The literary echo. (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1851, 1851-07-31

called friends. He had been taught from
his earliest childhood, to look upon gamb.
ling as most fearful sin, involving ir
itself moro Of evil consequences than almost
any other; and since his matwer years hC
had seen that this practice warrcd against
the whole harmony Of Gods systcm-this
winning or losing by a blind chance that
which lie commands shall be ours in re-
ward Of earnest endcavor. lie seemed
almost stunned by this sudden discovery
and half doubling that he had seen Alright.
passed on to the library at the lower end
Of the room. There were but two gentle
men present, beside the group at the table
Lawrence Canning and another member
Of the club, who We're quite unconccrncdly
looking over some just received music to-
gcthor They greeted Fred cordially as he
advanced, and so Il the sound Of his voice
i'll conversation attracted the attention OF
the players.
lIalloo, ITaywood," called out Can
ming somewhat brusquoly, turning hi.
flushed face in the direction of Frcd's
voice, " how long have you been here :"
| came in but q few minutes AGO
replied Fred, quietly, 81 was too mucI
engaged to make an evening Of it, and
merely dropped in for this book" pointing
10 ono which h. now held in lis hand.
But you're going to stay awhile now
you are hcrc+ aren't you rejoinod Can
ming, hinging down card at tic same
time, in answer to lis advarsary's call
: Fec what confoundod luck | have" he
added, in sullen, half-deprccatin: tone
for excited as he was with wine and play
he had q consciousness that this was not
exactly the scene he could have wished
Haywood to stumble upon.
Thank YOU" said Fred, rather coldIy
L" / have no time this evening"" drawing
out his watch with the announcement tha
it was half-past ten, " and unfortunately
take no interest in play.'
Canning, irritatcd already, took fire a
what he received as an implied rcproof
AMI scornrully rejoired without looking a
his friend
q beg your pardon, Mr.. Haywood, fol
tempting You TO remain beyond yom
usual hour-I had fogottcn for the mo,
ment, that you were fitting yourself for {
model husband, quite too dutiful to wish f6l
4 latch-kcy."
The color mounted to Fred's temples
but he checked the angry word that rosl
TO lis lips, and answered coldly-
Mr.. Canning forgets that Mr. Hay.
wood has an invalid mother" and walking
hastily to the door, descended the stairs
and was soon in the street.
His hot check burned against the cole
air, and the tmultuous rush of fcolin.
which agitated his whole frame, had hardl,
resolved itself into form, when he reached
his own door. There was no one in the
parlor, but as he passed his mother,
room, on the way to his own, he potice(
that tue door was open, and pausing before
i, he saw that Alice was yet there
making some final arrangements for hcl
mothers comfort, before leaving her foi
the night. She had been alone all the
evening, and her face lookcl pale and
thoughtful, and there was an expression Of
sorrow and care upon it, Which Frederic
had never seen before, alrl Which slnot,
him to the heart. And when on pcrcciv-
mg him, there camo to her lip its accus,
toned smile, and to her voice its cheerful
greeting, he stopped down and kissed hcl
with "a remorscful pang, aud trusting him
self only to say goodnight, passed on to
his room. And now had come the time