The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-16

solitaire Meredith stepped back. and laughed
sharply.
Major Burleigh. and stin at that eternal game
Of HIS" he said do you know. he was playing
at that very table, ten years ago. and the night
1 came here for-for the last time -"
Hes played his fool game steadily for afteeD
years." Griggs broke In. until he's come % b .
fixture here. like that chandelier. or Henry down
at the door. You'll soon get used to him.
reminiscently. He was playing there. at that
very table. When came into the library here
saw him. Jimmy Grant was watching him. Tho
Major finished his game and got up to 60. TheD
Jimmy He came In here"
Eyes. yes." said Grisgs. II know. Billy. But
we haven't time to 60 over that now It's late"
I'm just telling you.' said Meredith. ''You
can't imagine how this brings 1t all back to me.
Jimmy came in. and told him my scheme-that
only one need clear out. He said was right and
God! how funny his face looked! He ran into
the card room. and followed On the table where
the Major had been playing lay two decks. face uD.
Jimmy snatched one up. shufhed 1t, and held IL
toward me. His face-I can see 1t yet.
He told me to draw card" Meredith went o.
softly: he told me to draw: He said If the card
was black, he'd clear out. 'But II It's red Billy
he said. 'why-you-you-got to co. I held my
breath. and drew. It was fun minute before
dared look At 1t. Then turned 1t over and It vas
-red-a measly little red two-spot. At hrst I
sick all over. but in a second braced up and
Jimmy hustled me on. He hardly spoke-Tl new
forget his face"
He paused. Griggs leaned forward.
''It,s late, Billy" he began.
II know" broke in Meredith. "Ive bored you.
I suppose But nights ever since-long. lonesome
nights when I miles away from everything
ever cared for-I've seen this room. I've old
Major Burleigh in there doddering over his con-
founded game. I've Jimmy Grants white
face. And I've seen q red card devilish red card.
dancing before and hooking II 1t had
been black. Doc. II 1t had been black! Poor Jim
my-poor old Jimmy"
''It's late. tell YOU" persisted Grigss. you
come with me. Billy. know just the place. We're
due for that supper"
"Just . MINUTE. Doc" Billy said 81 want to
step in there and shake the Majors hand. He was
old friend OF my fathers. want to see how
it feels to look q man in the face again"
''Oh, no." Griggs protested hurriedly. mot nov.
It's too late. Some other time. Billy"
mo. tonight" argued Meredith childishly He
turned suddenly on Grigge. You didn't ne-when
you said they found out nothing. 1t wasn't lie
Doc Griggs?"
Nonsense" replied Griggs in q hurt tone. He
released Meredith's arm. What ais you. Billy?
Run in and shake the Majors hand. II that will
make you feel better. Only don't STOP Here.
give mo your check. I'll get the coats and wait
for you In the hall downstairs. Remember. I'm
waiting. Don't stop but a second" There was
note of pleading in his voice.
Il won't" Meredith promised. He handed 0riZes
the bit of brass. and gave him playful push 'Run
along. Doc" he said.
AS Griggs disappeared Meredith turned ana.
entering the card room. threaded his way among
the tables toward Major Burleigh. The old gen
tleman absorbed in his game and did not look
up until Meredith had nearly reached him. Then
glancing up causally. he recognized the younger
man. and pushing away from the table. ran toward
him.
why. it's young Billy Meredith" he cried. TAX
ing both OF Meredith's hands in his. where the
devil have you been. sir! I'm glad to go you
d. glad to see y0u!"
Meredith flushed happily. Thank you. Mater"
he said softly.
Major Burleigh placed his arm through Mere
dith's and led him back to the circle Of light in
"
the game still burned In his gray eyes
"stin at the old game. Major" Meredith sail.
Don't let me interrupt Please 60 on
you'll pardon me II do 90 ONT" the older
man said eagerly He sat down At the table -Drav
up = chair and talk. Do you know. Billy. it's
been years since the game worked out 30 beauti-
fully 1t has tonight. I really believe. sir
but talk away. Where did you say you had been!"
I've travelled . bit." Meredith returned. The
glow Of the mans companionship thrilled him. he
still felt the touch OF the hand on his arm. Lean
ing over for the drst time In his life he took an
interest In the Majors game.
How do you play the thing!" he inquired
pleasantly. leaning forward.
"Ah, you're getting old. Billy" the Major said.
"They never want to know how to play my game
until they begin to grow old. But it's great
game. sir. . great game. learned It from .
British onicer in Burmah in 's2. I've tried to
teach 1t to some Of the young cubs here-but they
ridicule me. sir-ridicule me. All well. they'll
not always b young. Solitaire II IN old mans
game"
HIS thin hA0dS well Gro0me0. h0veTe0 nervous
~ over the cards. His eyes grew brighter. Nero
dith leaned closer: in his own eyes . faint re-
Election Of the excitement
''The SIX Of clubs" murmured the Major. "Ah
splendid. splendid. It's . simple game. my boy.
You two decks, exactly alike-now the eight
Of hearts-right here-you shuttle the decks to-
sether and-the jack of-Ah. yes-And lay the
cards In fours. like. this"
He paused. with . card In his hand. . troubled
expression crossed his face. Then followed smile
Of triumph and he continued building joyously.
And 20 you build. Billy" he continued. ''the
reds and the blacks-You build the blacks the
right and the reds the left-like that-just
like tha-now that king-that aee-we're On
the homestretch. now, my boy-ah. splendid splen-
did," He leaned hack in his chair. Its worth
years Of playing to have the game end like that,
he said
But Neredith's eyes were on the table and the
two decks that lay upon II.
"Aud when you've finished" he asked. "Vhen