Her Last Stake, Chapters I-V [pp. 815-839]

HER LAST STAKE.
"What do you mean?"
"Listen. I pawned my watch this morning, and got this
for it," showing some gold-pieces in her worn, shabby purse.
"With this I am going, for the last time, to Monte Carlo."
"Oh, don't! " broke in her listener.
"I shall stake it all-in a way that will double, treble itself,
if it wins; and if I win I promise you I will play no more; yes,
I know that is what you are asking me. I shall have enough
then to support myself for a few days while gaining more
strength to seek employment."
"And if you lose?"
"Then... don't ask!" she answered abruptly.
"But-but why not live for those few days on what you
have there? "
"Because I must, must, must have one throw more! I
cannot help it, the madness of it is upon me; you cannot understand the irresistibleness of the temptation."
"I am afraid you are resisting grace," said Sister Gabrielle
sadly.
"Don't say that, but wish me good luck! There! Goodby-and-and, pray for me!" She bent down and kissed the
cheek of her new-found friend, and taking up the long.handled
sunshade, with which she supported her still somewhat uncertain
footsteps, she quitted the room. Sister Gabrielle took up her
own large rosary, which lay upon the table near, and knelt
down to say a portion of it "for that soul which is in danger of
losing grace," as she whispered, before she left, with slow and
saddened steps, that dull and cheerless room.
CHAPTER V.
It was somewhat early on the following morning-perhaps
about eight o'clock or so-that Sister Gabrielle, coming for a
moment out into the corridor into which all the rooms opened,
found herself face to face with, almost knocking against, in
fact, a little group of men who were entering the room in
front of her, No. 27. "Why, that is Miss Falconer's room,"
she thought; "surely that unfeeling landlord has not turned her
out already!"
In another moment the identical individual himself appeared,
his usually smiling appearance having given place to one of
grave concern; and, without noticing the looker-on, he passed
her and went after the others into the room. A vague feeling
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