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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (May 14, 1914)
WIWHW illHHIHHIUMIIIIMBUHi iiiWmaamrtilt,ttMKuwi ymmnmt JnaraMftitimitfmK,HB rr"-y- t-r "rr., V 'mM 'f'W i'W.'liHW1WiHfiWWrwww IfiKiPWIHiliMlJJ Jli.lllHiil ! U Wf".yfJPnwpfcyiiWIW SUftiSiiiWi W A RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF 14 I 1?. i Li kK The Lapse of Enoch Wentworth Into a fairly decent career there cornea occasionally a moral lealon. Temptation cornea, and the man, heretofore honorable and honest, falla aa though hla backbone were of gristle. CHAPTER I. The Bond. Of courao tho garao ended with a consolation pot Morry and Wont worth, each with hla last chip in tho middle of the tablo, callod for a show lown. All but Singleton dropped out, sad ho, tho big wlnnor of tho evening, took tho pot. Wentworth and Merry ware broke. Tho gamo had boon played In Went, worth's library. Boforo Its closa tho fray light of tho morning begun 'to ' iteal past tho curtains and tho glow f each eloctrlc lamp took on a. murky bazo. Enoch Wentworth, acting as banker, cashed in tho chips of the winners. Three of tho men put on tholr hata. Bald "Good morning," and wont out. Androw Morry Hat bcsldo tho balze-covored tablo with its Ilttor f chips, pulling slowly at a cigar nud itnrlng into vacancy. "Do you mind if 1 open this win low T" asked Wentworth. "Thoro's a :hill In tho air outdoors that will feel food. I've swallowed so much smoko my throat fools raw." "Open every window in tho room if rou llko, old man. I'm going home." "Hold on a minute," cried Went worth unexpectedly. "I'll go you Just 300 moro hand. Let's play ono big take and then swear off forover." "1 tell you, Enoch, I haven't a cent, lioavon knows how I can tldo over these months until tho season opens, it's a good thing I'm not a married man." Merry laughed mirthlessly. "Ono last hand!" pleaded Went worth. "What do you want to play for?" Merry turned up a coat sluove and itared at his cuff buttons thoughtfully. "I have nothing left but these. 1 don't think I'll put them up." "We've thrown away enough money and collateral tonight," Wentworth ro piled. "Let's raako this stake some thing unique sentlmontal, not finan cial. Why not make It your future against mlno?" "That's a great Btako! Sha'n't I throw in my past!" "No, let each of ue play for tho other's future It Is a more fancy of mine, but It appeals to me." "Are you serious? What In God's name would you do with my future if you won it what Bbould I "do with yours?" "1 tell you. it's a more fancy of mine." "All right. Carry out your fancy, It It amuses you. I ought to be willing to stake my life against yours on any band, If you say so." "Do you moan that?" "Yes, if you want to call mo." Andrew Merry smiled and blew a flurry of smoko rings Into the marble face of the Shakespoaro, while ho watched Wentworth's pen hurry across a aheot of paper. The newspaper man ' handed it to him with tho Ink still wot. "There," he said, "we'll play for" that document, the winner's namo to be written at tho top. the loser to write his name at tho bottom." Andrew Merry read It aloud: To I hereby pledge myself until death to do your every bidding to obey your every demand to the extent of my physical and mental ability you xa furnish me with support too tonso to wonder why Enoch awaited his declaration. "Ten hero. My Oodl aro thoy all alike?" "Sovon next" "And mlno's a sovenl" s Both men paused, each with his oyew on tho other's dard. "And a four," crlod Wentworth Irritably. Ho paused his hand across his forehead; It was moist and cold. "You win." When Merry tossed down his hand a tray turned 6ver It was tho samo tray which gavo Went worth the deal. Wentworth had drawn to on aco and ten. Morry held up a king. Tho younger man lifted a pen, dipped It In tho Ink, and scrawled Enoch Wont worth across tho slip of paper. At tho bottom ho wroto with gravo delib eration, Andrew Merry, and handed tho paper to Wentworth. Tho news paper man stared at it for a moment, then dropped it on tho table,lald his cheek on tho palm of his