The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-27


q white and anxious. A few yards
away stood young mamie
was hardly more than a bOy-in
- an officers uniform. They were
the only occupants Of the room,
and glance at their faces re-
vealed that they were brother and sis
ter.
The boy was gazing with a set ex-
preston at an open letter he held In
his hand. He was deadly pale.
Every penny of my money will
have to 60 to save tho hoaor OF the
firm,'" he read out. "Oh, it's awfui!
Do you grasp what it means to you,
Reryl?"
mot 20 much to me as to you, Ted,
dear" she said bravely. II shall be
able to be a governess or something,
but you-you win have TO give up the
regiment-sell OUT"
The boy sank into a chair and buried
his face in his hands.
His sister went to him and twined
her arm about him.
I'VE must think" she said softly,
that 1t means more to the dear old
father than anyone else! We shall
have to try and do our best to put
things straight for him. I know II
Will be hard leaving the regiment,
but
It's not that" he burst out.
What then, Ted, dsar?" she said
anxbously.
He raised his head and turned a
white face to her.
How can tell you!" he cried
broken%. "I've been a fooi-worss
than a fool. I'm heavily in debt,
Beryl, and it's a debt of honor"
I've gambed and LOST" he con-
tinued gloomily. There's a man here
who likes high stakes-and ne holds
batch Of my I. O. us. OF course,
1 never dreamed of this horrible thing
happening. 1 caslsd to the governor
last night, thinking the only result OF
my folly would be that he'd blame me
for my extravaganza"
How much do YOU owe this man."
Five hundred pounds. It's a debt
of honor, and 1t can't be paid! My
God, 1t cant be paid" he repeated be-
tween his teeth.
Five hundred pounds" she said,
with q little gasp. "He let you-a
mere boy-play until you owed him
that"
He did not know but what could
afford it,"
A bugle rang out from the far end
of the town. Young Falklner sprang
to his feet.
II have to go!" he said hoarsely.
"Ill come and see you again after
lunch"
a little later the same morning,
Captain Crosbfe Drysdsle was strolling
in the Alameda Gardens. He was a
good-loOking man OF about 30. He
climbed the paths leisurely apparent
ly deep in thought. Presently his eyes
fell ON the figure OF a girl who was
sitting few yards higher up. He
recognized her imemdiately, and a
sudden glean came into his eyes.
"TOo hot for our old friend, Mrs.
Cresfield?" he asked with a laugh,
dropping into the seat beside her.
when is your visit up?"
Beryl made no reply. He glanced
at her and saw that her face was
turned toward Europa. He noticed
that she was very pale and that her
eyelashes We're wet with tears
II am very sorry, he said, IN a low,
sympathetic voice. "If"-he paused,
hestatingly--"H I can be OF any
| use?"
She turned her head, and their eyes
met, She had only known him for a
week. yet a kind OF mutual under
standing had sprung up between them.
| Somehow he seemed different from
most of the men she had met.
Il should like to help, n l could"
ne said slowly.
She shook her head.
| mo one can hdp!' she said, with
a little catch in her voice. There is
nothing to be done; we are ruined!"
| He said nothing. A sudden desire
to tell him her trouble crept ever her.
Perhaps II you told me" he began
in a tone Of persuasion.
The story came to her gradually.
Her father was engaged in commerce
the head of a firm OF gooL position
he was getting old, and had allowed
his Junior partner to attend to most
OF the business Then one day the
crash came. II transpired that un-
known to Mr.. Falkiner, his Junior par
ner had been specializing wildly-had
lost, and in desperation had appropri-
ated money belonging TO the firms
clients. Finally ne had absconded
leaving Mr., Falkner to weather the
storm as best he could.
| Drysdale listened to the tale, his eyes
starting out 10 sea. He bit his lips af
he realized what il all meant to the
girl his side.
II am sorry-mcre than sorry" ne
said In a Jerky tone at the finish. II
seemed terribly lama, but they were
the only words he could find.
But that isn't the worst" sha said
with little sob. Leaving the regi-
ment would not be so much in Itself
to Ted. But he must leave II in debt!
He tells me he has been gambling, and
owes large sum OF money to one OF
,'.e officers. He can't pay-and the
disgrace will break his heart!"
The man at her side clenched his
teeth. He did not speak, however.
This cruel gambling" she cried
What do you think OF a man who lets
a mere boy like Ted play with him
until he owes hundreds OF pounds
What do you think Of hin'" dhs re-
peated excitedly.
II think him a blackguard," said
Drysdale slowly.
| II feel as II / hate that man." she
said, more than anyone else in this
world"
Drysdale was still locking out to sea