The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-05
TIE SLOWLY REACHED AFTER TIE CHECK BOOK"


for the first time what was at stake and
watched the cards yacantly tUr some
tine as they lay in front Of him Tor the
third time. lie reached out but ore"
back his hand just before touching the
pack. He looked across the table at
Lowndes who was sitting still as stone,
and with a half articulate cry buried ms
face in his hands. Presently his cousin
ouiet voice came 70 him In tones tnat
seemed miles away.
when you are sufficiently rested, ~
said 1--WE will proceed with the game"
Montgomery raised his hasgard face.
Have you no feeling 40 au?' ne sara
brokenly. 1--WE never been considered
coward before. Not even by you. Ia
face "A decent death without the least
hesitation. It's this damnable suspense
and uncertainty that makes me lose
control Of myself"
If you wish to indulge in any more
sentimentalities before We draw again
said Lowndes sarcastcally, after
pause. Il will wait. Otherwise you VIII
please cut"
The continued strain was beginning 70
tell on both men and their eyese were
unnaturany bright
Montgomery finally reached out and
with n hoarse laugh that had more OF
wild beast than man In IT, threw an ace
over on the table Lowndes lifted the
pack In his hand and almost contemptu-
ously shook OFF the top card. displaying
a king. .
'That ends st." Montgomery almost
yelled. For you-Death, darkness. de-
spair. For me-Life. hope, Alice. We're
OF the same blood" he went on rapidly,
his eyes glittering feverishly "and /
suppose l ought 10 give up Alice and
offer TO die in your place. But / won't,
IN take ADVANTAGE Of everything
He stopped. suddenly quoted by his
cousins manner. After tho first moment
of hesitation during which his eyes had
CROPPED blindly ABOUT the room as ii
seeking some escape from the result.
Lowndes had risen and was busying him
himself with his toilet at the dresser.
Finally he brushed mis- clothes, and put
ting on his hat and coat, came over 10
the table again filing out the blanks on
the coupons, he showed them into his
coat pocket. Montgomery noticed that
his face was very pale but there was no
sign Of ninching. He raised up Just as
Lowndcs. without allowing their eyes 20
meet. held out his hand.
bondsSdea. ciutas vbin lhde2kth shrdcm
II presume on leaving the world # IS
the correct thing TO bid good-by 20 ones
relatives" he said. his voice shaking
slightly. We've always rot on fairly
well together. Let's part FRIENDS. i WISH
you all the JOY of-her.'
He walked 10 the door ard opening II
naused a second. "Youll hear about IL
soon" he said. "In day or two any
how"
The next moment he was gone ana
Montgomery, sitting the call 20 him that
had come 10 his lips. threw himself on
the bed and stared nj the ceiling. He
could not realize the significance OF what
had happened and found himself wonder
ing whether Iowndes would be IN for
breakfast. Toward daylight he fell into
a restless sleep full Of unpleasant
dreams. lie thought he was again play
ing cards for life or death. When ne
won. Alice suddenly appeared ana
Lowndes held him while she cut ms
throat.
When he finally awOke II was broad
DAYLIGHT and his nerves were in pitia-
ble state Of collapse He stayed in his
room all day cursng the moment he was
born. When night came once more with
an It's horrible memories he sent ont
after an opiate and took II with sigh
of relief. This time his sleep was heavy
and dreamless.
At o'clock he awoke with a start ana
heard the down stairs front door close
followed by the sound OF hushed voices
IN the hall. He heard a slight scream
in a voice which he recognized as the
Iaudlady's and remembering in Hash
the past day and night. realized what
n meant The sensation left him I'M
utterably weak and when he heard me
woman's steps coming up the stairs, his
heart beat with a force and rapidity that
made him think II would burst.
After an interminable age while ne lay
gasplny for breath. the steps reached
heard the sound OF
knocking on It. BY p tremendous EFFORT he
managed to emit q sort OF gurgle from
his throat.
The door flew open and his landlady's
borrlded countenance appeared In its
frame.
con. sir" she burst out. 'Mr. Lowndes
has been found with his head all mashed
TO pieces and every bone In his body
broken. OH it's terrible II can't be
truer
Montgomery was conscious OF a great
sickeuing sensation that seemed 10
spread itself all over his body. He glared
al the figure Of the woman IN the door
and II revolyed round and round, getting
further and further away.
Tbree weeks later Montgomery was
permitted by the attending physician to
sit up and read the afternoon papers be-
ginning with the first DAY OF his sick
ness. The one he held IN MS mana con-
tanned the following article under SEN
sati0nal head:
"a horrible affair occurred IN West
Park early this morning which resulted
in the death Of Homer 4. LowndeS
aged twenty-eight years. OF Isl Nine
teenth srteet
"some time between dark last night
and O'Clock this morning Lowndes
started 10 walk across the railroad bridge
which crosses the park at tho upper end
OF the drive. Near one end he either
lost his balance or deliberately threw
himself of head FIRST. falling 20 the
ground seventy-five feet below. On one
side OF the drive there are massive rocks
and on these the body struck. evidently
square on the head
AS the face and head were badly dis
figured, Identification was made by q
number OF visiting cards and letters In
the pocketA There was also q number
~ so<SAsxe <<ouno4n xfRnAA m Ynrndez.