The Florida agriculturist., 1889-06-19

evil one generally Is LnaG Cn0 IOrn0T 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
risk of compromising herself. At the
same time, had it been in her power to
banisn Percy forever by the utterance of
a 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
a thing was not to be thought Of But
the very peril of her position was an al
lurement to linger in it; and then there
was the excitement of knowing that
man was in love with her who had no
business to be so, 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
a pleasure in defying him in thought if
not in deed. So. although she did not
openly and explicitly encourage Percy,
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, and 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.
1t 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
a hand at a 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 a 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 a 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, and
felt that he could not lose. He acted
upon this conviction and lost. Upon in
vestigation. it appeared that the quiet
man had won not only Percy's original
stakes, but some nine hundred dollars
into the bargain.
Percy preserved calm exterior, and
wrote his l. 0. U. for the amount, to be
redeemed within twenty-four hours.
Meanwhile, he was in a cold sweat of
CONSERVATION, for he did not know how
he was to get the money. 1t was too
large sum to borrow from any of his
acquaintance; those whom he knew
well enough to approach on such a mat