The Washington herald., 1912-02-18
"THE GAMBLERS" GS2G d2ES?!Ezaz S1szs7 q: q
= - - - = - Copyright "f$$sSS$P"""~
haries Kens Thrilling Play NOpelsed byJ W. McCOnaughy
Copyright 1910 by the New York Evening Journal
: Publishing Company

court in the future, Emerson hurried
out of the court called a taxicab, and
dashed home to tell his father and part
ners that they, at least, were safe But,
as was his custom, he began from the
beginning, instead OF relieving their
minds at once There was indescrib-
able CONSERVATION in the faces of three
OF the. four men and anguish in the
face OF the fourth when he announced
that Darwin had the notes and sworn
statement.
Sworn statement?" echoed Ray
mond. in a ghastly whisper.
by whom?" demanded Tooker, from
the edge Of his lip Cowper, unseen
by the others. made an entreating ges-
ture.
II Have Plan.n
1T win come out LATER said the
young man, coolly "In the meantime,
II possible, that statement must be
-denied-withdrawn Eh,
Cowper! What do you thinkT Can
il be done?"
"Yes-yes I'LL think sol Yesr
stammered the traitor
Have you thought Of a plan to-
to began Raymond in dry, I'M
Certam voice.
Il havel' was the prompt response.
Z oh, last nights experience was not en-
tirely wasted While awaiting my
turn TO appear before the magistrate
this morning, ! entered into a CONVEX
sation with little police court law
yer-a smart little fellow with a Rus
sian aceent-who wanted to defend me
for $40. put the whole case to him
aa hpn II
minutes that little man had solved the
whole question: he declared enthus-
iastically. Its so simple | wonder
didn't think of it myself"
Let's have it," said Tooker, tersely.
You four men," Emerson explained,
must apply for a warrant for my ar
rest. You must accuse me of making
misuse of your notes. You gave them
to me to raise money, and, unknown to
you, borrowed our own funds. In my
fathers case that is an absolute fact"
There was a silence of a few mo-
ments Then said Raymond in unmis-
taxable tones of relief:
That's all rightl''
'Yes-yes" nodded Cowper,
.nervously, Il think So"
Il don't quite see" objected Tooker,
shaking his head. 1T doesn't seem
right for US to accuse YOU"
why not!" demanded Raymond, an
grily.
Il draw the line at making an accu-
sation against you," declared Tooker,
firmly. And old Mr.. Emerson found
his voice at last.
refuse absolutelyP
The young man smiled a little.
Il expected opposition from you,
father, but"
'lf you are to be punished. let the
proper authorities do IT," interrupted
the old man..
Its not a question Of my punish
ment," explained his son, patiently but
of diverting the punishment from YOU.
And its the real inward truth--none of
you really knew exactly what you were
doing / was the only one that
That's trueP sputtered Raymond,
eagerly.
"Yes--yesP y came in a whisper from
Cowpers white lips.
u know--but il seems a horrible
thing to do" protested Tooker. DE
lberately to accuse you--onr own busi-
ness associatew
Il can't do itl' And old MIR. Emer-
son dropped into chair.
Nor r added Tooker, firmly
Il Played and Lost"
Good God What's the matter with
you all" ripped Emerson, angrily.
You agreed last night ! played the
game and lost Are you going to rob
me of the last chance to pay my debts |?
owe il to you'll owe Il to myself to
square this last account" he went on
more calmly. "You know my life has
been gamblel The feverish excite
ment of making money has warped
everything else in meP He paused a
moment and then went on in low
voice, as if half to himself:
My life has been a failure-this will
make it a success. ! don't want to pose
as a martyr or any stuff of that sort,
but led you into this mess, and it's
up to me to lead you out Gomez he
looked up and squared his shoulders.
Act like men, not childrenp