hand, and, looking straight In tho faco of the actor, asked i "Morry, do you realize what this means?" "Not yet, perhaps; still I wish you more luck of my life than l'vo- had. By ISABEL GORDON CURTIS Author of "The Woman From vertons," "The Congress Woman," Etc. Wol. (CopvrlKlit, 1913. by K, d. Brown.) WBHsflDnilM JJPil" "Will that hold good in law?" "Just bo long as the loser la a man of honor no longer. Are you going to weaken?" "I'll be damned It I am. I'll put this bit of paper in my ecrapbook." "The man who wins, keeps that bit of paper," Wentworth answered with a whimsical smile. He tossed the unsigned bond Into tho center of tho table and shuffled the cards with grave deliberation. Merry lit a fresh cigar and puffod It meditatively. Upon each listless brain began to dawn tho realization that this was a stake of greater import than the rolls of bills which had grown lighter and lighter till the last greenback vanished. "Who'll deal?" asked Wentworth. "We'll cut." Merry spoke quietly. "Low deals, aco low." Enoch Wentworth cut a tray, Merry a seven spot. Wentworth shuffled the cards again and held them out to his opponent "Does one band decldo it?" "Yes, one hand. Each man to dht sard, draw, and show down." Wentworth dealt with noticeable deliberation. They -picked up their hands. "Qlve me four cards," said Merry. "I'll take three." Wentworth's face was aa solemn aa his voice. For a moment each man sat staring at hie hand. Then Merry spoke. "There's no use In showing down," he said. "I haven't even one little pair." "Hold on." expostulated Wentworth, scarcely concealing the relief which hla friend's, admission gave him. "I'm only ace high. Does that beat you?" Merry's faco also told its story of roactlon. "Same here," ho said.-laylng the card on tho table face up, "and a felly king to follow It." King for me, too." Wentworth's faco flushed and his voice grow Impa tient "What's your next card?" "A ton." Morry replied tranquilly, "Let's Keep This Transaction to Our selves." Now, since I'm to look to you for sup port, could you scare up a nickel? I've got to rldo homo, you k iw." Before Wentworth could reply, tho curtains parted, and a girl's figure showed Itself for a brief moment "I beg your pardon, Enoch, I thought you were alono," she said, and the fig ure vanished as suddenly ns it had ap peared. "Who's that?" Morry demanded. Wentworth's only answer was to pull out the lining of his pockets. From one ho produced a quartor and hunded It to tho nctor. Merry pocketed It without further questioning, and pulled on hie gloves. "Good night," ho said, "or good morning, whichever you choose." - "Say, old man." Wentworth held tho door for a moment halt closed while he spoko. "Say, If you don't mind, let's keep this transaction to ourselves." "I'm willing." Merry paused to strike a .light for his last cigar, then he laid his hands solemnly across his breast. "Cross my heart," he added In a Bopulchral tone. Wentworth started at the sound of an opening door. A girl entered. "For heaven's sake, Dorryl What are you doing up at this unearthly hour?" "Tvo had my Bleep, you haven't," she answered with a laugh. "Dorcas, elt down," said her brother. "Do you see that fellow on the bench under a tree?" The girl leaned a hand on Went worth's Bhoulder whllo' sho turned her eyes In the direction his flngor pointed. "Yob! What's tho matter with him? Ib ho anybody you know? Is ho In trouble?" "He's an old friend of mine. It's Andre- Merry, the comodtan." Wentworth sat for a moment gazing Into hla sister's bbautiful face. Sho was a child In spite of her elghtoon years. He folt llko an ancient, sin battered, soiled, city-worn hulk of humanity as ho returned the straight forward gazo of her gray eyes. "Toll me about him, Enoch." "I ran across him when I was doing dramatics on the Pittsburgh Union. He was a genial lad, but there wasn't much for him to tell an Intervlower. Ho had been born and raised in a western town and then apprenticed to a country bank. He hated figures and loved the stage. Hq. stuck to the ledgers for a while because he was all his mother had. I