The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1852-06-25

and cbnciliating. and my outstreIchet
hand seemed TO invite renewal Of oIl
old friendship. AZ H... ~
"Not you, certainly, since you stare a
an old friend as ifhe were some fright
ful goblin about 10 swallow you. Real
w." .4.,.l..t ,s.
"Hush! Let us speak together in the
lobby. "An old friend," he added, in
answer to Mr.. Merton's surprised stare
ave will re turn in on instant" 49,.
"Why what is all this, Waters?" said
Carbon, recovering his sang froid, the
instant we were alone, "I had under
stood you had ve,ired from amongst US;
we're in fact-wbat shall say?"
"Ruiued--done up! Nobody should
know tint better than you. ~
"My Dear fellow, you do not imag.
ine--" ..,-... .t....-
81 imagine nothing, my dear Carbon.
I was very thoroughly done-done bro,Dn
az sitis written in the vulga' tngue. But
fortunately nv kind, old uncle"
"Prossgrove is Dead" interrupted my
old acquaintance, eagerly jumping to a
conclusion, sand you are his heir; l con :
gta.ulate you, my dear fellow. This isin.
deeda charming reverse Of circumstan-
ces." ...e
"Yes; but mind have given up the
old game. No more dice.deviltry Tor
me. | have promised Emily never even
to touch card again." e1,
The cold, hard eye Of the incarna tc
fend, he was little less-gleamed mock.
ingly as these good intentions Of a prac-
tised game ster fell upon his ear; but he
only replied, I'D
"Vers good; quite right, my dear boy.
Blu, come, let me Introduce you to Mr..
Merton, a highly connected parsonage, ]
assure you. By.the.by. Waters" be ad-
ded in caressing, confidential tone, "my
name for family and other reasons, which
I will hereafter explain to you, is, for the
present, Sandfordw
"Sandford" d ,..
"Yes; do not forget. BIT Allons, or
the ballet will soon be over"
| was introduced in due form TO Mr..
Merton asan old and esteemed -friend,
whom he--Sandford-had not seen for
many month. AT the conclusion of the
ballet, Sandford proposed that we should
adjourn to the European Coffee House,
nearly opposite. This was agreed to,
and out we sailed. AT tho top Of the
staircase, we ios,led against the commits
sionet, Who like Us, was leaving tie house.
He bowed slightly TO Mr.. Merion's
apology and his eye wandered briefly
and coldIy over our persons; but not the
slightest sign ofrecogniiion escaped him.
I thought il possible he did not know me
in nv changed appeared; but looking
back after decending few steps | was
quickly undeceived. A sharp swift
glance, expressive both Of encourage
went and surprise, sho, from under his
penthouse brow, and as swiftly vanished.
lie did not know how little l needed
urging TO the goal we both had in
view! a-
We discussed two or three bottles Of
wine with mucl, gaiety an lrelish. Sand
ford, especially. was in exuberant spirits,
bring over with brilliant anecdote and
sparkling badinage. He saw in me a
fresh, rich prey, aud h eager spirit rev.
eled by anticipation in the victory which
he nothing doubted to obtain over my
intentions and wife-pledged
virtue" About half past twelve O'Clock
| proposed to adj"nrn. Thiswas eagerly
assented to by Mr.. Merton, who had
for some time exhibited unnistakable
symptoms ofimpatience.
"You will accompany us, Waters'"
said Sandford, as we rose to depart.
"There is, suppose, no VOW registered
in the matrimonial archives against look-
ing on at game played by oihers!'
"Oh no; but don't ask me 10 play"
Certainly not" and a devilish sneer
curled his lip. "Your virtue. shall suffer
from no temptation, be assured"
We soon arrived before the door Of
quiet, respectable looking house, in one
Of the streets leading from the strand; a
low peculiar knock given by Sandford,
was promptly answered then pass word,
which l did no, catch whispered by him
through the keyhole, and we passed in.
We proceeded up stairs 10 the first
floor the shutters Of which were carefully
closed, SO tina, no in:imation Of what was
going on could possibly reach the street.
The apar,men, was brilliantly lighted; a
roleite table, dice and cards were in full
activity; wine and liquors Of all varieties
were profusely paraded. There was
about half dozen persons present, soon
discovered besides the gang and that
Of eleven or twelve we'l-dres-
sed desperadoes, whose sinister aspects
induced momentary qualm one or
more ofthe pleasant party might suspect
or recognize my vocation. This however.
have reflected, was scarcely possible.
My beat during the short period had
been in the force, was far distant from
he usual haunts of such gentry, and !
a r.