Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-07-29

o n
The ancient town of Monte Carlo
presents a picturesque sight. As Man
first saw it the sun had spread itself
like gold upon the seat, the violet k
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
gamblers hell, to which people OF both
sexes, of all ages and every nationality
flock day by day, n year after year,
full Of the phantom hope Of enricling
themselves.
It was not far from his hotel and
he Immediately entered he spacious
and magnificent grounds surrounding
II.
At last he was in the casino where he
had often desired 10 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 were larger and more mag
nifcent than he had imagined.
AS ii was comparatively early in the
day the rooms We're not crowded, but
in each there were a number Of people
seated and standing at the tables de-
voted to roulette, rouge-et-noir and
trente -et-quarante.
IL 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
If he never played he could spend de-
lightful 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, that 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
sune 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 IL they were his own; when,
as IL 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
iAtNiC AclOiC6 SCdtGQ OfCI NllC SlCdl 0dlOOii
when the stranger entered, cas a
rapid glance around, and seeing Max,
came toward him, bowed, and asked
permission to share his table, which
was gladly given.
Have YOU won 2" 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 / have been here
every autumn; out this will probably
be the last time / shall come to Monte
Carlo"
How is that?'
gamble no more
But IL you fall" questioned Max,
looking at this dreamer, who merely
shrugged his shoulders i'm reply, while
a smile fitted over his melancholy face.
You, too" he said after q mement's
silence, have the gamblers passion"
Il fear / have"
1T is a curse he said YEARLY, ''and
yet so infatuated am / that / would not
be without 1t. If / win a sufficient sum
TO keep me for some years. / will
never, ah, never, gamble again"
Before dinner had quite ended he
had began to grow feverish and rest
less; he scarcely tasted the dessert, and
continually looked at the clock. When
it struck min he declared he must go
TO the casino. Max volunteered to ac-
company him.
Both found places at the same roul-
cite table, but apart from each other.
Max at first merely ventured a FIVE
franc piece, and when he won, hailed
his luck as a promise of we
in store for him. And in his he was
not mistaken, for When closing time
came he had close upon five hundred
pounds in his pocket.
Nothing could exceed his glee, for
he now felt quite sure that he would
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 ravages of his
weary face.
Next day Max was impatient until
the casino opened its doors, through
which he was of the first to pass,
determined to secur a fortune for him.
self. He alternately won and lost until
late In the afternoon, when he found
that he had parted with one HUNDRED
and fifty pounds. which he promised
himself 10 recover hat evening; but
when the closing time came once more
he had scarcely a franc left of that
amount he had gained the previous
day, or OF the balance remaining to
him Of his fathers check.
So next morning he set out for Nice
tc find his late companion and obtain
a loan if possible. For this purpose
he was prepared to promise or to say
anything which could gain his ends;
for the fever ca gambling heated his
blood n 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 1t. While
walking into the adjoining garden, the
younger man noticed the restiessness
or his visitors ann but he was not
left long in suspense as to it's cause.
for Max begin to tell him of his first
nights winnings, his second nights
losses and wound up with the point
blank request for the loan OF three
hundred pounds.
III ! win | will pay you at once-to-
morrow morning. he promised.
but IL you lose p
Max became desperate at the sug-
gestion. and In his urgency said.
a don't think / am likely to. but IN
thaf case l will pay you within the next
six months. when l have married the
heiress 70 whom 1 am engaged. Ii you
want IT before that time, my father. the
Count Massint. will pay you: he has
plenty OF money. you know
Surreymore credited him with sneak
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