The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1912-12-05
The Last
Winner
By EMILY C. TRAVERS

COncorde.
81 say, Du Bois," said one, II wish
you would desist from counting la
belle Americana. have intentions
there myself"
And you, Chauveteau," said another
to the speaker IL would be obliged If
you would also deslst from your atren
lions in that quarter. La belle
Americana belongs to me-"
81 like the assurance Of you gentle
men," said NJ. du Bots. 81 see no rea
son why l should give up conquest
already made by myself to either OF
you. Chauveteau, you have no chance
whatever, and you, Farriere, l am sure
cen never win"
"And like your conceit, Du Bois,"
said Farriere. 1T is you who are
aspiring far above you"
"Come fellows" said Chauveteau
I'VE are all excellent friends, and there
is no need for us to quarrel over the
lady, for the simple reason that none
Of US can win her. To do the court
ing Of an heiress would require at
least 10000 francs. There are opera
and theater tickets to buy, carriages,
flowers, presents-indeed, a hundred
ways of spending money-and | doubt
II all Of US combined could raise half
the amount"
"My faith" exclaimed Du Bots
There's an idea for you. Suppose we
all chip in and set up one Of US to do
the job, who shall be liberal with the
other two after securing la belle
Americaine's fortune"
"Goodr' cried Chauveteau. 1.-THE
very thing! You two men let me have
10000 francs each, and will not only
reimburse you. but give each Of you
my note for 100000 francs, payable
within sixty days after my wedding
with la belle Americaine"
The two men thus addressed laughed
outright. Then Farriere, emptying his
glass and calling for another, said:
ITO propose practical plan, sug
gest that we each chip In a third of
the necessary funds and decide by lot
who shall make the attempt"
81 offer an amendment to that" said
Chauveteau, that instead Of deciding
by lot who shall do the wooing we de-
eide 1t by q game Of cards"
what gamer" asked Du Bols
"Well, since the lady is American.
suppose we make it the American game
of 'freeze-out' poker We will each
take 10000 francs and play till one of
hoo ha ho af ho 1fb +,x-n
the winner to use the fund to do the
wooing, giving his obligation to the
other two"
That's definite and practical" said
Du Bots. let us begin. We need not
put up the cash; we can each take
10000 francs in chips. the losers to re-
deem them later"
Agreed" said the other two.
Cards and chips were called for. and
the game began. 1t was a long one. for
each player, being DESTROYS to act the
lover, bet cautiously. While the game
was in progress they chaffed one an
other, occasionally giving away to any
one who might be listening the object
Of the game. A gentleman took a seat
at table at the other end of the room,
and the three players looked at one an
other as much as to say, BE careful"
but when the gentleman gave an order
In English they assumed that he did
not speak French, and before long
something of their caution disappeared
Chauveteau was the first to be frozen
out, and Farriere was relieved Of all
his chips by Du Bots. The man who
spoke English sat reading newspaper
till the game was ended, when, calling
a waiter, he sent his card to the win
ner. Du Bots read the name on 1t and
looked at his friends appalled,. The two
looked much concerned. They sup
posed the sending Of the card to be a
challenge, but were not certain. II
was agreed that Chauveteau should in
terview the sender and learn what 1t
meant Approaching the person in
question, he bowed low and asked In
what way his friend NJ. du Bots could
be Of service to him.
"As the gentleman who is to win the
hand Of la belle Americaine," was the
reply in tolerable French, "he can be of
service to me either with the foil or
the pistol, whichever he prefers"
Monsieur has overheardT
81 have"
"May l ask monsieur's relationship
to the lady?"
"a sutton for her hand. The matter
seems now to be between me and your
friend the winner. prefer to fight for
a lady rather than to gamble for her."
81 see. will bear your message to
N. du Bots"
After q consultation between the
three Frenchmen. who knew well that
a duel under the circumstances would
be the social ruin Of every one Of them.
Chauveteau was sent back to inquire
whether IL they would all Join in an
apology the matter would be kept Sc
cret. The reply was favorable. The
stranger dictated an apology. which was
duly signed. and the matter was ended.
La belle Americana married fellow
countryman soon after this incident.
but did not know till the day after
her marriage that her husband had
proposed to fight one who had won at
cards the wherewithal to win her, or.
rather, her fortune
As for the three Frenchmen, from