The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-05

Sno1dering Monotony.
found myself clutching the back of
the chair in front of me to keep from
shrieking aloud as the tiny marble went
rolling round and round, more and
more slowly, until at last. just missing
the little red groove, with one last
movement it dropped into the next COM
partment, and the croupier monotonous-
" called, Quatorze-noir."
Not a sound came from the man as
the croupier's rake gathered in the shin
ing gold, but with eyes fixed in a CLASSY
stare on the card before him he drew a
wavering line through the last row Of
figures and with unsteady hands built a
still higher pile of louis d'ors on the
same spot as before.
The run Of luck against which the
Frenchman played was so evident that
many of the gamesters watched the mans
bet before placing their own. For seven
times consecutively was black called,
because the gold coin was on the red.
The terrible strain made me faint and
dizzy.
''Dix-neuf-noir,' - droned the croupier
as the Frenchn1an, with CHASTITY face,
pushed back his chair and arose I'M
steadily to his feet, leaving 50, OC0 in
RO1Q IT'LL 61S e140 1CS04b u LII CO
hours play.
''Let US co." whispered to my es-
cort. LET US go. 1 cannot stand this
any longer" AS we made our way
through the crowd 1 noticed the smiling
face of a little Italian lady who was
lingering the winnings in her satin
handbag, and I shuddered to compare
her face with that of the man who had
just gone. Stepping through the glass
doors opening upon the terrace we
found ourselves in the fresh night air.
The little wine tables were filled with
men and women, drinking the green,
liquid fire of absinth in the glow of
success or to forget their losses, while
the band in the circular music stand
played softly Schubert s exquisite Ave
Maria" under the starry sky. AS I
leaned upon the marble balustrade of
the terrace and listened to the sweet
music, while gazing down upon the wa
ter, the horror of the scenes had just
witnessed seemed to be only an Cypress
i've nightmare from which had aWak-
ened
Suddenly loud, mocking laugh rang
out, followed by an exclamation in
French that could not catch. Again
and again the voice repeated the words.
louder and louder, until they ended in
a shrek of maniacal laughter.
A great commOtion arose, and chung
in sudden terror to the arm of my escort
as the unfortunate who had occasioned
the scene was dragged away in the grasp
of two gendarmes. For moment only
saw the victim as he was hurried by,
but in that instant I recognized the
Frenchman whom I had seen lose his
golden fortune.
That face I shall never forget nor the
loud, ringing peal of mad laughter that
still echoes in my ears.
I insisted upon Immediately return
ing to the hotel and not once did I
close my eyes all night, so wildly did
the experiences of the evening haunt
and Cypress me.
Last Act In Drama.
This morning 1 witnessed the last act
in another drama as was eating my
lonely breakfast in the deserted dining
room. for it was only 10 O'Clock, and
no one rises here until noon.
81 want to see monsieur, the proprie-
tor, said small woman excitedly to
the trim maid who was waiting upon
me. Her tone was so unusual that I
glanced up from my breakfast as she
passed me on her way to one of the de-
serted tables and what was my surprise
to recognize the Italian lady l had seen
smilingly jubilant over the winnings in
her satin handbag last night at the ca
sine.
Monsieur cannot see you, madame"
said the maid as she returned to the
room after having had an audible con-
versation with some one in the hall
HE says to tell you that he is sorry,
but that he cannot see you
''But he must see mer' cried the
woman more excitedly, not apparently
noticing my presence. go tell him at
once he must see me, for 1 will not go
till he does see mel" The girl tried to
soothe the woman, and while they were
still arguing the matter the proprietor
himself came in and joined the woman
at the table where she was sitting.
He spoke in a subdued undertone,
and tried to eat my breakfast and for
get the woman, but she made this i'm.
possible.
''You must give me the money, Gio-
vanni, - she cried out, ringing her hands
while unshed tears stood in her burning
eyes. "You know that I must go back.
promise you 1 will never return! For
Gods sake, do not make me desperatei
My husband must not know that 1 have
lost ALL I will repay you every franc
/ swear it,
| ''Hushl Not so loud, Juliet" COM
! 1nanced the man. SO IT'S ever the same
old story. If 1 give you the money to
return, you will be back again as surely
as you can beg, borrow or steal more to
! throw away at the casino. I am tired of
: trying to reform you. Did not they tell
you to stop last night when you had
something? But, no, you would listen
to no one. shall tell Gustav, for even
I if you are my wife's sister 1 will not
keep this thing up longerl''