Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-02

He put bis face quite close to mine
as he said this, and his voice passed
from its former level tone to quick.
harsh. exulting caliber that thrilled
me with dismay. II was now almost
dark. too, and his eyes shone with a
cold. unnatural luster like the phos-
phorescent light which is thrown off
from fish In state Of putrefaction. II
was clear that must make some re-
ply: even while l hesitated he repeated
the question, and this time more i'm
patiently.
"WeIl, yes." / said at last. with
qOivering lips; IL think you must
be mad"
ON prove it to you," he whisper
ed. bending still closer to me. "How
do you think I'll prove 1t. now"
/ shook my head.
II cannot tell" / said. family.
"By numbering you as murdered
himl What did you think ! meant to
let you live. when told you all about
il? Live to betray me. and take me
back 10 the. No, mol Madmen
are brave. madmen are cunning. mad
men are strongP'
| saw that force could avail me
nothing here. In great emergencies
| always regain my presence Of mind
This time II did not fail me. aud was
cool in an instant.
"Stop." l said calmly. fixing my
eyes full upon him. "You have not
told me all yet. II you are determin-
ed to have my life, it's only fair that
you should finish your story first"
That's true," said the madman,
with an appearance Of curiosity
"What have l left out?"
"You have not explained to me
about Lord Palmerston and the ace Of
clubs"
II didn't think you'd care TO hear
that" said he. doubtfully.
"I'd rather hear that than any other
part"
II was so dark now that nothing Of
the country beyond was visible, and
the lamp cast sickly glare through
the carriage. knew that we must
be within a short distance OF the Lon
don terminus. II could only divert
his attention for a little while longer,
/ was savedl determined TO keep
him in conversation il possible.
"Lord Palmerston began il. you
must know" he continued. land the
ace OF clubs finished it,"
"Did you know Lord Paimerston?"
/ asked.
He looked at me vacantly, as IL he
did not comprehend my question. l
repeated 1t.
"Know him! bred and trained
himp'
30. indeedr' l said. Pray pro-
ceed."
al bred and trained him on my own
estates. | was as fond of him ss
could have been OF child--ay, and
fonder too; for If / had had child l
must have wrung its neck--I feel I
mustp'
Here he fixed his eyes on me again
with that horrid glare. and his fingers
worked nervously together. as II long
ing to be at my throat.
Eyes. | should have killed my child.
'Tis rare sport to kill--to-"
''But about Lord Palmerston" !
interrupted.
His face resumed the old express
sion. aud gloomy shade seemed to
pass over il.
"Ahl" said he. moodily, 'that was
o dreadful disappointment. wasn't it?"
you have not told me yet." said.
"Did his lordship treat you il?"
"He lostl he lostl i had backed
him with half my fortune. and he lostl
But. bark you'll" and he ciutched me
by the arm as he said IL, che was drug.
ged-I know he was drugged the
night befcrel"
"Then Lord palmerston was a
horse" Iexclaimed.
"0fcourse he was. told you SC
at FIRST. You don't pay attention
Indeed. | am. deeply" replied,
eagerly. "Pray 60 on"
We must be in uow before five min.
utes were past-this was assured Of.
Five minutesl long enough to diel
: "That is ALL" replied he. with q
suspicious stare. "He lost. and / lost
: That's the end OF t."
But what has this to do with III,
! ace Of clubs?"
) 1.-The ace Of clubsl' said he. fierce.
ly. whats that TO your"
"You promised TO tell me. yor
! know; and should like to hear It,"
. replied, In conciliating tone. "You
r have not told me half yet. Do tell m,
. about the ace Of clubs"
: | was desperate, you see," said III,
] maniac. Il was desperate after Pal
9 merston knocked up. / had Away
Q avoided play ill then. but somehow
! fell into |, when saw the men at thu
1 club playing night after night, winning
. and losing-winning aud losingl
J often saw as much gold change hand
on d single card rs would have cover
| ed oil my losses on tho turf; and thei
r / could not resist H."
80 you played tooS"
| $50 | played too. For Who'll,
Q week | won necessarily. Ahal th'
!. red gold and the rus,llng notes that
. took home every night Tor that week
A | won more, three times more, than
A had lost by the racel And then cam,
/. the turn OF the luck"
you loptl''
o "All that l had gained. In one night
}. Bat was not satisGedi | went OF
. again the next day, and lost, and losl
II till everything had on earth was gon
y --ayl oil fhad on earth was ROT enougl
Il ~ pay III Bat | know how II was.-.
= 'rha, old man played With was .h
J. flend. | knew he was the fIend.
4 saw II In his eyes"
Il lIe paused, iIla excitement terrified
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