St. Paul daily globe., 1893-04-19
WHY VANDERLYN REFUSED.
New York World.

narrow-minded about Vanderlyn. On
the contrary, he is one of the most lib
eral men know. His hatred of cards
is due-but just call him over; invite
him to join us and watch the result"
In response to the summons the per-
son referred to as VanderlyD crossed
the room and approached the table
where the three young men sat. lie
was tall, dlStingulShed-lOok man
of middle age. with refined, intellec-
tual face, and bearing at once cour-
teous ahd reserved.
"Will you join us in game of
whist?''
The genial smile with which he had
Saluted the party at the table instantly
faded from his lips. He drew back and
an expression of intense repugnance
crossed his features. In a low. stern
voice he replied to the Question which
had been put to him:
THANK you, never play"
"But-yOu don't understand 1t is not
for stakes; just friendly game"-
Vanderlyn interrupted the speaker
with Il hurried gesture. Pardon my
want of courtesy, gentlemen" he said,
but, really, | must be excused"
"One moment. Vanderlyn," inter-
posed one of the party. as the elder man
was turning away. I'VE have under
stood that your objection to cards is
based upon some personal experience of
peculiar nature. Do you mind telling
us the stOry?"
Vanderlyn hesitated and appeared to
reflect. You will call it deluSion, if
not something worse" he muttered.
"However." he added, smiling, ''it our
friend will so far humor my pref judice
as to put those things out of sight will
tell you all that | know myself"
"Willingly," and the pack Of cards
was pushed into drawer. Vanderlyn
drew up chair beside the table, and,
after moments silence, began:
young gentlemen, the mere sight of
card recalls an hOur-Or it may have
been several hOurS-Of such weird ter
ror, an event SO utterly incomprehen-
sible, that, though more than twenty
years have elapsed since that dreadful
night. [ am scarcely able to speak Of it
now with composure." His face grew
shade paler, and his hand, resting
upon the edge of the table, shook
slightly as he went on.
The autumn of my graduating year
was invited to spend a few weeks at the
home of a college mate about sixty miles
from town. Having missed the train
upon which l had been expected, when
| arrived at the station late in the even
ing found only the dilapidated village
hack III attendance. In consequence 1T
was after midnight before l reached the
dwelling.
lit was a large. rambling stone edl-
fee, dating from colonial days. situated
in the midst of plantation of frs. |
was met at the door by an old servant,
the only person awake in the house,
and, refusing to allow him to disturb
any of the family. directed him to
show me into any apartment, the near
est at hand, Tor the night. He complied
by escorting me along long passage
to room in the right wing of the build
ing, where, leaving me his candle, he
bade me goodnight and departed.
Though handsomely furnished, l saw
at glance that my chamber could not
nave been occupied for considerable
time. The walls and ceilings were
stained, and there was an evil, musty
smell peryading the air. On closer in
spectIon the furniture, rich and massive
as it was. proved to be very old, the
satin coverings being faded and
worn. The carpet gave out clouds of
fine, choking dust as L moved about.
The high bed looked funereal beneath
its dark canopy. Altogether the pros
pect of passing the night here was far
from cheering, and l mentally abused
the stupidity of the servant who had
condemned NE to such quarters.
Having finished my inspection,
drew the bolt of the door, placed the
candle on the table, and pulling my
coat collar up about my throat-for the
bed was out Of the queStiOn-selected
the easiest chair could find and settled
myself to obtain what rest | might.
"While | sat staring wide-eyed and
sleepless at the candle. a clock some
where in the building struck 2 At the
same moment / caught the fall Of
slow, heavy step advancing along the
corridor towards my room. THANK
heavenI' l thought, they have heard of
my coming and have sent the servant
to put me into respectable quarters
1.-THE deliberate tread drew nearer.
There was a moments pause; then the
door. which had surely bolted, opened
soundlessly and there entered-what
shall say | saw? in what terms shall l
describe the figure whose appearance
brought me bolt upright in my chair,
staring and shuddering?
ut seemed to be a man of mature
years, exceedingly tall and spare, clad
in the costume of past age. Yes,
there were the long-Skirted. black vel
vet coat, with huge, cut-steel buttons,
the satin WaiStcOat, with large pockets.
the knee breoches. white stockings and
low shoes with silver buckles, the pow
dered wig and the lace ruffieS falling
over the long. lean hands.
"But the face how shall picture to
YOU that face-the narrow temples, the
pointed chin, the cOlorless lips, the
hooked nose, the yellow, parchment
like compleXiOn?-an the eyes, steel
blue. icy, glittering, yet with lurid
spark in their depths: mercilesS, Sneer-
ing eyes, such as an imaginative painter
might give to q fend! Gentlemen"
said Vanderlyn, drawing deep breath,
81 believe have always had as much
courage as most men, but when those
eyes met mine l felt the very soul
within me shrivel up with ablect terror
1.-The figure, closing the door behind
him, advanced towards the middle of
the room, and seated himself directly
opposite me. He then drew an ancient
pack of cards from side pocket and
with an imperiOuS gesture invited me to
approach the table. obeyed mechani-
cally. This is Dream | kept repeat
ing to myself: this is surely a dream
| rubbed my eyes, shifted myself in the
chair, crossed and uncrOSsed my legs.
To no purpose-the spell would not be
broken.
.'Do you play Lasquenet, sir?' The
thin lips moved with the words, but the
voice seemed to come from all immeas-
urable distance, hollow and muffled.
''In those days." said Vanderlyn,
again interrupting the thread of his
story. while a faint flush stole over his
pale features, "young as was. l was an
inveterate gamester. and had already
sacrificed a good portion of NY patri-
mony to my passion for play l recog-
nized Lasquenet as an Obsolete game.
but with whose simple rules was ia
miliar. | therefore bowed assent. My
vistant drew forth bead purse and ar
ranged upon the table three piles of
gold coilr, which ] saw with thrill
were sovereigns of the time of George
II. Scarcely conscious Of what | did,
placed the contents Of my well-flled
p0cketbook at my right hand.
"The game begSn-snrely such a
game as was never played before! My
movpmpnts were those of a man in q