The Revolver.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 52

The Revolver.

Great aclivity prevailed in the gambling den. Qce young man, whom we will call Arthur, played for higher stakes and seemsd more intent on the, game than the rest. One gold piece after another dropped from his hand on the black or the red, or one of the numbers, and- it invariably found its way into the croupier's cashbox. At length he had staked his last coin. With the same coolness that had characterised hi» play, Arthur walked out oi the voora. It was growing dark in fche grounds aa he lab down on a bench and drew a rovolvor from hie pocket. A hand was placed on his shoulder. 14 Young man, you really, mean to shoot yourself?" 14 That i« my intention." " Would you leave the p?aoe if I -were to offer you ?" here he named * certain «urn. * "No:" "And suppose I offered you double the amount P " 14 AH righi. Give me the money, and within; a couple of hours I shall tike the train." The kind gentleman gave Arthur the money and walked away. ' Arthur sat still, smiling aud toying with hi« revolver. . Again a hund was placed on hia shoulder. 'J his tirae it belonged to «» young man whom wo will designate as Eugene ; he, too, had played and lost. 41 Sir, I have been watching you both in the gambling saloon and out here." • 4 Ah ! " Atthnr ejaculated. , "Your gold coins were spurious." " Well, and what if they were ? Have you lost anything by (hem ?* 44 No ; bat perhaps you will be good enough to tell me why you wanted ta shoot yourself when the money you lost was all counter* feit ? "" " I did nob mean to shoot myself ; this revolver is made of chocolate." 41 Then, pray, what made you take that kind gentleman's money P " Eugene indigoantly in« quired. "That kind gentleman is an official of ithe gambling establishment, nothing more." 14 Ah I now I understand," muttered Eugene ; then, suddenly turning to Arthur, ha asked :—: — ••Would you mind lending me your revolver ? " "Witfe the greatest pleasure; I am off directly, my things are already at the station. Here is the revolver. Good luck to you I And he disappeared in the shrubbery whilst hugene equaled dawn on the bench and held the n:urderous weapon to hia brcTV.—Huaoristiche Blatter.