pon
the prostrate body of a man, whose deep, breathing showed that he was
stupefied by liquor. Leonard was not likely to feel any special interest
in him, but one object did attract his attention. It was a wallet which
had dropped out of the man's pocket and was lying on the grass beside
him.

CHAPTER XVIII.

LEONARD'S TEMPTATION.

Leonard was not a thief, but the sight of the wallet tempted him, under
the circumstances. He had set his heart on buying a ticket in the gift
enterprise, and knew of no way of obtaining the requisite sum--except
this. It was, indeed, a little shock to him to think of appropriating
money not his own; yet who would know it? The owner of the wallet was
drunk, and would be quite unconscious of his loss. Besides, if he didn't
take the wallet, some one else probably would, and appropriate the
entire contents. It was an insidious suggestion, and Leonard somehow
persuaded himself that since the money was sure to be taken, he might as
well have the benefit of it as anyone else.

So, after turning over the matter in his mind rapidly, he stooped down
and picked up the wallet.

The man did not move.

Emboldened by his insensibility, Leonard cautiously opened the
pocketbook, and his eyes glistened when he saw tucked away in one side,
quite a thick roll of bills.

"He won't miss one bill," thought Leonard. "Anyone else might take the
whole wallet, but I wouldn't do that. I wonder how much money there is
in the roll."

He darted another glance at the prostrate form, but there seemed no
danger of interruption. He took the roll in his hand, therefore, and a
hasty scrutiny showed him that the bills ran from ones to tens. There
must have been nearly a hundred dollars in all.

"Suppose I take a five," thought Leonard, whose cupidity increased with
the sight of the money. "He won't miss it, and it will be better in my
hands than if spent for whiskey."

How specious are the arguments of those who seek an excuse for a wrong
act that will put money in the purse!

"Yes, I think I may venture to take a five, and, as I might not be able
to change it right away, I will take a one to send for a ticket. Then I
will put the wallet back in the man's pocket."

So far, all went smoothly, and Leonard was proceeding to carry out his
intention when, taking a precautionary look at the man on the ground, he
was dumfounded by seeing his eyes wide open and fixed upon him.

Leonard flushed painfully, like a c