hind three jacks, was satisfied that he had the better hand, but did not Hke to risk so largely his friend's money, though by this time he hardly knew whether he was playing on his own account or for the other. " Cheap enough," sneered the sharper, as he spread out on the board his hand, which could boast nothing higher than two fours.
Duke detested bluffing:. His nature was too sino-le and straightforward to enjoy indulging in such trickery himself, and he did not like any better to have it played upon him. The sharper was quick enough to discover this; he discovered also that Duke was not greatly interested in the game, being apparently unconcerned whether he won or lost, and certainly having no intention of high play. And a sardonic satisfaction warmed the scoundrel's heart as he saw that at last he had been able to put his finger upon this immaculate young man's weakness, upon the soft spot in the character of one whom long before he had become satisfied was of a superior order.
For an hour or more the game went on, and Duke's friend did not return. Meanwhile the betting became heavier, several pots rising up into the thousands, and Duke was largely loser. Of course, now he was playing for himself; he would not for a moment expect his friend to suffer for his folly. But he himself could not afford to lose so much money, representing as it did weeks and months of toil and self-denial He would play for even, and then quit, he said to himself; and here should end his first and last attempt at real gambling. For he felt in his sinking heart, in his boiling blood, in his face flushed half in shame and half in anger—in anger at his own folly and at the leering, sneering sharper that this man was playing him like an angler a fish which could not escape the toils.
On went the game, the unfortunate Duke becoming more and more involved. He had not with him so much to lose, but he had already through the keeper
