Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-26
SOUND OF The BELLS
BY H. II. HUDSON.

and diversion in travel forgot his mis-
sion. Catherine Gcurko was hand
some; her large, expressive brown
eyes held in their depths charm and
fascination which few could resist.
Sometimes these eyes dreamed: usu-
ally they sparkled with laughter;
again, they might be said, oor even
blaze with anger. The abundant Jet
black hair contrasted well with the
white neck, the pale temples and
glowing cheeks. There was also the
perfectly nodded figure, endowed with
subtle strength of an animal.
Dewald became monomaniac, his
world now centered about this WON
an. AS before he passed along the
avenues lined with palaces and plant
ed with trees, but he saw only her
face. He even found himself shadow
ing her through villas and gardens.
He Joined the social clubs to which
she belonged. and they at last met A
fighting chance had now been won,
but he found lion in his path, Mich
olas Nevski stood closer than he. De-.
valid planned to call at the same
hour. and this affront was enough. 1t
was now the survival of the fittest-.
one must die.
Catherine Gourko smiled upon each;
she even aided them by suggestion
and planned the determining ordeal.
Dewald was at the place selected at
the appointed hour The dice were
thrown, chance favoring the Russian.
They next passed to the chamber OF
death.
This chamber was spacious and de.
void OF effects, its walls being so ar
ranged as to deaden sound. The room
was also lined with sheet metal.
The Russian was handed revolver
and took his place in the center of the
room. Having won at dice. his face
now wore the expression Of triumph.
A necklace Of tiny bells was hung
about the Americans neck, and he
retreated to the farthest end of the
room. The place would be immediate
~ darkened, and the shots Of the Rus
sian would follow the sound Of the
bells. II Dewald escaped the tables
would be turned. AS the lights went
out and Dewald listened for the signal
to fire, his body crouched low and the
bells about his neck silent. lie heard
q whisper and felt the wall move
back of him. He was led through an
open panel and the panel closed
again. AS he listened in safety, there
we're other bells which tinkled, giving
the man who held the gun the impress
sion that his foe was moving about
the room. Then the signal was gwen
and Dewald listened TO the shots with
in. The panel was again opened and
he was thrust inside AS the lights
were turned on it was his turn to
smile. With some satisfaction he took
the revolver from the Russian as it
was handed him.
Then a feeling OF revulsioa came
over him. The woman expected him
to murder his rival. Having been
false toward one who adored her, she
would doubtless be false to him. lie
cast a glance at the pale. determined
face before him. He pitied the Rus
sian and realized that they were both
fools.
The lights again went out. and he
heard the tinkle OF the Eells-noW
hcre-now there Then he pointed h
revolver toward the ceiling and
emptied the chambers Again the
lights were OH and they faced e2cil
other. Apparently the outcome was
a surprise to Catherine Gonrko. There
had been no groans-no outcry. ShH
entered the room. "Ah. you have
both escaped" she cried, feigninS
pleasure at the outcome. What ali
actress she was.
well. the American was first test
ed" she exclaimed. 1T is not so?
She approached Dewald with out
stretched arm. Gras2ing her wrist
he cried:
"Fiend. could you not deal fairly
with an admirer? See" Dewald NOV
ed toward the sliding panel and push
cd il open. The Russian looked on IN
amazemant. Il was not in the room
when you fred" Dewald continued.
"and when my turn came, | avoided
the direction OF the sound" The tigress
laughed.
With sudden rush Dewald sprang
to an electric button and the lights
were extinguishcd. Then Selling
Nevski by the hand he hurried to-
ward the exit AS he did so, the
American tore the bells from the neck
Of the Russian and hurled them IN
the direction OF thc tigress. as the
necklace struck the iloor, several
shots were fred in rapid succession
ov an accomPlice properly stationed
outside to see that their execution was
accomplished. There was a piercing
scream as the bullets intended for
them reached the heart OF the one
who lad planned their death. Then
all was silent; the tigress was no
more.
Finally, much out of breath, Dewald
>-.-r.; ouiarel y Wcli-EnOTn