The Grit-advocate., 1905-01-27


futtering fingers. we resumed the
play. watched by all eyes. Prayers
and curses were upon bearded, clean
shaven, and lips that had never
known q razor, but unuttered. l read
In their faces while they scorned
Lord FELTON, and cursed him to the
lowest depths. they yet p.ayed tha,
he might win-they that were not
wont to pray.
His was the first throw and he won
The next was mine-we were even
All now depended upon the last spin
nirg OF the dice. He took them up
and ratified them. still with . rythm.
ical movement, and threw them out
upon the table without the least show
OF bra, ado only an outward indiffer.
ence to be wondered at. as IL it were
an every cay event to gamble away
a daughters happiness perhaps. Il for.
tune certainly. 1t care up d.uble
six. He leaned back .compts "ently, y,'
no triumph appeared upon his face.
He was not the man to shout before
the battle was won. The men who
breathe, now took time to draw their
brelths in with q relieved sigh !
threw-it came up amb3-ace. l had
won.
Then he arose. bowed and eat
down again. His face went white.
There was excuse; the stakes had
been great.
Truly g marvel, and 20 young" he
managed to say, for the great control
he knew SO well how to exercise held
him; the King himself would be
outdone."
His friends and kinsmen crowded
about him. An explosive, "Damme"
came from a mouth. and 1t was as
clap of thunder which preludes
storm. Chairs were tipped out OF the
way and swords were drawn. The
'oom was in an uproar; the storm
was about me. Passionate natures
we're ready to overstep the bounds Of
lecency and prudence.
| stood up and faced the crowd,
while mentally calculated whether
Gil and could cut our way through
them If the affair came to a fracas
He. faithful fellow, seemingly had no
doubts about 1t and stood ready at
my side for anything.
Gentlemen" drawled l. "A most
unusual proceeding-really there is
one too many OF you"
Too many for you IL you think TO
steal away with that bit of paper"
cried Sir Raoul Dwight. And he
lurched forward as though to take 1t.
when quick as thought had pinned 1t
with my sword to the table.
What have won shall know
how to keep" said I.
Never! BY God, never!" belched
forth the fellow in q mad fury.
Gentlemen. will you permit such a
.nonstrosity to happen?" he contin
ued. Shall the choicest flower be left
for this mans picking? Shall this
fellow for few happy throws Of dice
be let to take with an Indifferent hand
what we have looked with yearniEs
eyes toward? Shall it be permitted? :?
Never! l say never!"
waited until their clamoring cries
had ceased, then said:
That should have been thought Of
before the game; it is rather too late,
methinks."
You shall not leave here with that
paper in your possession" said Sir
laoul Dwight
Shall. and shall not, are words
which take little breath in the say.
ing, and they come rather too trip.
pingly from your lips, Sir Raoul
Dwight" answered him. Il think the
lady will thank her kinsman-and
her lovers. for their zeal in her be-
half to-day" l turned to the Assem-.
b'ed party. l spoke impressively. for
It looked as If it might come to Q
brawl. for which God knows had lit.
tie desire. though why l should have
| regard for the lady's name, and care
| whether 1t was the cause Of fracas
nt gambling table, since her father
| and her lover were equally lacking in
all sense OF decorum, l do not know.
Some things are innate in people,
hated to see proud name banded
about In a way that should call the
blush to fair cheek
Ito be continued.)