The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-05-20

partially concealed by Wide-orin'lhou
sombrero which was drawn down over
it. He was small, but powerfully built
man, and in the decided expression OF
his well-shaped hand, read an uzusu-
al firmness and intensity of purpose.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the gam.
blerr he asked, in calm tone, without
rising.
stnrdivant flushed darkly, and gave
the stranger fierce glance.
"Some persons call me so behind my
back" he said insolently; 'but no one
would dare to apply that term before my
face"
"Nevertheless," said the stranger
quietly, 81 want an answer-yes or no."
"Well, then," said the gambler, an
grily, 81 am. What Of its'
"Simply this" replied the stranger
~ have heard it said that you claim to
be the best card-player in the South
west. have come two hundred miles
to prove you liar" ,
Sturdivant strobe forward step OF
two, and thrust his hand into his breast,
as if to grasp weapon. ~
"Stop," said the stranger: IF you
shoot me you will simply prove your
self afraid of me. Take your seat at
the table, and I will make my words
good"
There Was something in the calm, stern
manner of the stranger that seemed to
render the gambler pOwerless. He hesi-
tated for a moment, and then said bull
lyingly-
81 never play with man whose face
] cannot see."
"Never mind my face" said the stran,
ger. ''If you are not afraid of losing,
you shall see it when / am done with
you."
"But how do know you have money
enough for such sport persisted Stur
divant. "You look seedy enough, my
fine fellow"
"There," said the stranger, producing
q large pocket book. ~ have ten thou
sand dollars there. If you can win it
you shall do So"
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self at the table, and bade his challen-
ger do likewise. Those of US who had
listened to this singular dialogue now
gathered around the table, expecting to
witness a scene of more than usual in
terest. The stranger had not yet raised
his hat-brim, and none Of rs had seen
his face, but we all felt from his general
air and manner, that Daniel Sturdlvant
had at last met his match. 1t did not
take long to show us that the stranger
was an unusually good player. For an
hour or more the playing went on in ST.
lence. The stakes were high, aud the
contest marked with rare skill. Sturdi-
want exerted himself as he had never
done before, but in spite Of his efforts
he lost steadily. By the expiration OF
the time indicated above, he had lost
over two thousand dollars. / noticed
the flush upon his face deepen, and a
strange light come into his eye. At last,
with an exclamation of triumph, he
drew towards him the heap of notes.
"That was well done,' said the stran-
ger. "You are an expert at cheating.
But 90 on. can beat you whether you
play openly or dishonesty"
Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt the
cards again. The hand was played, and
Sturdivant was about to sieZe the stakes
again, when the stranger laid down a
card, and checked him. The gambler
uttered a sharp cry, and sat motionless
with his eyes fixed on the card--a worn
and faded ace of hearts with dark red
stain across the face. Sturdivant's face
worked convulsively as he gazed at it
and the spectators gathered more close
ly around the two, wondering Mt the
strange scene.
"In Gods name, who are yon" gasped
Sturdivant, with his eyes still fixed on
the card.
Look ut me-" said the stranger qni.
etly.
As if powerlcss to resist, Sturdivant
raised his eyes to the speaker. The
stranger had raised his hat, and sat
looking at the trembling man with eyes
which fairly blazed with fury. Sturdi'
want uttered a groan, and sank back in
his chair, with his face white and rigid.
The stranger, with one sweep, gathered
m the money from the table, and thrust
it into his breast.
"That ace of hearts is an nnlucky
card for you, Daniel Sturdivant,' he
said coldly. "You played it once when
YOU thought it to your advantage. Now,
lIOu HC1p NUu, loi thop pi"t i'ASt'a h'N'
As he spoke he raised pistol which
we had not seen, and before we could
stop him aimed it deliberately at the
trembling man, and fired. The gambler
fell heavily upon the table, a corpse,
and the bright blood streamed over it,
hiding the fatal card from sight.
gentlemen" said the stranger, rising
to his feet, rs we stood paralyzed with
horror at the dreadful scene, that man
ruined my wife, and tried to murder
me. l have been hunting him for ten
years."
He walked slowly by us, down the
stairway to the lower deck. Just then
the steamer touched at landing, and
he sprang ashore, and vanished IN the
dark woods.
| never learned the history of the
mysterious affair, for the dead gambler
was beyond human questioning, and !
never saw the stranger again; but j
shall not soon forget the impression
il made upon me at that time.