The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-15
re. Lumley's pardner took him by

EITHER way, Tn bound to see you
through. he said. Come"
Sonight after night, as Lumley played,
there stood Lumley's pardner looking
on. with never a word of that little white
letter, his answering message. OF the two
passengers on board an ocean steamer
bound for California.
Despite Lumley's hopefulness, luck
never turned 1t was the same feverlsh
unrest and tedious waiting, the sense OF
degradation by day, and at night bril-
lantly Lighted gambling the excite
ment. the fascination trembling between
hope and uncertainty, the frequent pota-
tons to steady his shaking nerves, and,
as the night wore on, uncertainty deep
ening 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 are
you going to stop"
$50 help me Heaven, as soon as l get
back two thousand dollars l swear never
to touch cards or dice again.
And Lumley was in dead earnest this
time, still he would accept nothing from
his partner.
The night the ocean Belle" was sig
nailed into port, Lumley's pardner beck
oned Monte Bill" aside / reckon You
have heard of Monte Bill, the best brace
dealer and short-card player west of the
old Mississippi and some secret under
standing passed between them.
In the midst of game, Lumley's
pardner left his post, which was some
thing unusual, passing Monte Bill on
his way to the door. 1t was not gener-
ally noticed, but as he passed he dropped
a small compact package into the gamb-
lers hand; then, slouching his somJ'ero
over his eyes, he left the hall.
Pausing in the street, Lumley's pard-
ner looked anxiously down. 1t would
have been dark but for the street lamps,
for it was full two hours to moon-rise;
but down by the wharf shone out the
CLEAN of n new signal-light, which,
poised at masthead, glowered through
the dark like a fiery eye of gigantic
Cyclops; the ocean Belle" was in. Ten
minutes later, pushing his way through
the bustling crowd that thronge1 the
deck, he hurried across the plank and
made his way to the cabin.
The past seemed all dream, rs he
stood with wildly beating heart before a
once familiar form-familiars still, though
bearing the maturer crown of mother
hood. Her face was even fairer than OF
old, her soft eyes shining up in glad ex-
pectation. The broad sombrerO, slouched
over his forehead, shaded his features.
She saw only bronzed cheeks and a
strong brown beard. The tremor in his
voice might have meant diffidence.
Pardon me, madam, you are be-
lieve-that is to say am Lumlev's
pardner.
She held out a white hand cordially.
"And my hnsband?"
SIS we'll. l am to take you to him
He took timidly the hand she extended,
awkwarlly the little woman thought, and
then let it go.
"Give me the child"
He took the sleeping boy in his arms,
and piloted the way to Il carriage wait
ing close beside the wharf. Putting her
inside, he laid the child gently upon her
lap.
Were to drive round and take up
Lumley. 1t is only a few minutes ride" "
One last searching glance from under
the protecting SOmbrero, and he closed
the carriage-door, and mounted to a
place beside the driver.
Oddly enough, Lumley had Just fin
ished winning game with Monte Bill
when Lumley's parlner came hurriedly
in. He sat cycling the pile-twenty-five
hundred dollars. He put out his hand
to rake it up, paused, drew 1t back,
picked up the cards, and began to shuttle
for another stake; not that he had for
gotten his oath, 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. Lum-
ley's pardner stopped to his car. and
said:
You'd better throw up the game.
The little mother and your boy are
waiting outside"
Lumley started-half-rose to his feet,
looked up into his pardner's face, then
at the cards and gold. AS with heavy
sigh he sank into his seat again, Lllm-
ley's pardner dashed the cards from his
hands, raked up the stakes. and forced
the money into Lumley's pocket.
''How long will you keep your wife
and child waiting alone in strange city,
before the door of II gambling house,"
The thrust struck home. Like man
awakening from dream, Lumley sprang
up, crushed on his hat, and flew to the
door. Once in his wife's arms, and he
was safe. Lumley's pardner was sure OF
that He did not follow him. but slipped
out at tue side door, and the next day
saw him back in camp, a trifle paler and
sterner than was his wont, but daunt-
lessly honest and brave.
And | reckon to this day LlmlcY