The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-08-06
SCRANTON MISSISSIPPI. FRIDAY. AUGUST q, 1897.


tushed OF to the Ahcneinone. But
GraysOh was not there.
The next morning when he reached
the office later than usual, worn out
with want OF sleep, lie found to his
dlsriiay the accountants had already
commenced work!
Ere many hours had passed he
learnt their names. They were Smith
and GraysOn. Could there be any
connection between one Oi them and
the gambler OF the Anenemohe? With
that thought in his head, Dick made
tracks for their OFFICES; he would set
his mind at rest On that point once for
all.
Mr. Grays0n was 10. Yes! lie was
dual individual, man Of business 10
the daytime and gambler by night
He looked up on seeing Wellby, and
Dick plunged into the matter at once.
you're auditing Branson & Bran:
sons accounts, and I have been ap.
proprIating money from the flrm-in
all couple Of hundred pounds, Mr..
GraysOn," and his voice trcmbled.
You hold the ruin OF a man IN your
hands-what are you going to dor"
The man looked ut the other callti-
ly.
"What II l do what I suppose YOU
want me to du?-prevent your expos
ure!"
"I'll never touch card again!"
1t was the gambler who laughed.
"Do you think that's possible? I've
said that to myself scores Of times
but the fcver's got too tight hold.
But I've a wife and child. IsweaI
it for their sakes."
"Why didn't you think Of that be.
fOre?"
He went to a desk, and from a
drawer he produced a pack Of cards.
"Sit DOWN. he cried. "You win,
and the defalcatiOns are made good
and your debt to be Cancelled, but on
conditions only"
He looked straight into his COM
panion's face. "And those conditions
are, that you never play a gamc OF
chance again and take care OF your
wife" n
He dealt out the cards, and the 9th.
er not replying, the two commenced
battle to be fought under such terri
bic circumstances and with such mo-
mentous issues. Dick Wellby's face
became ghastly pale and hts hands
tremblcd as lie turned up the cards
mechanically. But something seemed
to tell him that GraysOn, the lnveter.
ate gambler, was for once playing
rccklessly and carclessly.
For u few minutes-it seemed m
hour--thcre was a deadly silence, and
then Dick rose excitcdly to his feet.
"Thank God" He had won.
George Grayson carefully gathered
up the cards and carefully locked
them in his desk again. He had
crossed the room and shook his com.
panion's hand.
"Wcllby, I can't help thinking I've
been assisting your ruin. You must
look after your wife, you don't know
the treasurer you've got!"
Dick glanced at the speaker in as
tOnishment.
my wife! Do-do you know her?'
ayes. Were ! in your place ] should
be a different man. Listen, WellOy
you've usurpcd a position I once hopee
to obtain. / reckoned on Mabel be
coming my bride! But 1t wasn't Il
be. She sought me here yesterday al
an old friend. to assist her In som'
temporary difficulty, and now 20,
know. Good.by, Dick, and God bles
youl" stretching out his hand again.
Dick remained silent for moment
unable at first to grasp the situation
and then replied:
"You say you would be a a dificren
man had you been in my place. Com
home with me tonight, we both ow
you so much, let us both thank you.
The man hcsitated and then said:
"Wcll, yes, l promise"
And Dick Wellby left No. 20 Ba'
. inghall street with light heart.
Q He is a wealthy man now and ha
, kept his vow never to gamble aRai'
. and Grayson himself, from that men
orable afternoon In his office, nevt
! touched another card.