guess she worshiped him." "How did ho happen to go on the stage?" "Came on to Now York, as they all do sooner or later, and began with a turn in a vaudeville house. He hod reached a salary of fifty a weok. He was perfectly happy except for one thing he couldn't get the mother's loneliness out of hie mind. They wrote to each other every day." "I think I should like him," sug gested Dorcas. "I gavo Merry all the space next morning Instead of the dancer, and ha wroto me a grateful letter. I didn't j see him when I camo to Now York. I found his name In the cast ot a light opera company on Broadway. Ho was pretty far down tho list, but boforo the thing had run two weeks he was moved up to second place. His work was un usual. He's tho funniest Merry An drow I over saw, yet once In a whllo there's a touch of whimsical, tearful pathos In his antics that makes a man wink." "Take mo to see him," cried the girl eagerly. "We'll go tomorrow. It'e his cloolng night In 'The King at Large.' He's a bigger favorite than soveral of the big stars, yet It's the queerest thing In all these years he's never taken the step that would bring him to the top." "Why?" "Tho Lord knows. One manager died, another went under. It's the un certainty of stngo life." "And his mother?" aeked Tiorcaa. "She died suddenly last season. A fool ushor gavo Merry tho telegram in tho middle of u performance, when he wont off tho stage. He dropped as It he'd been shot. Thoy rang down the curtain until tho understudy could get into his togs. Ho didn't act for two months. I thought ho would nover brace up. 1 had him here halt tho win ter trying to cheer him. He gavo mo the duinjiB." "Poor follow," cried Dorcae. "I roused him through his pride'. Ho hadn't a cent to his name, so I Hhamed him into going back to work. He earns lots of money, but It gets nwny from him." Wentworth's gaze turned to the lit ter of chips on the table. His sister's oyeB followed. "Is It that?" sho asked. "Partly." Tho girl roBo to hor feet She put her hands on her brother's shoulders and gazed down Into his faco. "Enoch," sho said hesitatingly, "I wish you wouldn't You could help your friend It you would turn over a new loaf yourself." "Wo both eworo off tonight for good and all, little girl." Wentworth took her hands between his own and looked into her eyes with a resolute look. "I want you to help both ot us Merry and mo. The evil of tho world was never whispered inside convent walls. You've loft a quiet, simple life for a very different world. There's more mission work waiting you right here than it you had taken the veil." "Enoch," the girl's face was grave and earnest, "Enoch, nothing would ever make me take the veil. I havo only ono ambition I wont to go on the stage." "Good Lord!" cried Wentworth, "I never dreamed ot such a future for you. "You don't know stage life as I do," he continued seriously. "There art. women and men for that matter who go into the profession clean skinned, clean souled. They spend their lives in It and come out clean; but there aro experiences they never forget." "Is lire as bad as that?" the girl asked simply. "Life Is as bad," her brother answered slowly, "aud yet I would as willingly see you go on thostage as Into society I mean fashionable society, as I know it here In Now York. A newspaper man sees tho under side of life." ' "It would not hurt mo." The girl tossed back a heavy braid of hair which fell over her Bhoulder, and knelt at Wentworth's knee. "I have you always to turn to, big brother," she whispered. She laid her cheek fondly against his hand. "Don't you remember that used to be the only name I had for you? You were so big, so strong, so wise and so old. I used to sit on the gatepost, waiting for you to come home. Don't you remember our Saturday tramps, bow we used to play 'I spy' In the orchard, and went blrd'eneatlng, picnicking and Ashing, or playing Indian camp on the Island?" Enoch clasped her hands tightly. "I remember, llttlo Dorry. They were tho happiest days In my life." "Let ub get out ot the city," cried the girl. Their eyes turned to the sun lit square