The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-06
THE ONE SHE MARRIED.
BY LAWRENv E HENRY.


 Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)
 Jack Masterson was a gambler. He had not always been a gambler, but in his early manhood had shown sporting proclivities to such a degree that pret- ty Dollie Carter had refused to marry him. At the time Dollie had another suitor and when she became the wife of Fred Stanhope the rage of Master son was deep and suppressed.
 Stanhope was apparently of very diff ferent mold than his unsuccessful rival, for he was regarded as an exemplary young man. A clerkship in a bank vouched for his business integrity and an Identification with church work es- tablished his moral character. He was a likely catch, nevertheless there were those of Dollie'e friends who intimated that the dear girl had given up her less conventional lover with a smothered heart sob However, the wedding bells pealed merrily and soon Fred and Dol lie were ensconsed in a pretty little hat, evidently as happy as two turtle doves, having a 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 apples of to-day. So 1t was with the Stanhopes Fred, the promis- ing young bridegroom on that happy day of the years past the model, the im- maculate, was no longer. Temptations that before his marriage had no attrac- tione for him seemed now to have gain ed a mastery. His demoralization had been gradual and even up to the present time the world at large knew little of his failings. He was now teller in the bank and as yet his employers suspected noth- ing of his secret dissipations.
 There was one, however, who knew it all. The sparkle of her eyes was dim med, the color of her cheeks was gone, there were the furrows of care aslant her forehead she was not the Dollie of that wedding day seven years agone. little child there was, a golden-haired miss of four who had come to bless their union, and many a night as she lay cuddled in her mothers arms she won dered why the tears dropped from Nam mas eyes just because papa had not come home"
 Of late Fred's habits had become more irregular than ever. He had never been what might be called a victim of drink, though there were occasional iapses of over indulgence of this kind. but gam bling was his mania, Often of the late he had appeared at the bank on time for duty without ever having a wink of sleep the night before. It was his fac ulty for being able to report that kept him safe with the bank officials.
 But the pace was growing faster. Stan- hope's losses were making him desper- ate, something was bound to happen soon. Strange as it may seem. the companion of his midnight dissipations of late was Jack Masterson, once the rival for Dollies hand. Masterson had developed into a cold, calculating man of the world. a gambler of suave address and an intuitive knowledge of human nature A year previous Fred had acci- dentally met him at club of question able repute and. being something of a novice at the time, he was more than pleased to have Masterson take him un- der his wing. It was from that night that the young husbands descent should really be dated. Masterson. insIdious smooth and guilefuI. ingratiatAd himsGt for a heinous purpose. He had never forgotten or forgive nthe defeat of his love quest. for his pride as well as his heart had been wounded. Fre% on the other hand. suspected nothing; simple and impulsive by nature a yesterday was almost wiped from the slate of his mem ory. He. however. felt that there was something about his relationship with Masterson that meant, no good, for he never mentioned his name to DolIle. Per haps 1t was because he realized that the gambler profted 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 his l. O. L. for several hundred dollars As he left tAe table Masterson gently remarked; ,.
 Tomorrow night money must be in sight If we play
 Yes, yes" answered Fred as he hur- ried out, long after the sun was shin ing
 When he entered the bank that morn