The Washington times., 1901-06-30

small heed to the SOUNDS OF war apoul
them. In the breathless pauses following
on the roar of ordnance from the town
the dry rattle of the dice struck In with a
Inocking ncte. Life and death out yon-
der: the men clustered round the haring
torch had weightier matters to busy
them. The broad wavering glare which
was fun upon them struck out flashes of
varied color from their attire, half-mar-
tial and half courtly. struck out ruby
rylesms from the wine before them;
struck out meaning glfuts of steel from
pistol. sword, and pike
There were two men seated by the
rough boards they used as a table, and
round them stood the others keeping an
eager watch The elder of the two was
richly dressed. but his braveries had been
sadly tarnished by hard usage in fights
and reveIs. With his face it was much
the same: but he was handsome still, de-
spite his air of recklessness and the hard
hunger in his eyes. There was a needy
look about him and his garb, yet he was
wearing heavy chain of gold which
hung down across his bandOleer. He I'm
gered II as he sat, glancing down at il
more than once with the flicker of a sat
isf5ed smile.
Opposite him sat a mere lad, whose
daintiness OF attire suggested that he was
but new to such scenes. he had the look
of one used to more sheltered ways But
the rough free life around had worked
nightly with him, and he showed the
traces Ct a registering Hight-the more
beea use it was his first. His smooth, boy
ish face was deeply flushed the veins on
his forehead swollen, and his eyes bright,
but uncertain.
--Once again. he cried, somewhat hus-
kily gathering up the dice in his hand
Come. Armstrong, you owe me some re-
yense. What / have lost more than l
can miss. curse me-" The oath came
with q little jerk from his unaccustomed
lips.
y will never baulk you" answered
Armstrong, gaily. y can wear as many
gold chains as you list to lose, or if luck
turn against me-tush, 1 am a soldier Of
fortune; there's as much to be won with
in Bristol walls tomorrow. Come, love
10 play with one who bears his losses like
a man What will you stake against all
which have won of you, so you may
have all again at one thrown
..Ay, or lose all. more like. since he
plays with Armstrong" muttered an old
er. man. so the cards were not quick
enough Tor hlEl- men, aQNdHCillS u l1AS
group, he added aloud:
.-Assuredly, gentlemen, we have both
diced and drunk enow for tonight, If We
are TO fight tomorrow"
Armstrong glanced up at the speaker.
IF you break On my game tonight, you
must cen favor me by yourself playing
out another game with me ere long" he
said. coolly, with darkening brow.
fa1 q md
turning TO the lad, began anew:
Enough for tonight, Captain Thorn
ton"
"Ay, listen TO the good gentleman. -
Armstrong broke quickly in. 9" Tis true,
Thornton. you are something young TO be
out Of wardship, and you have drunk
wine tonight, which is no 1T drink for
children-so thinks your friend here
knowing you have never feasted before
save with your lady-mother'
Il hold him no friend that says it,"
clustered the young captain Il drink
what DIeases me; nor shall. pour the
third glass on the floor. for all my moth
er's favorite poet doth so commend-a
most ungodly waste Of good liquor" and
he laughed aloud and vacantly.
Good art a man of mettle after all
To our last throw, then; but have you
aught of worth enow TO set against the
fair lands ! stalker
Il viii set of what remaineth to me to
the value Of your stake. They be my
lands. though" babbled the youth, mine
O both sides
A silence had settled on the watching
group. in which even the muttering hiss
OF the wind-bIown torch might be heard
Then Thornton lifted the dice. poised and
shook them, stayed his hand an instant
and threw.
-Four and two? Nay, surely mine eyes
dazzle" he faitered, bending TO look
so it is" said Armstrong. My chance
rlow-Yenus be mine aidi That is all the
learning / brought with me out of OK
ford. So-by mine honor-a cast worthy
Of Venus herselfr' and he pointed TO the
double skies
Thornton gave a curious gulp, and put
up a hand to wipe the sweat from his
forehead.
Have / lost the home farm. then-al
the fair wide meadows?"
Your pardon" said Armstrong, with
cerernonious courtesy. ''the home farm
was your stake last time"
But there is nothing more" said the
boy, with the calmness OF a Sleep walker;
nothing save the Hall itself and the
lands thereto, which We have held for
centuries
'.And that was your stake this time. "
rejoined Armstrong, cheerfully. For
tune of war. captain"
Thornton had got to his feet and stood
for an instant staring. his face stricken
still and 3shen- Then. with a sobbinE
moan. he dropped 10 his place; half
pike leaning near him fell with ringing
sound. 40 one spoke, and he looked al
meme, but flung out his arms upon the ta-
BILE and hid his face there. A goblet was
overset by his movement, and the wine
cnept toward him in q dark stream. dyed
his hand In it's lace rufIie. and dabbled hi.
long cu-Ied hair. There was an ugly
Inirnicry in that red. widening stain.
"a fair days work" said the grey
haired Cavalier. looking down. betwixt
pity and sternness, at the lads bowed
head.
Nights work you would say retorted
Armstrong careIessly. The day for
fighting. good sir, and the night for feast
ing-when we chance to be of duty, that
is He seated himself on the table as
he spoke. and reached for goblet of
wine. We'll that this was not spilled; a
rare favor, too-there needs but a wench
10 fiji it." And he began TO sing TO him.
self:
''The ancients erred, though they were WISE
Which feigned god OF wine;
IT'S laughing lass TO Ill the glass
Doth make the drink divine
LET be-" said the older man sharply
Mock not the lads despair And, mark
you. for all your wit, / think you have
most like deceived yourself. and that