The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-08-21

~ Oh Ills lace. III
his hand he bore heavy travelling
bag and, without noticing the porters
presence, he made his way across the
dusty street to the 'Parlor Saloon"
A heavy Mexican stirred in his sleep
on a bench by the doorway as he en-
tered, and the barkeep mopped the
flies and stale beer from the counter
Young Ellis walked to the sink, and.
setting his valise in the corner, turned
the faucet. No water came and he
walked indifferently to the front Of
the saloon. The young man. nervous,
from dissipation, stood absently fum-
bling his last silver dollar in his
pocket.
A sharp-eyed man, coatless, entered
from the rear, and, casting glance
at the welldressed stranger, stepped
behind one of the gaming tables. and
removing the faded cover began toy
ing with the stacks Of chips with
feigned aimlessness. Ellis knew he
would play his last dollar. He was
but waiting with gamblers instinct
for the propitious moment when he
found himself listening to group
about one of the drinking tables. A
heavy jowled Mexican sat stupidity
turning a large beer glass with
hand bearing a brass ring like
dog collar; next him sat a poor Mex
lean dandy with a repulsive smile;
a girl sat drinking at the table with
them, her back to Ellis.
He turned away. Chips" he said.
AS he did so. young girl passed the
window, and Ellis. startled, involun-
tarily followed her with eye.
So good, so pure. so noble face
he had not seen for years; and the
contrast with the surroundings of the
saloon impressed the young man with
deep sense of shame for his situa-
ton.
The croupier gathered in the chips
here and there and stacked the win
nings on the lucky number. The ball
was flying over the wheel like some
Gagged thing when the youth moved
the stack to thirty-five He won. He
played the black; he played the ends,
two for one His winnings grew at
every play. The loungers gathered
about, envious. silent, intent. Black
or red-it was the same, and the
stack of his winnings grew steadily.
do you wish to raise the price of
the game? You are lucky"
Ellis raised his eyes at the gam.
bler's voice and was about to make
reply when glancing through the open
window again, he saw the young girl.
"Pippa Passes." he said reverently.
Flows that" said the gambler.
Cash Them" said Ellis, showing
the chips across the table.
"Nanita," called. an angry voice.
Come on, give me the two dollars"
But she was pushing through the
crowd toward Ellis and the stack of
bright silver he WIS slowly pocketing.
She was at his elbow when he turned.
81 brought you luck" she said.
Come, let's have drink
With a feeling of deep disgust, he
was about to press coin into her
palm, when something in her appear
ance arrested him. With a heavy
hand he turned her face into his. and
she looked wildly into his eyes.
"You!" she gasped.
Trembling with agitation, he drew
her out through the door. The voice
of her Mexican lover, high in impreca-
ton f1oated after them, as, not know
ing how, her new friend supported
the shrinking girl to bench.
"Prudence! Prudence! Can it be
your
They sat in silence, the girl dry
eyed and rebellious.
Prudence" he said, when he was
able to speak, did you see that little
old-fashioned girl pass the Window"
Il hate her, l hate her!" cried the
fallen girl.
"She reminded me strangely of you,
Prudence, when we were children to-
gether, back there on the old Che
pang. Have you forgotten how hap
PLY you tripped about the quiet old
village; how demurely you sat in
church between your stern old uncle
and your kind aunt? Have you no
memory of the old scenes, the old
life, the old friends. They are longing
for you. Let me send you home"
The girl was weeping silently. That
night, as the train that sped eastward
was carrying back to the fold one who
had strayed afar of. and as on to the
south with new purposes in his heart
Staunch Ellis turned his face, little
maiden in the western junction town.
innocent a. 10 the wayside flower
Of the influence Of tn life, knelt BY