The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-21

if she saw the book when she was herselfP"
 of coursel And, it is, she does not see them She won't find out until she gets her next statement from her banki Oh, it's wonderful from his point of view. You see@ she's just given him the cheeks. He say they were for pro- fessional services, and I don't what she answer to that He doesn't help her-naturally. No wonder she's free from pain most of tha timew
 Mary, the invalid set out to win the Doctors affection. In few days she and Doctor Hyoscine on terms that approached in- timacy, and he was frequent and welcome caller in her rooms-her supposed illness being excuse enough Mary, of course, studied him attentively. And she soon decided that the mans great weak ness was his love for gambling that it was upon this side that he might be most easily approached
 Frequently he was her escort in the Casino. Mary herself did not play.
 "Oh, I have no scruples against gamblingr she said. Its this public play that don't cara for. And-must I confess it? I have a vulgar fondness for poker, of all games! Of course I couldn't play that here Some time, though, per haps, we could have game in my room-and I'll show you that I'm good sport, as you men sayw
 Hyoscine smiled He thought he knew tho sort of poker woman would want to playl How ever, he would be willing to endure even petti- coat game for the sake of her company. He had walked pretty far into Marys trap this willy doctor who had proved too clever for Lefty Mo Lean herself
 Mary had seen that she must have help. And she was not surprised when, day after her
 
 bowed to her the terrace. She knew him Marty McMurtha, whose speciality was the i'm. personation of a young man of wealth
 "Ah-Mr. Winthrop, isn't it. it?" she said. "Doctor-you must meet Mr. Winthrop-John Hyde Winthrop, 3rd, of Boston. He and arc always meeting at places like thisF'
 "Oh, does, you know,' said Winthrop. Mice place this--healthy, too, eh, doctor?"
 Doctor Hyoscine scowled little. Winthrop did good deal to remove any faint and lingering doubts he had still cherished concerning Mary. The man was irreproachable; he was dressed in the latest fashion. Speech, manner, appearance, all proclaimed the of good family, the rari- fled, superior Bostonian. Moreover, it was quite plain that he in Mary most attractive woman, and that she was by means indifferent to nor displeased by his interest in her. Doctor Hyoscne saw riva1Eand naturally his own in- terest in Mary increased at once.
 That night Hyoscine, calling to Mary, was disgusted to find Winthrop with her. He wanted her to accompany him to the Casino and Mary knew, from Mona that he had cashed big check that day.
 "Oh, stay here, instead" she said. "Mr Winthrop will join in game of poker you can have your excitement here! Of course, the Doctor did not know that Marty was an old card sharp and confidence
 He hesitated; then he yielded. He didn't want to leave her with winthrop Mary sent for cards -clever1y she substituted doctored pack for the new one. There was no element of chance in the game that followed. Marty cast caution to the winds when he saw how excited the doctor And in less than hour Hyocine was stripped of all he had. Winthrop was the big winner, Mary few dollars only ahead. Win throp yawning, got up and excused himself.
 Hyocine angry, and for moment, sus- picious. But Mary was so quick with her sym pathy, and reproached herself with such apparent sincerity for her part in his loss, that he found himself unable to believe that he had anything than bad luck to regret.
 "Oh, what's the dfference!" he said inn pulsively q can get plenty where that came from! And then he turned toward her with sudden fierce jealousy. "You don't care for that dude from Boston, do you?" he cried
 Mary hesitated moment.
 "No,' she said, softly. n,a
 "Ah!" cried the doctor 'Then-wait until get the money Will you away with then? In the morning? We can be married on the
 "oh!" cried Mary "1-you're so quick-do you expect me to decide now? Come to me in tho morning-and will give you my answer" ~ And with that assurance he had to be con- tent. In the morning he to her. But not before Mona early as it was when he came.
 "He got another check from her '" said Mona. 'eThe biggest of al Here is the drug-some of his own supply Hurry, Mary-hel be here as he has had the check cashed'
 "Hide in my bedroom,' said Mary. "In be ready when he comes"
 She had only just time enough for the prepa- rations she had to make before he came. "Ive got the money !' he cried. eagerly. And now-I want my answer" 5sy Mary made a gesture of surrender, and the next moment he clasped her in his arms. But he started back at once, with sharp cry, looking at his finger On it there appeared tiny spot of blood. asasr8 yrf nfessz a ss
 II" cried Mary "Tm so sorry-see-this pin in my waist unfastened-it must have scratched you"
 He laughed. Smilingly he helped her to fasten the pin-and the curious ring she wore, nor knew that it contained hidden spring, and tiny needle that had forced into his veins injection of the very drug that was his chief reliance Caught in his trap it not long before the drug took effect upon him. stupor Av,I ,v> vv~s~1, much at Mary's mercy as Mrs. Mclean had been at his. She smiled triumphantly as she this.
 ''Give the money!' said Mary and he obeyed. And now-write what tell you"
 So it that when the effect of the dr-a wore off, he found himself alone in Mary's arcr>S ment. The girl was gone-and with her all her belongings, and every trace of her occupancy of was left-a note written. he saw, in his own hand. In it he assured Mary of his love and his repentance-and told her that he was giving her the ill-gotten money he had gathered by way of proof of his sincerity.
 "You were the victim of your own drugl" Mary had written ironically below his declara- tion.
 Raging, but hopeless, he sought for news of the girl, only to find that she had left Yellow Springs. There was nothing he could do. He had been deprived of the fruits of his own villainy. and by his own methods.