Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-08-21
dull. Who wants TO play for 500 ante.

cared to volunteer to place himself in
his clutches. tl4
"Umph" he exclaimed with an ex-
preston of contempt, "afraid to try your
luck against Dan Sturdivant. eh? Or
maybe you want little coaxing. Some
OF you must play with me. can I stand
such treatment. Come, let's see who it
will be.
lie glanced around the crowd as if to
select his victim. For the first time [
noticed the gaze of one of the group
fixed steadily upon him. He was a
stranger TO me, and was dressed in A
plain suit of homespun, and his face
was partially concealed by a wide
brimmed sombrero which was drawn
over it. He was small, but powerfully
made man, and in the decided express
sion of his well-shaped hand L read an
unusual firmness and intensity of pur-
pose.
Are you Daniel Sturdivant. the gam
blerr' he asked in calm tone, without
rising.
Sturdiyant flushed darkly and gave
the stranger fierce glance.
some persons call me so, behind my
back, " he said insolently; "but no one
would dare apply that term to me before
my face"
Nevertheless, said the stranger. 81
want an answer-yes or no.
well them said the gambler an
grily, 81 am. What of it?'
''Simply this" replied the stranger,
Il have heard it said that you claim 20
be the best card player in the Southwest.
L have come two hundred miles to prove
you liar"
Sturdivant strobe forward a step or
two and thrust his hand into his breast
as if 10 grasp a 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 | will make my word good
There was something in the calm,
stern manner of the stranger that seems
ed to render the gambler powerless. He
hesitated for moment. and then said,
bullyingly:
81 never play with man whose face
cannot see."
"Never mind my face said the
stranger. 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, produc-
ing large pocket book Il have SI0,-
900 there; if YOU can win it you shall |
do So"
With an oath, Sturdivant placed him |
self at the table and bade his challenger |
do likewise Those of us who had list
ened TO this singular dialogue, now gath
cred around the table, expecting to see
scene of more than usual interest. /
The stranger had not yet raised his hat
brim, and none IF us had seen his face.
but we all felt, from his general air and
manner, that Daniel Sturdivant had at
last met his match. 1t did not take long
to show that the stranger was an unusu-
ally good player. For an hour or more
the playing went on in silence. The
stakes were high, and the contest mark
ed with rare skill. Sturdivant exerted
himself as he had never done before,
but in spite of his efforts, he lost steadI-
ly. By the expiration of the time indi-
Gated above, he had lost two thousand
dollars noticed the flush upon his
face deepen, and a strange light came
into HIS eyes. At last, with an excla-
nation of triumph, ne drew toward him
the heap of notes.
"That was well done, "said the strang-
er. You are an expert at cheating. BIT
go 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
when the stranger laid down a card and
checked him. The gambler uttered a
sharp cry and sat motionless, with his
eyes fixed on a card, 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 closely
around the two, wondering at the
strange scene.
"In Gods name, who are you ?''gasp-
ed Sturdivant, his eyes still fixed Oh the
card.
''J.ook at me-" said the stranger
quietly.
As if powerless to resist, Sturdivant
raised his eyes to the speaker. The
stranger had raised his hat and sat look
ing at the trembling man with eyes that
fairly blazed with fury. Sturdivant
uttered groan, and sank back in his
chair, with his face white and rigid.
The stranger with one sweep gathered
up the money from the table and thrust
it into his breast.
THAT ace of hearts is an unlucky
card for you, Daniel Sturdivant," he
said coldly. "You played it once when
you thought it to your advantage.
No;v, God help you, for the play is re-
turned :"
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,
s.that man ruined my wife and tried 10
murder me. / have been hunting for
him ten years.
He walked slowly by us down the
stairway to the lower deck. just then
the steamer touched at a landing and he
sprang ashore and vanished in the dark
woods.