The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-01-08

III progress. VIII you lenQ me the lelp
Of your arm? am, unfortunately, par
alyzed."
Indeed just as Mr.. Nautilus was be-
ginning his description another pair
Of folding doors was thrown open, and
the whole club began to pass, not with
room. 1t was similar in every respect
to the one from which it was entered,
but somewhat differently furnished.
The center was occupied by long
green table, at which the president sat
shutting a pack of cards with great
particularly. Even with the stick and
the coloners arm Mr.. Nautilus walked
with so much difficulty that every one
was seated before this pair and the
prince, who had waited for them, en-
tered the apartment, and in conse-
quence the three took seats close to-
gether at the lower end Of the board.
ut is pack of fifty-two," whispered
spades, which is the sign of death, and
the ace of clubs, which designates the
official of the night. Happy, happy
young menu he added. You have
good eyes and can follow the game.
Alas, l cannot tell an ace from a deuce
across the table,
And he proceeded to equip himself
with a second pair of spectacles.
81 must at least watch the faces" he
explained.
The colonel rapidly Informed his
friend of all that he had learned from
the honorary member and of the horri-
BILE alternative that lay before them.
chill and a contraction about his heart.
He swallowed with difficulty and look
ed from side to side like a man in a
maze.
Zone bold stroke" whispered the
colonel, land we may still escape"
But the suggestion recalled the
princes spirits.
you can play like a gentleman for any
stake, however Serious
And he looked about him, once more
to all appearance at his ease, although
his heart beat thickly. and he was con-
scious of an unpleasant heat in his
bosom. The members were all very
quiet and intent. Every one was pale,
but none so pale as Mr.. Malthus His
eyes protruded. His head kept nod.
ding involuntarily upon his spine. His
hands found their way one after the
other to his mouth, where they made
clutches at hts tremulous and ashen
lips 1t was plain that the honorary
member enjoyed his membership on
very startling terms.
"Attention, gentlemenw said the pres
ident
And he began slowly dealing the cards
about the table in the reverse direction.
pausing until each man had shown his
card. Nearly every one hesitated, and
sometimes you would see players fin
gers stumble more than once before
he could turn over the momentous slip
Of pasteboard. AS the princes turn
drew nearer he was conscious of a
growing and almost suffocating excite
ment, but he had somewhat of the gam
bler's nature and recognized almost
with establishment that there was a de-
gree of pleasure in his sensations The
nine of clubs fell to his lot, the three of
spades was dealt to Geraldine and the
queen of hearts to Mr.. Nautilus. who
was unable to suppress sob of relief
The young man Of the cream tarts al
most Immediately afterward turned
over the ace of clubs and remained fro
zen with horror, the card still resting
on his finger. He had not come there
to kill. but to be killed, and the prince
in his generous sympathy with his DO
sition almost forgot the peril that still
hung over himself and his friend.
The deal was coming round again,
and still deaths card had not come out.
The players held their respiration and
only breathed by gasps. The prince re-
ceived another club, Geraldine had a
diamond. but when Mr.. Nautilus turned
up his card horrible noise. like that
of something breaking. issued from his
mouth, and he rose from his seat and
sat down again, with no sign of his
paralysis. 1t was the ace Of spades.
The honorary member had trifed once
wv OAICA WALL IVllOIS.
Conversation broke out again almost
at once. The players relaxed their rig
i'd attitudes and began to rise from the
table and stroll back by twos and threes
into the smoking room. The president
stretched his arms and yawned. like a
man who has finished his days work.
But Mr.. Nautilus sat in his place, with
his head in his hands and his hands up.
on the table, drunk and motionless, a
thing stricken down.
The prince and Geraldine made their
escape at once. In the cold night air
their horror of what they had witnessed
was redoubled.
ALAS" cried the prince, Ito be
bound by an oath in such matter; to
allow this wholesale trade in murder
to be continued With profit and impu-
nifty! If I but dared to forfeit my
pledge!' ..."x -,
'That is impossible for your high