Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-01-23
BY ROBERT
LOUIS
STEVENSON


Three times the cards went all
around the table, and neither, of the
marked cards had yet fallen from his
hand. The excitement as lie began the
fourth distribution was overwhelming
There We're just cards enough to go
once more entirely round The prince,
Wh, sat second from the dealers left.
would receive. in the reverse mode of
dealing practiced at the club, the sec
end last card. The third player turned
up black ace: it was the ace Of clubs.
The next received a diamond. the next
a heart, and so on. but the ace Of spades
was still uEdclivered. At last Gerald:
inc, who sat upon the princes left.
turned his card. 1t was all ace, but
the ace of hearts.
When Prince Florizel saw his fate
upon the table in front of him, his
heart stood still. He was brave man.
but the sweat poured off his face
There were exactly fifty chances out
Of a hundred that he was doomed. He
reversed the card it was the ace OF
spades. A loud roaring filed his brain.
and the table swan before his eyes
He heard the player on his right break
into 4 fit Of laughter that sounded be-
tween mirth and disappointment. He
saw the company rapidly dispensing.
j. but his mind was full OF other thoughts
lie recognized how foolish. how Grim
fnssl. had been his conduct In perfect
health, in the prime OF his years, the
heir TO throne, he had galnbied away
his future and that of a brave loyal
country. ',;od'' he cried, God for
give me!' And with that the cnnfu-
sion OF his senses PASSED away, AMI he
eeG;li!:ed his self possession il, a mo-
licn1
To his surprise Geraldine had iisap-
fsoared. There was 10 one in the card
ra,m but his t:Cst med butcher consult
ing with the president. and the young
Ts1r OF the cream tarts. who slipped
CT 10 the prince and whispered in his
gar:
Il would give million, if had it,
Tor your luck
His highness could not help reflect
hng as the young man departed that he
would have sold his opportunity for a
much more moderate sum.
The whispered conference now came
to an end. The holder of the, ace of
clubs left the room with look Of in
telligeAce, and the president, approach
ing the unfortunate prince, proffered
Kim his hand.
am pleased to have met you SIR
said lie, ''and pleased to have been in
position to do you this trifing serv-
ice. At. least you cannot complain Of
delay. On the second evcning-what
stroke Of luck:'
ffc1riate something in response, but his
mouth was dry and his tongue seemed
paraIyzed.
You feel little sickish:" asked the
president. with some show OF solicit
tude- Most gentlemen do. Will you
cake Il little brandy?''
The prince signitied in the atfirma-
tive and the other Immediately poured
some of the spirit into tumbler.
"I'oor cid Malthy."' calculated the
president as the prince drained the
glass He drank near upon pint,
and Iittle enough good it seemed to do
nins@
Il tm more amenable to treatment
s'1l the prince. Il good deal revived
" am my own man again ut once. as
you perceive. And so. let me ask you.
what are my directions:''
You will proceed along the Strand,
in the direction of the city. and on the
left hand pavement. until you meet the
gentleman who has just left the room
tie viii continue your Instructions and
him you will have the Kindness to obey
the authority of the club is vested in
dis person. for the night. And now"
added the president, II wish you a
pleasant walk
Ftorizel acknowledged the salutation
gather awkwar.lly and took his leave.
lie passed through the smoking room.
where the bulk OF the players We're still
consuming champagne, some Of which
he had himself ordered and paid for,
ana he was surprised to find himself
curstng them in his heart. He put on
Ais hat and greatcoat in the cabinet
and selected his umbrella from cor
ner, The familiarity of these acts and
.sle thought that he was about them
Sor the last tic!e betrayed him into a
1t OF laughter which sounded unpleas-
antly in his own ears He conceived IL
Deluctance to leave the cabinet and
turned instead to the window. The
sight Of the lamps and the darkness
recalled him to himself.
Come, come! l must he a man." he
4hoaght, land tear myself away"
At the corner of Box court three men
ifels upon Prince Florizel, and he was
ianeeremoniously thrust into carriage,
which at once drove ranillE AWAY