Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-09-12

We played, and he won.
THE game is yours, and we are
quits" L said, somewhat chagrined,
getting up from my chair at the conclu-
sion of the game and moving toward the
door. IF you will kindly undo this
lock, will now go about my business"
"IIa! hal" laughed the fellow, drop
ping his polite bearing and assuming n
threatening attitude; you're not going
to get off so easily as that, 1 assure you!
What do you suppose have brought
you here for?"
For no improper purpose, l trust"
I replied, thrusting my hands into my
pockets as the thought occurred to me
that robbery was his game.
II will tell you" said he, coming close
to me and speaking in my ear; II am
going to take your life"
gave a start, and looked at the man
amazedly, wondering whether he was
mad or a fool. A strange look about
his eyes that had not before noticed
strongly impelled me to the former
conclusion, though l endeavored to per-
suade myself that the latter was the
case.
You are joking" l accordingly said,
with a sorry attempt at a smile.
ION the contrary, 1 never was so Sc
rious in my life," he replied. 81 will
give you proof of it," As he spoke he
drew a revolver from beneath his jacket
and leveled it at my head. Il have only
to pull this trigger and you are a dead
mani" he remarked, coolly. But |
don't want to do the thing in that way,
and, besides, l mean to give you
chance" he added. Look here; / am
fond of cards, and you play well. We
will have one more game. If you win,
you go free; lose. and 1 proceed with
my purpose. What say you TO that?
You hesitate. Very we'll; will give
you one minute in which 70 make up
your mind. Unless you consent within
that time, I will blow your brains out
straigbtway!"
That, sane or mad. the fellow meant
what he said there was no manner of
doubt, for with pistol in one hand and
watch in the other he began quietly to
L
not slow to see the danger l was in,
and looked around for a way out of il,
but saw none. The door which | had
entered l knew was locked, so that es-
cape by means of it was out of the
question. There was one other exit
to the place, as / could see, but between
it and myself stood this ruffian with
I y
of springing at the man and taking
my chance, but he was stronger built
than /, and, armed as he was, felt
should be no match for him.
Thirty seconds have gone; what do
you say?"
His words sounded mockingly, and he
leered as he spoke. Once more pru-
dence seemed to point out that the bet
ter course would be to make pretense
of yielding, in the hope that a way
out of the danger would yet present
itself.
81 consent" said.
'Ha! l thought you would" he re.
joined. NOW for an Interesting game.
We don't want to make long business
oft. One cut each; highest card wins!"
Replacing the revolver, he shuffled the
pack and laid il face downward on the
table, offering me first play. 1 re
moved portion of the pack and eX
posed the card had drawn. II was the
ace of diamonds! My heart beat freely.
for knew that could not be beaten.
He followed and showed his card. 1t
was the ace of spades, and we had tied
AT once he reshuffled the pack and laid
it on the table.
"My first play this time" he said, TAX
ing a dip at the boards. He drew the
deuce Of clubs, and had the satisfac
ton of knowing that il was impossible
for me TO lose. went low down the
pack for my venture and eagerly dis
played il. II was the deuce = hearts,
and again we had tied!
'The third time will settle i'll" said
my opponent, rubbing his hands in en-
joyment of my suspense. With few
deXterous twists he rearranged the
pack and once more placed it on the
table.
"Your play" he said to me, and
reached out my hand hesitatingly. 7
drew the queen of clubs this time; ne
capped it with the king of spades; and
II had lost!
With a yell of triumph the fellow
bounced upon me and hurled me TO the
ground. For several seconds I strug-
gled violently in his grasp, but, as I
had anticipated, he proved more than n
match for me, taken by surprise as /
was. Notwithstanding my efforts TO
prevent il, he bound me hand and foot
with rope he drew from his pocket
and then dragged me 10 the end of the
room, where he fastened the cord to an
iron ring projecting from the wall.
''Villain!" I gasped, breathlessly, ''if
you intend TO murder me, at least tell
me your motive for the atrocious act"
"Have you so soon forgotten" he
said. fiercely. "You cheated me out of !