Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-29
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL TEIURSTOIl,
Author Of 1.-THE Masquerader," Etc.
Copyright reserved)

to play a losing game was stirred within
him.
by Jove Denisr' he said. IT must look
to my laurels. I used to play better game
than this"
Asshlin's only answer was a laugh-a
laugh from which all the bitterness had
dropped away. leaving q buoyant ring Of
absorption and delight Under the stimulus
OF excitement he had altered. He was ex-
allied. lifted above the petty discomfort. the
pessimism. the dependency that tainted his
empty days.
And 30 for nearly two hours they played
steadily; then Milbanke paused and drew
out his watch.
81 don't know what sort Of hours you
keep in Ireland" he hazarded. But it is
Asshltn had paused to snuff one OF the
candles that had begun to gutter. At the
others words the glanced up In undisguised
surprise.
'Hoursr' he repeated. .'why. any-or
none at ali. You don't know the glory of
, having something to sit up for. He paused
for a second In q sort OF ecstasy You
don't know 1t: you can't know it. You have
never felt the abomination Of desolation."
He laughed feverishly and gathered UP the
cards afresh. Come. James. Your deal
And in this manner the night wore on.
In the early stages of their play Asshlin's
luck stuck to him determinately; but by
degrees his opponents more cautious and
level play began to tell and their positions
were gradually reversed. By o'clock MIL
stood with some trihing amount to MS ad-
vantage. Here again he had mildly sug-
gested q cessation: but Asshlin. more In
toxicated by bad than he had been by good
fortune. had demanded his revenge and
called loudly through the quiet house for
more candles and more wine.
But with the fresh round of play the luck
remained unaltered. Mifbanke continued to
win.
with a sleepy face. but no expression Of
surprise, Burke responded to his masters
call. replenishing the light and setting the
port upon the table. But the players scarcely
noticed his entrance or departure. Asshlfn
was playing with desperate recklessness,
and Milbanke, without intent or conscious
ness was slowly falling under the influence
of his companions excitement. AS min
ute succeeded minute and Asshlin sat
rigid in his seat-cutting, dealing, marking
the result of each game upon strip of
paper-the elder man became more and
more the satellite of thirty years ago, less
and less the placid archaeologist for whom
the follies of the present lie overshadowed
by the past.
He forgot the long journey Of the after
noon, the peculiar incidents Of his arrival.
A slight flush rose to his usually bloodless
cheeks; he found himself watching the run
of the cards with a species Of reflected
eagerness, reused to an unaccustomed Ella
ton when the advantage fell to him.
At 8 O'Clock they played the last round.
And it was only then: when the last card aad
risen stiff from long sitting. the winner OF
something like EGO, that he realized how
completely ne had been dominated by this
resurrected influence; dominated to the ex-
clusion OF personal prejudice and even per-
sonal comfort. So strong was this impress
sion of past influences that he was reused
to no surprise when. glancing at his COM
panion, he saw him temporarily rejuvenated
l. his expression alert, his whole face vivi-
fed by the nights excitement.
Again a touch Of the old sympathy rose
within him. The reckless, cynical man be-
fore him was momentarily effaced: the
bright personality Of long ago seemed to fil
the ROOM
Good night, Denis" he said. gently. hold
ing out his hand.
Asshlin caught it enthusiastically.
Good night, James. Good night. And
once more a thousand welcomes and thou
sand thanks You have been" drop of
water in the desert to parching man.
| Good night. and pleasant dreams to you.
I'll reckon up my losses In the morning and
write you a check. Good night"
Milbanke responded to the pressure Of his
fingers. Don't trouble about the money"