Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-10-02
FOR LOVES SAKE.

He had staked and lost. With his head
whirling and brain on fire, Dick Wellby
stepped out of the brilliantly lighted prem
ises Of the Anenemone club into the dark
ness Of the deserted street, dazed and be-
wildered. 1t was only few hours, but it
seemed an age, since he entered the build
ing with high hopes Of emerging a free
man, for the big stake which he was going
to play was to be the grand coup which
would set him on his legs again. But, in
stead, Dame Fortune, with her accustom-
ed flokleness, had laughed in his face, the
hard cash which he had taken with him
had disappeared, and he was indebted to
Grayson, the well known habitue Of the
Anenemone, to the tune of hundred odd
pounds.
Richard Wellby turned up his collar
and then groped in his pocket for the price
of a cab fare Not penny. All his silver
had gone in inviting his friends to drink
to his success. Giving an articulate groan,
he strode along-there was no help for 1t
but to walk home.
Presently, as he passed the houses of
parliament on to Westminster bridge, Big
Ben struck the hour Of 1, and like flash
thought passed through his brain. This
was the anniversary of their wedding day !
1t was three years since he had knelt be-
fore the altar and sworn to love and cher
ish his wife, and no man had ever meant
1t more than he had at the time
The young fellow quickened his pace in
his agitation. Their wedding day and he
had forgotten all about it. Good God!
And his poor little darling, his Mabel,
was waiting for him at home, looking at
the clock as every hour passed by, perhaps,
and wondering and wondering.
He said he would not be late. 1t was
cruel not to have kept his word, and how
could he tell her, what was only too true,
that he was ruined man?
1t was early morning when he opened
the street door of his modest Clapham
abode. A pretty, petite figure came run
ming up the hall.
ooh, Dick I'm so glad you're home
at last
"Were you frightened, dear?" and he
gave her an affectionate hug
"Just wee Bit that's all. That horrid
city, there's always accidents of some sort
happening. Coiue and look at Tiny
She led the way into the bedroom, and
he stopped down and kissed the sleeping
form of their little one.
"Any lettersp" he asked presently, when
they were having supper. which she had
waited for him.
"No Whyp"
II expected johnson would be wanting
his rent; that's all He said he wouldn't
wait after this week, and the deuce Of 1t
is," stretching out his legs before the fire,
II can't pay him."
GAS bad as that, Dickp thought we
had plenty"
$50 we should have, only I've been
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS lost a heap of
money A fellow at the office put me on
turned up trumps, and there's at least $50
gone.
His wifes face grew serious, but she did
not tell him that the landlord had called
that morning for the last time.
Mabel Wellby was woman In thou
sand. She loved her husband with the in
tensity Of affection which a woman can
and will bestow upon man, however
worthless. The next morning after Dick
had left for the office with splitting
headache the little housewife was In sore
distress What was she to dor Unless
she could find the quarters rent that day
their little home would disappear Dick
was without money and deeply in debt,
and as to jewelry she had none. Her every
thought-like the good woman that she
was--was for her husband. She would do
anything to save him from worry.
At last she resolved to take bold STEP
Years ago, before she became engaged to
Richard Wellby, she was acquainted with
gentleman who had been rejected, but
who had told her more in sorrow than an
ger that II ever she wanted help be would
never refuse.
The recollection of that promise flashed
across her. Why should she not avail her
self Of 1t now, although 1t seemed rather
mean on her part, but 1t was for Dicks
sake, and what would she not do for Dickf
81 wonder whether he Is altered" she
thought. "Six years has no doubt made
. difference" And she searched an old
drawer for the card with his address In
the city, which he had given her. Yes,
here 1t was-20 Basingshall street. E. g.
She would take bus at once.
A few minutes found Mabel, who had
left little Tiny In charge Of their servant,
speeding on to the great metropolis.
She reached the building at last, and,
discovering the name among so more or
90 on the brass plates outside, went boldly
up to the office.
A clerk inquired her name. She hest
tated. Her old admirer would not recognize