Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1894-11-22

everywhere" had not neglected
haunts Of poverty and sorrow.
OF course it was all mad kind Of
venture. If Bradford and Hathaway
had not both been in that devil may
care mood which sometimes comes to
visitors in great city after dining
rather too well, / would readily enough
have thrown our whole plan to the
winds. But presently we had entered
cab, and in half an hour or so we were
over In the east side Of the town, among
streets many Of whose names / had
scarcely heard. Then we dismissed our
cab and went into horrid fiaring den
of place, with electrics In its windows
and pictures of huge 'schoone-s" from
which the tawny beer prodigally over
foamed.
Take nothing but seltzer water, l
whispered to Bradford, but he laughing
ly refused and called for three glasses of
beer
'Now begin" he rejoined, and in
his twinkling eyes read hints of in
ebriety by no means pleasant.
Come" said, while we were all
three slipping our beer in presence Of q
great, blond, moon faced barkeeper and
watched by a group of shabby loungers,
'it's very plain, Bradford, that this
whole scheme has been idiotic.
"AhaW giggled Alec, you're back
ing out 1 thought you wouldW He
called for three more glasses Of beer,
having drank his own, and the bar
keeper, with great alacrity, whisked all
the glasses away and supplied us with
fresh ones.
Hathaway slipped in between Brad
ford and myself. eyes, Alec, " he anx-
iously whispered, Frank is backing
out, and very sensibly The idea of
three sane men like ourselves attempt
ing this bravado game of Stiffness in
five different plaoesl We might regret
it all our lives. Come, now, let's go up
town and call the bet off.
But Bradford tossed his head stub
bornly. He was the best fellow in the
world at ordinary times, but drink,
even in limited supply, had the ugly
trick of democalizing him.
mot bit of it, " he muttered. 1.-THE
bet isn't of at all. Frank Amberley's
got to begin" Then he loudened his
voice so it could be heard in every cor
ner of the big, vulgar gilded tavern.
"How much money, Frank, did you say
you had about you tonightr'
"Alec," pleaded Hathaway's low
voice, 'look at that gang of rowdies
over therel We'd best all concede that
we've behaved like fools. Do pull your
self together, old fellow, and"--
"How much, Frank?" cried Bradford.
with an obstinate smile and saucy
shoulder shrug.
Something in his tones challenged my
reckless anger. spoke as loudly as he
did and at once began to act out my
prearranged part.
Give thousand dollars" said
Then from one pocket / drew one roll of
sham bank notes and from another the
second. twenty-five hundred dollars
in each of those little packagesp Here
/ lifted them both and gave to each a
little ostentatious flourish. Then re.
placed them, adding, still in tones clear
and high, 1T makes me feel kind Of
nervous, but still ] don't doubt I'll
get home all right.
"Oh, Jack and will SOC you safely
home" cried Bradford, with a glance
across bis shoulder at the listening
group Of loafers.
Just then something touched my arm.
A young woman, who must have en-
tered the place but few minutes ago,
stood al my side. Some trick Of the
garish light left her face In partial
shadow, but ! could 500 that II was
very pale and hollow checked az IL from
want.
"Oh, sirW she said 10 me IN trem'
bling voice, "if you've got all that
money, perhaps you'll spare me just u
few coinsl I've never Il swear II 10 you)
been Ia such a place as this before. But
was 80 sick that lost my chance OF
work Ia tho big shirt factory not far
on, and tonight my landlady has turned
mo into the streets, aud, Oh, sir'.-
Frank, what's the matterf" flow
from Alec Bradford's lips ~ be saw me
reel little aud put my hand dizsily 10
my hoad,
"Good God, Ruthl It'a your
caught her 10 my breast and show
cred kisses on heT poor vested face
Ny two friends got ~ q carriage be'
foro long ! learned aftergard that
Ruth behaved like tho strong, brave lit'
DO creature she bad always been,
though tho tears flreaped down hef
shrunkeD eboeks bus thai ! babbled w
tle sllliosi way ald narrowly escaped
being dragged 10 prison ~ q disoTderiy
baoohanalian
Ruth 10 AZ homo with Clara and my
eli now, and We arc both very happy W
hor company, though ihe return u
haalihful bloom 90 hoT ohouks often
makes ua believe that ono admiTeT oul
VI half dozen shom w know may
so0u pagiially rob us " hof
| bradford would neFa accept ny
monoy. hui Insisted ga calling ihe i'e'
non y Ana, by ihe Nay, ~ DO i've
l,oi fag frpA gnT Kansas loep, Ana ~
, oompauisd las sith my slsios ~ ! le'e
, thp wesi. ! shoald nol b. NIssllg sh'