The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-03-02
For Old Loves Sake.
A SHORT STORY.


ne nau StakeO ana lOSt. WIN MS
head whirling and brain on fire, Dick
Welby stepped out of the brilliantly
lighted Sunset club into the darkness
OF the deserted street, dazed and be-
wildered. Richard Welby turned up
his collar, and then groped in his pock-
ct for the price of carfare. Not
penny
1t was early morning when he
opened the door of his modest fiat. A
pretty petite figure came running up
the hall.
"oh, Dick! am so glad you've come
at lastl"
"Were you frightened, dear?" and
he gave her an affectionate hug.
"Any letter." he asked presently,
when they were having supper, which
She had waited for him.
"No; why?"
81 expected Johnson would be wait
fng for the rent, that's all. He said he
wouldn't wait after this week, and the
worst Of it is"-stretching his legs be-
fore the fire-'I can't pay him
''As bad as that, Dick? | thought
we had plenty"
80 we should have, only I've been
Notwithstanding, and lost heap
of money. A fellow at the Office put
me on a good thing in gold mines
which hasn't turned up trumps, and
there's at least ESQ gone"
His wife's face grew serious, but she
did not tell him the landlord had called
that morning for the last time.
Mabel Welby was a woman in a
thousand. She loved her husband with
the intensity of affection which wom-
an can and will bestow upon a man,
however worthless. The next morning
after Dick had left for the Office with
a splitting headache, the little house.
wife was in sore distress.
At last she resolved to take bold
step. Years ago, before she became
engaged to Richard Welby, she was
acquainted with gentleman who had
been exceedingly fond of her, who had
proposed and been rejected, but who
had told her more in sorrow than in
anger that If ever she wanted help he
would never refuse it.
a few minutes found Mabel, who
had left little Tiny in charge of their
one servant, speeding on to the great
metropolis.
She reached the building at last, and,
discovering the name among so or
more on the brass plates outside, went
boldly up to the Office.
She was ushered into the presence
of man about 35, tall, strongly built,
with keenly cut features.
Mabel" he cried.
She sat down and tried bravely to
speak, but her lips refused her.
''Have you come to redeem my prom.
ise?"
"Yes; want your help; oh, George!"
forgetting the years that had elapsed
since they last met-"you'll help us,
won't you?"
The man looked up.
mabel, let us be frank with each
other. You are married, perhaps?"
"Yes."
"Ah!"
He leaned back in his chair and
nursed his chin musingly.
well, one can't have all his desires
In this world, and now'-speaking in
a more business like tone-"the nature
of the assistance you require?"
ITO borrow few dollars. My hus-
band has lost money in speculation
gold mines, or something of that sort,
and we need them badly just now"
After more conversation, the man
handed her two crisp banknotes, and
she rose TO go.
ha 7
name" he remarked
''Welby-Mrs. Richard Welby," she
replied.
The gentleman gave a start, but said
nothing.
When Dick returned home that
evening his wife did not tell him of the
adventure Of the morning and as he
had received no communication from
the landlord he concluded that the gem
tleman had decided to wait.
But Dick Welby was gloomy and
morose. His wife, putting it down to
his monetary losses, pretended not to
notice any difference in him.
But she did not know that the sum
he had lost had never been his own at
all. but his employers.
Ruin stared him in the face at every
turn.
How was he to pay Grayeon, the
gambler VINO had won his money, and
replace that he had stolen from the
firm?
The next morning. when he reached
the office, later than usual, worn out
with want of sleep. he found to his dis.
may the accountants had already com.
menced work
Ere many hours had passed he
learned their names. They were