The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-24
7TIHNETRNG0|R OF THE GAME.
~ Robert Barr.
Author of "In the Midst of Alarms
Copyrighted. 1895. by Robert Barr.

most in her mind, which she postponed
until the last moment. Perhaps after
all she would not need to ask him to
STAY; he might remain of his own ac-
cord. She watched him narrowly as
She talked, and saw with alarm that
there was anxiety in his face. Some
care was worrying him, and she
yearned to have him confide his troub-
lie to her . And yet she talked and
talked OF other things. She noticed
that he made but a poor pretence OF
eating. and that he allowed her to talk
while he made few replies, and those
absently-mindedly. At last he pushed
back his chair with a laugh that sound
ed forced.
well, mother" he said; what is it?
Is there a row ON, or is it merely loom
ing in the horizon? Has the Lord of
Creation
Hush Dick, you mustn't talk in that
way. There is nothing much the mat
ter / hope? | want TO speak with you
about your club"
Dick looked sharply at his mother
for moment, then said: We'll,
what does father want to know about
the club? Does he want to join?"
Il didn't say your father
''No, YOU didn't say it; but, my dear
mother, your are as transparent as
glass. | can see right through you
and away beyond. Now, somebody
has been talking TO father about the
club, and he is on the war-path. Well,
what does he want to know?"
"Ile said it was gambling club"
Right for once
''Oh, Dick, is it ?"
Certainly it is. Most clubs are
gambling clubs, and drinking clubs.
| | don't suppose the Trne Blues gam
| BILE more than others, but I'll bet they
don't gamble any less"
| "Oh, Dick. Dick, I'm sorry to hear
that And Dick, my darling boy-do
you"
"Do / gamble, mother? No / don't.
I know you'll believe me, though the
| old man won't. But it's true, never
theless. / can't afford it, for it takes
money to gamble and I'm not as rich
as old Hammond yet"
"Oh, yes, Dick, dear, and that re-
minds me. Another thing your father
feared was that Mr.. Hammond might
come to know you were member of
the club. 1t might hurt your pro-
poets in the bank, she added, not
wishing to frighten the boy with the
threat of the dismissal she felt sure
would follow the revelation.
Dick threw back his head and
reared. For the first time that even
ling the lines of care left his brow.
Then seeing his mothers look of in
comprehension, he sobered down. re-
pressing his mirth with some diff
Guilty.
Mother he said at last, things
| have changed since father was boy;
| I'm afraid he hardly appreciates how
much The old terrifying relations be-
/ tween employer and employee do not
exist now--at least, that is my expert
fence"
.Still if Mr.. Hammond came to know
that you spent your evenings at
Mother, listen to me a moment.
Julius Hammond proposed me for
membership in the cIub--my employ
ler / should never have thought Of
joining IL Ii hadn't been for him. You
remember my last raise in salary? You
thought it was for merit, of course,
land father thought it was luck. sWell,
it was neither-or both, perhaps. Now,
this is confidential and TO yourself
Ionly. / wouldn't tell it to anyone else.
Hammond called me into his private
office one afternoon when the bank
was closed, and said Saunders | want
you To join the Athletic Club; III pro-
lpose YOU ] was amazed and / told him
Ii couldn't afford it. Yes you cam he
answered. I'm going to raise your
salary double the amount of entrance
/ >