The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-12-14
SOUND OF THE BELLS
BY H. Il. HUDSON.

He fFat saw her at ST Petersbure
The American who sought lnowledre
and diversion In travel forgot his mis-.
sion. Catherine Gourko was hand
some; hef large. expressive brown
eyes held IA their dealhs charm and
Fascination which few could resist.
| Sometimes these eyes dreamed: usu-
ally they sparkIed with laughter;
again. they might be said, cor even
blaze with anger The abundant Jet
black hair contrasted we'll 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 a monomaniac, his
world now centered about this wom-
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
lighting chance had now been won,
but he found a lion in his path. Mich
olas Neysh stood closer than he, De
valid planned to call at the same
hour, and this affront was enough II
was now the survival of the Attest
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
ly darkened, and the shots Of the Rus
sian would follow the sound Of the
bells. If 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 he heard
a 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 given,
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 revulslon 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. He
! cast glance at the pale. determined
? face before him. He pitied the Rus
2 sian and realized that they we're both
Z fools.
The lights again went out, and he
0 heard the tinkle Of the bells-now
J. here-now there. Then he pointed his
9 revolver toward the ceiling and
: emptied the chambers. Again the
. lights we're on and they faced each
Q other. Apparently the outcome was
9 a surprise to Catherine Gonrko. There
3 had been no groans-no outcry. Sbe
n entered the room An. you have
I both escaped" she cried, feigning
pleasure at the outcome What an
actress she wasl
. "Well, the American was first test
K ed she exclaimed. "It is not so?"
She approached Dewald with ont
Q stretched arm. Grasping her wrist
he cried:
9 "Fiend. could you not deal fairly
9 with an admirer7 See" Dewald NOV
d ed toward the sliding panel and push
Y ed 1t open. The Russian looked on IN
q amazement. Il was not in the room
when you fred" Dewald continued
9 "and when my turn came I avoided
, the direction Of the sound" The tigress
y laughed
y With a sudden rush Dewald sprane
y to an electric button and the lights
3 we're extinguished Then seizing
3 Neyski by the hand he hurried to
'e 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 the tigress. AS the
= necklace struck the floor, several
? shots were fired In rapid succession
i BY an aecompIIce properly stationed
y outside to see that their execution wal
accomplished There was q piercing
y scream as the bullets intended fol
them reached the heart Of the one
who had planned their death. Their