Anthony M. Rud

“ In the hall I had a view of the street from a window as I was donning my wraps. A taxi, similar to one in which I had driven out to the gambling club, stood at the curb. Charles was speaking to some one whose face I could not see, but from the size of the man my heart jumped violently. Then Charles gave him the snake cane, and glanced back at the house. ”

“ Each man who visited Elise must have represented a chance for the greatest loss in the world to the dear old lady. I mentally promised that if I came to the beginning of the long straight road with Elise, I should take pains to have her mother know she would be gaining a son instead of losing a daughter. ”

“ That evening at the club cost my employer a trifle over four thousand dollars. I played at every table and lost consistently I was beginning to lose interest in gambling, anyway, and dropping a few thousand was not as difficult as it had been the first time I attended. ”