The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-02-26


and angelic music-the prattling OF the
babe sent thrill through her heart that
seemed to hurt for Joy. And newell.
she almost forgot him in the presence CT
the other. But he only smilSd and went
his way.
4 Up in the rosejar the pile Of dollars
was steadily erowing-leaVes there
were few, having been sacrificed to make
room for the increasing store. ln4an-
other six months he was to pay onztne
mortgage-o!d Curmu0geon haa refused
to accept partial payment-he wanted
interest, They laughed as they pictured
Curmudgeon's face when he should lay
down the whole $500 in lump and oe-
mand the deed.
The time was nearly up and the moth
er, between her home and husband and
babe went about radiant with her JOY.
Her laugh grew infectious-he caught 1t
when his days Work was zone AND forgot
his newspaper at times. = -
One night the junior partner asked
him to remain after work. Anxious to
please, he consented-thoughh hoping ne
might speedily get away homewara to
her.
"You play cards some, Harold. pre-
sume?" remarked the Junior partner,
,tnsinuatingly. He wayered.
eOh, no-that Is, mot any more," he
said, flushing.
"Oh, well. that's all right, you'll help
: fill out a table for me, won't you?"
'I-'
"Got a couple old college chums up at
the hoteEbs a kindness really" said the
partner. =
"Why-er-I-" Hzs1 =
.,"Come on7-jnst an hour, you know
she'll let you off for ence-brace up.
He went. He blushed red as rose
when his fingers touched the cards and
he knew, that he trembled, His gaming
instinct told him that the men on either
side were far. from college chums OF the
junior partners. Yet he did not shrink
from them--he resolved to hold his own,
at least He loathed a retirement at this
stage-he thought of his meager store
of neatly folded bills in an inside pocket
and-the fever was on him.
When the hour was UP he felt that he
must. be fully a hundred dollars to the
good. He glanced at his watch-then at
the junior partner, who carelessly
Eodded and the game went on. Etiquette
demanded it. -.
Another hour passed-he hated to
think it-yet if he was not even again
!. he had lost but slightly. At any rate. ne
dangerous sum. he unused.
Twas midnight when he found himself
upon his doorstep-fearing to lift tn,
latch. His guilty conscience was lash
ing him like whip of thongs-he
cringed like a cur. Through his brain
letters of fire were Keeling and staggering
like drunken men-he pictured the cruel
somehow he had fought the demon
fought and succumbed-hOw in that last
mad passion of desperation he had
dashed off his written obligation cover.
ing the entire savings in her rosejar-
how the junior partner had readily en-
dorsed it-how he then had staked and
lost-all.
rs that you, Harry?" came voict
from within.
YES" he said, hoarsely.-
The door opened softly and she stood
before him.
why, how late, Harry-and how
worn you look-what is it, love?"
Work at. the store-big Shipment
nearly done up" he gasped.
She innocent thing, believed him. Ht
felt a dagger at his heart as he uttered
the lie He flung himself on the bed ant
pretended to sleep. She caressed hii
heated brow with her soft hands an6
he would have shrunk from her touch a.:
from punishment.
My poor boy" she was saying.
Hours passed by and she slept. H,
lay awake, MISUNDERSTANDING into thu
darkness. He was debating great ques-
ton. After long while he leaned ovel
and kissed the babe. Then he lightly
touched his lips to hers and fingered s
single, hesitating moment. She stirred
-murmured Harry" and smiled in hel
dreams. He quietly arose and crept om
choking. One last pitiful glanc,
towards her-the babe-home-and hi
was gone.
l., Three days later they dragged him ou
Shiny, swollen, unnatural.
He was victim of his harmless curse