. Keeping no reserve, she staked all
she had again and won again. With a
white, set face, and with something
beating hard and fast in her temples
like a little hammer, she played stead
lily on. Gradually a crowd grew about
her; n little, hoarsc murmur of surprise
! went up NJ she raked over the money
again and again. Everything she touch
ed turned to gold; she followed no sys-
tenn she played with the greatest irreg-
ularity.
Men, coming out into the night air,
laughing and talking eagerly, wondered
who she was and predicted that she
would certainly break the bank; others,
crowding in and peering over each
others shoulders, pressed to catch q
sight of the beautiful wonder. But the
woman played steadily en-; only now
and again she whispered, through her
set teeth, For my love-my Lowell"
They all came crowding out at last,
with Bertha Yeend walking in the fore
front of them-calm and white faced as
ever-with cries and shouts and laughter
all about her; she had broken the bank.
The notes and gold were gripped tightly
within her fingers.
She shook herself free of the CROWD
and came to the seat over which hat
leaned Leslie Penstone and sat dowT
there. But he did not come, and she goi
up at last, impatiently, and walked
slowly away.
She saw him coming toward her.
Leaning on his arm was a young girl.
Bertha Ycend thrust the notes and golC
into a bundle and held them between
her hands, gripping them iercely.
81 was hoping l should meet you, ;
she said softly. "Who is your friend2'
"Allow me-Miss Dora Brooke-Mrs
Yeend. AS an cid friend, Mrs. Yeend
you will be glad to know that Mis-
Brooke has consented to share the for
tunes and misfortunes of this most un
worthy servant. She is staying here
with her people; we're just looking TO
them"
He spoke with some degree Of nerv
business Mrs. Yeend merely smiled de
lightedly and spoke with her usual cas-.
grace.
81 must really congratulate you, Mr.
Penstone, " she said. 81 was looking
for my husband" Despite all her care
|, her lips would tremble a little as sh
finished speaking and bowed and lef
|, them.
I "Cowardf' che breathed fiercely q
she hurried on. $50 he lied, like all til
rest Of theml Well, sing hey for the oil
life. with some money to gid it an,
| make the dose ~palatablel'
Turning a corner quickly and thrust
ing the money into the bosom Of he
; dress, she came ON a little crowd gath
4 cred silently about something lying o
the ground. They tried to keep he
back, but she pressed forward and cam
within the circle aud looked down Q
what they surrounded.
Q It was Herrick Yeend-dead, with
bullet In his brain and a revolver griI
in his stiffening handl
Truly, fate is n mockeryl-In Tow