The Lamar register., 1893-07-15
WHY HE REFUSED.


There comes Nanderlyn. Ask
him to take hand. "
..Vanderlyn never touches n card y
"What. not even for amusement2
was not aware that he was one of
the strait-laccd sort
There is nothing strait-laced or
narrow minded about Nanderlyn. On
the contrary he is one of the most
liberal men | know His hatred of
cards is due-but just call him over;
invite him to Join Us and watch the
result
In reference to the summons the
person referred to as Yauderlyn
crossed the room and approached the
table where the three men sat. He
was tall, distinguished-lookiug man
of middle age, with a refined. intel
lectual face and bearing at once
courteous and reserved.
"Wln you join us in game of
whist"
The genial smile with which he
had saluted the party at tho table in
stantly faded from his lips. He drew
back and an expression OF intense
repugnance crossed his features. In
low. stern voice he replied to the
question which had been put to him;
Thank you. ! never PLAY"
"One moment. Nanderiyn." inter
rupted one OF the party as the elder
man was turning away. 1--WE have
understood that your objection to
cards is based upon some personal
experience of a peculiar nature DO
you mind telling - the story2'
young gentlemen. the mere sight
OF cards recalls an hour--Or it may
have been several hours-of such
weird terror, an event so incompre-
hensible that though more than
twenty years have elapsed since that
dreadful night I 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 few
weeks at the home OF 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 evening | found
only the dilapidated village hack in
attendance. In consequence 1t was
after midnight before l reached the
dwelling.
lit was a large, rambling. stone
edifice, dating from colonial days.
situated in the midst OF q plantation
of frs. l 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 nearest at hand. for
the night lie complied by escorting
me along long passage to a room
in the right wing OF the building,
| where, leaving me his candle, he oade
me good night and departol
Though handsomely furnished. /
saw at glance that my chamber
could not have been occupied for a
considerable time. The walls and
ceilings were stained and there was
an evil. musty smell pcrvading tho
air. On closer inspection the Iurni-
i ture. ricn and massive as it was,
proved to be very old. the satin COW
erings being faded and worn. The
carpet gave out clouds of fine, chok
! ing dust as moved about The high
! bed looked funereal beneath its dark
canopy. Altogether the prospect OF
passing the night here was far from
! cheering and l mentally abused the
stupidity OF the servant who had con-
demned me to such quarters.
While | sat staring wide-eyed and
sleepless at the candle. clock some
where in the building struck two.
At the same moment | caught the
fail of slow. heavy step advancing
along the corridor towards my room.
Thank heavenr | thought. they
have heard of my coming and have
sent the sersant to put me into re-
spec,able quarters.
The de,iberats tread drew nearer.
| There was a moments pause; then
the door, which had surely bolted,
opened soundlessly and there entered
what shall / say? in what terms
snail describe that figure whose APP
pearance brought me bolt upright in
my chair, staring and shuddering?
1t seemed to be man OF mature
years. exceedingly tall and spare, clad
in the costume OF Il past age Yes,
there was the long skirted, black vel
F. vet coat. with huge, cut steel but