The Monticellonian., 1904-08-11
The Salvation of Dennison Y
By HERBERT ELLIS
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.,,

| W1tu SlRH almost NISlIUI.
 Why not end it all anyway. Was the fight worth the candle? It was ten years since he had enjoyed any ra- tional pleasure. Day and night, night and day of amending and re- lentless worry and strain-that had been the history of a dec- ade. Of course, he had played for big stakes with little or no capital to start on. But he had not been altogether unsuccessful He had jumped from goal to goal with marvellous rapidity. | No sooner had one point been achieved than the proceeds, moral as well as physical had been staked on a further achievement. The world looked upon him as marvelously successful young man, but the world did not behold the precipice over which he perennially hung
 It seemed now that the end certain ly must come. A slip here-not his fault-a disaster in a distant state a tightening of the money market-all things impossible to foresee. and he was pushed hard against the wall. It was not so much the thought of losing all he had gained in financial way. He felt he had the strength and cour- age to begin over and he knew he could make better living than he had ever had time to take. It was not that It was the bitter thought of fail ure. the sneers and criticism of the men on the street-that was what he shrank from.
 He gritted his teeth as he often had done before in supreme moments. It was not all over yet. He had yet time to make a turn before Wednesday week, when he must face his banker, his principal creditors and the men who had backed him in his enterprise. And he had a card or two left to play. He walked on unheeding place or time, his eyes set and introspective, his face drawn and haggard. His poor, tired, forced brain was trying its best to heed the lash he applied
 Then a strange phenomena oc- cured. Coming out of his trance for a moment he looked straight into the flashing jet-black eyes of rollieking, sauey schoolgirl. who was regarding him mischievously. The eyes were full of life, intelligence. vitality and were were framed by the daintiest oval face, the dainty red on the olive skin telling of perfect health. Dennison had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he had not been conscious of his surroundings and consequently when he looked up was bearing down direct ly upon the girl. She had noted his absorption and had planned. mischiey- ously. to give him little shock. But he had looked up just in time and found himself looking into those splendid black eyes A strange thrill went through him. The physical ef- feet of the face he saw aad especially the eyes, was most definite and power full For an instant he was paralyzed, then sheered rapidly to the right to avoid a collision But, alas for the best laid plans. the girl had planned all along to dodge him on that same side so the result was disastrous. He sue eeeded in preventing a head-end col lision. but brushed so violently against her that he knocked her books from her hand and seraped her watch from the bosom of her dress where it was pinned
 He sprang quickly to pick up the books.
 "A thousand pardons. he exclaimed flushing deeply. There is really nc excuse for man walking down a public street in trance. l am an idiot Pray forgive me"
 She stood demurely watching him struggle with loose leaves and scat tered papers and all the debris to be found in school book, while he sput- tered away at himself Then he found that the watch was broken and haC stopped and insisted on taking it tC nearby jeweler to ascertain the ex tent of the damage. It was found tc be slight, and while the jeweler wasre pairing it he remained and talked tC the girl His business cares had rolled from him and he found his brain en gagged in new and delightful problems How was he to further his aequaint ance with the girl: how prevent tn, episode to end his contact with thos, brilliant eyes.
 Girls had bothered him little durins the past decade He tried to conjur, from the memories of his youth. ai( and resources for his present plight For he felt that he simply must no let the girl get away from him. H, did not know why. He did not stol to analyze the matter at all. He sim ply felt it was a physical fact. Tn, first effect of the eyes and face haC been deepened when she opened he full. red lips and spoke. showing two rows of unbroken pearls in her mouth
 The watch being repaired, he insist cd on walking with her, carrying hel 1 books
 "Is it quite proper, sir?@ she asked
 Indeed it is." he replied, earnestly Then he went on desperately telling her his name and business-a name ht knew was well known throughout tEt city She accepted the situation witt the careless abandon 0: the schoolgirl Her feminine intuition told her that he was gentleman and his blunder. ing earnestness amused her She saw too. that her charms had impressed him, which she could not help but like, being a woman
 He learned that she was from a small town in the west and was stay u-;tl, tbo ot+,.