The Republican journal., 1914-04-16
A Game of Chance.
Bv DR.. w. II. Winslow.

ast mart of the forest road, he ran the
auto into the bushes beside the way,
iumpad out and said, Let me help you
TO dismount, Miss Patterson; l wish to
show YOU a remarkable cave IN the sloe
of the mountain.
s..Thank YOU; do not care to see it:
| will be greatly obliged to you. sir, II
YOU would take me home Immediately.
It is getting late and dark and mother
will be alarmed at my absence, SAID she,
now beginning to be little frightened.
"'Oh, come on! Don't be foollsn;
there is nothing 10 harm you, You Will
find much of geological interest IN the
lodges said Hambright rather per-
suasively.
cidedly, trembling with anxiety ana
dread.
"I came this way especially to show
YOU one of Natures mysteries. You
would greatly appreciate 1t: :,
"sNot tonight, Mr.. Hambright. Will
see it some other time, replied she.
mo time is as good as the present.
It will only take few minutes; then
we shall have a pleasant ride home,
nersisted he, as he mounted the step,
rrasned her arm, and endeavored to pull
her from the auto.
"She resisted and screamed loudly.
The bushes parted and a swarthy Italian
rushed through them and sprang at
Hambright, brandishing shining sti!etto
above his head, as he shouted, .Whata
you do? Letta da Teddy go! Me kill you!
"'Get out of here and mind your own
businessY yelled Hambright, recovering
his nerve.
" No, senore; me 60 when you go and
Ill ho Italian and
turning to Mary, he said, He no hurta
you, Teddy; me help you: No.,
"Hambright started the power sulkily,
got in and steered the auto down the
road, and the Italian jumped upon the
step and held fast, watching him stealth
ily as they sped into the city. When the
houses and lights were around them,
Hambright said to Mary, am sorry
YOU were so obstinate. did not intend
! to harm you. l was little too anxious,
!, perhaps, to have you visit the cave.
hope YOU will not mention the adventure,
and will forgive me- 80,
ssMary did not reply. She was still
bepumbed by the experience. The auto
stopped near her home ard she sprang
: out unaided and Mastered within the
gate. The Italian followed quickly and
r said, Nov Teddy, me go.
!, Thank you very, very much. what
is your name?'
. "'Matteo Spinoza, Teddy; me live in
! country by the mountain, with my wife
:. and boy.
( Good; l will find you. God bless
4 YOU, Mr.. Spinoza. Good night.
@Good night. Teddy. He no hurts
!; YOU now replied the man, as he cast 9
look of defiance at Hambright and went
i, away.
"I hope you will not bear me any
malice, Miss Patterson, said Hambrlgh,
T suavelv. But she did not hear; she hur'
ried to the house and greeted her moth
er. who was worried and anxious. oh,
:. mother, forgive me for tarrying; l have
:, been down along the river road and an
: very tired. "
teaching school all day. Is that the
=. whole story, Mrs. Dyer?''
3 "Sure. Isn't it enough?"
"Quite enough, if that is all. 1t makes
me anxious TO take that fellow by the
throat. His assault is another black
mark for his vilianous record.
= "But you cannot take notice of IL with
" out exciting scandal and hurting Mary
We have often observed his sly atten
tons to her. You men are dull VIZ
T women nave WdlSllSi iitS ~ Ni's
Mary's annoyance all the year.
/ ''Indeed! | am surprised. | though
his attention was devoted entirely tt
l. stock lobbery. | am on his track anC
1t will follow closer, but | see | cannot
r punish this social breach as it deserves. .
r mo, you must not, Mr.. Wendell. Lei
o him speculate in stocks or souls, he is
d doomed to failure"
It ''Why are you so sure, Mrs. Dyer!''
: "Because all the women instinctively
a despise him"
u "Fine; l am glad to know it."
t "What the Dickens you two talking
d about so confdentially?" shouted Dyer,
o who had crept into the cave from the
e dark passage that he had explored to the
}, outer world.
d 'Speculating about our ultimate fate
: hubby" was the ready reply of Mrs
e Dyer.
!. and see what found in my wandering
s "Wild grapes! By Jove! But this is {
s asked Wendell.
''They are dry, but eatable. l foune
them nesting among MOSES and ferns
The world is not destroyed. The sur
has lost much of its intense heat, and it,
rays are no longer dangerous. The eartf
= is cooling off, and we shall be able to re
= turn tomorrow to the city," replied
Dyer.
e "Oh! am so glad you have returned
v l feared some accident had befaller
t you," said madam.
e "We nearly broke our legs climbing
a over the rocks and struggling through
Is the bushes around the exit. 1t is in the
T. side of the mountain, not far from 6
o travelled road," explained Dyer, as he
q offered his grapes to the ladies.
e The girls had swept the cave with E
It cedar broom; arranged the housekeeping
n utensils; found canned tongue, crackers
e coffee and sugar, and lighted the cave by
j. more candles. An odor of coffee from
j. the steaming coffee pot filled the air and,
seated around the swapping fire the