The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-05

and he'll up and die aforc he gets rid of
your money. But do say you'll make
him happy now-and cz I reckon you're
aboutcz badly stuck after that chap ez |
ever saw any woman, you won't be hurt
in your own feelins either!"
The blood left Pegs face as she looked
up.
"But that's why / can't give him the
money-and he won't marry me without
it."
Mr.. Hamlin's hand dropped from the
last button of his waistcoat.
Cant -him-the-moneyT' he
repeated, slowly.
"Why@.' .as0.
Because -becanse l love him."
Mr.. Hamlin rebuttoned his waistcoat,
and sat down patiently OH the bed. Peg
arose, and awkwardiy drew the portmar-
teau little nearer to him."
''When jim Byways left me this yer
property" she began, looking cautiously
around, "he left it to me ON condition.
Not conditions ez was in his written will
but conditions ez was spoken. A prom
ise l made him in this very room, and
on that very bed your sittin' on, in
which he died."
Like most gamblers, Mr.. Hamlin was
superstitious. He rose hastily from the
bed, and took q chair beside the window.
The wind shook it as if the discontcntcd
spirit of Mr.. Bywa,s were without, rein
forcing his last njunctions.
81 don't know if you remember him."
said Peg, feverishly. "He was man ez
he'd suffered. All that he lovcd-wife.
fammerly, friends-had gone back on
him! He tried to make light of it afore
folks; but with me, being poor gal, he
let himself out. l never told anybody
this-I don't know why he told mel
don't know" continued Peg, with n sniff
fle, "why he wanted to make me unhap-
py too. But he made me promise that
Il he left me this fortune, I'd never--nev-
er, so help me God, share it with any
man or woman that l loved! ] didn't
think it would be hard to keep that
promise then, Mr.. Hamlin, for | was
very poor, and hedn't a friend nor a liv-
ing bein' that was kind to me but him."
"But you've as good as broken your
promise to me already" said Mr.. Ham
lin; you've given Jack money-as l
know"
"Only what made myself! Listen to
me, Mr.. Hamlin. When Jack proposed
to me, I offered him what l kalkilated l
could earn myself. When he went away,
and was sick and in trouble, / came here
and took this hotel. / knew that by
hard work could make it pay. Don't
laugh at me, please. l did work hard,
and did make it pay-without takin' one
cent of the fortin'. And all / made,
workin' by night and day, l gave to him!
| did, Mr.. Hamlin. amt SO hard on
him as you think; though I might be
kinder, | know"
Mr.. Hamlin rose, deliberately resumed
his coat, watch, hat, and overcoat. Wher
he was completely dressed again, he
turned to Peg.
"Do you mean to say that you've beer
givin' all the money you made here tt
to this A first class cherubimT'
ayes; but he didn't know where I go
#. Oh, Mr.. Hamlin, he didn't know
that"
EDO understand you, that he's beel
bucking agin Faro with the money tina
you raised on hash? And you maxim
the hash?' .-
"But he didn't know that-he woult
not hev took it if I'd told him."
"No, he'd hev died flst!" said Mr.
Hamlin, gravely. "Why, he's that sen
sitive-is Jack Folinsbee-that it nearly
kills him to take money even of me. Blu
where does this angel reside when HI
isn't fghtin' the tiger, and is, 80 to speak
visible to the naked eyeT
"He-he-stops here" said Peg, witt
an awkward blush.
81 see. Might / ask the number of hi
room-or should l he a-disturbing hin
in his meditations?' continued Jacl
Hamlin. with grave politeness.
"Oh, then you'll promise? And you'll
talk to him, and make him promiseT
"Of course" said Hamlin, quietly.
"And you'll remember he's sick-ver,
sick? His rooms No. A, at the end o
the hall. Perhaps I'd better go witt
you~ ... ..g
"Pll find it." .
"And you won't be too hard on him?
"I'll be father to him." said Hamlii
demurely, as he opened the door AM
stepped into the hall. But he hesitate
a moment, and turned and gravely he'll
out his hand. Peg took it timid1y; h
! did not seem quite in earnest-and hi
black eyes, vainly questioned, indicate
nothing. But he shook her hand warmly
and the next moment was gone.
He found the room with no difficulty
/ A faint cough from within, and queru
lous protest, answered his knock. MI
Hamlin entered without further cere
mony. .,
A sickening smell Of drugs, palpabl
flavor of stale dissi patton, and the waste'
figure of Jack Folinsbee, half dressed
extended upon the bed, greeted him