Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-06-25
THE TURN OF A CARD.

house. I had been there three DAVIS. the
better part of which I had spent in gam.
bling.
During the first two afternoons Dame
Fortune perched herself upon nv hand.
No longer would it be necessary for me to
slave throughout the day ON high stool,
facing pile of ledgers.
Besides, there was certain little girl
waiting patiently until the time should
arrive when 1 could afford to make her
my wife.
The third day was to be my last in
Monte Carlo; then, heigh no. for England
and May, my love! But on the third day
came the crash-the cruel disillusion
For some time played carefully, staked
small sums and won Then there flashed
across my brain the thought that it was
my last day there. So l altered my play,
staked high, had variety of luck and
then sharp succession of heavy losses.
But, after ALL what was my real lossp
A paltry e1OO! I should have to return to
London, work hard, keep steady and save.
Was that the only coursep
At the idea which suddenly grew within
me started in dismay and Indignation.
Fain would I have strangled it, but
chung to my hopes as drowning man
clings to straw and became determined.
Either would win back all had lost or
well, never troubled about the alterna-
tive then. l took the step and fell.
The gambling fever was upon mo, and
found myself back in the casino with g1 900
in my pocket, which belonged to my en-
ployers I had been to my hotel and pro-
cured the money. but remembered naught
of the Journey there OF of the return.
My first plunge was 100 francs upon the
7 and I won. After that played with
went the limit and lost.
What cursed luck had! Time after
time I ran right up to the limit without
winning once. After that relapsed into
a semicomatose state of mind and staked
recklessly.
Again the last coin! threw it on the
three and lost! There was nothing left
now-nothing but prison or death. was
man without a character, dishonored, a
thief. rushed out into the garden.
A revolver lay in my hand shining
bright and cold beneath the moonlight. I
offered up a prayer to heaven, asking for
giveness for the terrible sin; then raised
the weapon to my head
A hand dropped heavily on my shoulder,
the revolver slipped from my nerveless
grasp. and turned to meet an evil smil-
ing face.
I started back, with mingled cry of
fear and hatred on nv lips. as recognized
nv old enemy, Paul Vanscourt the man
who had tried unsuccessfully to steal my
May's heart. and who had for his pains
received public thrashinp at my hands.
$50 you have run yourself to earth at
last?" he began in deliberate, exasperat-
ing tone. ssIt's bad to end life as a thief,
but knew YOU would, told YOU when
YOU thrashed me that I would have re-
yepve. and now am having my fill.
~ knew your weakness: knew that
while you ever had a sou in your pocket
Won would never leave the tables, and it
was who persuaded your governor to in.
trust you with the mission that brought
YOU here. have played-and won. See
here" And he waved bundle of notes be-
fore nv eyes.
~ staid your hand to tell you this" he
went on. "and make your death the harder.
When you have ended your career; when
YOUR dishonor is published to the world, l
shall return to England, and May-your
May-will be mine, thankful that she had
- =, roaa,, ,;,,Lad hansaif r. a onmrnon
4L Jo " =, 'A0" AoA''A-
'i No. stoonod n,oLoa I'm tho revo,ver and
oeanos ~ ~ p ~ s,,,I; ~ os ho d;a 60
to- -, tho ha o =, ~ nsno ,,nro.o ST.
tn 90. w -. 20. - o o 1919, sp go,
vent. lent me the strength Of dozen
mon and ae paul offarod the weanon 7
spranR forward and felled him to the earth.
Then dronned on INV knees and felt his