The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-05-13

In locating the Gregory cafe. It's up
per story had partitioned of compart
ments. Number 27 contained an indi
vidual. coarse-faced. evil-eyed. who sal
leisurely smoking a cigar.
Are you Dayanal? demanded
Leith. facing him.
That's me- nodded the other inso
lently.
Leith passed beyond the drapery OF
the doorway and sat down at little
table opposite the gamester.
Il came in behaif OF your victim
young Harry Merriam" he spoke
sternly. He is out of the Nity and
appear in his stead. You demand q
thousand dollars from him."
Honestly owed. yes"
You made a provision" went on
Leith steadily, that he can have his
revenge. Does that hold?"
The gamester studied his visitor
keenly. Then he replied:
"Rightolp
Il know but one game of cards, y
pIoceeueu Leitn.
And what Ia that?'
Whist. will stake one thousand
dollars cash against those l. O. US.
game ten points"
p The gambler smiled. TO his point
OF view this clear-eyed, respectable.
appearing Leith seemed easy prey. He
was, too, nettled at the manifest con.
tempt eyin@d by Leith and longed to
give him a trimming.
And If you lose?" questioned Dave
nal coolly.
Then give you a check for another
thousand dollars and redeem the /.
o. US"
"Done!" and the fellow produced q
pack OF cards and began shuf1ing
them.
| A strange expression came into the
eyes of Gordon Leith. He drew his
coat closer to conceal a dangling or.
nament attached to his watch chain,
as II that might betray vital secret.
It was prize given to the champion
ofa leading whist club in his college
days. He had not touched q card for
two years. but in the old days!-a
memory OF his conquests gave him
nerve and confidence.
Only the click-swish of the bits OF
pasteboard. the quick breathing OF the
gamester as, two points scored for
himself and nine for his opponent, he
threw down his hand, confessing de-
feat, and passed over the /. o. US.
I. Silently Leith walked from Number
27. From beyond the drapery of Mum
Der 2S stepped--Mr- Merriam!
"Deceiverl Gamesterl Hypocrite!"
he voiced, his eyes flaming, his scorn
withering. Il have traced you to your
haunts! You are unmasked-
Vera shall know!"
Gordon Leith paled, Startled, he un-
consciously dropped the bundle OF /.
0. us from his hand. With bowed
head he passed from the place. Mr..
Merriam picked up the papers. One
glance and he staggered back, over.
come. The facts were revealed-he
read the name OF his son and knew
the truth. t
What's the row, governor?' chirped
the gamester, appearing on the scene.
Il have wronged a true and noble
man." uttered Mr.. Merriam. Tell me
all Of this affair and / win reward
you"
The gamester glibly, coarsely stated
The facts as he understood them. Mr..
Merriam guessed the vast sacrifice
hat Leith had made. even in the face
Of being disgraced accepting mutely
the onus of degradation not his por-
ton.
Vera Merriam-within four days
Mrs. Gordon Leith-never knew of the
episode. Harry Merriam knew of it,
for his father charged him with his
misdemeanors when he returned to
the city.
But Harry Merriam was changed
nan, and a realization of the brave
loyalty of a true friend strengthened
his determination to forever evade the
pitfalls that had nearly engulfed him.
FROM BABYL0NIAN WISE MEN