The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-12-15

all was arranged, / resumed my argu-
ment about the safety of going unpro-
tected into quarters of the lowest class
es. But I did not tell why there had
lately come upon me this holiness and
security. / did not choose openly to
Rvow that in seeking my poor lost sister
everywhere" / had not neglected
haunts of poverty and sorrow. "
OF course it was all a mad kind OF
venture. II Bradford and Hathaway
had not both been in that devil may
care mood which sometimes comes to
visitors in a great city after dining
rather too well, I would readily enough
have thrown our whole plan to the
winds. But presently we had entered q
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 a horrid flaring den
of a place, with electrics in its windows
and pictures of huge ''schoone-s" from
which the tawny beer p~rodigally over
foamed.
Take nothing but seltzer water, /" I
whispered to Bradford, but he laughing
ly refused and called for three glasses of
beer.
Nov Begin" he rejoined, and in
his twinkling eyes / read hints of in
ebriety by no means pleasant.
"Come," I said, while we were all
three slipping u beer in presence of a
great, blond, moon faced barkeeper and
watched by group of shabby loungers,
"it's very plain, Bradford, that this
whole scheme has been idiotic."
"Aha!" giggled Alec, you're back
ing out! I thought you would" 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 placesl We might regret
it alEour 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 demoralizing him.
mot a bit of it, " he muttered. 1.-The
bet isn't off 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 tonight?' ,
"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 d saucy
shoulder shrug.
Something in his tones challenged my
reckless anger. I spoke as loudly as he
did and at once began to act out my
prearranged part.
Five thousand dollars" I said.
Then from one pocket I drew one roll of
sham bank notes and from another the
second. Twenty five hundred dollars
in each of those little packages!' Here
I lifted them both and gave to each q
little ostentatious flourish. Then I re-
placed them, adding, still in tones clear
and high, "It makes me feel kind of
nervous, but still / don't doubt I'll
get home all right"
"Oh, Jack and / will sec you safely
home!" cried Bradford, with a glance
across his shoulder at che listening
group of loafers.
Just then something touched my arm.
A young woman, who must have en-.
tered the place but a few minutes ago,
stood at my side. Some trick of the
garish light left her face in partial
shadow, but I could see that it was
very pale and hollow checked as if from
want.
"Oh, sir!" she said to me in a trem.
bling voice, ''if you've got all that
money, perhaps you'll spare me just a
few coins! I've never Il swear it to you)
been in such a place as this before. But
l was so sick that I lost my chance of
work in the big shirt factory not far
of, and tonight my landlady has turned
me into the streets, and, oh, SIR
Frank, what's the matter?" few
from Alec Bradford's lips as he saw me
reel a little and put my hand dizzily tc
my head.
Good God, Ruth It's your
caught her to my breast and show.
cred kisses ON her poor wasted face.
My two friends got us a carriage be.
fore long. / learned afterward that
Ruth behaved like the strong, brave lit
tie creature she had always been,
though the tears streamed down her
shrunken cheeks. but that I babbled in
the ~silliest way and narrowly escaped
being dragged to prison as a disorderly
bacchanalian.
Ruth is at home with Clara and my
self now, and we are both very happy in
her company, though the return Of
healthful bloom to her cheeks often
makes us believe that one admirer out
Of a half dozen whom we know may
anon rarti 111y rob -p - ha~