The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-11
.AHEAVY RANSOM

NSS0SSISS0SS6SS0Ss0 0Ss0oS6o~0sS ee""eS oeso
"vO judge by his haggard looks
" and the monotonous way in
which he was pacing up and
down the room, Honorable
Robert Spenceley was evidently un-
der the influence of nervous mental
1lepressfon when his particular chum,
Tom Langton, favored him with
morning call.
"Halloa! What's up. Bob? BY Jove'
you are looking seedy."
Honorable Robert stopped in his
purposeless walk, languidly extended
his arm, lightly touched the tips OF
his friends fingers, and heaved deep
and bitter sigh. tt
"Are you i'll, chappie. or has the peer
less, patrician Penelope
"sit down. Tom. The fact is. I've
been fool" 4
"And how did you discover it:''
"Well, as you know, I've been mixed
up bit with Lord Templeton and his
set. Jolly fellows. but inclined to go
the pace q bit too fast. Hang me, II
can say No to anything they pro-
pose, and the upshOt of 1t all is that In
two nights have lost upward Of three
thousand pounds sterling playing
cards at the Junior Aborigines-at
least, that's the amount they hold my
IOU's for ...a..a
'.what confoundedly bad luck you
must have had"
IT posted down to the family nest
yesterday, laid the whole affair be-
fore the governor, and vowed that
would never touch card again If he
would help me out Of this scrape."
land he has refused?" ~i.ess.
'Poinl blank. He reminded me that
OH several occasions he had paid off
nv legitimate debts-small in compar-
ison to this one-but he considered
playing cards for high stakes So out
raseously foolish that he could not
and would not help me. told him
they were debts of honor. but he said
1t was most dishonorable way either
of making or getting rid Of money.
I'm concluson he told me that as it
was most desirable that should
break off from this connection. he pro-
posed to reduce my allowance to five
hundred pounds a year, during which
time l am to travel and see as much
of the world rs l can on paltry ten
pounds week. s.-+.
"And what did you say?'
"What could say? l have no choice
in the matter. have made up my
mind that / will not go to the none!
lenders, and SO / must get these fel
lows to wait until l can redeem IN!
paper
Look here, old chap. I'll come will
you for time, and Wen go in for
walking tour ..... ..-.
Tom, you're brick. Let US star
this week." u Il. = = i.5.sssss e
Three mouths had elapsed sine
Robert Spenceley's departure, -durin
which period frequent communication
each bearing expressions of regre
for the past and promises for the fl
ture--kept Lord Methwick fully az
Guainted with his sons doing. Th
absent one seemed to be thorough
enjoying himself, judging from hi
graphic descriptions of the Scener
and incidents of the walking tou
Then the letters ceased altogether.
Several times lately the doubt ha
arisen in Lord Methwick's mind as
whether he had not been. too sever
remembering that his son had hither
borne an irreproachable characte
evincing q deep dislike to all the wor
forms of dissipation, and there w:
no doubt that this unfortunate affa
at the Junior Aborigines was not II
result s,of inherent or newly.acquir'
viciousness, but rather brought nbo
by false position, in which, ST
rounded by ms companions of veal
:,aailsreputes he had been led away
tie excitement and his inability TO. s.
no" ~ = - e w 49,.
Nov that no. news came from hi
IDS father,swFesolut rapidly ga
TRY under the disquietins intluen
df forelpding aud The continuous {
tXeaties;sof his mother, until at !,
Ills recall was decided up so soon
the next iutimation of his addrt
should arrive. The next letter I
disclose his whereabout and this "
the--thunderbol,: @
Most Illustrious iSignor: The son
your excellency is doing us the hol
fo condescend our humble hospital
10 partake and has to us your adtil
Eiven SO that we may ilppart his w
being. he now his departure desil
but wes would tina your illustrious
Bellency to us sending the sum
pounds; rfour, thousand Englishe; t
we may be solaced for his loss"
Then followed an address to VIII