A GAMBLER'S PRIDE.

Evening Star, Issue 12926, 14 April 1908, Page 8

A GAMBLER'S PRIDE.

Count Hansic, the well-known Polish gambler, who for ten years startled Paris by his high play at cards and his wild extravagances, has come to a dramatically tragic end. Ho arrived in Paris from Warsaw ten years ago with a huge fortune. Gambling was his one passion in life, and ho sometimes sat for twelve hours at a time at the tables, winning or losing heavily- He always played lor high stakes, and at times his winnings were phenomenal. During the past year, however, he has lost steadily until, some months ago, he became absolutely penniless. His house was sold for the benefit of his creditors, and Count Hansic took a cheap two-roomed apartment. He was too proud to ask for loans from his friends, and he made a brave but pathetic attempt to keep up appearances. Count Hansic's friends were anxious to help him, but he refused to accept loans. At la3t several of them decided that they would induce him to play ecarte, and allow him towio. Thenesttimethecountentered the club ho was invited to take a hand in a game. He consented, and the game began for merely nominal stakes. Count Hansic won steadily, and the stakes were raised gradually. With each succeeding victory his spirits rose, and when, at last, he had won £2O, he exclaimed triumphantly: " The luck has changed. I shall retrieve everything yet !" But a moment later a friend of one of the other players, who was standing behind the tatter's chair, looked at his hand, and exclaimed: "You must be mad ! You are not playing at all! Why do you hide your trumps"? It is absurd !" Count Hansic laid down his cards, and, pale as death, rose from the table. " I beg your pardon," ho said to the other players. " I understand," he added, pushing his winnings toward them. " I shall keep £2 ; it will be sufficient for all my requirements," and walked out of ths room. Count Hansic called a cab and drove to the Hotel TerminusattheGare St. Lazaire. He engaged a bedroom, and immediately retired. A few minutes later a chambermaid was startled by the sound of a shot. When the door of Coiuit Hansic's roc in was broken open the count was found lying dead on the rug before the fire, tho revolver still clutched in his right hand.