New-York tribune., 1910-01-02

A shIver through me. | was turned to stone
L could not move muscle Looking up about
hand, the clutch of which mine grew stronger and
| thought, less cold How long this condition lasted
l have idea; but | aroused from it by pres
of the fingers of the hand Its fingers parted nv
fingers and the pencil changed from my grasp to that
OF the hand Then the voice said again, very softly
in a of whisper:
That is the card called for"
Ny eyes snapped in the direction | knew was
meant, There was a mark drawn clear through the
figure four IN the heart line The thirteenth trump
had been played at the right time!
NOV looked up, and what I saw startled me be-
~ vond expression Seated at the end of the table
in POunderby's place was POunderby himself Yes
POunderby, white, pale, wan, hollow eyed his
coat buttOned tight his throat his peaked cap
which he often in the evening when we came in
here, drawn down over his forehead. You may mag
Inc how | gazed at him, the wild increduty of my
stare, the utter disbelief that could be sitting there
looking at the man had left living in bed only few
minutes befOre | could not speak OF that;
but he did. He said, with a smile:
You are surprised at seeing me here aren't yOu:'
Surprised! gasped. Surprised! Good
Heaven, Pounderbyl What does it mean Robbins"
What about Robbins?"
How did yOu-does he"
Oh, yes, said Pounderby quietly, Robbins
knows I've gone"
"And-and he let you gO?"
POunderby shrugged his shoulders of course
said he. Why shouldn't he?"
But, good Lord, mani I said. What was he
thinking Of! You out IN the night air Why; he's
Poanderbv rased s his hand 46ee rI tTe
Where are YOU golng!' he asked.
To telephone to Robbins, | said
Don't, he said half pleadingly, half in way of
command that is, don't telephone just yet. In
minute or so l shall be quite willing. l came here to
find you, though, and l must not go away without
without Strengthening things out
Oh, that all right, said, dvining his meaning
and, row that had him with me, qlIite ready TO
drop the whole distressing matter of the card game
| had been anxious to follow it to the bitter end
No" said Pounderby, it isn't all right That's
You came alone?" l asked. You looked in at
my lodgings first!
No: l came directly here from l came here
first | knew you here But that has nothing
to do with 1t. Let talk about that other matter.
The cards.
Pounderby old fellow" said l, Il don't want to
talk about it | want to forget it and apologize
you for my childish anger over-Over such foolish
mistake
He smiled wanly 1t wasn't mistake" he said
." made the revoke purpose"
Oh well, said |, you weren't yourself You
sick man, and you mustn't stay here. I'm 60
ing to call cab.
~ as l did. Oh yes, | was. | was never
being myself as at that moment. Rawling | have
always wanted to cheat. | never PLAYED a game of
bridge with YOU without wishing that l dared cheat
when it looked necessary. No, never let the temp
tation get the better of me 1t wOuldn [ have been
well, gentlemanly. Besides knew that If you found
it out you would never have anything further to do
with me and | cOudn t have borne that RaWl1ng! l
liked YOU too we'll" | tears In his eyes, and his
voice full of them
oh, come come!" l cried. Enough of this
You are crazy Pounderby Crazyi You sick:
you must get back to bed Please let me take YOU
home right away!
Again that wan smile an almost amused smile
he said There IS no hurry, no danger | am as we'll
here as anywhere. Now let go | always
wanted to cheat. | have told you; but | always
withsood the desire. Tonight, though, it was very