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

Now we have thee. Mr.. Law" cried
Pembroke. Zone more turn, and
hope your very good nerve will leave
the stake on the board, for so we'll
see it all come back to the bank, even
as the sheep came home at eventide.
Here your lane turns. And tits at the
last stage. for the next is the limit of
the rules of the game. But youth not
win it.
Anything you like for little per-
sonal wager" said the other, with no
excitement in his voice.
why, then, anything you like your
self sir" said Pembroke.
Your little slipper against E50?"
asked John Law.
"Why-yes-," hesitated Pembroke,
for the moment feeling doubt of the
luck that had favored him so long that
evening. I'D rather make it sover-
eigns, but since you name the slipper,
even make it SO, for know there is
but one chance in hundreds that you
win
The players leaned over the table as
the deal went on. Once, twice, thrice,
the cards went round. A sigh, a groan,
long breath broke from those who
looked at the DEAL Neither groan nor
sigh came from John Law He gazed
indifferently at the heap of coin and
paper that lay on the table, and which
by the law of play. was now his own.
'"Trente ct lie va" he said. Il knew
that it would come. Sir Arthur, half.
regret to rob thee thus, but l shall
ask my. slipper in hand paid. Pardon
me. too, if chide thee for risking it in
play. Gentlemen, there is much in
this little shoe, empty as it is"
He dangled it upon his finger, hardly
looking at the winnings that lay be-
fore him. 'Tis monstrous pretty, this
little Shoe, he said, rousing himself
from his half reverie.
But heard you not the wager which
was proposed over the little shoe?"
broke in Castleton. Wilson, here,
was angered when laid him odds that
there was but one woman in London
who could wear this shoe | offered
him odds that his good friend, Kittie
Lawrence -
Nor had We the right to offer such
bet!'' cried Wilson. rufiled by the do-
ings of the evening.
''I'll lay you myself there's no wom-
an in England whom you know with
foot small enough to wear it." cried
Castleton
Meaning to me?" asked Law. POI
litely.
ITO any one, cried Castleton. quick
". but most to thee, fancy. since
it's now thy shoe!"
''I'll lay you 40 crowns, then, that
know a smaller foot than that of
Madam Lawrence" said Law, suavely.
1'I'll lay you another 40 crowns that
I'll try it on for the test, though first
saw the lady this very morning. I'll
lay you another 40 crowns that Madam
Lawrence cannot wear this shoe,
though her / have never seen
These words ranked, though they
were said off-hand and with the license
of coffee-house talk at SO late an hour.
Beau Wilson rose, in a somewhat I'M
steady attitude, and, turning towards
Law, addressed him with tone which
left small option as to its meaning.
"Sirrah." cried he, Il know NJ, ! who
you are, but would have word or
two of good advice for your
Sir, l thank you,' said John Law,
''but perhaps / do not need advice. 9
He did not rise from his seat.
Have it then at any rate, and be
civil" cried the older man You
seem staggering sort, with your talk
of love and luck, and such are sure to
get their combs cut early enough here
among Englishmen. I'll not tolerate
your allusion to a lady you have never
met. and one honor deeply, sir, deep
lyi'
Il am but a young man started out
to seek his fortune said John Law,
his eye kindling now for the first time
land should do very i'll if eVaded
that fotune, whatsoever 1t may be. 2
.Then you'll take back that talk of
Mrs. Lawrence!"
Il have made no talk of Mrs. Law
renee, sir, said Law, and even had
I, I should take back nothing for de-
mand like yours 'Tis not meet, sir,
where no offense was meant, to crowd
in an offensive remark.
Pembroke said nothing. The silua-
ton was ominous enough at this point.
A sudden gravity and dignity fell upon
the young men who sat there, Scnoclsd
! in an etiquette whose first lesson was
that of personal courage.
"Sirrah!' cried Beau Wilson, Il per-
ceive your purpose. If you prove good
enough to name lodgings where yoe
may be found by my friends, ] shall
ask leave to bid you very good night 7
So speaking, Wilson flung out Of the
room. A silence fell upon those left
within
tSirs, said Law, moment later. Il
| beg you to bear witness that this IS no
matter of my seeking or accepting.
THE 0pnt1n7nan is a stranger ia me-