Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-08-19

VI tautis' st'pPitlS 10 noon IN camp. Then
| knew what those marks of weakness
about his mouth stood for; Lumlcy had
never lett the city at all He had sat down
TO the gaming table one night, and gotten
up from IL the next morning poorer than
he had come into the mines He had first
won. then lost. and lost and won. and won
again; and then that last total blank stared
him in The face.
Lumfey could never give up at that. He
must win It all back Luck was surely i'm
store for him yet lie haunted the gam
bling hells. playing recklessly, desperate
ly, so Nng as he could win enough to keen
the ball rolling; pawning his watch his
ring, even his clothing when other re-
sources failed
So Iamley's Pardncr found him-heayy-
eyed, with seedy flashiness in his dress.
marks OF issipation on his fair. womani, III
iace-a pretty nearly played-out indiyidu.
al.
The blood rushed all over his face. for
the manliness yet lett him could but feel
the shame OF that meeting. But there was
no backing out now. Lumlcy's Pardner
took him To one side.
I've heard of you, old man." he said. in
his matter-oi-fact way. .'aud I've come To
see you out of this. How much do you
say Will clear you up, and have Il trfle
aheadY'
Lumley never raised his eyes.
"0ld Pard,' he answered, CHOKING nm
you're better friend than | deserve
Don't ask ME TO take anything from YOU
! Went ~ with my eyes open, and. thank
Ing You all the same, I'll have nobody's
help out.
Iumley's Pardner laid broad hand on
each OF the ptifully dropping shoulders.
old man. when that fever had me down
I'd la gone under il ii hadn't been for
you. 80 help me God, I'd rather ha' died
than have taken what did at your hands.
Do you dare deny me thi, small return.
now: What's 4 pallry sum OF money be-
tween you ard me, aud the little mother
waiting at home:''
Iumlcy put down his head upon that.
/ and cried Ike baby; the which. il il be
not manly. like him the better for. There
/ are tears, am thinking, that are far from
disgracing even the eyes OF a man.
I'm ashamed OF myself. through and
through, for what's gone by." were I.um-
ley's next words, "but cant give ii az
now. Matters cant be any worse. and
there's chance Of bcitcring. Perhaps to-
Light shall win 1t all back
There were the old wilmlness and pride,
and the new fascination Of the gaming
table. There was no turning him back, h.
moving him from that resolve.
u Lumley's PArdncr took him by the arm
Either way, I'm bound to see YOU
/ through" he said @Come."
80 night amer night. a. Lumlcy PLAYED.
there stood Lumley- Pardncr looking on,
with never a word OF that little whit" let
I ter, his answering message, or tie tNo pas
/ scngers on board an ocean steamer bound
Tot California.
Despite Lumley's hopeiulucs- luck ucy.
/ er turned. IL was the same fcycrsh au-
I rest aud tcdlou, waiting, the sense nt d.--
| radiation by day, and at night the brilliant
/ ly lighted gambling hell, the excitement,
I the fascination trcmblin. betwiNt hope anG
uncertainty, the frequent potLtions to
/ steady his shaking nerves. aui. a, the
| night wore on, uncertainty deepening into
failure and disappointment and each
morning Lum!ey's Pardner led him slowly
and silently away, until time, wearing ou,
/ brought ~ last this appeal:
"FOr Gods sake, old man, when Will
I you let up:'
80 help me heaven. as soon as | ae,
/ back two thousand dollars, swear never
10 touch cards or dice again" And Lum-
/ lty was dead in earnest this time. sun. he
would accept nothing from hi- partner.
The night the Ocean Belle wa, ,isualed
| into port. Lumley's Pardner bcckoucd
monte Bill" aside II reckon YOU have
heard OF Monte Bill, the best hrace-dealcr
aud short-card player west OF the old Mis-.
/ -ssippl), and some secret understanding
| passed between them.
In the midst OF a game, I.umley's Plrl-
ner LEFT his post, which was something uu-
usual. passing Monte Bill on hi. way to
the door. Ii was not generally noticed.
but as he passed he dropped small com
pact package into the gamblers hand;
then, slouching his S0UJrerD over his eyes.
he LEFT the hall.
Pausins in the street, Lumlcy's Pardner
looked AnXioHsly down. Il would have
been dark but for the street-lamps, for il
was full two hours to moonrisc; but down
by the wharf shone out the CLEAN ofa new
signal-lght. which. poised at masthead,
slowered through the dark like the fiery
eye of u gigantic Cyclop, the Ocean Belle
was in. Ten minutes later, pushing hi-
way through the bu>tling crowd that
thrOugoi the 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 d
once familiar iorm-iamilar still, though
bearing The maturer crown of motherhD Dod.
Her face was even faircr than OF old. blush
Ing vita it, own wild-rose tiuis Of lowell
res>, her soft eyes shining up in glad e1
pectatiop. The bi Dad s0Hibrero. sloucheJ
over lis forehead. shaded his features.
She say only bronZed cheeks aud a strong
brown beard. The tremor in hi- voice
might lave meant dinilence.
"Parlon me, Madam, you are-I believe
that 10 say am Lumley's Pardner."
she leld out a white hand cordially.
"AnC my husband:"
lis veil. am To take YOU to him"
lie t.ok timidly the hand she extended.
awkwgdly the little woman thought. and
then IL it 90.
"Giw me the child
He uok the >lCcpD- boy in his arms,
and sobu.dened pilOted the way to a car
riaee Waiting close beside the wharf Put
ting he inside. he laid the child gently. al
most rverently upon her lap.
Were to drive round and take up Lum-
ley. is only few minutes ride
One last searching glance from under
the protecting sOmbrer0, and he closed the /
carra9-door, mounting to his place beside |
the dryer.
Oddly enough, Lumley had just finished !
a winning game with Monte Bill when |
Iunlei's Pardner came hurriedly in AZ |
he slipped quietly back to his post, Lum- |
ley sa eyeing the "pile"-25 hundred dol |
lars. He put out his hand to rake is up. |
pauset, drew it back. picked up the cards. |
and hgan to shuttle for another stake; |
not th,t he had forgotten his oath. or the |
womal and child he loved, but long way
ahead of anything else was the thought !
that luck had turned-that he had only to |
followit up to win back all the past. Lum- |
ley's lardner stopped to his ear:
"Ynd better throw up the game The |
little mother and your boy are waiting
here. outside"
Lunley started-half.rose to his feet.
loOkei up into his partners face, then at
the cTds, then,at the door. then wishtuIIy
back lpon the cards and the gold As with |
heay sigh he sunk into his seat again. |
Lunl'y's Pardner, dashing the cards from
his lands. raked up the stakes aud forced |
themoney into Lumley's pocket.
low long will you keep your wife and
chill waiting alone. at night. in a strange
citybefore the door of gambling g-house?"
he thrust struck home. Like a man |