, 1877-06-29

land mastered me at once, and within a
very short time | was on my voyage to
/ England.
On the way, had one night fright
/ full dream. | fancied terrible enemy
/ had me on my back, and was clutGhing
at nv throat Tighter grew his grasp,
and fainter my breath. My starting eyes
scanned every feature of my murderer.
Slowly and paintully-as | was held in
| this way, for some time as it appeared
did call to my mind the face before me.
1t was Staining, but Staining reckless,
desperate. gasped an entreaty for
mercy.
"Give it to me; want it, must have
it, instantly-instantly!" was the hOarse
reply.
"What-what can you meani"
"What" he shrieked in maniacal
frenzy. wretch, my twenty pounds"
| had quite forgotten about this bet
and the twenty pounds; but the dream
set me thinking of what rumors l had
heard occasionally respecting Staining
since left England, that his money had
wasted, that he had fallen considerably
in position, and even into poverty. l
had written to him several times; but of
late years he had not replied.
"Poor fellow" now thought, "there
may really be something in that dream. If
his pride will accept it, he shall have that
money back, and very glad shall be to
restore it."
Back in England. Settled down again
in the old country. Main matters dis
posed of, began to think of minor ones,
and among the latter the discovery of
Staining. He was not in the former
haunts, and failed so long to find him
that 1 was beginning to despair, when
one night met him in the street.
The brilliant artificial light of the
ballroom may increase the lustre of a
woman's bright eyes and of her sparkling
Jewels; but if you want to see poor,
broken-down man, decayed and dismal,
in his worst aspect, survey him standing
discOnsolately under a street-lamp, a
drizzling rain descending upon him, and
he, with folded arms, presenting pic
ture of mute despair. So did 1 behold
Staining. l put my hand upon his shoul-
der. He sprang from me as though l
were wild beast.
Il did not want to run away" he said,
hoarsely, "they knew that. I'll face it
III face it" he added, tremulously. "Go
on, I'll walk quietly enough-Why-
What-eh-surely, can it be-can-"
'Yes, it is Smith, your old companion.
Pray be composed. Staining, my friend,
what is all this2 Come away, and con-
tide in me. You know you antrust me.
If you are in trouble, and money can
help you, you shall not want" And l
took his arm, and we went together.
Aud then heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and it amounted to this: When
he had wasted his money, he obtained
situation in merchants Office. The pay,
poor enough, was sufficient to keep him;
but even now nothing could restrain him
from gambling on small scale on horse
racing. As consequence he was soon
penniless, and worse-dishonest He
had paid betting debt out of a twenty
pound note which the day before met
him had been entrusted to him. Dis
covery had ensued almost instantane-
ousIy, and though the luckless man had
explained that it was only through the
failure of another member of the virtuous
fraternity be could not at once replace
the money, he had been discharged, and
had reason to suppose he would be prose-
cuted.
@Many, many thanks" replied the
poor fellow to the offer / directly made
him. "You can see the firm in the
morning; though they have allowed a
day to pass, doubt whether they will
take the money. Ibelieve they are bent
on my ruin"
could not believe it; so early next
day l was at the office of Messrs. Baydon,
Blendon 6 Co., and having been admitted
into the room Of the senior partner 1
stated my e-rand and profered my twenty
pounds.
Mr.. Baydon was a sleek old gentle
man. There was, so to speak, wealth
and ease all over him. He bent his head
complacently and replied:
~ can appreciate your kindness to this
poor man, and myself would pass the
matter over at once, but my partner, Mr..
Blendon, takes a different view, and 1
cannot interfere" And he was firm upon
the point Could l see Mr.. Blendonl
Yes, If could call again in two hours.
In the cab kept muttering to myself,
"Blendon, and Robert Blendon, too9 l
am sure Of it. Still, if it be SO, it is very
strange. 1 think I should know that
face again, however time may have al
tered It. We shall see who will be mas
ter"
Back to Messrs. Baydon Blendon s.
Co.'S Offices, and then into the presence
of Mr.. Blendon.
All my anxiety for my poor friend
faded away. was master of the situa-
ton. Briefly stated my desire to pay
the amount of Staining's defalcation, and
my hope that under the extenuating cir