Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-10-03
CRUSADER.

a snowy MATCH nay. OuI6lue, the
clouds pouring out their white, biting
little tormentors into the raging wind,
which hurls them maliciously against the
faces of little group of women, who
walk quickly along through the furious
storm. Inside, warmth and comfort in
the houses of the rich; the sparkle of
ruddy coal fires in the CRATE; soft-cush-
toned chairs, brilliant with glowing silk
and wooden tides: footstools of dainty
handiwork; INDECENT women in warm
coy corners deep in the latest novel, and
indolent men. cards in hand, with
bottle between them, which grows
lighter and emptier as the moments
6y.
All this indoors; and still, out in the
chill cutting winds, the snow, ankle
deep in the siush of the city's thorough
fares, the little band of women, brave
and noble, pass on their way, intent
on holy crusade against vice and evil.
Inside, the card playing goes on. The
bottle is empty at last, and by the flushed,
heated face opposite him, Roy Dcnzil
knows that it is not alone the loss by
gambling that is drawing the purple
veins into strong relief upon his compan-
IONS forehead; that it is not the misera-
BILE run Of luck that clinches the fists un-
til the cords throb under the feverish
skin; knows this, yet smiles under his
silky, blonde muStache as he prOnounccs
the bottle empty.
No emptier than that'' says the
young man opposite, holding aloft d
netted purse, the work of fair, loving
fingers, finished but month ago As he
says it, he looks at the shining. slken
mesh, and his fevered thoughts rove
back to third story lodgings in the
heart of a distant city, where live his
sister and mother, who are even now
dreaming dreams of a bright future this
painfully earned money-the savings of
three hard years of labOr-shall bring to
them; this same money that is empfied
upon the little card table in the club
house, and which is quietly swept into
Roy Denzil's pocket after he has lit
costly Havana.
8 God help me!'' means the lad, who
has lost his first money upon cards.
So bad as that" asks Roy, ind0-
Iently.
:. Bad as that Can anything be
worsegp comes in hoarse echo from the
youth OF twenty years.
: Surely says Roy, looking at him
with tinge of surprise in his fine & az
eyes; = surely you viii not miss these
few hundreds; you, with your Eastern cs-
tatess You told me, did you not, that
you were worth ten thousand year2n
8 told you lier' and he dashes his
fist upon the little green leather-covered
table in savage emphasis {. told you
shameful liel The money was my
mothers and sisters, aud /. miserable
fool, was intrused with their hard got
ten earnings TO find them little place
out in the West. sSOh, heaven, help
me, help me, help mc.r
My lad. and Roy's voice lowered
itself inscnsibIy, listen to me- There
Is your money! i return it to you on two
conditions. and they are promise me
that you will never taste spirits again,
anu that YOU will mover stake penny on
anything
God bless ron, ! promise ! swearp'
holding out nervous. throbbing hand
to Roy. But Roy pretends.not to see it
and. busics himself with reflling the
purse. Mr.. DenziI. il l may be 50 bold.
tell me Why yon you gamble and drink
Is Won have done. 20 night =
'.Fop pastime, dear fellow; simply
that
And you can ind amusement IN i
von whose soul i far above
Bah! what twaddle have you been
learning r.
You have my promise to stop all this;
NAV no.. looking eagerly into Denzil's
meditaiire eyes, may not ask you %
quit. too e
How am 50 indebted to you that
ron presume to ask me that = be asks,
nonchalantly knocking the ash from
his cigar You're FOO enthusiastic,
nv dear boy = Then. with > little
laugh. EVEN The ladies cant move me,
\ bless them
Then how can It interest xou whether
s. 80 drink e
Npug Well. yon aFe young xou can
.nfn aside as you VAL MAS once ak
! <o1 aTs' and would keep qon axax