The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-06-09

quered. You see. at the outset. be-.
fore there had been time to so much as
declare war, the position had been
stormed, the citadel rushed" by that
delightful kiss And now it was suf-
ficient happiness for me to watch the
changing lights in n pair of sapphirei
eyes, whose duslSy lashes curled up.
ward as though In wanton contrast
with the tendrils of the auburn tresses
above.
We three took our coffee in the gar
den that warm September night.
Now exclaimed Carstairs, ''Rnyi
is dying to hear your story, so so,
ahead!"
''Well," said ], thinking what n,
sweet name Ray Carstairs was, sal
though it happened several years ago,
the incident still remains paInfullyi
fresh Ill my memory. 1t was an nd.
venture | had with mad billiard,
player.
They both started
Max, said his sister, doesn't that
remind you of what happened Mt
YES, he replied, before sho could
finish the sentence, "but don inter
rupt. Please go on, he added.
In moment it flashed upon mo
that the solution of the mystery lay
within my grasp. This man, who SO
| strangely resemhled me, was the iu-
tended object of tho mdlman's re.
venge.
is it possible" 1 cried, sprinsing
to my feet in excitement, chat you
are the man?"
81 don't understand" said Car
stairs, looking as Eerplexed aud star
tied rs his sister ut my sudden out.
burst of feeling.
'Of course not-of course not"
murmured, sinking into my chair. al
will tell you the whole story, then
you will know what L mean"
As L went through the horrible de-
tails of that fearful night they listened
with rapt attention, and unless the dark
ness deceived me, | detected tears OF
sympathy in the beautiful eyes of Ray
Carstairs.
"You are right" exclaimed her
brother, as | finished; call you suf-
fered was intended for me- Now, for
my story, which will clear up the
mystery.
Miss Carstairs rose.
81 think I'll run off to bed, Max.
Pm very tired, and it's getting late"
She kissed hey brother then gave
her hand to me-
Good night" she said, 'Het MS
hope it will be fine Tomorrow"
Reluctantly | relinquished her hand,
but there was hope in that reference
to the weather. Might it not mean IL
walk together in the morning?
| finished the evening in Max Car
stairs's room; and while we smoked
he told his strange story.
''Mark Malbrain was the mans
name, he continued land / met HIM
Mt hydropathic establishment in the
| North, where my sister and | were
/ staying ono summer about seven or
eight years ago. My sister was then
! about seventeen, and Malbrain, much
10 her disgust, fell wildly in love with
her. He made himself generally
nuisance by Fostering her with unwel-
/ come attentions and writing extrava-
/ CANT verses in her praise, until Mt
length matters came to a crisis. lab
lcaux wants were n favorite evening
amusement, aud on this particular
night my sister appeared rs Mnrpuer.
lite, l was Faust, and to Malbrain was
assigned the role of Mephistopheles.
The living picture was nm immense
success, and dance followed, ut which
we appeared in our stage costumes.
During the evening Rachel ives
that Is her namo-Ray is only a fami-
ly pet nance complained to me of NAL
brains conduct. 1t seems no had con-
tinucd to follow her round the room.
begging for n dance, and his manner
became threatening when she firmly
refused. / at once went to him md
said plainly that Miss Carsta'rs wished
10 have nothing moro TO do with him.
and therefore / must request him not
20 speak 60 her again.
From the manner of his reDIv
F. gathered that he did not know Rachel
was my sister, but imagined we were
lovers land | did not think ii worth
while to deceive him. / decided to
send Rachel home In the morning, but
remained myself for few days long.
or. Malbrain was furious when he
heard that my sister hud gone, but he
said nothing 60 me
zone evening after dinner we met
in tho billiard room. 70 my surprise
he challenged me to q game, suggest.
ing that we should play for a ClO.notc.
] agreed, and the stakes wcro handed
to ono Of the men present We played
/ n hundred up, and strange 60 say, tied
Mt ninety. Mnlbrain seemed very OK.
cited and offered TO double the stakes.
throwing another ClO.note on the
table J agreed. for folt cool an in
| good form. We played on, and Won
may imagine tho sensation when again
we tied at niuety-eight / am afraid
my temper was rising when sarcastic
ally asked Malbrain II he felt inclined
| to double again
" Yes = no shouted, ynlo with pas
sion. 'Fiity--a hundred il you likep
zone hundred pounds, / said. tax.
ing out my check book.
q