The times., 1900-12-23
The Gambler.
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| with a little sob. Leaving the reai-
ment would not be SO much In itself to
| Ted But he must leave 1t In debit He
| tells me that he has been gambling and
owes large sum of money to 0T5 of the
officers. He can't pay-and the disgrace
will break his hearth
The man at her side clenched his teeth
] He did not speak, however. The girl
| turned to him suddenly and touched his
arm. Her eyes were flashing.
This cruel gamblingi" she cried what
! do you think of man who lets a mere
boy like Ted play with him until he owes
| hundreds OF pounds? What do you think
of him?'' she repeated excitedly.
! Il think him blackguard,'' said Drys-
| dale. slowly between his teeth
Il feel as If hate that man." she said.
lowering her voice. more than anyone
else in the world"
| Drysdale was still looking out to sea-
There was curious light In his eyes.
You would never forgive him?" he
| asked evenly.
| Il loathe gambler. and he did his best
to make Ted one. He has ruined our hap
| piness. No. I would never forgive him.
she said deliberately.
There was slight noise a few yards
away. They looked up and saw Mrs Cres-
field approaching them Drysdale rose to
his feet. He gazed at Beryl intentiy. He
DTtSStQ
tightly together
''You are quite rightr he said in low
tone. He should not be forgiven!'
Then he stepped forward and spoke to
Mrs. Cresfield. few moments later he
took his departure. He strode down to
the lower road and. hailing carriage,
was quickly ratified back to his quarters.
He shut himself in his room and for some
time paced up and down restlessly. Then
suddenly an idea seized him. A few min
utes' hard thinking and II was in tangible
form. He took up his hat again. and. max
ing his way out, drove swiftly down to the
telegraph Office. There he despatched a
long cable to England. and the man to
whom IL was addressed was his solicitor.
Early next morning Beryl was walking
with her brother. They had wandered
down to Ragged STAFF and stood watching
the bay. In the distance a little steamer
of about two hundred tons could be seen
churning its way out Of port
That's the Gibel Musai" said Ted sud-
denly. "Drysdale's on board. He sud-
denly applied for fortnight's leave. and
has gone boar hunting in Morocco. I
couldn't see him, so had to leave letter
explaining things
Explaining what?" asked Beryl quick
ly.
"Oh, he happens to be the man l owe
tne money IO-l0aL all. ne Sdlu Dlt-
terly. He walked few steps away from
her to get better view of the vessel.
She remained perfectly still. Then, as
the meaning of the thing came home to
her, she went very white. and little
moan of pain broke from her lips.
Some six months later Drysdale's leave
came around, and he found himself in
London again. 1t was the season. and had
\ FaTf sv.z1 1f,,AI r. 1x.1
gayest OF times. for he was bachelor
known to be extremely wealthy. and ac-
cordingly much sought after. But he
found the ordinary anusements a bore.
He was still thinking Of the slight trem-
bling figure with flashing eyes who had
sat by his side at Alameda. She was al
ways'in -his mind. and he wondered what
would happen if they were to meet again.
Then one night he went to dance given
by an old friend of his. He had never
cared much for functions of this kind. he
cared less now and as he stood watching
the crowded room feeling of wearines5
crept over him, and he found himself
wishing that he had elected to spend his
leave elsewhere than in London His hos
tess crossed the room to him.
you must really let me introduce you
to some nice people, Crosbie.' she said.
with a smile.
He suffered himself TO be led to the
other end of the room. Mrs. Vayasour
stopped in front of couple Of girls who
were standing chatting together. She
touched one on the arm, and she turned
around.
DrysdaIe gave a slight start, but in
stantly recovered himself. Standing be-
fore him was Beryl Faikiner. Her eyes
met his and he saw her change color.
Mrs. Vayasour hastily introduced them,
then turned away to devote her attention
elsewhere.
Neither spoke for a moment. The
music for the next dance started and
Drysdale pulled himself together and
made the stereotyped request.
She gave him her programme. He hast
lily examined it, then seribbled something
on it.
81 have taken the next" he said, with
a bow.
He made his way out to a corridor, and
pushing open a window stepped onto a
The blood seemed to dance
through his veins He had met her again
was going to dance with her, What
would she say to him? The question re-
peated itself endlessly to him as he stood
the London night, with its hun
dred twinklirg lights, its unceasing roar
Of traffic in his ears.
He re-entered the ballroom and found
her. thrill went through I:im as he felt
her arm resting on his. They took a few
turns and then their eyes met and she
smiled.
Il want to talk-to thank you,' she
They stopped dancing and he led her out
TO the balcony They did not speak for a
second. Then she turned and laid hand
lightly on his arm.
II found it out month ago." she said.
even though you meant IL TO be kept a
secret. There's not another man in the
world would have done it,''
1T was nothing" he replied 81 am
really the gamer. I merely took e20.o00
Of my money which was in coupons and
invested it in your fathers firm. l now
get per cent instead ga"
THAT is your way Of putting IT.! she
exclaimed. You saved him from ruin and
him to resume his old
position How can ! ever thank your?
He gazed into her face.
'It was only reparaticn," he said.
Never in my life have l felt such
blackguard as did that morning at Ala
media Ever since the thought of card
has sickened me"
Il was very hard-very crueli" she
He looked at her intently. He saw
swift wave of color sweep over her cheek.
Then her eyes slowly lifted and met his.
Suddenly he bent forward and caught
lold of her hand.
I'm gambling again." he cried. Cam
bling for love!"
He looked entreatingly at her. He saw
Ter lips smilingly frame an answer. The
gambler had won.-Gilbert Doyle.