The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-07-29

some little time before following them in.
The room was crowded with players
OF all classes-not few OF them being
guests at the hotel-some OF whom were
engaged at billiards, while others we're
playing cards. Engaged at the latter
game were the two of whom Max was in
search, and as he approached the table
at which they were playing he saw Sell
wyn deftly slip a card up his sleeve.
Stepping quickly to his side, Max seized
his arm.
81 have long suspected you of being
a gambler, Mr.. Selwyn," he said, in
tones loud enough to be heard by all,
"but now I see that l must also brand
you as a cheat" And as Marvin spoke
he drew his penknife from his pocket
and opened it with his teeth.
"Its lie!' gasped Scott Selwyn,
furiously struggling to free himself,
"and one which 1 defy you to prove"
eyes, yesl Prove it !" cried the by
ISLANDERS, to whom Selwyn was well
known.
Without a word Max ripped open Sell
wyn's sleeve, and the card dropped on
the table.
"There is my proof" he said, qui-
etly.
Amurmur of approval now ran through
the room, which was speedily checked
as Scott Selwyn, livid with rage and
modification, sprang toward the man
who had exposed him. Marvin stepped
back, just in time to avoid the blow,
and before Selwyn could repeat the at.
tempt he was seized and held by sew
eral of the on-lookers.
"Let me go" he cried, choking with
fury. ~ will show that coward what it
is to accuse a gentleman of cheating !"
"Takc care, sir" said Max, sternly.
"Don't try me too much OF may be
tempted to give you the punishment
you so richly deserve"
As he spoke Marvin turned to Bob,
who had been a silent spectator of the
whole scene, and, taking his arm, made
his way to the door. Once outside,
young Linington gave free vent to his
fury against Scott Selwyn.
"Why, Max, he has all but ruined
me !" he exclaimed when Marvin tried
to reason with him. "Iime and again
have I given him my note of hand for
money which he has won, as supposed,
in all fairness. But 1 will make him
pay for this yet" he added, savagely,
"if it costs me my life"
"Nonsense, Bob |" said Max, quietly.
"You will do nothing of the kind, for ii
will break your mothers heart if she
ever hears that her son is a gambler
We must keep this affair as quiet as pos
sible; so think it will be better that
you should leave the place for short
time and let me settle with Selwyn
You have been terribly foolish, but
hope it will be lesson to you for the
future"
"Yes," said Bob, beginning to see The
true aspect of the case, II promise YOU
that if you will get me safely out of this
scrape, will never touch card again.
"Very WE'LL" replied Max; cit is {
bargain. So tomorrow you will leave
for Washington, where I have friend
to whom 1 will give you letter of intro
duction, and with whom you will remair
during your stay. When 1 have cleared
|, you with Selwyn will send for YOU
but not before. And now, goodnight
and good luck to you," added Marvin
wringing his hand, and before Bol
could thank him he was gone.
The next morning young Liningtol
took his departure, ostensibly to visit
friend, and Max Marvin knew that 70
him the most difficult part of the who'll
affair was yet to come. For how coulc
he treat with the man who had callet
him q coward before room-full of peo
pie, and whose insult had gone unpun
ished9 Scott Selwyn's words had no
stung the less for being quietly received
and bad it not been for Bob's sake
well, more, perhaps, for the sake o
some one nearly related to Bob-h
would not have escaped so easily.
But Max had promised the lad to say
him from the consequences Of his folly
and before he had been gone an hou
Marvin was in Selwyn's rooms, tryin
to redeem Bob's papers" To his mfr
ite surprise Scott seemed very reluctar
to part with the notes, and at lengt
asked for time to think the matter owe
"How much time doyou want ?" que
toned. Marvin, adding, ~ can't see VIII
you should hesitate; of course / will pa
you the full value of the notes, the sam
as Linington himself would Sdo-onl,
as it is, you will receive the money in
mediately, whereas it may be montl
before he is able to redeem them ALL"
"Give me a week." Selwyn answere,
doggedly, "then you shall have N
8 answer"
And Max was forced to let him ha,
hia wav