The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-23

passion could ever be gratifed, and had
learned to be serenely contented If only
permitted to come into her presence
three times week. It was different
with her. She knew that her station in
life was far above his, that such thing
as possible union with him must never
be considered until he had lifted himself
far above his present sphere, and yet
the more she heard his voice the more
she became aware that the one hope OF
future happiness lay in just such a
union. To be lifted out Of this condition
of things entailed on his part Chris
tian spirit and positive belief in all that
the term 1mpn5s, ADDED to a relinquish-
ment of his iniquitous trade. But the
more Jack studied the Bible-and he
was now conversant with every chapter
o. 1.-THE further away did he appear to
be drawn from the goal to which she
would have led him if she only dared.
No student Of Holy Writ ever toiled
over it more faithfully than he, and yet
his mind could not separate parable from
narrative, prophecy from history. He
tried to accept it all literally and found
himself more and more confused the
further he progressed. Two or three
times he visited Mr.. Sampson, with a
view to-as he Enthusiastically eX-
pressed it-"getting some Of the kinks
smoothed out"
But that narrow-minded, gentle-na-
tured bigot met with indignant rebuke
any attempt on the part of the searcher
after truth to question the absolute and
unimpeachable authority Of every line in
the Bible. It was the word Of God, he
said, and must be accepted without argu-
ment.
This Jack could not find it In his
power to do, and so he tried to smooth
out the kinks himself, for Helen's sake.
| One word from her, the slightest intima-
ton that he could win her by embracing
| Christianity, and he would have de-
clared himself an unprejudiced believer
and joined the church without delay.
But the intimation never came; so the
| organ lessons went on as usual, he
happy, she wretched.
| Little Helen in her new life was
perfect cream OF golden sunshine. She
| conquered the hearts Of all who came in
contact with her. The "Hopkinses,
who demurred at first at the thought Of
accepting the ward Of Jack Bowdoin as
O member of their household, grew 30
deeply attached to her that their affec-
ton plunged more than one jealous
shaft into the heart of Helen Charles,
who, aside from the love that grew out
Of sympathy, lavished upon her all the
force Of girls first passion, which she
could not betray to the man she loved.
The child attended school regularly,
and teachers and pupils alike regarded
her as veri.able prodigy. Even the fact
that that her guardian was gambler did
not initiate against her in the least, so
captivating was her manner, SO inde-
scribable her baby magnetism.
On her way to and from school it was
always her custom to pause on the Lit
tie Casino" corner long enough to kiss
Jack, and never once had he failed to
be there. No matter how busily he
might be employed at the time, even
| when in the midst of an exciting game
Of cards. he knew the precise moment.
she would be waiting for him, and was
always there to meet her and receive her
kiss and caress.
One morning, after she had kissed
uim, instead Of the usual "Good-by,
papa," she said:
Papa, want you to give up gam
bling!"
who told you to ask me that, baby?"
Miss Charles"
What did she say, eh2"
"She said she'd love you ever so much
more if you would"
"She did? She said that? Then, by
thunder, I'll do it! Run along now, and
when you come back from school we'll
go home together and tell her the news"
She kissed him again and toddled off
20 school. He watched her out Of sight
and entered his saloon for-as he had
5ut moment before resolved-the last
lime.
Boys" he said, I'm goin' to qui:
Ser."
There were few incredulous laughs,
out he was not in the least disconnected,
and continued:
Its fact. I'm goin' to leave off gam
olin', for good. and all. I've felt it
comm for some time, and just now my
little girl decided me-"
What! you amt got religion, for
sure?"
We'll, I've been on q still hunt after
It for three months, and though I amt
nitched onto it yet, so to speak, that's a
comm. too, I guess. can't find aword
agin faro in the Bible, but all straight
people say it's wrong, and I'm going to
quit it"
Several Of the boys, in violently en-
phasized terms, expressed themselves as
being sorry to lose him.
Its good Of you to say so, boys; let's
haye drink"
The orlnks were served, and he ad-
dressed one Of the men:
Now, Stone, here's your chance. You
offered me $50 900 for the plant and good
will of The Little Casino last week.
I've thought over it, and she's yourn."
And the moneys ready for yer, old
pard, just as soon as we can get the
papers drawed up"
The preparation Of the documents
necessary for the legal transfer Of
Jacks right, title and interest in his
gambling business, and the buildings
thereunto appertaiDlng, to Charley
Stone occupied several hours, and
when these were signed, sealed and
delivered, and a case of champagne
opened to bind the bargain, Jack played
last tune on the organ, bade all Of his
old companions farewell and closed the
doors of The Little Casino" behind him
forever.
Little Helen was waiting for him by
the time he reached the corner, and he
kissed her as usual.
This is our last meetin' on the old
corner, baby. I've quit gamblin' and
sold out the place."