Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-21

man made a half-hearted effort to re-
trieve himself. and blossomed into
comparative dee ency OF aspect Tor a time.
SO I,ovedale took TO doing out half
sovereigns and doctored his receipts. Re
ceived on account l0s.." In his own hand
writing, was easily changed into Re
ceived on account fio. los" and with
Sanfords signature beneath IT. looked
natural and deceptive enough.
But IL happened one day that he told
his shabby dun that he had paid him over
$3.50 within the year. and was
tired OF him He was surprised
and hurt when the doleful man pro-
duced dirty memorandum book I'm which
he had kept strict reckoning OF every
sum received Sanford exposed the trick
which had been played upon him. and
used strong language. He insisted for
the future I'm writing out his receipts In
fun in his own sprawling left-hand fst.
and on making II impossible 10 add d
word or figure. and I.ovedale felt more
ill-used than ever. and changed his adj
dress at much trouble to himself. But
Sanford found him out again, and went
on haunting him.
The pessimists are never tired OF telling
us that when man has done another an
III turn he is willing TO hate him for II,
and ready in distorted self justification
to do him another.
This is true in some cases, but it is for
tunately just as true that the having done
a man good turn disposes another sort
OF man TO future kindness. Yardley had
hefriended this wreck and ruin OF San
ford. and could not forget him. He called
at his bankrupt room, and lent him half
crowns. and was the sole person in his old
world who was not ashamed to greet him
In the street
1t was a waillng spring night. some six
,een months after his discovery of San
ford's poverty, that he met him again, as
he was making across from the Strand to
oxford street.
"Hnlo. Sanford, old chapl How goes it?''
he asked in his cherry voice.
It's prirry bad" said Stanford. Look
these boots. Look this hat-look me all
over. Prif figger, eh?"
MN" said Yardley; "how's Lovedale
behaving"
"Lovedale's thief" said the seedy San
ford. I'm no good. I'm thoroughly alco-
holized."
He made so ludcrous struggle with
the words that Yardley had a CHASTITY i'm
pulse toward laughter.
That's wass matter with me. But /
never tole a lie in my lfe-never robbed
anyborry OF farthing. There's ill count
book. Put down every shilling in it,"
And then he told the story of Love
dale's swindle, and Yardley, having heard
it, took the book and slipped it into his
own pocket.
Leave this WITH me for day or two
III see the scoundrel / suppose you're
pretty hard up, Old chap? Here's half a
crown to go on with, anyway, and I'll
see Lovedale. and do what l can with
him. and drop you line about it, Old
address will find you? All right good
night"
He went on his way, and Sanford found
the nearest public house, and ate and
drank enough to steady him. and make
him as sober as he often got to be In
| those DARK and woful days. Then he be-
thought him that he would go and seek
! Lovedale. for he owed pound at home,
and his landlady was sometimes terri
BILE.
Inspired by dread to action, he made
his way to Bovedale's rooms. and would
have been denied. as usual. and have
made his usual disturbance, but for the
fact that he found Lovedale in the very
act OF pulling out mis- latch-key at his
own door.
"For Gods sake" said Lovedale,
come inside, and don't let anybody see
you
He unlocked the door and led the way,
and Sanford entered the house unseen.
II want a flyer" he said. And I'm
not going away without it,
MY dear fellow" cried LOvedale I'm a
lamentable voice, II haven't got it. Upon
my word. you're a perfect bloodsucker
Hush, THERE'S somebody coming up the
stairs" The sounds of the steps went
| by. Il can't let you have more than
half a sovereign. / can't, upon my word
OF honor as a gentleman
"Well." said Sanford. upon your word
of honor as a gentleman, which is tre-
mendous sort of oath to swear by, won't
20 without IL flyer. Give me glass OF
whiskey."
He had found his speech again, but he
had only entered on a new stage OF his
old condition.
Tovedale haggled. and got out his CASH
box, He turned away from SANFORD
while he made a pretence of looking at
# and held the box sideways TO hide its
| contents.
you've got it there" said Sanford,
with an ugly laugh. you've forgotten
the looking -glass. There 1t Is reflected.
Hand 1t over.
81 can't snare that, really I can't" said
Tovedele IT'S for my rent I've hardly
q shilling i'm the world And It's no use
to give you money-you'n only drink
with il. It's throwing it away TO give
it to you. ,,u,,
Sanford.
you won't be any the better for that"
returned Lovedale. "You ought to begin
10 think about yourself, you know.
What's going to become Of you when you
have bled me dry?'
That's my affair" Sanford answered
savagely Give me a glass of whiskey
end a nver or I'll stay here all night
and raise the devil
! Lovedale. nursing his cash-box. unlock
ed a buffet and took out decanter a
rolling knock sounded at the front door
Of the house, and Lovedaie stood TO listen
with the box cuddled I'm one arm, and the
free hand on the neck OF the decanter.
The door was opened and voice
sounded in the little hall
Captain Lovedale in? Thank you. All
right: | know the way
/ I,oyedale pushed Sanford toward the
portlere which hung at his bedroom
| doorway.
Go in there a minute. You can't be
seen here. Well take the whiskey
Lovedale opened the door and faced
| Yardley. Sanford had recognized the
voice. and stood behind the portiere
| laughing silently. as he drew the stopper
| Of the decanter. There was faint jet
| Of gaslight burning in the room, and,
moving silently, he sat down IN an arm
chair and drank. Then he rested the
decanter on his knees and listened
Look here. Lovedaie." said Yardley's
! voice, 1--WE come TO have a bit OF seri
Gus tax with you. I've Just met poor
/ Sanford, and he has told me how you
are trying to cheat him. Now. you can
| hold your tongue so far as I'm concerned.
/ g. T., .,,fng 10 haIiaya Sanford against