The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1868-04-16

you shall see it when | am done with
you.
'Buthow do know that you have
moasy for such sport, persisted Sturdi-
byant. You look seody enough, my lel-
How
There, said tho stranger, 4 have
Zen thousand dollars there. Ifyou can
! win ityOu shall do so
! With an oath siur,livnnt placed him
;selg al the table and .badO his challenger
J v likewise Those of Us who had
listened to this singular dialogue. now
gathered around tho table. expecting 10
see scene Of OF moro than usual inter-
est The stranger had not raised his
hat bnm, and none Of US had seen his
face; but we oil felt from his, generous
air an manner that Daniel Sturdivsnt
hal OF last met his match. II did not
take long to show Us that tho stranger
wAGnn unnsuslly good player. For Au
hour or more the pl,yiug went on in
silence. st9kesawere high and The
contest marked wi'lh4AresskiIl. siarai.
want exoE,el himssIfOs he had never
done before, but in spite Of oil his eff
forts he lost steadily, BY the oXpira'
lion Of tho time mentioned above be had
lost over two thousand dollars | not
iced tho flush upon his cheek deepen,
sud a strange light coma into his eyes
Al last, with an exclamation OF triumph,
he drew tosati him the heap ofnOIes,
THAT was wsil done said the stran'
ger. You ats,ap expert in cheating.
But go on Lean beat 20 whether you
p,ly openly Of dishone'ils.'
/ smrdiyaatsaiI nothins, but dealt the
cards usaia. The hand was played
aud suJaNsnt was Sbou.,O seize the
stake ag.in,s WHEN the stranger laid down
acard and checked him.
The gambler uttered ! sharp cry and
add sat motiOhless with his eyes fixed
on the card. avon pnl faded ace Of
4, s,,ia acrOsa Tho
siss'y % b gtzad.alil, aud tbs spselai
tors gathered, m ore closely around the
TIVE. wondering 81 tho strange scene.
,In Gods name, who are you?' asked
S,urlivaat, with hi, eyes still fIsl on
the card
Look at me- said the stranger quiet
AS fpowerless to. rO'ist, S'urdivaut
raised his eyes 10 tho speaker.
The stranger hal caised his hat and
ond sat looking at the troubling man
with eyes which fairly bl'zsd with fury
sturliyunt uttered gfoan and sank back
in his chair with his face white and rig
/. el. The stranger with one sweep gath
cred tho money from tho tablo Ond
thrustitiuto bis bosom.
The ace of hearts is an uolucky card
for you, Daniel s'otdivont'' he 'n'd''
cody. You played it once when you
thought it TO your advantage. Now
God help you, for that play is returned
As ho spoke he raised pistol which
we had not seen, and before We could
stop him, aimed it deliberately at the
trembling man and fred. The gambler
fell heavily upon the table corP'ei and
the bright blood stre'm0d over ii hiding
/, the fatal card from sight.
Gentlemen s,id the strAngef' rising
10 his feet as we stood ParaIized win
horror at the dreadful scene, Chat man
ruined my wife and tried to murder mo-
Ibnye been hunting him ten years
He walked slowly by US down the
stairway to the lower d'ek, Just then
as the steamer touched at the landing
ho sprong ashore and vanished in the
dark woods.
Inovor learned The history of tho
mysterious affair, for the dead CANDLES
wrs beyond human questioning; and |
never saw the stranger Agaip, but shall
not soon forget tho Impression made
upon me at that iimo,.
A few years since we were accuStom
ed IN henring The Democratic orators on