The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-03-19

checks over to her place. Every one
crowded about her.
,"Parbleu! Madame. Carry off your
winnings; you will lose everything II
you don't!"
She saw and heard nothing-wNat
could be the matter with Henri?
Once more the ball was set rolling.
1t was dusk; the gas jets had been
lighted. How pale the bankkeeper
looked how pale was the strangely
beautiful player, who was surrounded
by admiring spectators; even the most
passionate gamblers forgot to stake, so
excited were they.
The ball rolled; 1t was the question
of fortune; the bankkeeper wiped the
cold perspiration from his brow. Sud-
denly he jumped up with a curse; the
bank was broken.
Every one congratulated the daring
woman. When, in her excitement she
counted up her money, she had won
100000 francs.
"a fortune. Henri" she murmured,
now we will travel far away from this
hell"
Concealing the money in her pocket,
she seized her lace handkerchief and
hurried to the door, She went out.
Her handsome figure could be recog-
nized from afar in the reflection of the
street lamps. She unfolded her hand
kerchief and beckoned. A shot an
swered her; dear Henri had aimed well,
for the bullet found it's way to his
heart.
The devil of Monte Carlo had claimed
one more victim!
Henri de Leland rests in unhallowed
ground; no priest pronounced the bene-
diction of mankind over his grave. The
coarse grave diggers only stood about,
shoveling in the earth and talking
about the tragic fate of the dead man.
"The fool! If l were young and
wealthy would not gamble. It's sin
and disgrace to throw precious coin
into the jaws of those fellows up
there" and the speaker pointed in the
direction of the gambling den.
There are enough of that sort bur-
led here" said the other with coarse
laugh; "too bad about the fine collins.
The prince would do better to~put his
suicides in alcohol and charge admis-
sion."
You'll lose your job by talking that
way" warned the first.
"I'll say what think; we are stand
ing on unhallowed ground. Whom
should be afraid Of? OF those fellows
down there? And isn't my advice
good?" sneered the second.
Nonsense! What fault OF the
princes is it if people who have lost
their money blow out their brains?"
1.-THE prince" laughed the other In
mockery, cannot help it, to be sure.
1t would be bad for us, too; we certain
ly must have work."
The grave had been closed. The
grave diggers were on the point OF
leaving, when closely yelled woman
approached them, with youthful, elias
tic step.
Whose grave is that?" she asked
softly.
"The grave of a young Frenchman
who shot himself yesterday, in front
of the gambling hail." replied one, as
he wiped the perspiration from his
face with his sleeve.
The stranger quickly drew forth her
purse and placed a few gold coins in
the two grave-diggers' hands. They
were quick of understanding and left
the woman there in solitude.
Esther folded her pretty hands in
prayer. She did not weep, nor did
sigh pass her tightly closed lips, and
yet she stood at the grave for long
time. Her steadfast gaze seemed to
be able to pierce the crumbling earth.
Finally with faltering steps, she left
the grave.
Why had he not told her that he
would shoot himself, at her signal?
Poor fellow!