Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-10-02
HIS CONFIDENCE
CAME LATE.
IOriginal.l


thinking Of a large sum Of money he
had won the night before Of young
Lester Sheldon and that he would use
it to run across the "big pond" and
see Paris in June. As he was rinsfng
his fingers in cut glass bowl, prepar-
atory to leaving the table, a waiter
stepped up to him and announced that
lady wished to see him in the recep-
ton room"
"a lady, To see me! In the recep-
ton room! Great Scott! Isn't man
safe even In his club?"
ut isn't usual, sir, but it's an hour
when few members are present. and
she begged so hard that the steward
told the doorkeeper to admit her."
The admiral had Just enough curios-
| ity to go to the reception room and
learn the reason for the call. He found
very pretty young woman in widows
cap, whose eyes were dimmed with
tears.
ooh, admiral" she gasped, "tell me,
have you parted with the notes?"
What notes?"
THAT you won from my brother last
night"
your brotherw
"Yes; Lester my brother - Lester
| Sheldon"
whats that to you, madam"
"Oh, admiral, I've heard Of your
honorable nature and kind heart"
'Bosh! Speak out"
my brother is in great distress.
have just prevented him taking his
life. He is cashier at his place of bust
ness Lately he has been gambling
The notes you won he took from his
l cash at the Office. After leaving you
| he had one note left and this morning
| noticed that it was marked"
For heavens sake, this is a pretty
| mess for me to be mixed up inp'
"Oh, it's all right If you still have
the notes."
II have them"
"How fortunatev And a relieved
smile came over the sad face like a
food of sunlight from behind a cloud
Il will take them and give you my
check for them"
But, my dear lady, didn't win the
money from you. I can't take your
check. But l will give you the notes. >
Now, sdon't spoil everything l can
only handle Lester by assuring him
that the notes have been taken up
with my check and only you and
and he know Of the transaction. It's
nothing to me- assure you. have an
income Of $4,000 year. I've helped
Lester out Of many scrape. l only
hope I'll live to keep something dread
full from happening to him"
| Meanwhile she had gone to a table
covered with writing materials, filed a
blank check she took from her card
case anil at the last words handed 1t
to the admiral.
'But, my dear madam, consider my
position. I, an admiral In the United
States navy, to take money from a
woman! Suppose it should get Quit"
my dear admiral, how is it TO get
out? VIII Lester tell? VIII l tell
Only you remain"
"ADd you think it best for me to-
"Ot course Now, do let me have
the bills. Lester is suspected and may
have to turn over his accounts as soon
as be appears at the Office. He is wait
ing for me. Do let me go!'
This was too much for the admiral
He took the notes from his pocketbook
and handed them to the lady. She
dropped the check into the same re-
ceptacle, rubbing her soft hand against
his as she did so and looking up with
soft eyes. Then she ran away hur-
riedly.
well, now" remarked the admiral
to himself, 'if could find a woman
like that wouldn't be woman hater
To think what she's doing for that
scapegrace brother! Most women alb
sorb money instead of spending 1t in
that way"
He was in no hurry to deposit the
check. Indeed, he was thinking Of a
bit of self sacrifice he might make
that possibly would effect a romance
in his old age--A romance that would
free him from depending on a club for
a home. He fancied himself tearing
up the check or burning it, as the lead
ing gentleman In play would do, and
a certain lady falling into his own
arms.
The same evening he was sitting in
his club looking over paper when
who should saunter In but Lester
Sheldon.
Hello, admiral" he said cheerily.
'I'm going for you tonight. I'll take
all you won from me last night and
more too"
The admiral looked at him. aston
ished.
Whats the matter?" asked Sheldon.
not understanding the surprise. "Don't
you want to give me my revengeT
whats the matter? Didn't your
sister this morning take up the notes
I won from you with her check"
"My sister,
Eyes, your sister"
II haven't any sister"
| The admiral glared for moment.
| then made dive for his pocketbook.
| took out the check. unfolded it and
| handed it to Sheldon.
Admiral" said the latter, you've
been bunkOed."
"Bunkoed! l bunkoed by woman!
never trusted a woman in my life
| that is, before"
You mean you never trusted good
one. Your only case of confidence was
in bad one."
Sheldon had talked in his cups Of
his loss in q promiscuous crowd.
SULLIVAN KING.