CHAPTER XVIII.
"Where lives the man that has not tried How mirth can into folly glide, And folly into sin!" -- Scott.
Ralph Conly was not a favorite with any of his Ion relatives, because they knew his principles were not altogether such as they could approve, nor indeed his practice either; yet they had no idea how bad a youth he was, else intimacy between him and Max would have been forbidden.
All unsuspected by the older people, he was exerting a very demoralizing influence over the younger boy.

Every afternoon they sought out some private spot and had a game of cards, and little by little Ralph had introduced gambling into the game, till now the stakes were high in proportion to the means of the players.
On this particular afternoon they had taken possession of a summer-house in a retired part of the grounds, and were deep in play.
Ralph at first let Max win, the stakes being small; then raising them higher, he won again and again, till he had stripped Max of all his pocket money and his watch.
Max felt himself ruined, and broke out in passionate exclamations of grief and despair, coupled with accusations of cheating, which were, indeed, well founded.
Ralph grew furious and swore horrible oaths, and Max answered with a repetition of his accusation, concluding with an oath, the first he had uttered since his father's serious talk with him on the exceeding sinfulness and black ingratitude of profanity.
All that had passed then, the passages of Scripture telling of the punishment of the swearer under the Levitical law, flashed back upon him as the words left his lips, and covering his face with his hands he groaned in anguish of spirit at thought of his fearful sin.
Then Mr.Dinsmore's voice, speaking in sternest accents, startled them both.

"Ralph, is this the kind of boy you are?
a gambler and profane swearer?
And you, too, Max?
Do you mean to break your poor father's heart and some day bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave?
Go at once to your room, sir.

And you, Ralph, return immediately to Roselands.

I cannot expose my grandchildren to the corrupting influence of such a character as yours." The mandate was obeyed promptly and in silence by both, Ralph not daring to gather up his plunder, or even his cards from the table where they lay.
Mr.Dinsmore took possession of both, and followed Max to the house.