The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-10-30
A
Wild Night
By ESTHER WALDORF
MESSENGER
(copyrIxht, 1919. by the Western News
paper Union.)

II Victor Lind had glanced twice at
Miss Airline Drury, ha might have dis
covered interest, and possibly some
thing deeper in the face Of the only
daughter and heiress of his employer,
Robert Drury. The very fact that she
was such, however, seemed to place
an insurmountable barrier between
them. he was therefore contented
with mere casual look at face rath-
er intellectual than lovely, although
the eyes were deep wells Of express
sion likely to attract the seeker after
real heart worth and fidelity.
Victor held only fairly paid posi-
ton in the establishment Of Drury &
Co., but he stayed on, making up for
the boredom of routine days by spend
ing leisurely evenings as enjoyably as
possible.
Miss Airline Drury had visited the
plant occasionally. It happened af-
ter Victor's first sight Of her that she
came more frequently. She had pass
ed his desk several times and bestow-
ed upon him the slight nod she award
ed all whom she selected as knowing
by sight. he was passing down a
narrow roadway between two build
ings of the plant one day, when
dashing into its other end came
team Of horses attached to wagon
loaded with iron. At glance Victor
recognized a runaway and fifty feet
ahead his vision took in girlish form
shrinking to the brick wall. Victor
realized her danger. he swiftly dash
ed toward her, snatched at her sway
ing form, backed into a niche where
there was a door, burst it in with a
powerful lunge Of his stout shoulders,
and held her shivering and overcome.
For just moment the grateful, express
sive eyes of the girl held his own in
thrall. Then he recognized her as the
daughter of his employer.
1--WE can pass through the store
room to the office, if you please" he
said. Airline Drury, pale and trem-
bling, bowed an assent and he left
her as they entered the office building.
The next day Victor was sent for by
Mr.. Drury. The latter did not relax
from his habitual cold dignity, but in
a business-like tone announced to Vic
tor his promotion to a higher position.
As Victor went back to his desk young
Ernest Drury followed him. He was
q mere lad, but there was deep sin
cerity in his bearing as he grasped
Victor's hand.
my sister told me to convey her
deep gratitude to you for saving her
life," he said, "and she-she asked
me to tell you she will not forget"
There was thrill in the boys tones,
but the momsntary impress Of emotion
passed from Victor's mind. He and
some boon companions had arranged
for a meeting and late, hours that
evening and his thoughts were cen
tered on that. 1t was wild night,
for some registering members Of the
coterie INDUCED freely in strong
drink, an adjournment was made to
place where gambling was going on
and Victor found himself in his room
the next morning with no recollection
Of how he had arrived there.
He was mortified, then shamed and
repentant, and then, as his memory
cleared. startled and appalled,. With
the vividness Of lightning fash there
required to him the events of the pre-
vious evening. He had fallen into the
hands of a group Of card sharks and
had been induced to risk the money
he had, and then he had indorsed
draft given to him for collection and
had signed the name Of his employer
to a check for a large amount. He
recalled the man who had lured him
into this net of peril and guilt. His
name was Jackson, and, realizing that
he was in terrible position, his rep
utation gone, his future blasted, Vic
tor hurried on his clothes to seek
Jackson. There was a knock at the
door Of his room. Serious faced, Err
nest Drury entered.
'sMr. Lind" he said, 'here are some
papers you had better destroy and for
get. I have no explanation to make.
I come as emissary Of another, whom
am not free to name, and who ex-
presses the hope that you will never
again yield to the influence Of those
who last night nearly led to your
ruin"
Then the visitor was gone Victor
stood staring in startled bewilderment
at the draft and check he had given
Jackson. Then \conception Of his
narrow escape from ruin overcame
him. he sank to his knees beside
his bed and arose penitent and CRATE
full man, resolved never again to skirt
the delusive path Of guilty pleasure.
After that. young Drury seemed to
put himself out of the way to act
, friendly and helpful toward Victor, but
never would he discuss the matter of
the forged documents. AS if quite in
cidentally he invited Victor to the