The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1913-09-25

N n empty church.
>R Out Of this som
bre atmosphere
~ :: e: =; 4: IT, f.; e. e e; !:
his hand he bore 4 heavy travelina
bag and. without noticing the portsra
presence. he made his way across the
dusty street to the "Parior Saloon
A heavy Mexican stirred In his sleeD
On bench By the doorway q hs en-
tered, aad the barkeep mopped the
dies and stale beer from the counter.
Young Elas walked to the sink, and.
setting his valise in the corner. turned
the faucet. No water came and he
walked indinerently 10 the front Of
the saloon. The young man. nervous,
from dissipation. stood absently fun.
bling his last silver dollar In hia
pocket.
A sharp eyed man. coatless. entered
from the rear. and. casting . glance
at the well-dressed 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 q gamblers instinct
for the propitious moment when he
found himself listening to . group
about one Of the drinking tableo. 4
heavy jowled Mexican sat stupidly
turning . large beer glass with Q
hand bearing q brass ring like q
dog collar: next him sat poor Mez.
lean dandy with q repulsive smile;
. girl sat drinking at the table with
them, her back to Ellis.
He turned away. Chips" he said,
laying his dollar on the roulette table.
As he did 30. young girl passed the
window. and Ellis. startled. involun.
tarily followed her with eye.
So good. so pure. 30 noble face
he had not seen for years; and the
contrast with the surroundings Of the
saloon impressed the young man with
q deep sense Of shame for his situa.
ton. - - -,4'
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-ave. 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|t was the same, and tho
stack Of his winnings grew steadily.
DO you wish to raise the price Of
the gamef You are lucky"
Ellis raised his eyes ct the sam.
bler's voice and was about to make
reply when, glancing through the open
window again, hs saw the young sirl.
"Pippa Passss," he sid reverently.
"How's that" said the gambler.
Cash thsm," said mills, shovins
he chips across the table.
"Nanita," called IN angry voioA
Come O.. Give me- TIE two dollars"
But she WAS psshins through the
crowd toward 1a1is and tn sack q
hight silver hs was siowiy Iosksting.
~ w. q his chow whsa - turnel.
4 bsoaSAE yoa luek.' ~ 81.
sooDe. legs have Q dsank"
VIM . feeling q desp diag1sk -
~ sbost . prsss . Soan into hae
Da1m. vhsa something h hse appeas.
49, asfeseed him. WIN Q Aasyy
hand hs ta1nsd her faee into his, ana
GAe looked wildly into his syes. :
"You!" she gasped. .
Trembling With agitation, hs drew
her out through the door. The voice
Of her Mexican lover, high in imprsca-
ton hoated after them. %, not know.
Ing how, her new friend supported
the shrinking girl to . bench.
Prudence! Prudence! Can II be
you1"
They sat In silence. the girl dry.
eyed and rebellious.
Prudence" he said. when he was
able to speak, did you see that little
girl pass the Window"
II hate her, 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
md your kind aunt? Have you no
memory Of the old scenes. the old
lie, the old friends. They are longing
or you. Let me send you home"
The girl was weeping silently. That
hight, % the train that sped eastward
Vas carrying back to the fold ono who
had strayed afar OF, and % OF 70 the
Iouth with new purposes in his heart
staunch Ellis turned his face. . little
maiden In the western function town.
innocent a. IL the wayside flower