The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-14
A c8ouplER's STORY.

am croupier Always? Well, no,
perhaps not; But what 1 used to be does
not matter I have been a croupier long
enough 70 forget other things.
watch the people, and can always tell
just what they play and whether they
are used to it or not.
One day I saw bride and groom, they
looked to be. He was a great, tall, dark
fellow, a superb specimen Of physical
strength with passionate mouth. but q
splendid chin. which should have re
deemed il. She-welI, she was what you
would have expected him TO fancy-a
giny woman with tangle of golden curls
and wlde-open blue eyes heavily fringed
in brown-the sort Of dependent little
creature that g man worships all his
life; the kind that draws out all the
good in a fellow because she loves aud
believes in him.
He persuaded her to play. and at last
she consented, though reluctantly.
She clapped her glOved hands when
she won, as she always did. and soon had
doubled all he gave her. She poured the
little pile of silver into her pOrtemOn-
naie with a laugh as clear az a silver
bell, saying:
i know when to stop"
He was stin playing. and did not stop
until she drew his stakes away and said:
Come, Phil, we must go"
Then ne yielded to her smile, and they
moved away. 1 smiled grimly TO myself
I knew he would return. The man was
b4lten fercely. The gambling fever was
in his blood
l was right. In half an hour they
were back and he won readily. Once
she snatched his twenty-franc piece from
the red and put it on the star. It won,
and she had her hundred francs. He was
like a madman, and struck her on the
back. not meaning 70 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 play
ed enough" 1 heard her whisper.
In a minute" he said, shaking of the
little hand laid so gently on his arm.
Her eyes flashed, and with a swift
movement she snatched his stake and
swept his money away from him.
Hang it, 1 should have won" he
cried, ferceIy.
90, Phnr' was all she said; bus her
tone, so hurt, so surprised, recalled him
to himself.
They walked away a few steps, and
could hear them talking.
Don't play any more, Phil-please
don I heard her say.
Just once more he urged, ''and then
7 viii 60"
90, Phil, I'm so tired. Please take
me home. Don't leave me here alone"
said the pleading voice.
Just a minute, Dolly" and he came
back to play.
There She stood, alone About her
surged the crowd-a motley one. Curious
looks were cast upon the fair young In
glish girl. One man spoke rudelY to her.
but she needed not. She did rot hear
him. She heard only the beating OF her
heart. Across her face swept every emo
ton. Such a proud little face. ] read 1t
Ike a book.
Cut to the quick she was that he should
neglect her. Wounded prI~e, annoyance,
affection, all were battling within her.
But the wOman's love- which is strong
er far than pride, conquered. I saw her
turn and look at him, and the heart
break crept into her face. Others were
looking at him, too. for he was playing
high--l0O, 200, 300 franc stakes-and los
ing everything.
She murmured to herself, 90 Phil,
didn't think you would have done itl*'
Then she drew off her gloves, and upon
her pretty, slender, jeweled fingers I saw
a wedding ring. Perhaps she remember
ed the for better. for worse with
which that ring was placed there. for
she kissed it furtively, 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
rudy face white and drawn, his eyes
like black Goals. The gamblers passion
quivered in every line Of his figure.
"PhlT'-that sweet voice, full of love
and pleading, said again-'when I show
you this her finger on her wedding ring
you win come with me, won't your
He looked irresOlute.
Just then she caught my glance, full
Of pity. She drew up her proud little
head like a deer at bay. She was game
to the backbone, and wouldn't be pItied
by me-a croupier.
You never refused me anything be-
fore. It is I-Dolores-who ask you.
Gomez