Bisbee daily review., 1903-03-07
HIS BALANCE WHEEL
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had accumulated snug little fortune. and since, to use .a paradOxical expreS sion, no one feels so old as a young person he concluded that his work was finished and that he would re- tire from business and devote himself to travel. He got no farther than Florence, Italy, when he met an Amer. jean family and fell in love with one of the daughters, who was studying art. He spent a winter there winning one thing and losing another. What he won was Kate Spencers heart: what he lost was his fortune. A part of each day he was with Kate, either in her studio or gadding. In the evea- ings after II o'clock he was always at a club, where he developed a passion for gambling. It was there that be dropped his accumulations.
 One spring morning he borrowed suf- ficient means from his prospective fa- ther-in-law to take him back to Amer ica. This was a disappointment both to himself and to Kate. who had prom ised to be his wife. But Herbert was plucky and had plenty of confidence. He told Kate that three years at most would see him as well off as he had been when he reached Florence. Spur red on by love, he went to work in earnest and was lucky enough to re- gain all he had lost. Two years after his departure from Florence he re- turned there to claim his bride.
 Herbert" said Kate, suppose your old habit of gambling should come back to you. We might have to wait two years more, and papa says that every time a man begins over again it is much harder. You might never make another fortune"
 No. thank you; no more gambling for me. Let us be married at once and go for a trip to Egypt"
 Remain in Florence just long enough to test your resolution. Then it shall be as you desire."1
 A few evenings later Kate proposed that she and Herbert should amuse themselves with game of cards, with out a stake. of course. Herbert rather objected at first. Cards had the same effect over him that drinking at soda fountain might have over a drunkard. They were liable to kindle a desire for the real game. Kate urged him, how ever. and he consented. They had not played long before Count Guliemo Ma rini. a friend of the Spencers, came In and was invited to take q hand. He did so. but soon began to yawn, then hot fNIn fnr NO t stake to make the game interesting. A paul was quite enough. flush came to Herbert's cheek. Kate was watching him to see what he would tio He looked at her to see what sine wished him to do. To his surprise. she said:
 "To play for little stake like that is no harm"
 In half an hour the game had grown to such proportions that Kate with drew As soon as she had left the ta- ble the other two not only raised the stakes. but raised the limit. Kate took q seat at another table. took up a book and began to read, now and again cast ing q troubled glance at her lover. At II o'clock the count proposed to end the game but Herbert insisted on go- ing on. inaSmuch as he had lost nearly half of bis fortune. Then the count proposed to adjourn the sitting to bis club. To this Kate objected and told them either to cease to play or coutin- ue where they were.
 At o'clock Herbert begged his fan cee to go to bed. She declined. At 2 she asked how the game stood, and Herbert told her that he had lost near ly everything he possessed. At he excitedly announced that he had re- gained three-Quarters of his losses Then he proposed to double both stake and limit. to which the count consent ed. At Herbert had but a thousand dollars in the world. Kate got up from her seat, went over to the table where the two were playing and looked at the game. Herbert. who was betting | high. won S2.O00 on one hand and lost | s. 900 on the next. Taking out pen ciI, he figured his losses and found that | he had nothing left. He looked up at Kate piteously. They must wait till he had made another fortune. But It was not this that caused the greater suffering. It was that the passion for gambling had him again in it's toils-
 Kate put her arms about him.
 Herbert" she said. when you pro- posed to he married at once and visit | Egypt I did not believe the plan was advisable. It is plain that you must be at work in order to refrain from gambling. for you know that when you are busy you have no temptation to do so.- If you like. we will be married to- morrow, or. rather. today, and go at once to America. you to take up your business as soon as you arrive"
 ..Signorina." interrupted the count. | although I am a close friend of your | family, it is not meet that l should be present at this interview. Permit me to settle accounts with you. and [ will withdraw As your agent have succeeded very well. I should not boast, for. though I rarely play. I am | considered the most expert player at my club. These memoranda. all sign