The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-10-27

to his door. He was talking in a sor
of feverish delirium. he talked
of loss and gain, and of salvation anC
of ruin"
''Have you spoken with him upoI
the subject?"
Yes but he kisses me, pnd puts
me away, and says it Is nothing"
Edward promised that he woulC
try his hand at solving the mystery
And straightwsy Capt Phillips en-
tered upon the work. His suspicious
we're very readily thrown upon the
right track. and he watched the fall
ing man with great care and circum
spection.
1t was late at night, and Charles
Falconer was alone in the counting
room. He was pale and wan, and
about his lips and eyes hard lines
we're drawn-lines of desperation.
He took package of banknotes
from the desk, and held 1T in his hand
1t WAS large package, and it repre-
sented thousands of dollars. The
money was not his; but he had re
solved to use it.
This is the lastw he SAID, as he put
the notes into his breast pocket, and
buttoned up his coat. at is my only
hope If it fails me-But it will not
fail. Luck must have a turning point.
Fortune cannot always frown. If l
win to night | am saved. l might
have won last night if l had had
money enough to follow the game.
l have enough tonight ht-more than l
shall need, shall not stake it all
but l will go prepared for the worst.
The worst!-No, no-I will not say
that. 1t shall be the best, l will win
back what | have lost, and l will toy
with the fatal hazard never again.
He went forth to the gambling
house and was soon engaged in play.
His principal opponent was man
whom he had often seen upon the
street--a broker named Barnes-but
whom he had never before seen at
play.
Il have come tonight" said Barnes,
with a smile, ito lose my pile, or to
win its equivalent. If 1 lose l shall
lose heavily. Let us play coolly."
The game went on. At times
Charles won, but never quite SO much
as he lost. He had separated his
money into two parcels, one of which
he hoped not to touch holding it as a
reserve. But he came to it at length.
1t was long past midnight when his
last dollar was on the table-the last
of the five thousand staked that night
and he lost! He rose, and swallow
ed glass of brandy, and staggered
out from the nall
1T was chill November night. but
the keen air could not subdue the
fever that burned in Charles Falcon
ers's veins. He stopped on the street
corner and looked up at the stars.
This is the end~ he said, with his
hands clasped upon his bosom. The
coming day shall not look upon my
shame. God be merciful to those
leave behind. Ned will care for them.
He will take my place"
And then he walked swiftly away,
and stopped not again until he had
reached an empty, forsaken pier, at
foot of which the water of the river
rolled swiftly and darkly.
The tide is ebbing," he said. My
body will be borne far out and away !'
Just then a hand was laid upon his
shoulder He turned and saw Ed
ward Phillips.
Come, Charley come home with
me-
"No!-no! Leave me! You do not
know to whom you speak"
II know all"
ALP
Yes l was in the gambling hall
this evening"
Then you know that l am ruined,
-lostr'
Il know, Charles, but that for a
sweet angel who has watched over
you, you might have been lost. Your
sister set me to save you; and | am
going to do it,
80, Ned. You don't know all"
II know all"
No, no, have lost five thousand
dollars this night. -aud-the
money was not-O! let me gow
"Charles-my brother, rs hope
soon to call you-have you not suf-
fered enough ?"
More Ned, than l can survlven
Suppose you had won to night in
stead of losing?"
Il should have paid back to my en-
ployers' bank account the money |
had already withdrawn, and never,
never again looked for help in any
game of hazard. Such | had sworn
in my very heart of hearts
How much had you lost before?'
Almost three thousand dollars"
Ned Phillips took both hands, and
held them while he spoke
LOOK ye Charley: Laura begged
it of me and have watched you. |
have been as shadow to you when
you knew it not knew what you
wonld do to night, and | hired Barnes
20 help me. l did him a good turn
once, and he answered my call. In
)ther times he was a successful game
'ter and all the tricks of the profession
g known to him. He won your
money to night with my help, and for
ny benefit; and | have it safely in
ny pocket at this very moment. And
have also another thousand dollars
which you lost night before last. That
was won for me also. As for the other
two thousand. l must ask you to
borrow them of me. l am amply able.
You shall repay me when you can.
.Hush.-Not a word Remember
your mother. She knows nothing of
this. You and [ will spare her the
pain. Come my boy,-let us go home"
Weak and weeping like a lost child,
found after long and weary wander
ings, Charles Falconer took the arm
of his brother, and walked back to-
ward his home. They found Laura
up waiting for them.
1T is our own Charley safe and
WE'LL" said Edward.