Evening star., 1911-08-20

fifth only, seeing he queered the game The
row started with that, and at last Tex told
him he ought to be glad we didn't take it all.
Hold on. Boys said Jim; lets get this
straight. I'm willing to gamble for mine.
With marked cards.! sneered Tex. Yes,
By Heaven. said Jim. It's an even break.
We're all three sharpers; 50 luck must
tell
1T was the queerest game on record,
guess,-three gamblers playing for high
stakes in the dawn by the river. Luck was
with Jim from the start; in an hour he had
won heavily. At last he said he was thirsty
and would get drink OF water. He went
down to the river, and as soon as his back
was turned Tex and looked at each other.
Neither of US said a word; but we decided
that Jim had got to die.
Dick cried out in pain. you wouldn't
give him an even break he said hoarsely.
The old man shook his head impatiently.
Il told YOU it was murder. he said, his tone
almost a rebuke We were both to fife on
signal. Jim was in plain sight, STOPPING over
to drink Tex said the word, and we pulled
trigger together. My bullet took Jim in the
back"
Suddenly, with dry sob, he covered his
eyes with his hand, as though to shut out the
vision coniured up by his words, s,-the man
treacherously shot, lying on his face by the
water His body shook with sobs; all his
matter of fact calm was gone, swept away
by memory. Il shot him in the back!' he
walled.
"But Bennett-he shot tool" cried Dick,
aghast.
His father looked at him with hopeless
eyes. at was the judgment OF God, he said
slowly, @that Bennett's cartridge should
miss fire.
The simple statement was like doom; it
called for silence. Before its awful intention,
Dick had no voice either for pity or for con
demnation. Only BY some physical act
could he give vent to his feelings; 50 he stole
over and threw an arm about the bowed
shoulders Of his father. For five minutes
there was no sound in the room; then the
narrator shook himself out Of his souls tor
ment.
"Oh, my boy, my boy." he cried start
lingly "What can do? I've ruined Your
life My sin has found me out at last, and
must crush YOU too. Thank God your
mother isn't here to suffer! She never knew.
| meant the secret to die with me. But it 5
too late to die should have ended ii there
by the river when Bennett laughed at me
with the cartridge in his hand
"Yes, il 5 too late" agreed Dick hoarSely.
"Oh, Dad, il isn't for me 70 judge you; but
why did this have TO happen to meo If you
hadn't told me and yet, I'd rather know.
But it wrecks my hopes. | AMI was en-
gagged to be married. | was going to tell you.
But it's over now; | couldn't let her take
the risk.
"Engagcdl7 With a moan the father
echoed the word. "To-the girl NC saw this
afternoon Oh my boy, how YOU must hate
me-"
mo, said Dick sadly, 4 can't DO that.
Whatever happens, I
THE doorbcll rang and Clifford Prentice
jumped as though shot Dicks nerves
were in little better condition; he called
sharply to Wilkins as the servant went by,
10 admit no one. 1t was hardly time to re-
ceivc callers, and that the visitor might be
the one-armcd man again nc could not be
lieve. He was annoyed that Wilkins should
be 50 long at the door, and when the man re-
turned he snapped out question.
Its DR.. Clayton, Sir, with q message
from Miss Clayton. He asks will you see
him for moment.
Dicks heart sank 1t WAS unusual for
Dr. Clayton TO call on him, and visit at
this hour What if-an ugly proverb re
CURED to him-what if the murder were out?
But that was preposterous. He looked at
his father and suddenly the thought OF an
other moment alone with him became in
~, l,n 81