below. Tho morning rush ot Now York life had begun, with Ub clang, of bolU and thunder of vehicles. "Dorcas, I'm "off to bed. I haven't shut an eye for 24 hours." "Not that, but ho's In danger of kill ing his career. Ho's going up tho stnto to a little one-horso town to play lead ing roles In a ton, twenty, thirty stock company." "Why docs ho do that?" "I guess ho's broke. I can't tell until I see him. I'll be back tonight, or tomorrow nt tho latest. I'll wlro you what train. You'll meot mo, won't you?" "Of course," she promised, Next morning tho two men stood oq the platform of the emoker on a shore accommodation train, which sauntered from one small Btatlon to the next, skirting the water for miles. Andrew Morry tossed n half-smoked cigar Into a swamp beside tho track where tho thin, groen blades of cat tails were whipped by tho breeze. "( don't bellove I want to mix odors this morning." ho eald. "It is great ozone." Wentworth lifted his hat to let the wind cool his head. "There's tho little station now! I'll bet that speck of whlto Is Dorcas!" "How queer that I've nover met your sister," Merry suggested. "Is she grown up?" Wentworth laughed. "Almost," he admitted. "You did see her onco." Merry followed Wentworth as tho train stopped. In a half-dozed fashion ho shook hands with a tall young woman in a whlto linen gown'. Was this tho child long limbed, gawky and ehy ho had Imagined he might meet? Somewhero back In his mind lay an Impression that Enoch had referred to Ills sister as a young colt. Tho thought was so absurd that he smiled; any coltish awkwardness must have disappeared with short frocksl Merry stared at the girl with bewildered ad miration, wondering now why he had never felt tho mildest curiosity about Wentworth's Bister. He became con scious that he was making a mental analysis; she had black-fringed gray eyes; warmth and dancing blood glowed In her face, for she had the coloring ot a Jack rose; a mosB of auburn hair was colled in a loose knot at tho back of her head; sho wore no hat; a band of dull-bluo velvet was tied about her head and fell In a looeo bow over her ear, but strands of hair, which glowed like copper In tho sun shine, had escaped aud blew about her face; she had tho tender mouth of a child. In tho straightforward eyes was sweet womanliness, gentle deter mination, and a lack of feminine vanity which Merry had seldom seen In the face of a beautiful woman. Ho even forgot to drop her hand while he gazed Into her face, halt admiringly, half perplexedly.. "I've brought Mr. Merry down to stay with us till we go home," Went worth announced. "I'm delighted,' cried Dorcas cor dially. Next morning after breakfast Enoch and his sister rowed out to deop water with their flshlngoutflt. Merry still was In bed; 'ho was tired, he pleaded, and could not Immediately acquire the habit of early rising. "What do you think ot Androw?" asked Wentworth abruptly. He lifted his head after the task of baiting a hook and looked Into his sister's face. "I think he ought to be waked up." "To join our fishing trip?" "I mean waked In his ambitions. He seems to me like a man who has no goal In sight He needs something to dropped b.or lino ngaln Into deep water and waited for her brother's predic tion to come true. Merry had breakfasted before their return. He sat upon the vine-grown pluzza, gazing at the sparkle ot the ocean, when tho two agllo figures stepped across his vision. "Well, Sir Lazy, so you're up!" cried the girl. "You should have been with ue to find an appetite. Seo our fish! Here's a dinner for you!" "I'm going to turn over a new leaf," said Merry. His eyes wero fixed on the girl's glowing face, and for a nio-1 nient he shared her Intense enjoyment of lifo. "Will you turn It over tomorrow morning at sunrise?" she demanded. "Even so soon, most gracious lady." Ho swept her a stage bow, his soft hat trailing the ground as It It had been a cavalier's cap loaded with plumes. Matching hi graco, the girl turned to him, laughing, with the mock dignity of a queen. "I command that at early dawn, when the tide goes out ye hlo threo to yon