The Bottineau pioneer., 1894-11-17
A USEFUL OPPONENT.

Ny husband was a gambler, a men,
ber Of a prominent club. Night after
night 1 was left alone, while he pur-
sued his calling. at the club. presum-
edly a gentleman, yet only intent upon
winning the money of his acQuaint-
ances.
Time after time I had urged him to
give up his dcspicable business but he
turned my entreaties aside by Offering
excuses which were not at all satisfac-
tory
1--WE live WE'LL" he said, "and need
money to pay our expenses. You are
well aware that when l married you l
had no visible means of support, al
though your parents We're laboring un-
der the most delightful 1elrsiDn that
I was All illionaire and acatch In the
matrimonial market worth more than
passing attention. Therefore, when 1t
came to setting up n house l had to
make some money. And money /
made by playing cards, which Is easy
enough when you know"
A peculiar expression fitted across
his face and settled there.
When you know how I suppose
You were going to say" / remarked,
wondering WHY a sentence should have
been begun only to be left unfinished.
"Yes," he answered, ''in all games
which combine chance with skill, the
skill is bound to tell in the long run.
With cool hand and Il level head the
odds are in your favor, especially when
you are playing against men with
more money than brains and fOnder OF
whisky than soda.
MY luck as you have good reason
to know has been phenomenal. 1t ae-
counts for the horses you drive; 1t
accounts for this luxurious furniture;
1t accounts for my balance at the
bank. 1t has enabled me to keep you
in the best society, in the fashionable
circles which surrounded YOU when
you were born-destined to marry a
Standard Oil millionaire, or the son
Of a Sugar Trust Senator, ut least,
If it had not been for the penniless
adventurer who made such capital out
OF his good looks and charming man.
nerS-" 81,
Good looks and charming manners,
indeed" said. humping nim on the
shoulder. "Wcll, 60 on"
That's all" he said.
''Well, and what is there to prevent
you from leaving of now without
tempting Providence any farther?"
"Gocd gracious child" he said,
quite angrily, don't you see? The
men in the club expect at least a
chance Of getting some Of their money
back. They"
II don't see the good of winning at
all If you feel bound to 60 ON playing
till you lose."
L don't intend to lose." he said,
quietly. winning back lost money
is the most expensive game gambler
plays. 1t makes him demoralized and
reckless. Besides, people grow sus-
picious of man who gives up play
before play gives him up. Society
would have nothing to do with us
were the ghost of a suspicion cast on
my honesty by some evil minded fellow
at the club. The loss of society's smile
would be nothing to me, but to yOu-'
Nothing to him, indeed!
"Hcrace--"
A neat maid opened the door and
brought in a note on q tray. 1t Is
unusual for notes to arrive at three
o'clock iu the morning, but Horace
Linley dill not seem in the least sur.
prised.
He took 1t, read it through quickly,
then tore it into fragments, and put
them carefully, very carefully, in the
fire.
He watched the flames leap upon
them, he watched the blackened scraps
| of paper curl and break into O thou
sand pieces.
'"Thank Heavenw he said. Then he
drew a deep breath Of relief.
'I shall have to 60 out for half an
hour" he remarked, getting up and
holding out his coat for me to put on
| He turned as he reached tho door and
kissed his hand, an unusually serious
expression in his face perhaps I
shall manage to take your advice after
ALL" he said, with forced attempt ia
smile, 'only you must give me time. u
/ sprang to my feet but he was gone
Then my pent-up feelings found an
outlet, and cried a little to myself
wondering at the secret trouble which
was gnawing at my husbands heart
That look on his face haunted me all
u's"t "no ~ ~ ~ "' "eF'
Laurence Cushmore, my husbands d
| friend, told me afterward, the end OF
the story, although he never guessed
the truth. About week must have
passed since that nocturnal converse,
| tion with my husband and Cushmore
was landing at the window Of the
Nonpariel Club talking with Tny broth,
er Lacy.
We'll, II you don't know who the
| fellow is I'm sure nobody else does,
he said. Lacy had reputation for
knowing everybody in the city. II
can't imagine how he ever came to be
elected, or, rather, why we never
| blackballed him. There was q time
when we were select at the Nonparlel
Club, at all events
HE played. q confoundsdly good
game of cards." said my brother. lie
| had an intense admiration for any one
who could make money.
$50 much the worse" said Cush.
moro, turning his pockets inside out
with a comic gesture of despair. HE
| cleaned me out last night. Que does
not mind losing ones moaey to q fel.
low like Horace Linley, that lucLy
brother-in-law Of yours, but when II
comes to an interloper like this imam
Balsam, or whatever the fellows name
| ia, it-well, you know what mean.
He's so confoundedly confident about
| his luck, too. Brags about 1t all the
time. BY Jove,I would give anything
| to see him fleeced-not that have
much left that is worth having even al
d gift" . ss'.. 's.+