The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-11-07
FREEDOM

l CuriosIty one evening prompted me tC enter famous gallb ng palace of the German town at whicl, l was stopping. The scene cannot be easily imagined or described.
 Seated at a table by themselves. the ! center of d group of intent spectators l were two men. A pile of gold lay be- tween them, and the cards had just been | (Hait. One had his back toward me, but Wi'hout seeing his face, it was easy to divine the agitation which caused his 1 hand lo trcmble as he laid it upon the cards, which he seemed almost afraid to take up.
 The features of his antagonist were composed and might have been called handsome but for sinister expression which marred their effect.
 The nervous player played and lost 1 and, dashing his cards ill his opponent $ face, as though implying he had been | cheated, q scene enSued.
 A crowd gathered about concealing from my view what followed, and in the confusion which ensued left the place.
 Next morning the circumstance had 1 passed from my mind, and 1 was taking my accustomed early walk over an un- ! frequcnted path in the ucighburhood when the sound of a couple of shots in 1 quick succession broke the stiffness. anI i almost Immediately two men emerged l from clunp of trees near by, in one of whom l recognized the successful gam bier of the evening before. The pair walked rapidly away, and, turning in the l direction whence l had heard the shots, l caught a glimpse through the trees of some one knceling over an object lying before him.
 l had not till now caught sight of the wounded mans face, on which the pallor of death was fast settling.
 Great hcavcn!' I exclaimed, starting back in horror.
 It was my old friend, Paul Preston who lay dead or dying before me. We had been separated for some years. but We had long been friends and had loved each other like brothers.
 In vain I spoke his name and endeavor- ed to rouse his attention. No human skill could recall the vital spark. It had fled forever
 It was more than year after my friends death that 1 first met his sister Laura. Her sweet, gentle face won me from the first. She had often heard her brother speak of me and knew what friends we had been. This was the be- ginning tie between us, which, uncon- ! sciously to both, grew closer by degrees, till at length I venturcd to declare my feelings.
 l had reason to think her not altogether 1 unprepared for this avowal and had not expected it to give her any pain. But judge of my surprise to see her burst into tears. For time sobs choked her ut terance.
 Alas, you know not what you ask" she said. II am not at my own disposal" | Then she went on to tell that. by her fathers will, of which Mir. Bradden her guardian, was eXecutor, she was not to marry without the latter's consent un- der pain of forfeiting all share in her ia ther's estate; that it had been a cherish ed scheme of her father and his friend that she should one day become the wife of George Bradden, her guardians son, to whom sue had allowed herself to be engaged, accordingly, out of deference to her deceased fathers wishes, and MT. Bradden was disposed to hold her firmly to her promise. Young Bradden had re- turned from abroad within the last few days, and his father was already press ing for a speedy consummation of the match.
 But do you love this manY l asked. 1 Ut is d cruel question you put" she answered, as her tears broke out afresh. ! Our union was my poor fathers wish, and must respect my promise" I Gould you be honorably released from it," said, might be free to renew my offer?"
 "Oh, Mir. Vernon" she exclaimed with fervor, "but liberate me from this hated bond and there is nothing I would not do to thank you"'
 pressed her hand and took my leave. My plan was to go at once to Mir. Brad den and lay before him the iniquity of forcing helpless girls inclinations and the unenviable light he would stand in if he did this, taking advantage of his au- thority to secure an advantageous match for one of his own family. 1 Mr. Bradden received me coldly, but politely.
 q appreciate your disinterestedness," he said in sneering tone when l had finished what I had to say, but Miss l Preston is already under solemn en- gagement, and if she contracts another without my consent, which is not likely to be given, she forfeits her entire for tune. Perhaps this last information may serve to diminish your ardor."
 My blood tingled at this insinuation. 1 but 1 had come to serve Laura and de- termined to keep my temper.
 But if Miss Preston is avcrse to marriage with your son, do you think it quite honorable to compel her to it.? l asked.
 "My son." was the naughty reply. lis scarcely likely to encounter any lady's aversion. But here he comes; you may l judge of him for yourself"
 The door opened and young man en- tered Judge of my amaZement at find | ing myself face to face with the slayer of Paul Preston.
 "Is that man your son?' I asked stern ly.
 "He is," answered Mir. Bradden stiftiy.
 "He is Paul Preston's murderer! l ex- claimed And the sister of his victim will hardly feel bound to bestow her hand in return for one red with her brothers bloodw
 George Bradden stood aghast. Before the duel he and Paul Preston had not met since their early boyhood, and it was only now that he learned in whose blood he had imbrued his hands. He fled from the country, and l soon had the pleasure of bearing to Laura her release, with full permission to marry whom she pleased.-New York News. | Imaginary Money.
 Purely imaginary money is used in both