e gaming-table is the besetting sin of my family, and I had
sworn to conquer it in myself, but you were too strong for me; so,
whatever happens, do not blame me too much. And now give me a kiss as a
guaranty of success.'

"How handsome he was in the moonlight, for we were in the beautiful
grounds around the Casino--were standing in a sheltered spot close to a
bed of great white lilies, whose perfume even then made me faint, I
cannot smell them now without a throb of pain, they are so associated
with that awful night when I bade Charlie good-by, and went back to the
hotel. I did not go with him, nor did he wish it, I disconcerted him, he
said. And so I sat by my window and watched the full moon rising higher
and higher, and listened to the moan and dash of the sea against the
shore below, and saw the people going and coming, until at last it was
twelve o'clock, the hour for closing, and I saw the crowds come out, men
and women, young and old, those who had lost and those who had won, and
leaning from the casement I tried to single out Charlie, but could not.
I felt almost sure that if he had been successful he would stop at my
door and tell me so. But he did not come.

"As I sat and waited, I cannot tell you the horror and dread which took
possession of me. I knew that the moon was still shining--that patches
of silvery light were falling upon the sea, and the shrubs and flowers
outside, but to me all was black as midnight, and I actually groped my
way to my bed, on which I threw myself at last, shivering with cold, for
the October air was blowing up chill from the water. For a few moments I
slept, and then started suddenly as I fancied I heard Charlie call my
name.

"Oh-h, Betty," was what he said, and in his voice there was a note of
agony and fear, which made me shiver in every limb, as I tottered to the
window and looked out.

"Oh, what a glorious night it was, rich and sweet with tropical bloom
and beauty, and the full moon in the sky now moving down to the west,
for it was past two o'clock.

"Every thing was still, and after listening a moment I went back to bed,
and slept heavily until morning, when my brother came to my door and
spoke to me in a voice I did not at first recognize, it was so strange
and unnatural.

"What is it?' I asked, as I opened the door and looked at his white
face.

"'Sister,' he said, stepping into the room. 'Can you bear some dreadful
news?'

"'Yes,' I answered with a sensation