Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-08-24

Never mind my face" said the stranger.
"1f you are not afraid of losing you shall see
1t when am done with you"
"But how do know you have money for
such sport ?" persisted Sturdivant "You
look seedy enough, my fine fellow"
There" said the stranger. II have ten
thousand dollars there. If you can win it
you shall do So"
With an oath Sturdivant placed himself
at the table and bade his challenger do like
wise. Those of us who had listened to this
singular dialogue, now gathered around the
table, expecting to see scene of more than
usual interest. The stranger had not yet
raised his hat brim. and none of us had seen
his face; but we all felt from his general
air and manner that Dan. Sturdivant had
at last found his match. It 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 silence. The stakes
were high and the contest marked with rare
skill. Sturoivant exerted himself as he lad
never done before, but spite of all 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 strange light come
into his eyes. AT last, with an exclamation
of triumph, he drew towards him the heap
of notes. ..
THAT was we'll DONE" said the stranger.
You are an expert band in cheating. But
go on. l can beat you whether you play
openly or dishonesty"
Sturdivant said nothing but dealt the
cards again. The hand was played, aud
Sturdivant was about to seize the stakes
again when the stranger laid down card
and checked him.
The gambler uttered sharp cry and sat
mationless with his eyes fixed on the card ;
a worn and faded ace of hearts. with dark
stain across the face. Sturdivant's face
worked convulsively as he gazed at it, and
the spectators gathered more closely around
the two, wondering at the strange scene.
I'm Gods name, who are you 2" asked
Sturdivant, with his eyes still fixed on the
card.
"Look at me-" said the stranger quietly.
AS if powerlcss to resist, Sturdivant rails
cd his eyes to the speaker.
The stranger had raised his hat and sat
looking at the trembling man with eyes
which fairly blessed with fury. Sturdivant
uttered groan and sank back in his chair
with his face white and rigid. The stran-
ger with one sweep gathered up the money
iIoul tlle taUle anu thrust IL lntO Ills DOSOn1.
"The ace of hearts is an unlucky card for
you, Dan. Sturdivant," he said coolly. "You
played it once when you thought it to your
advantage Now, God help you, for that
play is returned"
As he spoke he raised a 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 corpse; and the bright blood
streamed over it, hiding the fatal card from
sight. ..
Gentlemen" said the stranger, rising to
his feet as we stood paralyzed with horror
at the dreadful scene; ''that man ruined
my wife and tried to murder me. l have
been hunting for him for ten years"
He walked slowly by US down the stair
way to the lower deck. just then as the
steamer touched at landing, he sprang
ashore and vanished in the dark woods.
never learned the history of the mystic
rious affair, for the dead gambler was be-
yond human questioning and l never saw
the stranger again; but l shall not soon for
get the impression it made upon me at the
time