The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-07-29

presents d picturesque SlEht. AS Max
first saw 1t the sun had spread itself
like gold o the seat. the violet sky
was undimmed by a cloud. and the
whole land. basking in delicious
warmth. was verdant to the shore.
But he scarcely needed the beauty
of the place. all his attention being
riveted on the casino, the imposing
sexes of all ages and every nationality
flock day by day, and year after year
full of the phantom hope of enriching
themselves.
1t was not far from his hotel and
he Immediately entered the spacious
and magnificent grounds surrounding
1t.
At last he was in the casino where he
had often desired to be. and with a
feeling OF self congratulation he looked
around as II to recognize a familiar
sight. but was almost surprised to find
the saloons We're larger and more mag
n~iiicent than he had imagined.
AS 1t was comparatively early in the
day the rooms were not crowded, but
in each there We're a number of people
seated and standing at the tables de-
voted to roulette, rouge-et-noir and
trente-et-quarante.
II he never played he could spend de-
lightful days in watching those who
did. and entering into the spirit Of their
feelings.
He wandered from room to room and
from table to table, thinking that even
II he never played he could spend de-
ligh.ful days in watching those who
did, and entering into the spirit Of
their feelings.
1t was in the fourth room. seated at
a roulette table, hat he saw a man
whose presence seemed familiar, and
whom he soon remembered had break
tasted at his hotel at the same time
as himself.
He played for high stakes. seldom
looked up from the table, and as for
tune hucuated with him, accepted his
gains or losses With tranquility, his
nervous excitement only apparent in
the deepening pallor of his complexion,
or the twitching Of his thin. flexible
hands. Max felt his interest center in
the stranger. whose fortunes he fol-
lowed as II they We're his own: when.
as II becoming aware of this. the man
suddenly raised his eyes, and recognize
Ing in MaX's face the same absorbing
passion for gambling as possessed him-
self. smiled at him in a friendly man
ner.
That evening Max was seated in the
dining room Of his hotel at one of the
little tables seated over the great saloon
rapid glance around, and seeing Max.
came toward him, bowed. and asked
permission to share his table. which
was gladly given.
Have you won?" Max asked inter-
estedly.
Only a few napoleons, nothing worth
while.' came the answer, in a Quiet
concentrated voice.
This is my first visit here; you know
the place. l suppose?"
Yes; for years I have been here
every autumn; but this will probably
be the last time I shall come to Monte
Carlo"
How is that?"
:" intend to make my fortune and
gamble no more.'
But if you fail?" questioned Max.
looking at this dreamer, who merely
shrugged his shoulders in reply, hae
a smile fitted over his melancholy face.
YOU, too" he said after a mement's
silence, have the gamblers passion"
Il fear l have"
1T is a curse" he said YEARLY, land
yet so infatuated am 1 that l would not
be without 1T. If l win a sufficient sum
TO keep. me for some years. will
never. ah, never, gamble again."
Before dinner had quite ended he
mad began to grow feverish and rest
less; he scarcely tasted the dessert, and
continually looked at the clock. When
1t struck nine he declared he must go
to the casino. Max volunteered to &C
company him.
Both found places at the same roul-
cite table, but apart from each other.
Max at first merely n ture n five
franc piece. and when he won. hailed
his luck as a promise OF what was
In store for him. And In this he was
not mistaken, for when closing lime
came he had close upon five hundred
pounds in his pocket.
Nothing could exceed his glee, for
Ho now fn1t II ~,,~ AL
make his fortune before he left Monte
Carlo. His excitement was hardly
damped on hearing from the Pole that
he had lost three hundred pounds. a
statement made by him while his mel
ancholy smile lit up the vag Of his
weary face.
Next day Max was impatient until
the casino opened It's doors, through
which he was one of the first to pass,
determined to secure a fortune for him
self. He alternately won and lost until
late IN the afternoon, when he found
that he had parted with one hunderd
and fifty pounds. which he promised
when the closing time came once more
he had scarcely a franc left of that
amount he had gained the previous
or of the balance remaining to
him Of his fathers check.
SO next morning he set out for Nice
AAtiu MS ldle companion and obtain
loan II possible. For this purpose
he was prepared to promise or to saw
anything which could gain his ends:
for the fever of gambling heated his
blood and mounted to his brain. and
made him needless Of all things save
the means of gratifying his passion.
Surreymore was just leaving his
hotel when Max reached it. While
walking into the adjoining garden, the
ounger man noticed the restlessness
Of his visitors manner, but he was NOT
EFT long in suspense as to its cause.
or MAJ begin to tell him of his first
lights winnings. his second nights
osses and wound up with the point
dank request for the loan of three
hundred pounds.
IL l win | will pay you at once-to-
morrow morning." he promised.
But if o lose?"
Max became desperate at the sup-
'estion. and in his urgency said:
u don't think l am likely to, but in
hat case l will pay you within the next
TX months. when l have married the
leiress to whom l am engaged. If YOU
want 1t before that time, my father, the
Massini. will pay you; he has
'ienty OF money, you know
suIreyinore credited him with speak