Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-23
HOW MANY CARDS.?
BY ISABEL OSTRANDER
hoy Of "The Island Of Intrigue "Supsns Ashss Ashes
A""' y Robet n. 4

-Yr PROFFERED them to Inspector
II D,uet. who cut sravely, and as he
ss,ted to deal the argument died down
sviftly a. H. had arisen. Mrs. Kip
S,scned suddenly and Terhgne' gianc,
aA,his side. Waverly's head
M "ss,,.n forward on his thick neck
hso s;s chin lay In folds over his col
sta;your cards, Mr.. Waverly.' Ter.
go touched his arm.
Sunntp ~. .,Son," waverly mumbled. jerk
=. his head back. "Confoundedly ho!
hsre Cutter. old man, you needn't
.Srsid Of ray Of light or a breath Of
now we have the majesty of the
nv y. =" "srinned iopsidedly N at Inspec-
49,. Ds,,et as Mc(arty picked up hi'
tr pd and scrutinized 1t. He held the
sn Mn% eight, nine and ten Of clubs and
he eight Of hearts.
"f;m br." O'Routte regarded hi,
- r,iticaily and D,pnis reluctantly
Sv .Sn1 down his cards.
ut"sT,, ut"T,,, open g." Cutter pushed three
.,,.s into the center of the table
snar,body with mer,,, -, =,
~ will-er-trail." Terhune fol-
k..;sS k.s,ms su'' here" waverly drew a st.r.
,orous breath. =,
~"Nothing stirring Inspector prue'
,.,;nouished his hand and sat back;
H"Rsise you fvc, Mr.. Cutter Nc
csyty remarked. >,
"T know when I've had enough: v
oRourke dropped his cards upon the
table. A., . TAI. ,,,, C,,,..,
.miled and showed ten chips forward
'Risht back at you.. Mr.. McCarty y.
~ vii, DROP said Terhune. THE
rycholosy Of success in cards as In al
hinss---' 49,. IL,
Nth" Wayerly breathed rapidly
TOnly we-three-in it?'
McCarty nodded.
'How many cards?" he asked.
Before Cutter could reply Waverly'.
head iell forward again and his grea'
body seemed to slump In bis chair. III
ssG thrown one card aside and thu
m,dry hand holding the remaining foul
Sropped inertly on the table.
~''Not any, thanks; I'll play these. y
Cuttsr spoke with cold annoyance ant
hiA eyno turneu OHce mVTe W "aScfy
40. ne was now convinced. had beer
induleins too copiously in stimulants
I'M N the latter crumpled forward II
Eis chair aud bis head, with the flabby
twisted face turned sidewise toward til,
Inspector and MeCarty, and rested upor
he table.
For an instant they all sat spell
bound and McCarty darted swift
ien glance ut the strangely relaxed
form and the unclouded surface Of th'
mirror. lined tray which those gross
hslf. parted lips all but touched.
No breath Issued from them. Nc
Carly held his own as the startlini
fact surged through his consciousness
usd watched the surface Of the tra!
| With straining eyes. 1t remained un'
| dlmmed, and there was no slightest stil
Of that bulky mound Of inert flesh.
Great God in Heaven! A reverentia
ave vent up with that silent cry from
McCarty's heart and q pean Of thank
fulness and swift rising cxultatiOn
That which but a moment before hat
been q man was now but thing, al
isanimste substance incapable forevel
more Of betrayal, for out Of his bod!
with the passing Of life had gone tn,
sscret which would always have i'm
periled McCarty's plan 1t had no
besn accident, not the normal result o
bis own evil passions and dissipatio
which had stilled the heart in that gros
body, but the hand Of God Himself tina
had heen laid upon It. and miraculousl!