The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-05-10
A CROUPIER'S STORY.
she drew his stakes away and said:

man was bitten fercely. Tho gam
bling fever was in his blood.
l 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 it on the star. He was
like a mailman and struck her on the
back, not meaning to hurt her, but be-
cause he was beside himself with joy.
She shrank from him a little and
grew pale at his loud laugh.
Come away, Phil. Indeed you've
played enough" l heard her whisper.
SIN minute" he said, shaking off the
little hand laid so gently on his arm.
Her eyes flashed and, with swift
movement, she snatched his stake and
swept his money away from him.
"Hang it, l should have WON'T he
cried fiercely.
ooh, Phil"' was all she said, but her
tone, so hurt. so surprised, recalled him
TO himself.
They walked away few steps, and
l could hear them talking.
Don't play any more, Phil; please
don't" l heard her say.
Just once more" he urged, "and
then will CO."
ooh, Phil, Pm so tired. Please take
me home. Don't leave me here alone"
said the pleading voice.
Gust minute, Dolly" And he came
back to play.
There she stood, alone. About her
surged the crowd, a motley one. Curl
GUS looks We're cast upon the fair
young English girl. One man spoke
rudely to her, but she needed not.
She did not hear him. She heard only
the beating of her heart. Across her
face swept every emotion. Such
proud little face! l read it like book.
Cut to the quick she was that he
should neglect her. Wounded pride.
annoyance, affection, all were battling
within her
! But the womans love, which is
stronger far than pride, conquered.
saw her turn and look at him. too, for
he was playing high-10O. 200, 800
franc stakes-and losing everything.
I She murmured to herself ooh, Phil,
/ | didn't think you would have done
| it!' Then she drew off her gloves and
] upon her pretty, slender jeweled fin
/ gers saw a wedding ring. Perhaps
i she remembered the ''for better, for
| worse" with which that ring was
! placed there, for she kissed it furtive-
| ly, then came swiftly to him. "Phil,"
! she said. one hand upon his shoulder.
| He turned not quite deaf to that
voice yet He was like man in a
dream. his ruddy face white and
/ drawn, his eyes like black Goals. The
/ gamblers passion quivered in every
line of his figure.
Phil" that sweet voice, full of love
and pleading, said again, when I
/ show you this"-her finger on her we'd
| ding ring you will come with me,
won't you?"
He looked irresolute.
Just then she caught my glance, full
! of pity. She drew up her proud little
head like deer at bay. She was game
to the backbone and wouldn't be pitied
by me, croupier.
"You never refused me anything be-
fore. 1t is I-Dolores-who ask you.
Gomez
Her eyes looked into his, and her
great love forced him to yield.
Just this once" he said hoarsely,
f1inging 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?
Come, Phil!' she said again.
And as if daZed he let her lead him
away.
Then the play stopped, and as l turn
ed to go l saw them again. He was
seated upon a bench, his head on his
hands, totally unnamed. She stood be-
side him with almost motherly kind
ness.
Poor old fellow! Never mind. You
have me STILL" she said.
He looked up at her, and if there was
ever worship in a mans eyes it shone
in his.
YES" he said TREMENDOUSLY. THANK
heaven, I've got you still, my salvation!
| don't deserve your love, Dolly, but,
please heaven, Will"
Once afterward saw them. He look
ed well and better, somehow, and She
well, I'm not good at expressing things,
but l think she never forgot that half
hour all alone. Some things kill a wo-
man. She loved him la mort, and for
, gave him all, but think the joy Of low
: ing him died within her soul that day.
!, She seemed older and had look in
her face like madonna.
That is all my story, but until die
| shall admire that woman's pluck. Why
: did let him play? How could 1 help
it? | am only croupier.-Spare Mo-
ments.
, Friends.
, ut is the edict Of the world" said
the man" laugh and the world laughs