The Press., 1893-03-09
HIS STRAIGHT TIP.

The Hon. Tommy Arden had never known day's luck since he married the sweetest and the best girl in the world. He had been sad rake in a quiet fash ion, and had lived in the best possible way for as long as any of the youngsters could remember. Nobody quite knew how he had done it, and nobody partic- ularly, cared. He was always we'll dressed, always we'll shaved and brushed up, always rode in the best hansolns, .lways dined at the Cafe Royal with somebody, and went everywhere. Everywhere" meant the Empire till closing time, afterward one smart dance, and then flash club-he made a point of never going to 8 respectable club after dinner.
 In the summer he always took a turn in the row; was seen in the lobby of the opera during one act; was generally to occasionally at Ranelagh on Sundays; strolled about the lawn at Cowes during the regatta week, and in the off season was never seen, but said he was 'sshoot- ing in the north till run over to Ostend l for a fiutter."
 Where he lived was known to no one. On what he lived was known only to in | dividuals separately to whom he said he had the devils own luck. This did not mean he made book, or if it did it was false, but the general impression was L. 1. i. >e 4l,s, and that if he were not so scrupulous about secrets and would only let his l friends stand in oftener he would make | their fortunes and his own. His own explanation was that he never made 8 bet unless he ''knew something" and that was how he always won. The re- suit was that his advice was always asked, and when he gave it always fol- lowed. The real truth was that the Hon. Tommy had never made bet in his life.
 When he married he gave it all up. He was truly attached to his wife and abandoned everything for her. He was no more seen at music halls and flash clubs, and he dined at home and never went out alone afterward. Everybody thought it would all come right, as they called it, in six months; but it did not, and to the surprise of everybody Tom my got shabbier and shabbier in appear ance, and was seen on omnibuses and in the underground railway and other inexpensive and bourgeois places. The result was his former friends said he had married shrew, and that he would kick over the traces some day. The truth was Tommy was in love with his wife, and she was never so happy as in his company, and nothing was so re- pellant to him as his old associates and his old ways. But virtue is its own re- ward, and the reward of virtue which the Hon. Tommy experienced was per petual shower of county court sum- monses, for his commissions for recom- mending stock brokers, advertisements, wine merchants, tailors, pictures and other recognized forms of livelihood by which he had tried to earn what he called a respectable living had not proved very remunerative.
 Things had arrived at this pass when the brokers were put in for two quar- ters' rent During the five days allowed by law Tommy had flown about to try and collect the commissions due to him, with which to pay. the fifty pounds that ! were so expedient to the quieting of his | blue eyed and brown haired little wife, who, though sadly troubled, had taken his word for it that it would be ''all | right" His efforts were almost ill vain. and he went to see the agent ''to explain the situation" and ask for time. He was lucky in only seeing 8 sympathetic clerk. who kindly pointed out to him that he was entitled by law to an extension of fifteen days. In his joy at learning this he confided his position to Mrs. Tommy, who in her own sweet way, believing absolutely in her own fsve and the love of her husband, said:
 But why bother, Tommy, darling, trying to earn the money?' "How else can get it, my dear girl?''
 "Oh, why not bet as you used to do: They all say you are so clever and have such luck; am sure you would win it all in next to no time."
 "Oh, I have given up all that sort of thing, and hate it more than I can tell you. It is not to be thought of in con- nection with you"
 "Oh, nonsense, Tommy! You must not let me ruin you; and I am sure all the very best people bet. Horse racing is anoble sport; and, though you never confess it to me, you must have made 8 lot of money at it."
 ''My dear child, it can't be done now. ;
 "I do not know how, or I would go and win you fortune. How do you bet?''
 II don't bet!'
 Don't be silly! How used you to bet? I always wanted to know. Doesn't the bookmaker lay against all the horses!'
 'sYes."
 ''And do you back all the horses!''
 "Good heavens! No. If you did that how could you win?"
 ''Why3 The bookmaker lays against all the horses, and he always wins