The morning call., 1893-04-08
A WEIRD GAME.
1--WE need a fourth hand"


"Vanderiyn never touches card.N
"What, not even for amusement? Twas
not aware that he was one oil the strait
laced sort"
'There is nothing strait laced or
narrow-minded about VandeFlyn. On the
contrary he is one of the most liberal men l
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 person
referred 10 as Vanderlyn crossed the room
and approached the table where the three
young men sat. He was tall, distinguished
looking man of middle age. with refined.
intellectual face and a bearing at once
courteous and reserved.
VIII you join us in game OF whist?"
The genial smile with which ne had
sauted 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 that had been put to
him:
THANK you, ! never play"
"But-you don't understands is not for
stakes; just friendly game"
Vanderlyn interrupted the speaker with
hurried gesture. Pardon my want OF
courtesy, gentlemen" he said, but, really,
l must be excused"
Zone moment, Vanderlyn," interposed
one OF the party as the elder man was turn
ing away. I'VE have understood that your
objection to cards is based upon some per-
SOual experience OF a peculiar nature. do
yOn mind telling US the stOry?"
Nanderlyn hesitated and appeared to re-
fleet You will call it delusiOn, II not
something worse" he mnttered. How
ever," he added, smiling, "if our friend will
SO far humor my prejudice as TO put those
things OUT Of sight will tell you all that
know myself"
Willingly" and the pack of cards was
pushed into a drawer. Nanderlyn drew up
chair beside the table and, after a mo-
menps silence, began:
Young gentlemen, the mere sight of a
card recalls an hour-Or it may have been
several hOuTs-Of such weird terror, an
event so utterly iueomprehensible, that
although more than twenty years have
elapsed since that dreadful night. ain
scarcely able to speak OF it now with COM
posure." 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 l
was invited To spend a few weeks at the
home of a college-maGe 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 dial idated village hack in attend
ance. In consequence it was after midnight
before | reached the dwelling
1T was large, rambling stone edifice,
dating from colonial days, situated in the
midst of plantation of frs. l was met at
the door by an old servant, the only person
awake IN the house, and refusing 10 allow
HIM to disturb any OF the family, / directed
him to show me into any apartment.st6e
nearest at hand, for the night. He COM
piled by escorting me along a long passage
TO a room in the right wing of the building,
where, leaving me his candle, he babe me
goodnight and departed.
Though handsomely furnished, I saw at
II. ~ IL. l.
been occupied for a considerable time. The
walls and ceilings were stained and there
was an evil. musty smell peryading tie air.
On closer inspection the furniture, rich and
massive as 1t was, proved To be very old,
the satin coverings being faded and worn.
The carpet gave out clouds of fine, choking
dust as [ moved about. The high bed
looked funereal beneath the dark canopy.
Altogether the prospect of passing the night
here was far from cheering. and | mentally
abused the stupidity of the servant who had
condemned NE to such quarters.
Having finished my inspection l drew
the bolt of the door, placed the candle on
the table, and pulling my coat-collar up
about my throat-fOF the bed was out of the
Gurstiou-selected the easiest chair ] could
find and settled myself to obtain what Test 1
might.
"Whe sat staring wIde-eyed and Sleep
less at the candle clock somewhere in the
building struck two. At the same moment
L caught the fall of slow, heavy step ad-
varcng along the corridor toward my room.
Thank heavenp l thought, they have
heard of my coming and have sent the
servant to put ME into respectable quarters
The deliberate tread drew nearer.
There was a moments pause; then the
door, which l had surely bolted, opened
soundlessly and there entered-what shall
| say? in what terms shall describe that
figure whose appearance brought me
bolt upright in my chair, staring and shud-
dering?
at seemed TO be man of mature years,
exceedingly tall and snare. clad in the cos
tune of past age. Yes, there were the
long-skirted black velvet coat, with huge.
cut-steel buttons, the satin waiscoat, with
large pockets, the knee breecheSa white
stockings and low shoes with silver buckles,
the powdered wig and the lace ruffles fall
ing over the lcng,, 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 COM
plexion?-and the eyes, steel-bue, icy
gltteIing. yet with lurid spark in their
depths; merciless, sneering eyes. such as an
Imaginative painter might give to fisnd
Gentlemen" said VanGerlyD, drawing a
deep breath, 81 believe have always had
as u courage as most men. but when
those eyes met mine | felt the very soul
within me shrivel up with abject terror.
THE figure, closing the door behind him,
advanced toward the middle OF the room
and seated himself opposite me. He then
drew an ancient pack of cards from a side
pocket and, with an imperious gesture, in
Vited me to approach the table. | obeyed
mechanically. This is Dream kept re-
peating to my self; this is surely 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 LsnsQuenet. sir2" The thin
lips moved with the words, but the voice
seemed to come from an unreasonable dis
lance, hollow and muffled.
In those days, said Vanderlyn. again
interrupting he thread of his story, while
faint flush stole over his pale features,
young as | was l was an inVeterate game
ster, and had already sacrificed good por-
ton of my patrimOny to my passion for
play. l recognized Lansquenet as an obso-
ete game, but with whose simple rules l
was familiar. l therefore bowed assent
My yiSitant drew forth bead purse, and
arranged upon the table three piles o / gold
coins, which l saw with a thrill were
sovereigns Of the time of George II.
Scarcely conscious of what did, placed
the contents of my well-filed pocketDook
at my right hand.
THE game began-surely such game as
was never played before! My movements
were those of a man in nightmare / cut.
dealt and played like an automaton; always
with my eyes riveted upon those Of nv
weird opponent; and always with that cold.
deadly fear at my heart. Could l have
summoned the power would have dashed
down the cards and fed headlong from that
accursed place. But l could not; was
powerlesS to move.
Though playing mechanically 1 won
constantly. Soon all the gold was upon nv
side of the board Ihoped that nv terrible
yis-a-vis would now depart. But no. With
quick, savage movement he produced a
notebook and wrote sheet after sheet
''The High-roek farm against 1000 guineasI
The BrooSmill stead against 500P' These
phrases came from his lips still in that
strange. far-oh tone. And as he lost game
after game | was aware of such awfuI
blRsphemies as set my very soul a-ouaking.
.lnnr Alter hnur ynn rlnrnd a., .,,aaha.a