The Colfax chronicle., 1904-06-25
THE ONE
SHE MARRIED
(COpyright, isol, by Daily Story Pub. Col
By LAWRENCE HENRY

lack MASTERSON was a. gambler
I'll He had not always been a gambler
but in his early manhood had shown
sporting prociivities. to such degree
that pretty Dollie Carter had refused
to marry him.. At the time Dollie had
another suitor and when she became
the wife CT Fred Stanhope the rage OF
Masterson was deep and suppressed.
Stanhope was apparently of a very
different mold than his unsuccessful
rival, for he was regarded as an exem-
plary young man. A clerkship in q
bank vouched for his business integri-
ty and an Identification with church
work established his moral character.
He was a likely catch. nevertheless
there were those of Dollie's friends
who intimated that the dear girl had
given up her less conventional lover
with smothered heart sob. However,
the wedding bells pealed merrily and
soon Fred and Dollie were ensconsed
in pretty little fiat, evidently
as happy as two turtle doves,
having future with prospects as fair
as a summer day before them. Master
son. with a few muttered threats, dis
appeared from her life and was seen
no more
This all happened seven years ago.
The mutability of time brings about
many changes. What seemed to be the
golden fruit of yesterday are but the
Dead Sea applies Of to-day. So 1t was
with the Stanhopes Fred, the prom
Using young bridegroom on that happy
day of the years past, the model, the
immaculate. was no longer Tempta-
tions that before his marriage had no
attractions for him seemed now to have
gained a mastery. His Generalization
had been gradual and even up to the
present time the world at large knew
little of his failings. He was now tel
Ter in the bank and as yet his employ
ers suspected nothing of his secret dis
sipations.
There was one, however. who knew
1t all. The sparkle of her eyes was
dimme6. the color Of her cheeks was
gone. there were the burrows of care
aslant her forehead: she>wa not the
Dollie, of that wedding day seven years
agone. A little child there was. gold
en-haired miss of four who had come
to bless their union, and many night
as she lay cuddled in her mothers
arms she wondered why the tears
dropped from Mammals eyes just be-
cause papa had not come home"
OF late Fred's habits had become
more irregular than ever. He had
never been what might be called VIC
tim of drink, though there were occa-
sional lapses of over indulgence of this
kind, but gambling was his mania.
Often of late he had appeared at the
bank ON time forF duty without ever
having wink of sleep the night be-
fore It was his faculty for being able |
to report that kept him safe with the
bank officials.
But the pace was growing faster,
Stanhope's losses were making him
desperate, something was bound to
happen soon. Strange as it may seem,
the companion of his midnight dissi-
pations of late was Jack Masterson,
once the rival for Dollie's hand. Mas
terson had developed into a cold, cal
culating man of the world, gambler
of suave address and an intuitive
knowledge of human nature. A year
previous Fred had accidentally met |
him at a club of questionable repute |
and, being something of novice at |
the time, he was more than pleased to |
have Masterson take him under his |
wing. 1t was from that night that the
young husbands descent should really |
be dated. Masterson. insidious. smooth |
and guileful, ingratiated himself for a
heinous purpose He had never forgot
ten or forgiven the defeat of his love |
quest, for his pride as well as his heart |
had been wounded. Fred, on the other.l
hand, suspected nothing; simple and
impulsive by nature yesterday was
almost wiped from the slate of his.l
memory. He, however, felt that there
was something about his relationship
with Masterson that meant no good,
for he never mentioned his name to
Dollie. Perhaps it was because he real-
lied that the gambler profited always
at his expense.
The crisis came. The night before
Fred Stanhope had been cleaned out of
every available cent at his command
and, more than that. Masterson held
hisL-~O. U. for several hundred dollars.
AS he left the table. Masterson gently
<s i II
Tomorrow night money must be in
sight if we play"
Yes. yes," answered Fred, as he
hurried out, long after the sun was
&I'
When he entered the bank that
there was desperate CLEAN
IN his eyes.
At home, patient and sleepless, Dol
lie waited. but Fred did not even re-
urn for breakfast She stood the sus-
,euse until afternoon. and then feel
ng that she must know she took her
little daughter by the hand and walked
Town past the bank where her husband
vas employed. Being familiar with his
cratic moods she dared not enter, but
rom the street she saw him behind
me of the gratings and her heart gave
great bound of relief Retracing her
teps she was scarcely square away
rom the bank when she came face toI
ace with Jack Masterson. Dollie had
lot seen or heard of him for seven
ears. but she recognized him at once.