The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-25

same place, have never staked a penny
on game of chance, and I cannot claim
my exemption from the general custom of
the times on any grounds of personal NOR
ality.
1t was the evening Of the dinner. Fear
son was talking to me 10 the little room
down stairs. The lay-outs. faro, roulette,
poker, were on the floor above.
Tommy, my boy" he said, were not
in this respected occupation for sheer love
of it."
1 had not yet recovered from the shock
of finding out that he was in 1t at ALL
Were out for the dust as people say.
But now. just a word. / have no right 10
give advice, Lord knows, but you can
stake your life that what 1 tell you is the
truth. If you ever wish for happiness,
don't gamble"
He laughed rather bitterly, l think, and
then went on;
"We've had some good times together,
you and 1 and the Rajah, and he'd tell
YOU the same thing" (Roach had
gone upstars). Now the good times
may come back again; l hope they will.
I've watched you." he said, tipping back
my chair as he spoke, "and, bar acci-
dents, you are all right. You'll grow
decent man and make something. IN
back you for it,"
I'm sure it's very kind began. II
can't tell you"
mo, it is not very kind" he interposed.
"at least, I'm not so sure. have not
finished what I was going to say. Per-
haps it would have been better If had
just nodded to you to-day or cut you dead.
But would not have done it, you know"
he added. even if ia thought"
He paused, and I was about to speak,
when again he stopped me.
Listen" he said, you need not talk
afterwards you can do what you please"
"Just now you can't possibly harm
yourself by letting me be your friend.
When the time comes-the time you cam
not do so-you'll find it out, or if you
don't will tell yop-mark me-"
IT will never come" ] burst out, half
extending my hand, for was touched.
"You can't tell" he answered, Il think
ii will"
I had not noticed until then that Roach
had entered while we were talking. He
stood there big and silent, cigar in the
corner of his mouth. his heavy eyebrows
arched and his forehead wrinkied in great
folds while his eyes had a far-away,
thoughtful expression in them. He was
listening, / could see that plainly.
Pearson glanced at him and smiled;
then he turned to me again and spoke In
that deep even voice Of his.
'What I mean Is this" he said. I'VE
will be glad to see you here. where we
are sitting; It's not halI PAD ptece TO
come TO, but up there" and he Jerked
his hand toward The stairway, you do
not want to go-here or in any other eel
pot. Promise me-"
/ looked about the room. 1t was small.
as l have said before but 1t was big with
books What tempting things books are
to those who love them!
LET me tell you something" continued
Fearson, as l did not answer. He placed
his heavy hand on my knee and swung
it TO and fro. This is something 1 would
tell any one who asked.me. No luck OF
system can peat big odds against you.
in the long .Ia. We live off people who
think otherwise: take my word for it.
Don't we, Rajah?"
Roach 1ingled The crystal pendants Of q
candelabrum with his fingers and nodded.
Then he threw his big cigar viclously into
the fireplace and left the room.
MY dismay at The avowal Of my .ricnfs
occupation had faded to dull regret. Ard
vet. strange to say, confessed TO feel
ing of resentment at the rather patr0nlz-
ing air that / thought fel arson had as
sumed toward me, and r=n.a'ned silent
Suddenly ne arose and TOOK q step or