The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-06-13
If a paltry thousand dollarsy'

him thousand dollars. She tried to
make him promise that he would come
and live under her own roof, but he put
her off with temporizing reply, alleg
ing, in no very logical vein, that he did
not wish to make himself burden to
her, but when he got fixed" SO that he
could pay her for his board and lodging
he would come with pleasure
The request indicated that getting fixed
was an operation that required time
The fact was that Percy paid sums on
account to his most pressing creditors,
including the proprietor of his lodgings,
and went on living much as before; to
salve his conscience he did make some
inquiries about work, but not in such
manner as to secure practicable answers
One subject possessed his mind and that
was Mrs, Tunstal. 1t was impossible for
him to live with his mother while that
affair was going on. His infatuation was
intensified by Sylvia's tiuidity and re-
luctance. A mans brains count for
nothing in such matter. Percy lived
in the desire of the moment; he gave no
thought to the inevitable consequences
If he might see her today, or tomorrow
no matter about the day after, and no
matter that the meeting was fraught
with danger both to her and to him. The
difference between good desire and an
evil one generally is that the former is
sane and the latter has more or less OF
insanity.
Sylvia's heart was not engaged-if she
could be said to have heart--and it was
clear in her mind that she must run no
sisk of compromising herself. At the
same time, had it been in her power to
Danish Percy forever by the utterance OF
single word, it is doubtful If she would
have done it. She knew that, were her
husband to discover any further CORE
spondence between them, he would not
hesitate to act decisively and finally, and
the first result of that action would be
that she would find herself cast upon the
world with damaged reputation. Such
thing was not to be thought OF. But
the very peril Of her position was ap al
lurement to linger in it; and then there
was the excitement Of knowing that q
man was in love with her who had no
business to be 80, and who was willing to
go all lengths for her. Moreover, she
was angry as well as dismayed because
her husband had spoken to her as he did
Qike all women, she interpreted what
was said by what was meant), and found
pleasure in defying him in thought if
not in deed. So, although she did not
openly and explicitly encourage Percy,
she allowed him to believe that he was
not Indifferent to her.
Neither he nor she had committed any
actual sin, but they were on the road to
do so. People always believe that they
can pull up at the last moment, end are
therefore willing to go on until the last
moment is reached But by that time
events combine In an unforeseen manner
and push them over the edge. Then
they are astonished to find themselves
linked with the brotherhood Of crime
And once that link is forged it defies all
attempts to break it.
It happened before long that Percy
needed more money. He had less than
two hundred dollars left, and he owed
more than that. He did not wish to go
to his mother again, partly from shame,
partly because he knew that, in order to
raise the sum he needed, she would be
obliged to sell some stock, and that
would involve applying to Judge Ketelle.
One night at club he was asked to take
hand at game Of poker with three
others. He sat down and played with
varying success for an hour or two.
Then two Of the quartet withdrew and
he and the other kept on.
Percy had faith In his luck, and had
fortified himself with several whisky
cocktails. His opponent was quiet
man, and seemed to be in detected and
timid frame Of mind. The chips on the
table represented good deal Of money,
how much exactly Percy did not know
he meant to win it all Some good cards
were dealt to him; he drew, and found
himself in possession Of superb hand.
He was quite certain that his adversary
held no such cards, and he began to bet
His adversary was drawn into raising
him; they continued to raise each other
Percy swallowed another cocktail, ant
felt that he could not lose He actet
upon this conviction and lost. Upon in
vestigation, 1t appeared that the quie
man had won noronly Percy's origina
stakes, but some nine hundred dollar
into the bargain
Percy preserved calm exterior, anC
wrote his L o. q. for the amount, to b.
redeemed within twenty-four hours
Meanwhile, he was in cold sweat o
CONSERVATION, for he did not know how
he was to get the money. 1t was to-
large sum to borrow from any of hi
acquaintances; those whom he knew
well enough to approach on such mat
ter were aware of his financial standing
and would not lend anything Their
was nothing for it but to go to his mo
/, ther. The money must be forthcoming
If he failed to pay, he would be dishon
cred. Sylvia would hear Of it.
Mol he must have the money at any cost
: He went to bed, passed a very bat
night, and after attempting to eat som
breakfast he betook himself to his moth
er's house. The nature Of his erran'