The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08

ono ever played a finer hand. l feel suro
that II he were living. no would be In Cor
a game Tonight, and. as said, It's or
rather a dull business this, and err! I
really don't think he would take 1t tho
least at,iss, II he could know It. II We
were to pass tho time with a little gano
OF dollar limit"
VERY True. returned Grimes. but
where Is tho deck to como from? We
can't ask Tor It very we'll" Cleye looked
little sheepish. We'll. you see," no
said. rather hesitatingly, II cr--knew-
that is. I happen to have Q. stray deck
with mo-" a
In spite OF the solemnity OF tho occa-
sion, a fow furtfvc smiles passed between
his companiors; but, nevertheless, in
few moments. they were gathered around
the table, and deep In the mysteries OF
their favorite amusement. So absorbed
did Torm.s friends become that they lost
sight OF tho fact that they wero sup
posed to DO watching the corpse, and
in short. forgot oil about tho passage Of
time itself. In fact, the first beams Of
the morning sun were stealing through
the shutters when Bob Clev spranE to
his feet and raked his winnings into his
pocket.
by the holy pokers, gentlomen!" he
exclaimed, We've overdone this thing:
Blow that lamp out. Grimes. while step
| lntO Lno next TOOTH 10 see now pOOr form
Is getting on.'
But. in moment he came back, his
usually ruddy+face as white as the wall.
'Great God!" he suffered. Hos gone.
''Gone!" echoed the others, springing to
their feet.
What do you mean3''
''Torm!" Torm!'' he gasped, 'The
corpse! It's gone" With one accord.
they rushed into the adjoining room.
Sure enough, the corpse had disap-
peared!
They stood there in silence for mo.
ment gazing from one to the other with
| white, guilty faces At last, Dick Hunter
| spoke.
well. I'll be ID" he said.
At this moment, Dave appeared In the
open doorway.
When he saw their white faces, and the
empty bed. his own skin became ashy.
and his knees smote together.
| W---whar Marse Torm?' he gasped.
Dave" said George Grimes. and his
voice auavered. Dave. he's gone!
What does It mean. gentlemen" he con !.
| tinued, appealing to the others, who
only gazed at him blankly in reply
Somebody done stole Narse Tom, body
an soul.' cried Dave in terrified whis-
per. 'Twuz satten, fur sho'. done tole
"shut up. you black scoundre!' said
Cleve.
Suppose he wasn't dead after all" sug-
gested Grimes eagerly.
Dawes dusky face frightened. Oar
now!" he cried. Fore Gawd!' I b'lieve
you, done struck It, A1arse George!"
| Then. glnnclng at the clock. he ex-
claimed. EFF Marse Torn ain dead. I
knows whar he is.
| "Foller me- And he dashed out Of the
4 eat ~. 1
of whom unconsciously upset candle as
/ he went.
| Dave led them rapidly across the lawn.
| in the direction Of an old brick laundry
Behind this was the Panorama mint
bed, and knee deep In the fragrant herb,
stood the redoubtable Torn, little pa
! Ter than usual. but with a jovial smile
on his face, and enough mint in his hands
to make juleps for a week. Wherelpon.
Dick Hunter sud again, We'll, I'll be
| d--d!"
You see friends said Torn. "That
| lit of mine didn't prove so fatal as that
Internal sawbones, Mitchell thought I
Just went Off Into some kind OF trance
at any rate, didn't know anything I'M
til about half an hour ago. came
to myself. found myself sewed up In
this damned night-gown, flirting the
tail Of his stroud contemptuously. with
SS-dANAS5 OA1 hAA16 AAly LC<AA 1GGL. al
first. I didn't know what to make Of It.
but 1t gradually came to me that had
been laid out for burial. Begad! 1t sent
goose pimples up my spine at first, and
l was about to roar out for Dave, when
I heard voices in the next room Thinks
I to myself, "1'll find out how my friends
are bearing my untimely end: so arose
and crept to the door and peeped in on
ye"
At this point, there were evidence Of
confusion on the part OF his hearers
Tom laughed.
Never mind!" he said reassuringly
Cad! should have done tho like myself
Well as the sun was nearly up. and
/! had no desire to disturb that last ia ck
Pot-1 could see Grimes held an ace full
slipped out OF the window, and came
down here as Z do every morning, after
| mint" al 81 ~
His friends crowded around him, with
raptuous consrat ulations while Dave,
the frst effects Of his Joy at his masters
| restoration, having subsidized, was In
clned to improve tho occasion by a plous
eXhortation.
Fore Gawd, Marse Torm.'' he said,
''Ef you ain de heades' man I uyer
see!" Hero you Is jes' 'scaped torment.
an sittin' mint fer juleps You orter be
down on 70 narrer bones. "turnin'
thanks
Go to the DEVIL" vdciferated his mas
ter, Take this mint, you black scoun-
drel and mix us our julcps quick, or Ill
| skin YOU alive ?
Dave took the fragrant herb with a
look OF pious horror, and disappeared
around the laundry, in tho direction Of
the mansion. AS Torn and his compan-
ions were preparing to follow him, he re-
appeared however. his eyes bullying with
| terror.
Fore Gawd. Marse Torin! he yelled.
DE wos rooms aflre!'
1t was indeed So, 1t will be remem.
! bcred that in their hurried exit from the
supposed chamber OF death. one Of the
i, gentlemen upset a candle. This had fall
len against a sheet, which. blazing up,
Lad set fire to the bed. BY the time
Dave therefore, discovered the fire. the
whole OF the two lower rooms and a
portion OF the one-story passageway.
leading to the main building, was in
flames II will also be remembered thai
Ellen was at the time the fire began,
asleep IN one OF the upper rooms.
She had not awakened until 1t was too
late for her to escape, and now, as the
resurrccted Torn and his friends rushed
ACROSS the lawn, she arpaar rad TX hitoond