Year: 1869

"'Oh angel OF light, and you bright
cherlbs who have pity for fallen man
save me, save me


Mr. Willard, exclaimed the stranger,
will you listen for moment, calmly p


Yes replied, go on.


"He motioned Laura from the room. and
then continued,


What will you do to regain all you have
lost? To be able to call your wife your own
your furniture your own, and to repay the
money taken from your employer


"'You are mocking me 7 answered.


"'No, L am not What will you do?


Give up my life-become your slave
anything


"There,' he cried, throwing a package
upon the table beside me, there you win
find instructions for the future. Do not let
your wife know anything..about our arrange
ments. She is yet ignorant of your acts.
Without another word he left the house


II seized the package and tore it open,
when to my almost agonizing joy, / beheld
the money l had lost, together with the
jewels and the order for my furniture. Tears
started to my eyes, but dashing them away
read the following words:


"You will find the sum of eight thousand
dollars in this package, the entire amount
won from you. Place it at once to the ac
count of your employer, and then you will
escape the detection This sum loan YOU.
Your valuables l return. The document
which makes Laura mine | shall retain for
the present. Follow my instructions, and
she will be yours again. At the end of each
year you must deliver one thousand dollars
to a messenger who will call upon you. 1t
will reach me. This you will be able to do
as the amount is but one half your salary.
The remainder will be suffi cient for your
support At the end of eight years the en-
tire sum will have been repaid, at which
time will return the document pledging
your wife, and all shall be cancelled But.
if during this time, you enter a gamblers
den, the compact is broken-I shall claim
my property! Should you eyer feel a desire
to do SO, go home frst--look at your wife


Your FRIEND


Il could not speak, but from my inmost
soul L lifted up my prayer for help-a pray
er of thankfulness. When partially recover
ed called upon the name of Laura, and
that bright angel came bounding to my
arms. Obi with what frantic rapture did
clasp her to my breast, mingling my tears
of joy with hers. That night my dream was
sweet-angels were watching over us.


I" But few words more are necessary. My
accounts were found to be correct. At the
end of each year was met at my own door
by messenger, who received for my un-
known benefacter the sum agreed upon
But one more instaIlment and l would be
free


One morning to my surprise. the same
dark stranger entered my place of business.
l had not seen him during the eight years
past, but remembering his kindness, sprang
forward grasping his hand.


Il have called for the last installment, he
exclaimed. handed him the sum, and re-
ceived from his hands the fatal document.
My wite-My Laura was indeed my own a.
gain You are firm he asked inquiringly. |
have only had occasion to look upon |
my wife once, and that one look has contin-
ued eight years, for when my eyes see her
not my eyes discern her loveliness =


'There was smile of peculiar meaning
passed over the features of the stranger. In
an instant his entire person had changed in
appearance. A disguise was thrown aside.
and my employer stood before me l was a.
bout to speak, when he exclaimed


Explanations are unnecessary I could
not see you fall young man, and I followed
you. As stranger ruined you; as a stran-
ger saved you ; as your employer 1 have
forgiven you. And more. won my own
money, therefore am not the loser. Here
are eight thousand dollars, the savings of
eight years-let this form the basis of your
future fortune


This is my story, Edward. Now remem-
Der, both you and have made the Gam
oler's Last Pledgel"


Trrr ro,.lr oe Co.,aIas tho |