The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1895-06-28
A HEAVY RANSOM.

the monotonous way in which he was
pacing up and down the room, Hon.
Robert Spenceley was evidently under
the influence of serious mental de-
preston when his particular chum,
Tom Langton, favored him with a
morning call.
"Halloa! What's up, Bob? By Jove,
you are looking seedy."
Hon. Robert stopped in his purpose
less walk, languidly extended his arm,
lightly touched the tips of his friends
fingers, and heaved a deep and bitter
sigh.
Are you i'll. chappie, or has the
peerless, patrician Penelope"
''Sit down, Tom. The fact is, I've
been fool"
"And how did you discover it?"
"Well, as you know, I've been mixed
up bit with Lord Templeton and his
set. Jolly fellows, but inclined to go
the pace d bit too fast. Hang me, if
can say No to anything they propose,
and the upshot of it all is that in two
nights I have lost upward of three
thousand pounds sterling playing cards
at the Junior Aborigines = at least,
that's the amount they hold my o US
for"
What confoundedly bad luck you
must have had!"
II posted down to the family nest
yesterday, laid the whole affair before
the governor, and vowed that l would
never touch card again if he would
Ha1 90 $I,e
''And he has refused?"
"Point blank. He reminded me that
on several occasions he had paid off my
legitimate debts-small in compar ison
to this one-but he considered playing
cards for high stakes SO outrageously
foolish that he could not and would
not help me. told him they were
debts of honor, but he said it was a
most dishonorable way either of max
ing or getting rid of money.
''In conclusion, he told me that as it
was most desirable that should break
off from this connection, he proposed
to reduce my allowance to five hundred
pounds a year, during which time am
to travel and see as much of the world
rs can on paltry ten pounds week. "
"And what did you say?'
"What could I say? l have no choice
in the matter. have made up my
mind that will not go to the money
lenders, and so l must get these fell
lows to wait until can redeem my pa
per-"
Look here, old chap. I'll come with
you for time. and We'll go in for a
walking tour"
Tom, you are brick. Let us start
this week"
Three months had elapsed since Rob-
ert Spenceley's departure, during
which period frequent communications
each bearing expressions of regret
for the past and promises for the fu-
ture-kept Lord Nethwick fully ac-
quainted with his sons doings. The
absent one seemed to be thoroughly
enjoying himself, judging from his
graphic descriptions of the scenery
and incidents of the walking tour.
Then the letters ceased altogether.
Several times lately the doubt had
arisen in Lord Methwick's mind as to
whether he had not been too severe,
remembering that his son had hitherto
borne an irreproachable character,
evincing a deep dislike to all the
worse forms of dissipation, and. there
was no doubt that this unfortunate af-
fair at the Junior Aborigines was not
the result of inherent or newly-ac-
quired viciousness but rather brought
about by false position, in which,
surrounded by companions OF wealth
and repute, he had been led away by
the excitement and his inability to say
"No."