Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04
THE GAMBLER
KATHERINE CECIL THURSTON,
Author Of "The Masquerader," Etc.
rights reserved)

behind. I'll be paying my own score on tho
other side; but here. It's others viii be pay
ing II for me-
His burning eyes fixed themselves on Mil
banke's.
but. my dear old friend"
Don't talk to me. James. Don't waste
words on me. I'm broke inside and out.
I'm smashed. I'm done for" A spasm Of
pain. mental and physical. twisted his feat
come to the end Of his roper He tried to
laugh
Milbanke, in deep apprehension. laid his
hand lightly on the Others ; shoulder a;
this! Don't torture yourself like this!''
Asshlin groaned
Its Involuntary he cried. Its
wrung from me. Every time they come
into the room-every time see the tears In
| their eyes-every time they kiss me. l tell
you l taste HE'LL
THE children. My children" Another
spasm crossed his face. You once told me
was not fit TO have children. James and
you were right. BY God. you were rightr'
Denis. refuse to listen l insist-I-"
Don't bother yourself! 'Tisn't of my
ID health I'm thinking.
Then what is it? What is troubling
your
1.-The children-the children. I've been a
blackguard James-a blackguard." He
moved his head sharply regardless OF the
agony the movement caused. tell you I
don't care what's before myself. I've al
WAYS been reckless fool. But it's the
children-the children"
What of the children"
A sound of mockery and despair escaped
Asshln.
"Ah, you mly well ask" he said You
may well ask. 'Tis the question I've been
putting to myself every hour since they
! laid me here. You know the world. James
You know what the world will be TO two
pretty. penniless girls. And they're so I'M
| conscious of it ALL That's the sting OF it,
| They're so unconscious of IT ALT They care
| for me, they cling to me as If I were a
good
| be cursing the hour they were born" \
/ fresh groan was wrung from him.
| A look Of apprehension crossed Milbanke's
! face.
"Oh. no. Denisr he exclaimed. quickly
mo. Things can't be like this Your suf-
fering has told upon your nerves. Things
| can't be like this"
They worse. I tell you these two
| children will face life without penny
mo, no. You exaggerate. Why. even IL
| you were to die they would still have tho
place. The place must be worth some
thing
"Ah, if could only drug my conscience
| with that thought! But can't-I can't Be
| fore I'm cold in my grave my creditors will
| be down on the property like a swarm of
| rats"
Yes. 1 tell you yes. The children will
] be homeless well penniless.'
Milbanke glanced about him In deep per-
plexity.
There's your sister-in-law" he hazard
| ed, at length.
| Fan? Asshlin made a contemptuous
| grimace Fan is as poor as a church
| mouse already. Lawrence had nothing to
leave her; the navy beggared him. No.
Fan can do nothing for them. And. any
way. she and Clodagh couldn't stand each
| other for a twelve-month. You might
| well try to blend fire and water. No.
| there's no way out of 1t. I'm reaping the
whirlwind. James. I'm reaping it with
/ vengeance"
The fever of his suffering and the excite
| ment Of his remorse were burning In his
| eyes. In the three days of his illness his
| natural exuberance of mind had been di-
| rected toward one point only-the tardily
aroused knowledge of the future that await
| ed his children. And the consequence had
| been a piteous intermingling of realization
and partial delirium. His agony and help
| lessness were pitiable as he turned again to
his friend.
| What am I to do, James," he asked
| what am 1 to do?'
| Milbanke bent over him.
| Denis! Denis!" he pleaded.
| there's time. "'Tis for that I've wanted
| you. You've always been a good man.
! What must do?'
| Milbanke frightened his lips.
| You have friends" he said
| "Ah, but how many? And where?'
| There was no response for moment rs
| Milbanke slowly Strengthened himself and
glanced across the room toward the fire.
Then very quietly he turned toward the
bed.
You have one-here." he said, In a low
| voice.
For an instant AsshIin answered nothing:
| then an odd sound-something between a
| laugh and a sob-shook him.
| James," he cried. James"
| But Milbanke leaned forward hastily.
mot word!" he said. Not one wordl
| If thanks are due, 1t is from me to you. 1t
| is not every day that human responsible
| ties fall to an old bachelor of fifty-five"
| Asshlin remained silent. Dssipated,
| blunted, degenerate though he might be. his
| native intuition was unimpaired; and In a
| flash of illumination he saw the grade of
| nobility-the high point of honor to which
! this prosaic, unimaginative man had at
| tanned in that moment OF need. With
| pang of acute pain he freed his uninjured
| arm and shakingy held out his hand
There are no friends like the old friends,
James," he said, I'm broken voice.
Go be continued tomorrow.)