Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-09-21

hound fol California.
Despite Lumley's hopelulness, luck
never turned 1t was the same leyerish
unrest and tedious waiting, the sense OF
degradation by day, and at night
the brilliantly lighted gambling-hell, the
excitement, the fascination trembling
between hope aud uncertainty, the ire
quent potations to steady his shaking
nerves, and, as the night wore on,
unceitiinty deepening into failure and
disappointment; and each morning
Lumley'S Pardncr led him slowly aud
silently away, until, time wearing on,
brought at last this appeal:
For Gods sake, old man. when will
you let up? ?"
$50 help me heaven, rs soon as get
back two thousand dollars. 1 swear
never to touch cards or dice again
And Lumley was dead in earnest this
time. Still. he would accept nothing
from his partner
The night the Ocean belle was sig.
nailed into port, Lumley'S Pardncr beck.
oned Monte Bilr asideQ reckon you
( have heard OF Monte Bill, the best brace.
dealer and short card player west OF the
old Mississippi. aud some secret under.
standing passed between them.
In lhe midst of game Lumley's
Pardner lett his post. which was some
thing unusual, passing Monte Bill on his
way TO the door. Ii was not generally
noticed, but as he passed be dropped
small compact package into the gamblers
hand; then slouching his sonlJrero over
his eyes, he left the hall.
Pausing in the street, Llmley's Parl.
ner looked anXiously down. 1t would
have been dark but tor the street lamps.
for it was lul two hours to moonrise
but down by the wharf shone out the
first gleam Of new signal.light which,
poised at mast head, glowered through
the dark. like The fiery eye OF gigantic
CYclops; the Ocean Belle was in. Ten
minutes later. pushing his way through
the busting crowd that thronged tho
deck. he hurried across the plank and
made his way straight TO the cabin.
The past seemed all dream. as he
stood again with wildly beating heart
before a once familiar form-familiar
still. though bearing the maturer crown
of motherhood. Her lace was even fair
er than of old, blushing with its own
wild-rose tints of lovelness. her soft eyes
shining up in glad expectation. The
broad SoplGrer0. slouched over his fore.
head, shaded his features. She saw only
bronzed cheeks and a strong brown
beard. The tremor in his voice might
have meant dilidence.
Pardon me, Madam. you are-I
believe-that is TO say am Lumley'S
Pardnern
Sle held out white hand cordially.
And my husband?"
"Is well. am to take you 10 him.
He took timidly the hand she extended.
awkwardly the little woman thought,
and then let it go.
"Give me the child"
lie took the sleeping boy in his arms.
and SO burdened pioted the way TO a
carriage waiting close beside the wharf
Putting her inside, he laid the child
gently, almost reverently upon her lap.
"We're to drive round and take up
Lumley. Il is only few minutes ride
One last searching glance from und er
the protecting SOmbrero, and he closed
the carrisge.door. mounting TO his place
beside the driver.
OILY enough, Lumley had just finished
q winning game with Monte Bill when
Llmley's PIrdner came hurriedly 10. As
he slipped quietly back to his post. Lum-
ley sat eyeing the "pile"-25 hundred
dollars. He put out his hand to rake it
up, paused, drew i. back, picked up the
cards, and be5au 10 shuttle Tor another
stake; not that he had forgotten his oath,
or the woman and child he loved, but
long way ahead of anything else was the
thought that luck had turned-that he
had only to follow it up to win back all
the past. Lumley stopped to whisper in
his ear:
YOU'D better throw up the game.
The little mother aud your ooy ar 9
waiting here. outside" !
Lumey started --half-rose to his feet.
looked up into his partners face, then at
back upon the cards and the gold. As
with a heavy sigh he sank into bis seat
again, Lumley's Pardner. dashing the
cards from his hands. raked up the ste kes
and forced the money into Lumley's
pocket.
"How long will you keep your wife
and child waiting alone. at night, in
strange city, before the door OF ii gam
bling houseP"
The thrust struck home. Like a man
awakening from dream. Lumley sprung
up, crushed on his nat, and flew TO the
door.
Once in the little woman's arms. he
was safe. Lumley's Pardner knew him
we'll enough to be sure OF that. de never