Gilpin observer., 1905-01-26

goblet OF wine 10 perhapS Sill his
futtering fingers, we resumed the
play, watched by all eyes. Prayers
and curses were upon bearded, clean
shayen, and lips that had never
known razor, but unuttered. read
in their faces while they scorned
Lord FELTON, and cursed him to the
lowest depths, they yet prayed that
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
ming OF the dice. He took them up
and ratified them, still with a rythm.
ical movement, and threw them out
upon the table without the least show
of brayado only an outward indiffer.
ence to be wondered at. as If it were
an every Gay event to gamble away
a daughters happiness perhaps. Il for
tune certainly. 1t came up double
six. He leaned back compla Gently, YET
no triumph appeared upon his face.
He was not the man to shout before
the battle was won. The men who
had heretofore hardly seemed to
breathe, now took time to draw their
breaths in with relieved sigh. ]
threw-it came up ambs-ace. l had
won.
Then he arose, bowed and sat
down again. His face went white.
There was excuse; the stakes had
been great.
m q
managed to say. for the great control
he knew SO we'll 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 a
clap of thunder which preludes a
storm. Chairs were tipped out of the
way and swords were drawn. The
was about me. Passionate natures
were ready to overstep the bounds OF
decency 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 fracas
He, faithful fellow, seemingly had no
doubts about it 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 if you think to
steal away with that bit of paper.
cried Sir Raoul Dwight And he
lurched forward as though to take it.
when quick as thought had pinned il
with my sword to the table.
What l have won | shall know
how to keep" said l.
Never, By God, never." belched
forth the fellow in a 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 yearniSe
eyes toward? Shall it be permitted
Never! | say never!"
| waited until their clamoring erie.
had ceased. then said:
That should have been thought o,
before the game; it is rather too late
methinks."
You shall not leave here with thai
paper in your possession" said Sil
Rsoul Dwight.
Shall, and shall not, are word.
which take little breath in the say
ing. and they come rather too trip
oinsly from your lips. Sir Raou
Dwight" | answered him. Il think the
lady will thank her hnsman-anc
her lovers. for their zeal in her be
half to-day" | turned to the Assem-
bled party. I spoke impressively, fol
ii looked as if it might come to /,
brawl, for which God knows | had lit
tie desire. though why | should hav,
regard for the lady's name, and car,
whether it was the cause of fraca.
at gambling table. since her father
and her lover We're equally lacking il
all sense of decorum, do not know
Some things are innate in people
hated to see a proud name banded
about in a way that should call tn,
blush TO fair cheek.