The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-14

begged Random never 10 Spehk tnat way again. The affection of the faith ful creature filled Roderick with the resolution to gain a fortune at once and thus recompense his humble friends loyalty. When he put his fate to the touch, however. Melinda de- manded to see his rent roll and dis missed him with a sarcastic smile on the confession of his inability to pro- duce that useful factor in matrimony.
 Alarmed by the discovery that their joint finances had dwindled to less than 100 pounds, Roderick Random at- tempted several desperate cutting -out expeditions against other heiresses. but reaped only quarrels with other beaus. He resolved to make a bold stroke for fortune in another direction and bribed a noble lord to procure Tor him a good position under government. The noble lord accepted the bribe graciously and introduced MT. Random to other gentlemen of station. who also accepted bribes with such condescend- ing freedom that one day Random was forced to confess to Strap that not only were they reduced to one poor guinea, but the watch and the jewels also had gone to fill the hands of the hungry bribe-takers, and all without result.
 Strap uttered a dreadful groan and
 
 gested that it were better to call on the pawnbroker and raise some money on the gold-mounted sword. With the seven guineas that were brought back by the obedient friend and valet. Ran dom went to a gaming house and re- turned with 150 guineas. at sight of which Strap nearly lost his mind
 Roderick Random became more gay than ever, bought clothes even more A1,o,x tn Strap and again besieged an heiress, whose 2O,000 pounds were encountered merely by a grotesque figure. a face almost as shrewish as her temper and tongue that would not be still.
 These defects were minimized so agreeably by her fortune that Random had many rivals, but he drove them away by suggestions as to his anxiety to fight for her favor. As he had gained much fame by an exploit against a highwayman, none cared to meet his sword. and he became such favorite with the lady that 1t was plain that he needed only to ask to gain her face, figure and fortune for his own.
 At that juncture Narcissa appeared on the scene. introduced into the world Of London by her brother. She recog- nized him at once, pue the squire did
  his aunt's former Sootman, and he was delighted to be admitted to Random's society
 Roderick Random immediately aban- doned his pursuit of the heiress, and realized all at once and in full measure the shame to which he had fallen. Quite losing his wits from love, he Transported with delight by finding that hIa 1oVa was ratnrned
 Now, however, he met a rival who was not to be beaten of the field easily. This was Lord Quiverwit. who warned Narcissas brother that Random was a beggar and a fortune hunter Tho squire at once carried Narcissa away into the country. giving no opportunity to her to see Random again; and 1t was by stratagem only that she sue ceeded in sending a letter to him. promising she would marry none but him.
 Roderick Random at once sought Lord Quiverwlt and forced a quarrel on him. They met with swords and at the first exchange. the lord lunged SO skillfully that Random. feeling the blade cut through his side and seeing the point come out beyond his shoulder, imagined he had been run through.
 Furiously he shortened his own sword. closed and ran his adversary through the shoulder. Disappointed at missing his heart, he closed stiil more. withdrew his sword and struck him desperately in the face. disfiguring if hideously.
 Letting the wounded man sink to the ground. he stepped back and was as- tonished to find that instead of having been transfixed he had suffered noth- ing worse than an impalement of his shirt, the sword having cut merely through the flesh of his side.
 The impassIoned lover now saw no way to gain Narcissa except by gaining fortune. and no way to gain a for tune except by gambling. He tried the method with such success that soon there was not a guinea left. Strap burst into tears and cried: "What win become of you? I can earn a comfort able subsistence anywhere as a bar Der, but yau cannot stoopl"
 Straps anxious question about his masters future was answered next day