The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-02-15

him nothing.
The little episode which Ihave ius
described had the effect OF momentaril
arresting our frenzy, and when Della
yigne returned to the table, and dc
manded our attention, there was pro
found silence.
Gentlemen" said he. "are Vol
aware OF the superstition which attache.
itself % dinner-party Of thirteenp ?"
No one spoke, and he continued
1T Is this, that before the year is out
one Of the number will die violent
death"
The silence seemed to grow more in
tense, and after short pause he spoke
again: II propose that we adjourn
from this apartment TO the nearest bill
lard saloon, and there pair of in
couples for the purpose of PLAYING. AT
the end OF the first series of games there
will be six losers Let them pair on
and play again, and so continue i'm the
same manner until only one Is left, who
shall play the final games with the odd
man and the loser. whoever he may
chance to be, shall challenge some
stranger to fight him duel this very
night BY SO doing we give Destiny 4
chance to settle the affair at once; and
II she fails to do so, why, it's her fault,
not ours. What say You, gentlemen, TO
the propositionp"
Agreed agreed" resounded on ev-
cry side, and we sprang at once for our
hats.
"Open the door, Maurice, I" shouted
a dozen voices; "you have the kew
Gentlemen" responded he, have
you no regard for the feelings Of our
host? What! would you rush down
stairs helter-skelter, ut the imminent
risk Of disturbing the virtuous slumbers
Of Madame Bauleau and her charming
infants9 For shame. Observe me,
and profit by my example"
Even as he spoke, he rushed to one OF
the windows, tore down the curtains,
threw up the sash, and leaped out fear
lessly into the gloom. We all followed
him, and in the twinkling of an eve
found ourselves in the garden.
II was clear fall Of ii feet, but the
soil being moist and soft, luckily no one
was hurt We struggled on. still fol-
owing the leadership of Maurice. over
wilderness Of vines and flower-beds. 4
Until we reached the low wall upon our
light, and upon scrambling over il
We found ourselves in narrow alley
which led out into the thoroughfare
Ipon which Bauleaus restaurant
ronted.
. Selcct your partners,- exclaimed
iaurice, in his clear ringing tones; and
ach one locked arms with whoever
HANGED to be nearest to him.
Delayigne himself being nv most inn
lediate neighbor, | took his, and so
cached the open street.
Once more bethought me of his great
sill as billiard player, which | had .
nee or twice been awitness Of; and re-
retted that ! had not selected some one !
Sc; but il was too late TO repent, and {
, said nothing. On consulting
ur watches we found it was l:3O.
eing full hour later than any Of us I
al supposed.
A walk Of ten minutes had brought i
: TO the Toison dor, at that time one I
the most excellent saloons in Paris !,
was in the second story Of the build !
=, the floor above being occupied al a :
ncing gallery. h
Once inside no time was lost in idle a
separation; but, selecting six contigu b
= tables, we began 10 play at once. Il
elavlgne, who knew that | was no d
atch for him, insisted upon giving me
Ids; but as | resolutely refused to ac- Ii
PIT OF any, ne was per force obliged TO u
ay me even. d
was IN that state Of nervous excite !.
ent which, 50 far from diminishing :.
y skill, actually assisted it, and ex- /,
eded myself, while Maurice, although "
all appearance playing with great
re, counted very slowly. The con o
quence was that, much to nv surprise. n
Won the game. g,
For his second trial he paired ofrwith ii
rogue, who was even worse PLAYER h,
IN myself; and yet, strange 10 say,
'layigne was again beaten. He ex- ee
similar fate ut the hands Of D:
IN Of his antagonists, and finally was
: alone TO play the last game Of the a.
les with the todd man, which unen- Il
viable position had been selected from ~
DICE by the younger stranger whom ~
moyne had introduced as the Count II
Nautrin. H.
The chances had narrowed down 10 III
men. II was to be either the stran- Dc
Or my friend; and strong forebod-
as % the result took possession Of L,
I, when the Count, having taken off err
coat and selected cue, advanced TO po
head q the table and spoke thus do
Monsieur Delavigne, | have mar en-
Wy observed your play, and feel con- he
ced that 70 equaize the contests be- hi
zen US you should have the odds Of Al 10
= one-half the game, which beg YOU nu
! allow me TO give YOU ia
ie ceased, and there was murmur
appreciation among the students at lie
generosity more commendable pr
Il.... Il 4 !