The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-16


steady tone, you seem to be terrible
dull. Who wants to play for $40
ante?'
There was no reply.
sUmphp he exclaimed with an ex-
preston of contempt, 'afraid to try
your luck against Dan Sturdivant, eh
Or maybe you want q little coaxing.
Some of you must play with me. I
can't stand such treatment. Come,
let's see who it will be-
He glanced around the crowd as if
to select his victim. For the first time
I noticed the gaze of one of the group
fixed steadily upon him. He was a
stranger to me, and was dressed in
plain suit of homespun, and his face
was partially concealed by wide
brimmed sombrero " hich was drawn
over it. He was a small but power
fully made man, and in the decided
expression of his well shaped head l
read an unusual firmness and INTENSE
ty of purpose.
gambler?' he asked in calm tone,
without rising.
Sturdivant flushed darkly and gave
the stranger q 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.'
sNevertheless,' said the stranger, 1
want an answer-yes or no.
well, then,' said the gambler, an
grily, Il am. What of it7'
Simply this,' replied the stranger,
Il 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 a liar.
Sturdiyant strobe forward step or
two and thrust his hand into his
breast as if to grasp weapon.
'Stop,' said the stranger, tif you
shoot me, you will simply prove your
self afraid of me. Take your seat at
the table, and I will make my word
good.
There was something in the calm,
stern manner of the stranger that
seemed to render the gambler power
less. He hesitated for a moment and
then said, bullyinely:
Il never play with man whose face
l cannot see.'
Never mind my face said the
stranger. IF you are not afraid of To-
sing, you shall see it when am done
with you.'
| But how do know you have mon
ey enough for such sport2 persisted
Sturdivant. You look seedy enough,
my fine fellow
There said the stranger, producing
a large pocket-book, Il have $4,000
there if you can win it, you shall do
so.'
With an oath Sturdivant placed
himself at the table and bade his chal-
lenger do likewise. Those of US who
had listened to this singular dialogue
now gathered around the table expect
ing to see q 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 that
Daniel Sturdivant had at last met his
match. 1t did not take long to show
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. Sturdivant
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 So,
600. Noticed the flush upon his face
deepen, and strange light came into
his eyes, 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 60 on, can beat you whether
you play openly or dishonestly.'
Sturdivant said nothing but dealt
the cards again. The hand was played
and Sturdivant was about to seize the
stakes when the stranger laid down a
card and checked him. The gambler
uttered sharp cry and sat motionless
with his eyes fixed upon the card, a
worn and faded ace of hearts with a
dark red stain across the face. Stur.
divant's face worked conyulslyely az
he gazed at it and the spectators gath.
cred more closely around the two,
wondering at the strange scene.
I'm God name who are you ?
gasped Sturdivant, his eyes still fixed
on the card.
Look at me- said the stranger aui.
etly.
As if powerless to resist. Sturdi.
! van. raised his eyes to the speaker
The stranger had raised his hat and
sat looking at the trembling man with
eyes that fairly blazed with fury
Sturdivant uttered a 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
tThat ace of hearts is an unluck y
card for you, Daniel Sturdlvant,' be
said, boldly. you played it once
when you thought it to your advan
: tage. Now God help you, for tha
5 play is returned!
} AS he spoke he raised a pisto
, which we had not seen, and before W,
, could stop him. aimed it deliberately
at the trembling man and fired. TIL,
, gambler fell heavily upon the table
: corpse, and the bright blood streamei
i Ovor II hi6inU tho fotoI card from