Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-20

p
Now for this game, my boy" he said
cheerfully.
Derracott whose fingers were playing
with his trimming wineglass, made no re
spouse, and Harland examined him anx-
iously.
YOU'RE very much depressed, old chap"
he said after space of silence; then he hes
itated and his eyes suddenly lightened.
ITS not money!"
II don't mind your knowing" said Der
racott; ~ owe you close on 5000, and there's
Tome 10000 elsewhere"
"Derracott," said Harland, leaning to-
ward his companion with insinuation,
''cross out that 5, and I'll stand in for
the 20"
The ashes of the fire collapsed in the 81
lence that cnsued. Derracott's face never
moved he turned the shank of the glass
between his fingers
That's a generous offer" he said.
Generous be durned" returned Har-
land gaily. IT'S nothing to me, and we're
old pals and"-
"Twenty.fve thousand, as the market
goes, is l suppose, generous price for
honor" broke in Derracott, with an air of
meditation.
The veStige of color ran from Harland's
cheeks. Their eyes encountered across the
table. No words passed, but in that mute
question and its vacant answer, as it were,
the position of the combatants was &C
knowledged and defined. With thin
breath, almost of relief, Harland waited for
the other, whose eyes were still upon him.
Derracott squared his elbows upon the
table.
yes" said he "And now for this game"
Beneath the calm surface of his manner
Derracott was at the white heat of fury.
Pent by his fierce jealousy, his mind CON
verging full upon this sudden horror, he
sat, with quiet eyes and face of stone. stalk
ing ever nearer to his fluttered quarry.
Il think" he resumed presently, THAT
! ought to make my own rules in this
game" His voice rang with a note of UNI
concern-even of pleasantly.
Harland shrugged his shoulders. 'Ihave
nothing to say" said he.
Derracott rose softly, took some note pa
per from writing table and scrubbed
some seconds upon it, Then he handed the
paper across the table. What lIarland read
was rs follows:
/, Edward Dcrracot; being in the full pos
session of my senses, have decided to put an
end to my life 1t has become too much TO
bear My debts have involved Inc too deeply,
and | am tired of the struggle. l have no
strength TO go on. May God help my wife.
Forgive me, Lucy. | have tried, but there
seems no way out but this. Let others take
warning by my fate. Tho turf is accurscd.
God help me.
Harland inquired of the writer with his
eyes and the latter pointed at the pen and
ink. Write one like it, lie said, but
with your name and according to your cir
cumstances.'
Harland's Jaw dropped suddenly; he took
up the pen. When he had finished, he
passed the paper to Derracott, who nodded
and rose.
Put it in your pocket" said he. AT
this hour the park will serve our purpose"
He drew brace of pistols from drawer,
and motioning to his companion descended
the stairs. The chill December moon shone
frostily upon the crisp grass of the square
rs the two made their way in silence to a
central bower of evergreens, the haunt of
children at their hide and seek throughout
! the afternoons
II think" said Derracott in his suave,
| passionless voice, that here is the proper
theater for our little comedy"
lie handed n pistol to his adversary.
Twenty-Five thousandn' he murmured
There is no need of superfuous witnesses.
| We two can play our own hands. Twenty
| five thousand was generous offer"
His hand, with its weapon close grasped,
] hung at his side
IF you are resolved to end this thing in
| this way" said lIarland hoarsely, there's
no help for it, What are you going to do?n
According to my idea Of the game, ;" said
Derracott softly, we should have the OBJ
| ton OF firing at twelve PAGES or approach
| ing at the signal You may have observed
it was on the stroke of when we left Per
| haps you will be good enough to take the
church bell as word Of command"
Harland made no answer, but took his
| station in the open. Derracott put his back
against a tree and waited The faint sound
| of "A remote clock rose from the distance
| and vibrated ON the stiffness. Harland
steadied his arm before him. but Derracott
| stirred not. A moment interviewed of dread
full silence-to IIarland a space of hours
and then heavy bell doomed from the
clock tower of the church. a pistol cracked
and wthered branch snapped on The tree
| by Dcrracott's head. He himself laughed
gently and marched slowly forward to the
| spot where stood IIarand waiting for his
| death. Smilingly he regarded his victim.
| "Twenty-five thousand dollars" said he.
| 1T was notable bid. But | think my So
luton was the better. My good sir.' he
| said 1.-THE exigencies Of this game demanded
that should be free of all coroners' courts;
hence the confession of suicide in your
pocket"
He held out the pistol; IIarland, his face
sickly white, made gesture of Impotence.
Suddenly DaTacott dropped the weapon.
CO." he said. Live TO remember that
the man whose honor you have sought to
| purchase gives you your life. But not to
be lived here. Put an ocean between you
and him. "-Adapted From Argonaut.