New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-21
TIE House on the Hudson.
BY FRANCES POWELL
Copyright 1908. BY cAarle. ssrsnsr'. Sons,

But I thought from the look m his eyes thai
Randall stood no chance
Il don't want 20 play tonight he protested
L won't"
Yes. you Will You cart. a gentleman
refuse me my revenge. because it's my last
chance to ask IT, We sail early to-mOrro~
morning Had you forgotten
Had you forgotten I echoed. and rose to
leave the room
I'VE come with you. darling" said Philip.
You shall be enthroned on this divan and
watch play. Only I must not look ar You or
1 shall forget the cards.
he led me to a couch by the library door and
busted himself in placing foOtstool beneath
my feet. OF cushions behind me: then
stood contemplating admiring me-his prop
erty.
My God. how glorious you are. Athena
Your white beauty stands out like marble
against these crimson cushionst One kiss my
wife-just one. to bring me luck
He stopped 20 take IL. I held up my right
hand to ward him OF. receiving the kiss In
tended for my lips upon my open palm. He
drew back smiling induIgently-
Il must wait? But later Athena
closed my fingers tight upon the kiss.
Later" I repeated. slowly. "I4ater-shouId
Fate order-I will give 1T back"
Come cried Randall impatiently. Tn ths
DEVILS name. let's get to work.
You should make allowances for me tonight
Randall" said Philip. exultantly. he rejoined
him. You should remember that. thanks 20
you. this is my wedding night"
"Yes-he should remember" I said. clearly.
Either by accident or design. francois had set
the card table directly in front OF the status
of Fortune The goddess cleaned. white and
stately. among her palms and ferns 1 looked
she do so now?
The two men seated so that neithsr
turned his back to me. but RandaPs face was
most fully in view. I watched 1t keenly. The
dagger lay at Philips right hand. The emerald
In its golden hilt shot forth one strange green
ray. like the eve OF live thing-watching.
Bring wine" said Randall. as FRANCOIS
gliding away.
My dear boyr' expostuIated Philip DOM
you think you've had about enoughT'
He spoke kindly. but Randall resented hss 70
monstrance.
De you grudge me an extra bottls7 QUE
with il. II that's what troubles your
Wine. Francois was Philips answer
II was brought. IN two decgnters. and placed
on a table at RandaTs elbow. He filed a glass;
crank it off. then said he was ready.
Put the ring by the dagger. won't your said
Philip.
TN wear It till I lose It." was the suIlen re-
joinder.
As you please" said Philip and the game
began.
Although the hall lighted with a quantity
Of lamps and candles-Phi1ip loved a bright
house-it seemed fun Of shadows. The fog had
stolen IN and was lurking in the corners hiding
behind the marble pillars. casting its gloom over
all: laying a misty finger on the lamps hingin9
a veil about the wax lights. weaving the Ioos-
ensd strands from the pail outside across and
across the wide spaces. In the great mirror
opposite I saw slender. upright girl her small
head haughtily erect. her eyes and hair gleam-
ing. her face. shoulders. arms-as IL carved
from marble-as hard as colorless. as cold. Her
gown OF white satin shimmered lustrous as a
pearl. against the divan's rich crimson.
indeed very white-white enough 70 hold
the fancy Of the dark man who had chosen to
seize me. White enough TO claim protection OF
the fair skinned gentleman who had chosen 20
sell me-now half maddened by the sale.
l sat quite SIN and waited. What would Ran
dal do? From the moment 7 had seen hin
vince when Philip kissed my hands 1 haC
spoken and acted for him alone. I had done
all 4 could. Before him lay a stilettO. IL
long. and keen. and sharp. He had but TO send
II home. / waited. mOtiOnless, and all the
inanimate things the hall contained seemed to
wait with me-tO hold their breath and listen
70 the rustic OF the cards. TO the few low spoken
words Of the players. The clock struck the half
hOur-half-pdst q Then came the sound Of
Iaughter-triumphant. tnsolent musical
Philip had won.