Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-03-08

house lie noticed with pain Johns
familiarity with the place. and put Il all
down 10 the oorrupting influence of Col
Mortimer. - loath was he TO think that
John could go unlcd among such men.
Rush hal no maudlin sentiment on the
subject. u was not from any religious
scrlplcs that he disliked gambling. but
because of what he knew of IL hurtful-
ncsS The victims he looked upon with
pity and the yictimiHers with disgust
John was In fair way of bcing ruined.
but Rush knew there was no use In
speaking to him on tho subject lie
would not get angry aud fy into pas-
sion. but be would laugh good naturedly
aud tell Rush that losing few dollars
ai cards was no, going 10 hurt him. and
that he didn't propose To follow gambling
ne n profession. but only a. an occasional
pastimo IL would have been easier TO
argue with o moro violent man. for
John only laughed od wonls of warning
and advice.
Seeing Leoni at the Academy reminded
Rush that he had not bccn very attentive
10 her of late. and. as she had been
friend In the hour ~ need. he upbraided
himself for not h. ing called upon her.
and vowed tina, hc would DO 40 at the
carlies, opportunity. Fearful let John
should 20 back 10 tho gaming table. he
proposed walking homo with him. and
the brOthcrs left Tho Club" together.
John hal rooms In Twenty ninth street,
and when they arrived at tho door he In.
sisted upon Rush going In with him. not
withs,anding the la,cnes of tho hour.
"ln for a penny. In for q pound, aid
John. gayiy. Rush was as,onished At
the splendor of tho rooms. Everything
that luxurious taste could suggest fur
a bachelors comfort was 10 10 found
there. from n well stocked buffet 70 .
well trained valet
"Why. John. YOU 1.-Two like prince, said
Rush. looking around In admiration
"Say rather like stakeholder In the
Mutual Dividend Mining company; that
beats tho princes, Rush" Then. taking
q dainty decanter from the buffet. no
POURED out a small glass of old brandy.
There. there's something 10 warm the
cookies of Jour heart Drink that, and
tell the " IL Isn't goodl''
Rush to-sed II down and declared that
hc had never tasted better.
And you never will. unless you taste
IL here. Mortimer has q corner on that
brandy said be. filing his glass. ''and
no one else can get H."
Rush's eyes roamed about tho apart
ment. seeing new BEAUTIES oyosy mo
ment, until they rested on q largo col.
ord photograph Of Looni standing on
an easel "IIelloi" said he. there's .
portrait OF Leonil Do you know her.
JohnY'
"why should know herr aid John.
rather shortly. Must man know every
ballet dancer whose picture he happcns
to hayey'
"of course not but this portrait IL 20
conspicuOu, a feature of your room !
thought ii quite likely you knew the
original"
"Your rasoning 1, childish. Rush.
answered John. restored to his usual good
humor "L.oni !, the popular dancer of
tho hour. she is very pretty woman.
and ! adore pretty women What more
natural. then. than that should have her
picture. particularly a. any one can en-
Joy the same privilege by paying its
price, Ii. early yet" continued John.
AZ the clock on tho mantsl chimed the
hour q Q. "what DO you say 10 q cigar
and soms more brandyr' lie hllsd 10th
glass. tossed on his own. and pushed
tho other towards Rush. who dcclin~l
mo. thank you. John This won't 10
for me don't want 10 wake up with o
hcadache to .poil tho memory of our
pleasant evening. Good night, old boy; |
sleep we'll Let us SO more of each o,h,r,
John. now that NO arc together. Cod
night"
"Gooi night. Rush; you shall see more |
than you want Of me- Pleasant dreamz.'
And they shook hands and parted
As Rush walked home In the cool |
morning air he thought over the events
of the evening. lie was not at all SatIs-
Hel about tho Leoni matter. lie felt tLat |
John had not told him all he knew of tbs |
dancer. and his heart was stirred to pity |
Tor the girl. for he knew that John
faScinations for women were irrs~istible
llc never Tor amoment thought bu, that |
Amy Bayli>s still held sway over hls |
brother. heart, and his pity was all ior |
LeonL