flats and dig clams for our savory meal." "I shall obey, moBt royal highness," answered Merry solemnly. "I believe he Is waklrig up," thought Dorcas ns sho ran upstairs to dross for tho noon dinner. "If ho docs that, I'll believe ho has some backbone." When Dorcas and her brothor came down next mornlug for breakfast, Merry had disappeared. "I'm glad I'm not your victim," eald Wentworth, with u noto of sympathy In his voice. "Enoch," tho girl turned to him gravely, "I told you he needed waking up, and this Is a good start It won't hurt him a bit." "Poor Merry! What a sight!" They watched him come tramping over tho beach. He woro Farmer Hutchins' overalls rolled up to hlo knees and a flapping cow-breakfast hat. He carried a clam fork and occa sionally shifted n heavy basket of clams from ono arm to the other. It's ODD to see one woman rub away for dear life -working hard -wasting time while another takes it easy makes dirt fall away -more rapidly and " worklessly" with RUB-NO-MORE. RUB -NO -MORE WASHING POWDER Isasudless dirt re mover for clothes. It cleans your dishes, sinks, toilets ,snd ciesns ana sweetens your milk crocks. It kills germs. It does not need hot water. RUB-NO-MORE Csrbo Nsptha Soaa -All Grocers IPE9l IrrSl 'djrra RUBNOMORE Washing Powder Five Cents- The Rub-No-More Co., Ft.Wayne, Ind. SBSgrSjfijfl jA o CHAPTEFtll. The Measure of a Man. A week later Wentworth and bis sis ter left town tor a vacation. They had discovered an old-fashioned farm house on a quiet stretch of shore, and settled down contentedly to a simple, outdoor life. One morning a telegram broke their solitude. "I have halt an hour to catch a train to the city'," said Enoch, as he tumbled out of a hammock. "You may drive me to the depot If you wish, Dorcas." "You're not called back to that hot office," she cried wistfully, "after a vacation of only three days?" "It Isn't the paper, Dorcas; It's Morry. Get Into the buggy; I'll tell you about It on our way to the statloa. You may drive." He leanod back comfortably In the wide seat "You like driving, I don't." In a Half-Dazed Fashion Hands. He Shook "What's tho matter with Mr. again until two years later, I Merry?" Dorcas asked. "Is ho 111?" work for. He spoke last night of one ambition he has " "Sort of moonlight confidences?" queried her brother. "No not that He's determined to Jump straight Into a part that will wring the heart out of his listeners." "That's foolish. The public wants just so much versatility. You can't kill off a beloved comedian to resur rect a new emotional actor, no matter how good he may be. People won't stand for It" "He Isn't satisfied." The girl pulled up her line and tossed away a morsel ot nibbled bait, covering the hook with a fresh clam. "Some greedy fish had a square meal off year bait and never got the hook In his gullet. He'll come back for more, then get caught It's the same way with human beings." "Philosopher I" laughed Dorcas. She CHAPTER III. Casslopea's Chair. Dorcas Wentworth stopped on the crest of a cliff and looked down,. A fow feet below her, on a ledge like a wide shelf, Merry lay watching the waves as thoy broko against tho Jagged walls ot a narrow cove. "Day-dreaming, Mr. Merry?" cried the girl. He spraug to hjs feet. "Why, I never heard you. Do you wear velvet shoes? Lot me help you down." He began to climb the uneven steps. "The Idea of helping me down, after I have made my way alone over these chaamB!" She pointed to the wall be hind 'her. Then resting ono hand on his shoulder, ehe leaped past him lightly. "What a heavenly retreat!" "Yob," answered Merry, dreamily. "I found It several days ago. I've calico It Casslopea's Chair." "Who was Casslopoa?" "I've forgotten. Some satellite crea ture, I bellevo. Her name bos a rest ful sound, and this place Is restful and lonely." Tho girl laughed. "Were you day dreaming?" "I suppose bo. I was watching those waves. Most of them break without a splash; then once In a while, away out as far as your eye can reach, you see one roll up, gathering force from you can't Imagine where, and it comes on tempeatuousjy through a calm