The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-11-05

tnlfu person INTO our confidence.
But, If am to put myself UP at
auction, in this way, many people
must be invited to take chances
mot necessarily ,.
ooh, | seel You want to take all
the chances yourself?p aDH
81 certainly don't want anybody to
have chance"
"A distinction"
with a difference"
"Not easily perceptibleH
81 spoke of taking long chance"
81 am very reasonable. What is
your idea?"
well, nothing very definite. | was
Just trying to think of some way that
would give you an opportunity of
proving your devotion to St. Philips
ard of adding something substantial
to the fund that is being raised"
"And ! am all attention.
"Well, then. how would it strike you
IL we're to suggest that there
should be so chances-say, 50. the
number of cards in deck. or SO, to
include the ioker-and ] should take
one chance, the long chance spoke
of, and nobody else any?'
"And the price Of this chance?'
"Is it only the commercial aspect of
the matter that appeals to you?'i
IL have to consider St Philips be-
fore anything else. If the accruing
benefit to st. Philips be sufficiently
considerable, | may consent to be led
like lamb TO the slaughter. The
price. Cedric?'
THAT is for you to say"
"Modesty forbids.'
well, | am not a rich man; but
have a thousand dollars lying idle, as
it happens. Now, do you think you
would care TO risk the consequences
the tremendous consequences, Etty
of my drawing the winning card.
the one card in SO; and claiming you
for my own-'to have and to hold,
you know-'for keeps? Dare you
risk this-for the sake of bcnefting
st. Philips to the extent of thous
and dollars. Etty?"
"Its a fearful risk" Philip: but
for the sake of St. Philip's-Ill run
it,"
THANK you, Etty. When may | call
round to make the draw"
Tomorrow evening"
mot until then?'
Are you anxious to get II over?"
81 may have an anxiety that you
cannot well appreciate"
And which renders you callous to
my feelings in the matter-to my
natural desire TO stave of the evil
day. Well, come tonight, if you
must. Cedric may as well know
my fate"
"Shall bring the cards?"
81 thank you-No. | am told you
are pretty handy with cards. Cedric
I would prefer to furnish them my
self.
"As you will, Etty. But, to reverse
the laws of dueling. which provide
that the person challenged shall have
the choice of weapons; / am some
what superstitious- may | choose my
own cards. Etty?"
"Yes / think you may, Cedric,
presume 1t will be the king of hearts
no; ] mean spades; | suppose you
will feel as II you were digging your
own grave"
ITO all suggestions; no."
"And your choice will be-?"
"The Joker"
rs it impossible for you to be seri-
GUS? Must you joke on such sub
iect as this, Cedric-involving Sc
much 10 both of us?"
"A jest is the safety valve to solem-
nifty, | was never more serious in
my life.p
VERY well, Cedric; we will call II
the joker"
zone more condition. ETY."
"Name it. Cedric"
Another superstition: | should like
you to buy new deck of cards of the
heur-de-Bs pattern. / saw stack OF
them for sale THIS morning in Jack
sons window"
las my lord wills"
"You are punctual. Cedric"
who could be otherwise. with such
an issue at stake?"
''Yes, It is heavy stake. | suppose
"a mans liberty. Don't you repent
your rashness. Cedric?"
zone, two, three, four. five, six, sew
en-"
What are you doing with that
handkerchief, sir?"
Fourteen, fifteen-merely wipina
my hands, Etty-twenty-three TWEEN
ty-four they are somewhat moist"
We'll, put that handkerchief in
your pocket. Immediately"
"One moment-fifty-on two, three
There! Fifty-three cards. / absolve
you from all suspicion of cheating
How will you draw. Cedric?"
''Please deal out the cards. face
downwards, until say Stopl'"
"As you will! One, two, three, four
five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, elev-
en-, twelve. thlrteen--"
STOP"
"Are you member of the Thirteen