Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-02-11

"Some i'll fortune?"-he began po-
litely.
There is no such thing as i'll for
tune" quoth John Law. I'VE fail al
ways of our own fault Forscoth l
must explore Roman roads by night.
England hath builded better, and the
footpads have the Roman ways. My
brother Willie waiteth below, if We
please, good friends, and is quite as
hungry as myself, besides having a
pricked finger to boot-and / lost
what little we had about us, and we
came through with scarce good shirt
between the two"
A peal of laughter greeted him as he
pulled apart the lapels of his coat and
showed ruffies torn and disfgured.
The speaker smiled gravely.
Tomorrow" said he, II must seek
me out goldsmith and haberdasher,
if you will be so good as to name such
to me"
"Sir," said Sir Arthur Pembroke,
lin this plight you must allow me"
He extended purse which he drew
from his pocket Il beg you, help
yourself
Thank you, no. replied John Law.
Il shall ask you only to show me the
goldsmith in the morning, him upon
whom l hold certain credits. | make
no doubt that then / shall be quite fit
again. | have never in my life bor-
rowed coin. Besides, / should feel
| that had offended my good angel did
ask it to help me out of mine own
folly. If we have but bit of this
| cold joint, and place for my brother
Will to sit in comfort as we play,
shall beg to hope, my friends, that
shall be allowed to stake this trif1e
against little of the money that see
here; which, take it, is subject to the
| fortunes of war;"
He tossed on the board ring, which
carried in it's setting diamond of
size and brilliance.
This fellow hath cool assurance
enough" muttered Beau Wilson to his
neighbor as he leaned toward him at
the table.
Pembroke, always good-natured,
laughed at the effrontery of the new
conner.
You say very well; it is there for
the fortune of war;" said he. ut is
all yours, if you can win it; but warn
you, beware, for shall have your
| jewel and your letters of credit too,
| ii We keep not sharp watch.
Yes" said Castleton, Pembroke
hath warrant for such speech. The
man who can make sept ct lie va thrice
in one evening is hard company for
his friends.
John Law leaned back comfortably
in his chair.
Il make no doubt" said he, s.that
shall make trente ct lie va, here at this
table, this very evening"
Smiles and good-natured sneerings
met this calm speech.
"Trente ct lie vat hath not come
out in the history of London play for
the past four seasons!" cried Wilson.
tI'll lay you any odds that you're not
within eye-sight of trente ct lie va these
next five evenings, If you favor us
with your company"
BE easy with me, good friends"
| said John Law, calmly. 81 am not yet
in condition for individual wagers, as
my jewel is my fortune, till tomorrow
! at least. But if We choose to make the
| play at Landsknecht, | will plunge at
| the bank to the best Of my capital.
| Then, if / win, shall be blithe to lay
We what We like
The young Englishmen sat looking
at their guest with some curiosity.
His strange assurance daunted them.
Good sir" said Law, "let us first
Of all have the joint"
81 humbly crave a pardon, sir, said
Pembroke "In this new sort of dis
course / had forgot thine appetite. We
| shall mend that at once. Here, Simon:
Go fetch up Mr.. Laws brother, who
waits below, and fetch two covers and
a bit to eat Some Of thy new Java
berry. too, and make hastel We have
much yet to do
Now we must to business cried
Castleton, as the dishes were at last
cleared away. Show him thy tails
| man, Penn, and let him kiss his jewel
good by
Pembroke threw upon the table once
more the moccasin of the Indian girl.
John Law picked it up and examined
it long and curiously, asking again and
again searching questions regarding its
origin.
81 have read of this new land of
America said he Some day it will
be more prominent in all plans
| He laid down the slipper and unused
for moment, apparently forgetful Of
the scene about him.
Perhaps, cried Castleton, the zeal
of the gambler now showing in his
eye. But let us make play here to-
night. Let Pembroke bank. His luck
/ is best to win this vaunter's stake. z
Pembroke dealt the cards about for
the first round. The queen fell. John
Law won. "Deux,' he said, calmly,
and turned away as though it were a
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