The Delta independent., 1901-05-24

lowanee. and the governor is too kard
up to advance. even If he, would, an
other hfty-to say nothing OF what I
want. Besides, Mildred, IL could
not bear to tell him of 1t; he has SO
often warned me against gambling on
account of that wretched old story
about Willoughby Trevanion. l think
it would almost break his heart il he
fancied the family curse had broken
out again in me, and-oh, Milly, l
swear to you l never meant it; it all
came about SO suddenly so miserably.
l had always been proverbial for my
luck. until that evening at the Wis
counts rooms, and then l lost my
head, think; and the worst of it is
Poyntz Ii Just now SO deucedly used up
himself that he can't afford to wait"
For how long has this-this gamb-
ling been going on" Miss Trevanion
asked.
About a year and half"
And how have you managed to pay
your debts during all that time?"
Il never lost much before, and, when
again the following night. That was
the evil of the thing, you see; it
drew me on, encouraged me. until I
felt / couldn't lose. and then in the
end. as have told you. my luck de-
serted me. and left me as am now,
hopelessly in debt, and dishonored,
and SO on" wound up the poor boy
With mi hnl -inu in
his throat
"Oh, dear, what can the matter
be-" sung bonny Mabel, at the top of
her clear, sweet voice, the words, sin
gularly Appropriate albeit unmeant
as they were, echoing merrily through
the chamber as she came swiftly to-
ward them through the gathering
gloom.
Her advent. unexpected as it was,
left Eddie and Miss Trevanion speech
less.
why. you two" she said-"are you
struck dumb that you both stand there
SO silent in the twilight? Has the
holy friar' OF our establishment ap-
peared unto you and deprived you OF
remind me OF some stricken saint,
leaning In that position, with the
painted light Of that window falling
full upon you in such a dim religious
ghostly sort OF manner: while Eddie
Good gracious. Eddie. what's the mat
ter with you?"
Miss Trevanion glanced at her
brother. and he said:
"Oh. tell her-there is little good in
keeping It secret now. when every one
will know it soon," and so the queen"
was enlightened forthwith and. con-
trary to all expectations-as she was
generally the most easy-going of the
Trevanions-was supremely indignant
on the spot.
We'll, have never heard anything
SO disgr1ceful." declared that august
young parsonage, when the recital was
finished to the last word-.'never!"
And. II anyone but you had told me OF
it. Mildred. l should not have believed
them. ! think"-to Eddie-'you ought
to be thoroughly ashamed OF yourself.
when you know poor papa is in such
oihcuiues, anu no eoi lulS way VI Sel-
ting out Of them. No, Mildred, won't
stop: it is useless to shake your head
at me behind his back: l mean to say
just what is on my mind-and think
too much could never be said on such
a subject. You may spend your life
CLOSING over other peoples faults, but
l am not an angel. and cannot; be-
sides what Is to be done? How the
money is to be paid 1 cannot imagine.
I'm sure; and. in fact. have no pa
tience with him." concluded Mabel.
slightly out OF breath. but with fin
ishing touch of scorn that would have
done credit to a parliamentarian.