eea, to crash against the cliffs. Sometimes it throws Its spray up here." He pointed to a wet line on the rock Just below them. "Then again, one which prom ises to be a rlppe'r amounts to nothing when it breaks." "Yes It is fascinating," she-agreed. "Yesterday I spent an hour watching them. It makes me think of people." "What people?" he demanded, not understanding. "All sorts. People wno never do anything, who saunter through life and are the failures, and the few who live after their work Is done. "Merry," in her Intensity the girl addressed him as her brother did, "they mako mo think of you. You could make a towering big w,ave of your life.. You don't!" The man turned quickly and looked Into 'her eyes with, flushed face. .He did not speak. "I wish oh, I do wish" Dorcas' volco was like that of an ardent child. "I wish I could rouse you to make the best of yourself. There Is so much you could do!" "Do you really think so?" "No, I don't think It, I know It You aro two people; one is lazy and Indif ferent, with .Just ambition enough to do the work you have to do. You can't help doing it well you could not do It badly. Then there is the, other a man with vivid Imagination, feeling, emotion, and ability; out It ie ao hard to wake him up!" Merry Jumped to his feet and stared WESTERN CANADA NOW TVin nnnnrtunltv of aeeurinff freer homesteads of 169 acres each, and i the low nriced lands of Manitoba. ' Saskatchewan and Alberto, will - soon have passed. Canada offers a hearty welcome to the Settler, to the man with a family looking- for a home; to the farmers son, to tne remer.io an wno wish to live under better conditions. Canada's grain yield in 1913 is the talk of the world. Luxuriant Grasses give cheap fodder for large herds; cost of raising and fattening for market is a trifle. The sum realized for Beef, Butter, Milk and Cheese will pay fifty peej cent on the investment. Write for literature and partic ulars as to reduced railway rates to Superintendent of Immigration, Ottaws, I Canada, or to W.V. BENNETT Bee Building Omaha, Neb. Canadian QoTtmment Act. READY TO MEET THEM ALL Girl Had Idea That Introduction to Distinguished Englishman With Peculiar Name Was a Joke. Colonel Younghusband, hero of the British expedition to Lhossa, and the first whlto man who ever entered Thi bet's sacred city, la rather embarrased at times because of his unusual name. "Tho trouble Is," ho Bald tho othec day, "Ihat frivolous young people re fuse to tako your namo seriously. At that, I think I havo the advantafo over Lord Sandwich, whose name also seems to be a subject for Jest Whllo In Washington onco Lord Sandwich attended ajxceptlon at the British em bassy. I was Introduced to an American girt, who labored under tho delusion that the introduction was a Joke. Hut she was not to be taken fn. 'Lord Sandwich!' sho exclaimed, 'I'm delighted to meet you. I suppose Lord Spongecake or Lord Pe will be here next!'" When Confidence Returned. The young bride was erchanglng costume for a traveling suit "Inez," she asked ot the rather en vious housemaid who was assisting her, "did I appear at all nervous at any tlmo during the ceremony?" "JuHt a little at first," replied Inez, "but not after Gerald had said 'I do.' " Ladles' Home Journal. Tell a woman she has a beautiful nose, and ehe will get cross-eyed from constantly looking "at it. dowrimto the girl's face. you learn this about How did me? Has Enoch laid my soul bare to you?" "Enoch told me something ot your career, that was all. I know you bet ter than he does." (TO BE CONTINUED.) ' Only One. She (gazing at the view) What a magnificent scene! He (an auto fiend) You mean that limousine? Vast Continent of Asia. Asia, which Is the largest ot the con tinents, has an estimated area of 17, 057,666 square mites. Simplified Breakfasts Make for good days From a package of fresh, crisp Post Toasties fill a bowl and add cream or milk. Then, with some fruit, a cap of Instant Postum, and a poached egg or two if you like, you have a simple break fast that is wholesome and satisfying. 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