Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-18
Then the game was resumed. Clarence

Then the game was resumed. Clarence Carson was eager to have Alice remain and take hand, and her presence was so agreeable to an the others, that they united in the request.
 Alice was no novice at the game. Her mind was clear, her nerves steady, and she felt that the great moment had come which Dick and herself had so often dis | oussed. Dick was sober. He always managed to keep in that condition when experimenting his club-room, and his keen eye darted swift glance at Alice, who sat at the table as demure as | 6oarding-school girl
 The game at first began rather tamely, but interest in it increased as it progress ed~ It is unnecessary to go into details, since it is the result that interests us. Suffice it, therefore, to say that in a short | time there was a sensation in the gamb- ling-room, when Alice Dawson "called" Clarence Carson with n hand worth .tceaty thousaad dollars. Carson, who was warm with wine, had grown reckless, l and more in a spirit of good-natured ban- ter than anything else, ran up the stakes l to the ruinous figures at which his fair opponent firmly brought him to time. 1 He was daZed. He scarcely knew what to say or do; yet there was the inevitable staring him in the face and, as he was | man of honor he would meet it or die in the attempt.
 The other members of the company looked in amaZement at Alice, who smiled sweetly, and simply said:
 Fortune seems to favor me this time." II haven't that much money with me, Miss Dawson," said Clarence Carson, ris- ing "but if you will excuse me for a few minutes shall be back with the amount 1 "Oh certainly, MT Carson" said Alice, graciously, and only too glad to know that Clarence didn't want to be trusted for few days.
 | The latter, taking up his overcoat and hat, hastened off, and after he left the 1 room further interest in the game sud- denly collapsed. It seemed aS if the club room had become a plague spot, and those who had been enjoying the occa- l sion with so much zest but a short time before, were now anxious to leave the place. But they were impelled by q strange fascination to remain and see whether Carson would return, according to promise, and pay his debt. | 1LhlS oi.tS,SSSNA ohNa eihS NohiNSi- i sation had grown stilted. Every one won- dered whether Carson would come back, but no one breathed n word of suspicion Alice was anxious but she showed no excitement, and tried to rally the party by her smiles and bright sayings. Dick appeared to be unconcerned, but after the lapse of about three-quarters of an hour he, too, began to think that Carson was long time away.
 In the excitement of the time, Edith Edwards, who had been left in the drugged sleep in an ad joining room, was forgotten.
 Presently there was sound of foot steps in the hallway, and the next mo- ment Clarence Carson entered the place as pale as death, and trembling with excitement
 II ran so fast to get here that am out of breath" he said, trying to force a smile, but the effort to appear gay was n ghastly one. Then, with show of careless indifference, Clarence Carson pulled bundle of bills from his pocket and laid them on the table before Alice.
 As he did so she noticed that his hands were bloody, and she uttered little scream. The sight of the blood unnerved Carson himself, and he speedily thrust his hand ill his pockets, and said to Alice:
 "Please count the money, and see that the amount is right"
 She began to turn over the large bills, many of which wereNof q denomination such as she had never seen before. and as she did she noticed with dismay that some of them were wet with blood-stains.
 What could it mean!
 "Can it be possible" she thought, "that played for Il human life?"
 But further contemplation was cut short by the sudden appearance of Edith Edwards, who was now, pale and hag- gard, in the gilded gambGng-room. She came like an apparition, and was no sooner in the place than a powerful voice was heard from without, calling, Edith Edith Speak. Where are you?"
 The voice rang out with clarion clear ness on the still night, and struck Dick Dawson and Alice with dismay. Their consternation was increased when Edith, starting up from the semi-stupor occa- stoned by the drugged drink, answered with all her might:
 "Here I am here!"
 Dick Dawson grew desperate, and was about to rush at Edith, for the purpose of silencing her by force, when she spared him that trouble by falling in a dead faint. The great exertion she had just put forth, the glare of the gambling room; and the joyous thought of being liberated from place which had become so detestable, were too much for her sur. charged heart, and all her senses col lapsed at the very moment when she had most need of them.