The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-04

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morals, dress, and emotions, he appeared
before Peg Moffat. More than that, he
occasionally limped with her through the
settlement. The critical eye Of Red Dog
took in the singular pair; Jaek-voluble,
suffering, apparently overcome by re-
morse, conscience, vituperatioa, and dis
ease; and Peg, open-mouthed higii-eol-
ored, awkward yet delighted; and the
critical eye of Red Dog, seeing this,
winked meaningly at Rockville. No one
knew what passed between them. But
all observed that one summer day Jack
drove down the main street of Red Dog
in an open buggy with the heiress of that
town beside HIM. jack, albeit Il trifie
shaky, held the reins with something Of
his old dash; and Mistress Peggy, in an
enormous bonnet with pearl colOled ril-
bons, shade darker than her hair,
holding in her short, pink gloved fingers
a bouquet of yellow roses, absolutely
glowed crimson in distressful gratifica-
alton over the dashboard. So these
two Jared on-out of the busy settlement,
into the woods, against the rosy sunset.
Possibly it was not pretty picture; !;
nevertheless, as the dim aisles of the SOL
emn pines opened to receive them, miners
leaned upon their spades, and mechanics
stopped in their toll to look after them.
The critical eye of Red Dog, perhaps
from the sun, perh ps from the fact that
it had itself been young and dissipated.
took on kindly moisture as it gazed.
The moon was high when they re-
turned. Those who had waited to con-
gratulate Jack on this near prospect of j
favorable change in his fortune were
chagrincd to find that, having seen the
lady safe home, he had himself departed
from Red Dog. Nothing was to be gained
from Peg, who on the next day and en-
suing days kept the even tenor Of her
way, sunk a thousand or two more in
unsuccessful speculation, and made nc
change in her habits Of PERSONAL econ
omy. Weeks passed without any appar-
ent sequel tn this romantic idyl. Moth
ing was known definitely until Jack, a
month later, turned up in Sacramento,
with a billiard cue in his hand, and q
heart overcharged with indignant emo
motion.
Il don't mind telling you, gentlemen,
in confidence" said Jack to circle of
sympathizing players, "l don't mind tell
ing you regarding this thing, that l was
as soft on that freckled-faced, red-eyed,
tallow-haired gal as if she'd been a-a-
an actress. And / don't mind saving,
gentlemen, that, as far as I understand
women, she was Just as sweet on me! You
kin laugh, but it's SO. One day I took
her our bugay-riding-in style too-and
out on the road | offered to- do the square
thiny-just as if she'd been a lady-of-
fered to marry her then and there? And
what did she do?" said Jack with an hys-
terical laugh; "why, blank it all offered
me twenty-five dollars week allowance
pay TO be stopped when l wasn't at
homew
The roar of laughter that greeted this
frank confession was broken by quiet
voice asking:
"And what did you say@'
''Sayw screamed Jack, "I just told hel
to 60 to - with her money"
"They say" continued the quiet voice
chat you asked her for a loan of two
hundred and fifty dollars to get you tc
Sacramento-and that you got it."
"Who says SOP roared Jaek-"shox
me the blank liar"
There was dead silence.
Then the possessor Of the quiet voice
Mr.. Jack Hamlin, laHgaidly reached un-
der the table, took the chalk, and rub.
ibing the end of his billiard cue, began
with gentle gravity:
ut WAS an old friend Of mine in Saefa.
mento, man with wooden leg, a game
eye, three fingers on his right hand, and
"a eonsumptive cough. Being unable
naturally, to back himself, he leaves
things to me. So for the sake of argu
ment.' continued Hamlin, suddenly lay.
ing down his cue, and fixing his wicked
black eyes on the speaker, "say it's me%'
l am afraid that this story, whether
truthful or not, did not tend to increase
Pegs popularity in a community where
Irecklessness and generosity condoned fol
the absence Of all other virtues; and it i.
possible, also, that Red Dog was no more
free from prejudice than other more civ
ilized but equally disappointed match.
makers. a a. f..
Likewise, during the following year
she made several more foolish venture.
and lost heavily. In fact, feverish de.
sire to increase her store at almost any
risk seemed to possess her. At last it was
announced tbas she intended to- re-opcn
the infelix Rockville Hotel, and keep /,
herself. Wild as the scheme appeared
in theory, when put into practical opera.
tion there seemed to be some chance OF
success. Much, doubtless, was owing tc
her practical knowledge Of bookkeeping
but more to her rigid economy and un
firing industry.
TO BE CONTINUED.1 tr
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