Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-05-20
JOHNS STORY.
The Deceits and Horrors of q
Gambling Establishment.

Iu0 DoColGS tiI1o VI q
Gambling Establishment.
"Well, would You like to hear my
adventure in New Orleans?' John
Bright leaned his elbow on the arm of
the red plush chair in which he sat,
with thoughtful look in his dark-blue
eyes.
why, yes, of course.
.'By all Means
Eugene Carthon and his sister looked
eagerly at the handsome blonde in
front of them.
They had been talking about the
New Orleans Exposition which all had
visited the winter before, and naturally
their conversation had drifted into per-
sonal reminisce nces and criticisms on
the ways and manners of the people of
that beautiful Southern city.
Did you really have an adventure?"
asked Nell. cycling him questioningly
from under her long dark lashcs. They
had intended to meet in the Crescent
ing the Carthon family had missed
him. Nell had always felt a little az
grieved over this, Just as if John had
really been to blame in the matter, and
an allusion to their sojourn in the
South brought back that vague feeling
of disappointment which had mingled
itself with all her enjOyments while
there.
Not that she cared any thing for
John Bright Oh, no; not even to her.
self did she ever admit that. But then
he was Eugenc's most intimate friend,
and he was such a bright, companion
able fellow, how could she help liking
him a little? -'.just for Eugene's sake.
you know" She sincerely believed
that it was her love for her brother
that made her so solicitous always for
his friends comfort and so anxious to
make him always feel at home and
thoroughly welcome in her fathers
house.
And if women will deceive themselves
SO ingcniousIy in these little matters no
one can blame them. The reality
seems all the pretticr when they SUR
prise themselves into the admission one
day that brothcrlv love is not such Il
powerful motor after all.
well, 90 on with your stcry," said
Eugene, lighting cigarette. with his
sisters permission. and putting away
cxpectautly. III be getting drowsy,
presently. ii YOU don't wake me up
with your thrilling episode
..Welr'-John twirled his blonde
mustache refectivclv, ignoring the
last remark-.'I was walking down
Canal street one afternoon, when it
began TO rain
Remarkable! when it was in the
rainy season. interrupted Eugene.
who seemed determined not to be led
into thinking his friend had met with
any extraordinary adventure.
Eugene, do huSh"' Nell said, i'm
ploringly: but John did not seem to
mind his friends quizzing in the least.
''As | said. l was walking down
Canal street. when it began to rain,
not violently, but enough to make a
man feel uncomfortable and the feath-
ers on woman's bonnet limp. Fort
unately l had an umbrella, which of
course Immediately raised. just as l
did so 4 young lady came out of one of
the large dry-goods stores behind me.
She stood irresolute for a moment as
though nonplussed by the rain, yet an
evident anxiety possessing her to reach
the car.
Instantly l found myself in
strange dilemma. What should l do?
There was young lady, delicate and
beautiful, richly attired in garments
which the rain would certainly dam
age, without the slightest protection
from the elements: while l, not three
feet distant, was possessed of an UNI
brella large enough to shelter two. 1t
seemed like piece of impertinence.
yet on the impulse of the moment l
mustered all my gallantry, aud. STEP
ping forward. offered to escort her to
the car.
ITO my surprise, and 1 must say
pleasure, she accepted gratefully, and
we walked to the next corner to meet
the car. l noted then the extreme
loneliness of her beauty, which was of
the pure creole type, and the marvel
Ous finish of her toilet, which showed in
its richness of coloring the Southern
taste. l could not censure her for her
hesitation in exposing herself to the
disastrous effects of the rain"
At this juncture Nell, curled up on
one end of the sofa with her Kensing-
ton in her lap. looked very grave. She
could not quite approve of handsome
blonde strangers offering umbrellas to
unknown ladies. 1t might have been
the extreme loneliness of the creole
belle which made the offense so henious
in her eyes. but she would have been
shocked had you suggested such a
thing.
when we reached the corner there
was no car" John continued. "Being
in 'Mardigras' time, there was always
more or less delay. When the car did
arrive it was 50 crowded there was not