Hutchinson gazette., 1901-04-11


lowance. and the governor is too hard
up to advance, even II he would, an
other ility-to say nothing Of what |
want Besldes, Mildred, II could
not bear to tell him OF II; he has 80
often warned me against gambling on
account OF that wrotched old story
about Wllloughby Trevanon, | think
II would almost break his heart II he
fancled the family curse had broken
out again In me, and-oh, Mllly, |
swear TO you never meant II; II all
came about so suddenly, 80 mlserably,
] had always been proyerbal for my
luck, until that evening at the vls-
counts rooms, and then | lost my
head, ! think, and the worst Of II Ia
PoyntS ls Just now 80 deucedly used UP
himself that he cant afford to walt
For how long has thls-this gamb-
ling been going on?" Miss Trevanlon
asked,
About a year and half"
"And how have you managed to pay
your debts during all that tlme?"
IL never lost much before, and, when
l did, was always sure to win II back
again the following night, That was
the evil OF the thing, you see; II
drew me on, encouraged me, until l
felt couldn't lose, and then In the
end, as | have told you, my luck do"
serted me, and left me as am now,
hopelessly In debt, and dlshonored,
and 30 on" wound up the poor boy
with a miserable choking sensation in
his throat,
"oh, dear, what can the matter
be-" sung bonny Mabel at the top OF
her clear, sweet voice, the words, sim
gularly appropriate, albeit unmeant
as they were, echolng merrily through
the chamber as she came swiftly to-
ward them through the gathering
gloom,
Her advent, unexpected as II was,
left Eddie and Miss 1reyanion speech
less.
"Why you two" she sald-,"are you
struck dumb that you both stand there
so silent In the twilight? Has the
holy friar Of our establishment Gp.
peared unto you and deprived you OF
the organs OF speech? Mildred, you
remind me Of some stricken saint,
leaning in that position, with the
painted light Of that window falling
full upon you In such q dim religious
ghostly sort Of manner while Eddie --
Good gracious, Eddie what's the mat
ter with you?"
Miss Trevanlon glanced at her
brother, and he said;
"0h, tell her--there Is little good in
keeping 1t secret now, when every one
will know 1t soon," and 80 "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
OH lnb bpOt'
well, | have never heard anything
so dlsgraceful," declared that august
young parsonage, when the recital was
finished to the last word---"neyer!"
And, II anyone but you had told me Of
1t, Mildred, should not have believed
them. ! thinli"--to Eddie-"you ought
to bo thoroughly ashamed OF yourself,
when you know poor papa is In such
difficulties, and no earthly way Of get
ting out OF them, No, Mildred, won't
stop; II is useless to shake your head
at me behind his back; | mean to say
Just what is on my mlnd-and | think
too much could never be said on such
a subject. You may spend your life
CLOSING over other peoples faults, but
/ am not an angel, and cannot; be-
sides what ia to be done? How the
money is to be paid | cannot imagine,
I'm sure; and, in fact, | have no pa
thence with him!" concluded Mabel,
slightly out Of breath, but with fin
ishing touch of scorn that would have
done credit to parllamentarian.
(To be Contlnued)