Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1909 — HIS CONFIDENCE CAME LATER [ARTICLE]

HIS CONFIDENCE CAME LATER

Rear Admiral Ralph Donahue, U. S. N., retired, sixty-three years old, martinet, bachelor, woman! hater and various other titles, sat at his breakfast in the Army and Navy dub. He was thinking of a large sum Of money he had won the night before of young Lester Sheldon and that he would yse it to run across the “big pond’’ and see Paris in June. As he was rinsing his fingers in a cut glass bowl preparatory to leaving the table, a waiter stepped up to him and announced that a lady wished to see him in the reception room. “A lady! To see me! In the reception room! Great Scott! Isn’t a man safe even In his club?” “It isn’t usual, sir, but it’s an hour when few members are present, and she begged so hard that the steward told the doorkeeper to admit her.” The admiral had just enough curiosity to go to the reception room and learn the reason for the call. He found a very pretty young woman in widow’s cap, whose eyes were dimmed with tears. “Oh, admiral,” she gasped, “tell me, have you parted with the notes?” “What notes?” “That you won from my brother last night.” "Your ; ~i V—“Yes; brother —Lester Sheldon.” ‘What’s that to you, madam?” “Oh, admiral, I’ve heard of your honorable nature and kind heart.” “Bosh! Speak out.’’ “My brother is in great distress. I have just prevented him taking his life. He is cashier at his place of business. Lately he has been gambling. The notes you won he took from his cash at the office. After leaving you he bad one note left mid this morning noticed that it was marked.”

"For heaven’s sake, this la a pretty mess for me to be mixed up in!’* “Oh, It’s all right if you sUll have the notes.” "I have them.’’ “How fortunate!” And a relieved smile came over the sad face like a flood of sunlight from behind a cloud. “I will take them and give you my check for them.’’ “But my dear lady, I didn’t win the money from you. I can’t take your check. But I will give you the notes.” “Now, don’t spoil everything. I can only handle Lester by assuring him that the notes have been taken Up with my check and only you and I and he know of the transaction. It’s nothing to me I assure you. I have an income of $20,000 a year. I’ve helped Lester out of many a scrape. I only hope I’ll live to keep something dreadful from happening to him.” Meanwhile she had gone to a table covered with writing materials, filled a blank check she took from her cardcase and at the last words handed it to the admiral. "But, my dear madam, consider my position. I. an, admiral in the United States navy, to take money from a woman! Suppose it should get out!" “My dear admiral, how is it to get out? Will Lester tell? Will I tell? Only you remain.’’ “And you think it best for me to—” “Of course. Now, do let me have the bills. Lester is suspected and may have to turn over his accounts as soon as he appears at the office. He is waiting for me. Do let me go!” This, was too much for the admiral. He took the notes from his pocketbook and handed them to the lady. She dropped the check into the same receptacle, “Well, now,” remarked the admiral to himself, “if I could find a woman like that I wouldn’t be a woman hater. To think what she's doing for that scape-grace brother! Most women absorb money instead of spending it in that way.” He was in no hurry to deposit the check. Indeed, he was thinking of a bit of self sacrifice he might make that possibly would effect a romance in his old age—a romance that would free him from depending on a club for a home.

The same evening he was sitting in his club looking over a paper when who should saunter in but Lester Sheldon. “Hello, admiral,” he said cheerfully. “I’m going for you tonight. I’ll take all you won from me ’last night and more too.” The admiral looked at him, astonished. "What’s the matter?" asked Sheldon, not understanding the surprise. •‘Don’t you want to give me my re venge?” “What’s the matter? Didn't your sister thjs morning take up the notes I won from you with her check.” “My Bister!” “Yes, your sister." “I haven’t any sister.” The admiral glared for a moment, then made a dive for hlB pocketbook, took out the check, unfolded It and handed It to Sheldon. “Admiral,’’ said the latter, “you've been bunkoed.” "Bunkoed! I bunkoed by a woman! I never trusted a woman in my life. —that is, before." “You mean you never trusted a good one. Your only aeae of oonAdence was In a bad one.” Sheldon had talked in his cups of his loss in a promiscuous crowd.— Sullivan King.