sudden rattling at the door. Uncle Billy started to his feet, but Uncle
Jim caught his arm. "DON'T LEAVE THE CARDS! It's only the wind; sit
down," he said in a low awe-hushed voice, "it's your deal; you were two
before, and two now, that makes your four; you've only one point to make
to win the game. Go on."

They both poured out a cup of whiskey, smiling vaguely, yet with a
certain terror in their eyes. Their hands were cold; the cards slipped
from Uncle Billy's benumbed fingers; when he had shuffled them he passed
them to his partner to shuffle them also, but did not speak. When Uncle
Jim had shuffled them methodically he handed them back fatefully to his
partner. Uncle Billy dealt them with a trembling hand. He turned up a
club. "If you are sure of these tricks you know you've won," said Uncle
Jim in a voice that was scarcely audible. Uncle Billy did not reply, but
tremulously laid down the ace and right and left bowers.

He had won!

A feeling of relief came over each, and they laughed hysterically and
discordantly. Ridiculous and childish as their contest might have seemed
to a looker-on, to each the tension had been as great as that of the
greatest gambler, without the gambler's trained restraint, coolness, and
composure. Uncle Billy nervously took up the cards again.

"Don't," said Uncle Jim gravely; "it's no use--the luck's gone now."

"Just one more deal," pleaded his partner.

Uncle Jim looked at the fire, Uncle Billy hastily dealt, and threw the
two hands face up on the table. They were the ordinary average cards.