The state herald., 1915-12-10

A gas Jet shot up. then two. then all
that the room contained. "How's that7
What's a flash more or less now!"
l heard no answer. only the slap Of
the cards as they were flung onto the
table; then the clatter of key as 1t
turned In some distant lock.
The bottles were brought forward
and they sat down one on each side
OF the dusty mahogany table. The
man facing me was Spencer. the other
sat with his back my way.
Well play till the hands point to
three" announced Spencer. taking out
his watch and laying 1t down where
both could see 1t. do you agree to
that?--unless win and your funds
go a-begging before that hour"
Il agree" The tone was harsh; It
was almost smothered The man was
staring at the watch; there was
strange set look to his figure; paus-
ing as of thougbt-of sinister thought.
l should now say; then never
stopped to characterize it: It was fol.
lowed too quickly by loud laugh and
sudden GfaD at the cards
You'll win! | feel 1t in my bones."
came in encouraging tones from the
rich man. IF you do"-here the storm
lulled and his voice sank to an en-
couraging whisper-"you can buy the
old tavern up the road. It's going for
song; and then wen be neighbors
and can play-play-"
The bills had all gone one way
They fell within Spencer's grasp. Sud.
denly hard upon a rattling peal which
seemed TO unite heaven and earth.
heard shouted out:
"Half.past two! The game stops at
three"
Damn your greedy eyes!" came
bach In a growl. Then all was still,
fearfully still, both in the atmosphere
outside and In that within, during
which ! caught sight OF the strangers
hand moving slowly around to his
back and returning as slowly forward.
all under cover Of the tabletop and
stack OF half-empty bottles.
Il can buy the Claymore tavern,
can /? Well. I'm going to-" rang out
into the air as the speaker leaped to
his feet. Take that. you cheat! And
that! And that!" And the shots rang
out-one. two, three
Spencer was dead in his Folly. |
had seen him rise. throw up his hands
and then fall In = heap among the
cards and glasses
-
alone turned slightly and | sav. his
face. ] have seen II many times
since; have seen II at Claymore tav-
ern. He put the weapon pack in his
pocket and began gathering up the
money. When every bill was In his
pockets he reached out his hand for
the watch. Then saw him smile. He
smiled as he shut the case. he smiled
as he plunged It In after the bills
Next moment woke to a realiza.
tion OF myself and all the danger of
my own position. | had the instinct
to make leap for the window over
my head and clutch at its narrow sill
In wild attempt at escape
But the effort ended precipitately.
He was coming toward me--a strain.
ing, painting hgure-haif carrying. half
dragging. the dead man who fopped
aside from his arms. My senses
blurred and | knew nothing till on a
sudden they cleared again. and | woke
to the blessed realization that the
door had been pushed against my slen.
der figure. hiding II completely from
his sight. and that his door was now
closed again and this time tightly
and was safe-safe'
The relief sent the Precipitation In
reek from every pore: but the icy
reyulsion came quickly As drew up
knees to get better purchase ON the
sill. heavens torch was suddenly III
up, the closet became a pit OF dazzling
whit.ness amid which saw the blot
of that dead body. with head propped
against the wall and eyes
Remember. | was bat fifteen. The
legs were hunched up and almost
touched mine. The door-the door
there was my way-the only way
which would rid me Instantly OF any
proximity TO this hideous object
flung myself at it-found the knob
turned II and yelled aloud-my foot
had oEvshed against him. knew the
difference and II sent me palpltating
over the threshold; but no farther
Love Of life had returned with my es
cape from that awful prison house.
and I halted IN the somidarkness into
which had plunged. thanking heaven
for the thunder peal which had
drowned my loud cry
For I was not yet safe lie was
still there. lie had turned out all
lights but on. IA had not seen me
and was going could hear the
sound Of his feet ~ he went stun
bling In his slgEsE course towards the
door Then every sound both ON his
part and on mine was lost In n s~oop
OF down'falling rain and | remember
nothing more I'll out Of the blackness