The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-08-06

each of the pitifully dropping shoulders,
"Old man, when the fever had me
down, I'd ha' gone under if it hadn't been
for you. SO help me God I'd rather ha'
died than have taken what | did at your
hands. Do you dare deny me this small
return, no ? w ats a paltry sum OF
money between you and me and the little
mother waitin' at hOme?"
Lumley put down his head upon that,
and cried like a baby; the which. if it be
not manly, | like him the better for. These
are tears, | am thinking, that are far from
disgracing even the eyes of a man.
Pm ashamed of myself, through and
through, for what's gone by" were Lum-
ley's next words, but can't give it up
now. Matters can't be any worse, and
there's a chance of lettering. Perhaps,
tonight, [ shall win it all back"
There were the old willfulness and pride,
and the new fascination of the gaming Ia
bic. There was no turning him back, no
moving him from that resolve.
Lumley's Parduer took him by the arm
Either way, I'm bound to see you
through" he said. Come"
SO night after night, as Lumley played,
there stood Lumley's PardnerlOoking on,
with never a word of that little white let
ter, his answering message. or the two
passengers on board an ocean steamer
bound for California.
Despite Lumley's h%Opefulness, luck new
er turned. Ii was the same feverish un-
rest and tedious waiting, the sense of
degradation by day, and at night the bril-
liantly lighted gambling-hell, the excite
ment, the fascination, trembling betwixt
hope and uncertainty, the frequent pOta-
tons to steady his shaken nerves, and, as
the night wore on, uncertainty deepening
into failure and disappointment; and each
morning Lumley's Pardner led him slowly
and 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, as soon as | get
back two thousand dollars, [ swear never
to touch cards or dice again" And Lum-
was dead in earnest this time. Still
he would accept nothing from his partner.
The night the Ocean Belle was signaled
into port, Lumley's Partner beckOned
: Monte Bill" aside Il reckon you have
heard of Monte Bill, the best brace-dealer
and short-card player west of the old Mis-
sissippi), and some secret understanding
passed between them.
In the midst of a game, Lumley's Pard-
ner left his post, which was something I'M
usual, passing Monte Bill on his way to
the door. 1t was not generally noticed,
but as he passed he dropped a small, com
pact package into the gamblers hand;
then, slouching his sombrero over his eyes,
he left the hall.
Pausing in the street, Lumley's Partner
looked anXiously down. 1t would have
been dark but for the street lamps, for it
full two hours to meOnriSe; but down
by the wharf shOne out the CLEAN of anew
signal-light, which, poised at masthead,
glOwered through the dark like the fiery
EYE of a gigantic CyclOps; the Ocean Belle
in. Ten minutes later. pushing his
way through the buStling crowd that
thrOnged the deck, he hurried across the
plank and made his way straight to the
;abin.
The past seemed all a dream, as he stood
again with wildly beating heart before a
Nron fn ilior tnrn fonilinr Grill thnrnh
the maturer crown fmOUherhOOd.
Her face wa even fairer than OfOld. blush
ING with its own wild-rOse tints of lowell
ness, her soft eyes shining up in glad FIX
Dectation. The broad sOmbrerO, slOuched
his forehead, shaded his features.
She saw only bronZed cheeks and a strong,
brown beard. The trcmor in his voice
might have meant diffidence.
Pardon me, madam, you are-I be-
is to say am Lumley's Pard-
She held out a white hand cordially.
And my husband?"
"Is well. lam to take you to him."
He took timidly the hand she extended.
the little woman thought, and
hen let it go.
"Give me the child"
He took the sleeping boy in his arms,
md so burdened piloted the way to a car
close beside the wharf. Putting her
inside, he laid the child gently, almost
'everently, upon her lap.
We're to drive round and take up
1t is only a few minutes ride"
One last searching glance from under
he protecting sOmbrero, and he closed
he carriage door, mounting to his place
beside the driver.
Oddly enough, Lumley had just finished
winning game with Monte Bill when
Lumley's Partner came hurriedly in.