Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-11
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURsTol1
Author "Ths Masquerader" Etc.
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eagerly. and. opening the drawer, produced
the cards.
"'Tis the deck poor Misther Dlnis got
from Cork the self-same day" he began.
Then he stopped. considerably. and added
under his breath. THE Almighty God be
good to US ALL"
Ciodagh took the cards from him. and
! stood very still. lingering them nervously.
At any other time the thought of playing
with cards that belonged to the dead would
have filled her with repugnance but tonight
all ordinary standards had been lost-ail
the world was chaos. She was like one who
| Is slipping down into a bottomiess abyss.
and stretches desperate hands toward any
| straw that might offer respite
She never changed her position while the
| table was being cleared. her only sign of
emotion still being shown by the spasmodic
way In which she passed the cards between
her fingers. When. at last the cloth had
been removed and the candles replaced. she
came quickly across the room and stood
looking down Upon her cousin
She still mechanically shuff1ed the cards;
| but her glance. as 1t rested on Asshlin. was
unconscious and absorbed, seeing only its
own mental pictures.
What shall we play Larry? What game
can two people play?"
Asshlin looked up.
'.Fiquet," he said, "or euchre."
She nodded
"Euchre. Yes. euchre." She drew
chair up to the table and sat down. What
stakes?'
Asshln looked uncertain.
You say he suggested, little diff
IDENTIFY.
She gave a nervous start as a fresh gale
shook the windows.
Thirty shilings game? Twenty shii-
lings a gamer
For an instant he looked at her amazed,
but. seeing the Inconsistencies of her ex-
preston. his breeding forbade him to offer
any objection. With a reckless excitement
he had never before had opportunity to
feel, he leaned back in his chair and, taxi
ing up the glass Burke had set beside him,
poured out some port and drank it.
Thirty shllings a camel" he said mag
clodagh did not seem to hear: certainly
she saw nothing of his scruple and his
yielding. Her own thoughts rode and
spurred her. pressing her forward in a wild.
panic-stricken search for oblivion.
Come. Larry. Play! Play! 1 feel
she paused and laughed Historically. II
feel that II were man tonight should
drink all the port in that bottle. l want to
forget everything. Play! Play"
Asshtn picked up the cards that she had
laid upon the table. He could not under
stand her in this new mood. but he was
satisfied not to understand her. He felt
stimulated-lifted above himself-as he had
never been before.
For two hours they played with luck
evenly balanced, then Asshln made re-
luctant attempt to draw out his watch.
Did you hear that?" he said the wind
| roared up from the sea like an invading
army. Il ought to be getting home. She'll
He spoke firmly enough. but his eyes
| wandered back to the cards.
Clodagh rose and, crossing to the side
board. poured some water into glass and
| drank it.
mo! MOI she said eagerly Its quite
early. It's only Ii. She won't expect you
He put his watch back into his pocket
Clodagh returned to her place at the table
and the play went on.
BY II o'clock a change had come in their
tal. and Clodagh stood the winner by sew
eral games Again Asshlin made a move
ment toward departure. His face was
flushed now and look of alarm had begun
to mingie with his excitement.
IL ought to be going now, Clo,'' he
said little huskily.
Clodagh gave sharp laugh. AT last it
seemed to her that she was drowning
loss and agony that threatened to inundate
her soul. She threw up her head and her
eyes challenged her cousins
You are a coward if you go now, Larry.
You are afraid to take your revenge.
He colored like a girl and gave a half
angry, half-embarrassed laugh"
Don't say that, Clio"
Then will you play?"
IL oughtn't to-"
Again Ciodagh laughed.a laugh 50 ner.
harshly across the ROOM
Then you're not an Asshln."
Am I not?" He tilted his chair forward
and leaned upon the table. Lets see.
Come along. I'm game for anything after
that"
There was a new note in his voice-a fiery
note that seemed to challenge fate and
throw reason to the winds.
1t stirred some latent power in Clodagh'S
brain. A faint color crossed the pallor of
her face: she half rose from her seat.
Shall We play like the devil. as father
used to say?