The Forrest City times., 1893-07-07

When my roommate came in he ex- pressed the greatest sympathy, and so genuine were his words of consolation that I seized his hand gratefully and said: Thanks, dear boy, thanks! You are friend indeed
 After that mishaps came thick and fast. l seemed to be special mark for the cruel shafts of fate. One day gen. tleman whom had never seen before came into the office and accused me of having cheated him at game of poker. His claim was that l had two aces in my sleeve. Now, as I never play poker nor gambled in my life, this was re- markedly strange. l told him that the festive game had no attractions for me, and he stared at me in amazement. He admitted that he was rather under the shadow of the vine" the night before, but that his perceptions were perfectly clear, and that had beyond a doubt swindled him in gentleman's game out of one hundred and fifty-seven dollars, which I had better return at once. l retorted that I did not know flush from full and I had never sat in a jackpot in my life, at which he looked unutterable scorn.
 .Then you refuse to return your ill., gotten gains?" he asked.
 ''I certainly do.''
 "Very well; you will hear from me. '
 And I did. The story got around that played crooked game of poker, and, although I carried myself with the | bearing of man who is innocent, could see that was regarded with sus- picion. Even the young lady whose company l was keeping at the time ap- parently knew something, for one night she said with twinkle in her eye: Do you play poker, Tom?" Of course de nied that 1 did, at which she looked ! grave, and added: 'Pshaw! Whats the use in denying it? Why, do you know, | I--I play sometimes myself"
 Naturally I expressed my horror at this confession and told her that hoped she would reform and that l did not ap- prove of young girls playing cards. Then she actually winked. ''Oh, you are too good" she remarked Say, how do you do it?''
 "What?"
 Keep those cards up your sleeve? Please tell me. The girls have been winning all my spending money lately and l want revenge Show me the trick, Tom, and I'll marry you next June" I responded indignantly and told her that I was a member of the Anti-Poker society. She said "Bosh, :" and when I got up to leave she refused to permit me to cull from her sweet lips the customary parting salute. The misguided young woman actually thought that was trying to conceal my iniqui.ies from her. But there was worse to follow. A few nights later when called she greeted me with marked coolness. This 1 attributed to mere feminine caprice and so chatted away in a happy manner about various matters to which she listened with a sarcastic smile upon her adorable face. But was accustomed to doing most of the talking and she the listening, so that her persistent silence did not seem at all remarkable. Among other topics preached was description of tem- perance meeting had attended a few nights before. I am a teetotaler in every sense of the word and 1 stated proudly that 1 had been elected secre- tary of the new organization. Then her pretty mouth assumed an expres- sion of scorn.
 ''Oh, you hypocrite" she cried. My darling!" I cried in amazement.
 Don't call me your darling" she re- torted, with flashing eyes. live had d talk with papa and he says everything must be off.
 Everything off?"
 "Yes, our engagement He saw you last night. He said that you"-sob- were standing on the street corner sob-''wth your hat in your hand sob" holding the lamp post with the other '-sob-''and singing about sob -"'We won't go home till morning "- sob
 I started in amazement My dear Lucinda, there is some horrid mistake. Last night l attended meeting at our Sunday school and"
 Here she wiped away the tears and assumed her indignant attitude once more Don't make me hate you, she said Why don't you confess and well, know boys will be boys, and, if you said you would never do it again why, perhaps, I might overlook this one fault and-and forgive you" l sprang to my feet in anger. ''I have been slandered and"
 ''Is that your reply?" she asked, frigidly.
 1t is.
 Then there is nothing more to be