Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-04-05
american Sunday Monthly Magazine Section


nine We're not going to have the kitten
down sick" But, in his own room again,
he muttered between his set teeth, between
his white drawn lips, Crowd EN-? God,
how they're crowding me"
On the way back to the hotel with the
doctor he said abruptly, Look here, doctor,
I'm a sport-a professional gambler |
was pinched last night My wife comes of
a good family and she don't know about
my business, nor about my being pinched.
She's from a small town out West, and is
dead innocent and as good as the push with
the wings up yonder. And she's not to
know, do you underestimate
"Certainly," said the doctor coldly. Il
shall be discreet"
"I've got to go to court in an hour, con-
tinued the young man. But | gave an
other name when | was arrested; SO, II
get off, she needn't ever know"
The doctor looked at him with the dutitul
pity of respectable for pariah. My young
FRIEND" said he, do you know that all
common gamblers caught here now are sent
up for year?"
$50 I've heard" said Candless with every
appearance of tranquility.
"What hope have you that"
"None," replied Jack with shrug.
"How will it be possible to explain this
to your wife, when you don't return?'
"I'd be much obliged if you could answer
that question" retorted Jack.
"Have you said nothing to break the
shock-to pave the way-to-"
Nothing" cut in Jack. Nothing
What the hell could | say? When you see
her. you'll understand.
The young gamblers cool indifference If
ritated, exasperated the doctor, who was d
deeply religious man. "I'm amazed at
your heartlessness," he cried. Have you
thought what would happen when she
learns how you've treated herr"
"Yes, I've thought of it, said Candlcss
and now his tone and look made Doctor
Sedley suddenly revise his opinion. I'm
a gambler" he went on. But hell's bells
I'm human"
IL beg your PARDON stammered
Sedley; and he had to resist the impulse tc
slip his arm through Jacks. The impulse
was the easier to- resist because there was
something in the straightness of that 1.-THE
form, in the thrust of those strong features
that made the idea of trying to support
and help seem much like rushing to the
assistance of a tall tree rocking IN a
storm.
When they we're at the elevator, Candies
said, "Ill not go up with you. III hurry
along that nurse you telephoned for. I'd
be of no use up there. | want her to think
I'm not worried about her. Besides j
can't face her again.
"I'll take care of all that" said the doc
tor gently "Wait here in the office, and
I'll LOT Won know how she is "
But lack knew. Hers was the sort Of
fever that would pass in twenty-four hours
if her mind could be freed; but if her mind
were not relieved, or if there were any fresh
anxeties-" Still, she's young" he tried tc
reassure himself. "She'll pull through
Only Wouldn't she wish she had died:
Wouldn't death be better than staggering or
with such burden of shame?
In court, he stood at the bar, erect, white
calm, beside pasty quivering Mullins. The
amateur sports did not appear, and Their
bail was declared forfeited. Then the case
was heard; there was no defence, there
could be none. Mullins was sentenced
one year at hard labor. Candless faced
the Judge alone Bennett" said the judge
for that was the name he had given the po-
lice, "you are common gambler, they tel
me. give you one year"
Candless drew himself up still straighter
compressed his lips, eyed the judge without
tremor.
But" continued Judge Lyons, Doctor
Sedey informs me you have a sick youne
wife at the hotel here. In view of that fact
and of your not having been arrested before
shall commute your sentence
A wild light leaped into Candless's eyes