San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-09-07
And the RigoT Of the Game
. By ROBERT BARR.
Tcopyright, lsg7, BY the Authonl

bowed head and angry brow. He had
not known that Dick was in the habit
of coming in late, but be had now no
doubt of the fact. He himself went to
bed early and slept soundly, as man
with good conscience is entitled to do.
But the boys mother must have known
the hours he kept, yet she had said moth
ing. This made the matter all the
blacker. The father felt that mother
and son were leagued against him. He
had been too lenient Now he would go
to the root of things. The young man
would speedily change his ways or take
the consequences. There would be no
half measures
Poor old Mrs. Saunders saw the mo-
ment her husband came in that there
was storm brewing, and wild fear
arose in her heart that her boy was the
cause. The first words of the old man
settled the question.
"What time did Richard come in last
night?"
"I-I don't know she hesitated.
Shutting" her husband always called
it. She had been buffer between IA
ther and son since Dick was child
"Why don't you know Who let him
,in?"
She sighed. The secret had long
weighed upon her, and she felt itwould
come at some hapless moment.
''He has a key" she said at last.
The old man glared in speechless
amazement In his angriest mood he
had never suspected anything so bad as
this.
"a keyI How long has he had key?"
About six months. He did not want
to disturb us.
"He is very thoughtful Where does
he spend his nights?"
81 don't know. He tells me he be-
longs to club, where he takes some
kind of exercise.
Ibid he tell you he exercised with
cards? Did he say it was gambling
club?''
II don't believe it is. / am sure Dick
doesn't gamble. Dick is good boy, IA
ther."
"A precious lot you know about it
evidently. Do you think his employer,
Banker Hammond, has any idea his
clerk belongs to . gambling club"
n am SIRE I don't know. Is there
wrong? Has any one been
speaking to you about Dick?'
''Yes, and not to his credit. ="
"Oh, dearr' cried the mother in an
guish. WAS it Mr.. Hammond"
81 have never spoken to Hammond
in my life, " said the old man, relent-
ing little when he saw how troubled
his wife was. 'No; l propose to stop
this club business before it gets to the
bankers ears that one of his clerks is
nightly attendant there. You will see
Robert when he comes home this even
ing. Tell him / wish to have a word or
two with him tonight He is to wait
for me here. will be in shortly after
he has his supper. "
"You will not be harsh with him,
father. Remember, he is young man
now, SO please, please advise and do not
threaten. Angry words can DO no
good"
II will 90 my duty" said the old
man uncompromisingly.
Gentle Mrs. Saunders sighed, for she
well knew the phrase about duty. It
was sure prelude to domestic trouble.
When the old gentleman undertook to
do his duty, he nailed his flag to the
mast.
''See that he waits for me tonight"
was the parting shot as the old man
closed the door behind him.
Mrs. Saunders had had her share of
trouble in the world, as every woman
must who lives with cantankerous
man. When she could save her son a
harsh word, or even a blow, she was
content to take either uncomplainingly
The old mans severity had put him out
of touch with his son. Dick sullenly re-
sented his boyhood of continual fear.
During recent years, when fear had
gradually diminished and finally disap-
peared, he was somewhat troubled to
find that the natural affection which
son should have for his father had van
ished with it, He had, on several occa-
sions, made half hearted attempts at a
better understanding, but these at
tempts had unfortunately fallen on in
opportune moments, when the old man
was not particularly gracious toward
the world in general, and latterly there
had been silence between the two. The
young man avoided his father as much
as possible. He would not have re-
manned at home had it not been for his
mother Her steady, unwavering affec-
ton for him, her belief in him, and the
remembrance of how she had stood up
for him. esnecially when he was in the