Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-10-01
The Last
Winner
b. EMILY C TRAvERs

Three French gentlemen were sit
ting over their absinth at q fashion
able Partisan club near the Place de D.
Concorie.
u say. Du Bois." said one. Il wisi
you would desist from counting a.
belle Americana. ! have intention,
there myself"
And YOU. Chauveteau." said anothe
tc the speaker. Il would be Obliged
you would also desist from your atten
flons in that quarter. La bell
Americana belongs 70 me"
Il like the assurance OF you gentle
men. said NJ du Bots y see no rea
sbn why ] should give up a conques
already made by myself to either o
you. Chauveteau. you have no chanc
whatever. and you. Farriere, am sur
can never win
nd like your conceit, Du Bots.
said Farriere. 1T Is you who ar.
aspiring far above you"
Come fellows" said Chauvetea'
Eve are all excellent friends. and ther
is no need for us 20 quarrel over th
lady. for the simple reason that mol
Of rs can win her. To do the cour
ing OF an heiress would require
least 10000 francs. There are oper.
and theater tickets TO buy. CARRIAGE
flowers. presents-indeed. a hundre
ways OF spending money-and | doub
II all OF US combined could raise hal
the amount"
MY faithr exclaimed Du Bor'
'eThere's an idea for you. Suppose
all chip IN and set up one Of US TO q
the Job. who shall be liberal with q
other two after securing Ia bel
Americaine's fortune
Good cried Chauveteau. "Th
very thing You two men let me ha'
10000 francs each. and I will not on
reimburse you. but give each OF 70
my note for 100000 francs. payah
within sixty days after my weddin
with Ia belle Americaine"
The Two men thus addressed laughe
OUTRIGHT Then Farriere. emptying b
glass and calling FOR another. said
ITO propose a practical plan. ! sui
gest that We each chip in third q
who shall make the attempt"
Il offer an amendment TO that" sal
Chauveteau. that Instead OF decidin
by LOT who shall do the wooing we d.
eide Il by n game OF cards"
''What gamer" asked Du -Bois
swell. since the lady Is Americai
suppose we make II the American gan
Of 'freeze-out' poker We win en-
take 10000 .rancs and play Till one
as has won the shares OF the other tv
the winner 10 use the fund TO do {
wooing. giving his obligation to G.
other two"
That's definite and practical" sa'
IN Bois. 'Jet us begin. We need nc
put up the cash: we can each tai
10000 francs IN chips. the losers TO r.
deem them later"
Agreed said the other two.
Cards and chips we're called for an
the game began. II was a long one. Z
each player. being DESTROYS to act q
layer bet cautiously While the gar
WINS In progress they chared one
other. occasionally giving away to ar
one who might be listening the obje
OF the game A gentleman took a Sc
at table az the other end OF the rooi
and the three players looked at one a.
other as much as to say, BE careful
but when the gentleman gave an ord
IN English they assumed that he di
not speak French. and before Ion
something o. their caution disappeared
Chauveteau was the FIRST 10 be froze
out and Farriere was relieved OF a
his chips by Du Bots. The man VIII
spoke English sat reading newspap,
an the game was ended. when. calm
. waiter. he sent bis card to the viii
ner. Du Bols read the name on II an
looked az his friends appalled,. The tw
looked much concerned. They SUI
posed the sending OF the card TO be
\ challenge. but were not certain
n was agreed that Chauveteau should Il
terview the sender and learn what
meant Approaching the person
question. he bowed low and asked
what way his friend NJ. du Bots cou
be of service to him.
CAS- the gentleman who is to win q
hand Of Ia belle Americalne." was Il
reply in tolerable French. he can be
service to me either with the foil
the pistol. whichever he prefers"
Monsieur has overheardT
Il have"
May I ask monsieura relationsh
20 the lady7"
"A sutton for her hand The mat
seems now TO be between me and 20
friend the winner | prefer 10 fight Z
lady rather than to gamble for her
Il see ! will bear your message
NJ du Bois"
After a consultation between q
three Frenchmen. who knew well a.
4 ~ duel under the circumstances wo'
be the social ruin OF every one OF the
Chauveteau was sent back 20 inqr
whether II they would all Join In
apology the matter would be kept
cret The reply was favorable. T
stranger dicmted an apology. which "
a duly signed and the matter was end
n Ia belle Americana married fell
81 countryman soon after this incide
but did not know TIN the day AZ
her marriare that her husband b
proposed 70 fight one who had won
tsrds the Wherewithal 20 win her.
lafher her fortune
As for the three Frenchmen. fr
~ Of whom she had received So.
nffrnilnn. she cut them all as she b
I'pnpd 70 meet them. Had they BE-