Page:Hegan Rice--Mrs Wiggs of the cabbage patch.djvu/50

  go back on him? Dick has a big heart; he's trying to brace up—"

"Oh, nonsense!" cried Lucy, impatiently. The fire in her eyes had dried the tears. "He could straighten up if he wanted to. He likes to drink and gamble, so he does it, and you keep him in countenance by your friendship. Are you hesitating between us?" she demanded angrily.

Redding's face was clouded, and he spoke slowly: "You would n't ask this of me, Lucy, if you understood. Dick and I have been chums since we were boys. He came to Kentucky three months ago, sick and miserable. One day he came into the office and said, 'Bob, you 've pulled through all right; do you think it's too late for me to try?' What would you have said?"

"What you did, probably," answered Lucy; "but I would have profited by