The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-09-09

~ flE lIlHel y NlNL N"N.IA4 p III tAAA.ll
and holding the latter aeide. stood
peefIng into the lfda5lness q q
speeious ca.d noon j Z me faf end
under one u TIE shaded lamps, .
small, mantWIthia eioas mpstache
that seemed anxious TO make up for
the lack Of hair on his head. sat play
ing solitaire. Meredith stepped back,
and laughed sharply 90
Major Batleigh, and still at that
Rterpal game Of his, " he said: DO you
know. he was playing atthat very "a
bic. ten years ago. and the night
came here tor-foE the last time.
-"
Hes PLACED big fool game steadily
for ffteeI years 3Tiggs broke in.
until he's COME tdS6e a fixture here,
like that Chandelier, or Henry down
at the door. Yon'll aaoon get used to
him."
II don't know said Meredith. He
went on reminlscently. "He was play.
ing there, at that very table. When !
came into the library here ! saw him.
Jimmy Grant was watching him. The
Major finished his game, and got up
to go. Then Jimmy Jaw me. He
came in here"
yes, yes" said Griggs. II know,
Billy. But we haven't time to go over
that now. It's late"
I'm just telling you" said Mere.
dlth. 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 I followed. On the table
where the Major had been playing hay
two decks, face up. Jimmy snatched
one up, shuffled 1t, and held it toward
me. His face-l can see 1t yet.
HE told me to draw card" Mere.
dith went on softly; ''he told me to
draw. He said II the card was black.
he'd clear out. But If It's red. Billy
he said, 'why-you-yo got to co. |
held my breath, and drew. 1t was a
full minute before dared look at it.
Then | turned 1t over and it was-red
"a measly little red two-spot At first
I was sick all over, but in a second
| braced up and Jimmy hustled me off.
He hardly spoke-Ill never forget his
face" 1870, -"-- -:'''
He paused. Grlsgs leaned forward.
ITS late, Billy" he began.
81 know" broke In Meredith. 1--WE
bored you, suppose. J But nights ever
since-l6ng, lonesome nights when !
was miles away from everything !
ever cared for-Ive seen Jimmy
Grants white face. And I've seen
red card, a devilsh red card, dancing
before me and mocking me. If it had
been black, Doc, II It had been black!
Poor Jimmy-poor old JIMMY" ,r'
Its late, tell you," persisted
Griggs. You come with me, Billy. |
know Just the place. We're due for
that supper"
"Just a minute Doc" Billy said. II
want to step in there and shake the
Majors hand. He was an old friend
of my fathers. want to see how
1t feels to look man in the face
again"
"oh, no." Griggs protested hurried.
ly, mot now. It's too late. Some other
time, Billy."' :" j,
mo, tonight" argued Meredith
chlldishly. He turned suddenly on
Griggs. you -idn't lie-when you
said they found out nothing. It wasn't
a lie-Doc Griggs?"
Nonsense" replied Griggs In hurt
tone. He released Meredith's arm.
What ails you, Billy? Run in and
shake the Majors hand, II that will
make you feel better. Only don't stop.
Here, give me your check. I'll get the
coats anG wait for you in the hall
downstairs. Remember, I'm waiting
Don't stop but second" There was
note of pleading in his voice.
81 won't" Meredith promised. He
handed Griggs the bit OF brass. and
gave him a playful push. Run along,
Doc" he said. ..-
As Grlggs disappeared Meredith
turned and, entering the card room,
threaded his way among the tables
toward Major Burleigh. The old gem
tleman was absorbed In his game and
did not look up until Meredith had
nearly reached him. Then glancing
up casually, he recognized the young.
Ell man, and pushing away from the
table, ran toward him.
"Why, it's young Billy Meredith,
he cried, taking both OF Meredith's
hands in his. Where the devil have
you been, sir? I'm glad to see YOU
id glad to see you!"
Meredith flushed happily. THANK
you. Major" he said softly.
Major Burleigh placed his arm
through Meredith's and led him back
to the circle Of light, in which lay his
beloved cards. The excitement Of
the game still burned in his gray
eyes.
still at the old game. Major" Mere
dith said. Don't let me interrupt.
Please go on"
You'll pardon me II I do go on?"
tbo oIdar mon aaId eagerly. He sat