Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-05-19

cared 70 NOlunleer W pace u1AlScA IL
his clutches.
"UmphI" he exclaimed, with an ex-
preston of contempt, "afraid to Try
your luck with Dan Sturdivant, Ell? Or
maybe you want little coaxing. Some
of You must play with me. can't stand
such treatment. Come, let's see who it
shall be-"
He glanced around the crowd as If to
secure 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
plain suit of homespun, and his face was
partially concealed by broad brimmed
sombrero, which was drawn down
over it.
"Are you Daniel Sturdivant, the gam
bler?" he asked in a calm tone without
rising.
Sturdivant flushed darkly and gave
the stranger keen glance.
"Some persons call me so behind my
back" he said insolently, "but no one
would care to apply that term to me be-
fore my face"
Nevertheless" said the stranger qui-
etly, 81 want an answer-yes or no."
"Well, then, am" said the gambler.
"What of itg''
"Simply this" replied the stranger, 81
have heard it said that you claim to be
the best card player in the southwest. I
have come 200 miles toprove you liar" I"
Sturdivant strobe forward step or
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 yourself
afraid of me. Take your seat at the
table, and 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 moment and then said bully
ingly:
~ never play with man whose face
l cannot see."
Never mind my face; if you are not
afraid of losing you shall see it when
am done with you"
"But how do know that you have
money for such SPORT" persisted Sturdi
want. "You look seedy enough, my fine
fellow"
"There," said the stranger; II have
$4,000 there. Ii you can win it yor
shall do so."
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self at the table and bade his challenger
do likewise.
Those of us who had listened to this
singular dialogue now gathered aroun(
the table, expecting to see a scene o.
more than usual interest. The stranger
had not raised his hat brim and none o.
us had seen his face, but we all felt from
his general air and manner that DAME
Sturdivant had at last met his match
1t did not take long to show US that tn,
stranger was an unusually good player
For an hour or more the playing wen
on in silence. The stakes were high ant
the contest marked with rare skill
Sturdivant exerted himself as he hat
never done before, but in spite of all hi
efforts he lost steadily. By the expira
ton of the time indicated above he haC
lost over $4,000. l noticed the fusl
upon his face deepen and strange ligb
come into his eyes. At last, with an eS
clamation of triumph, he drew towar
him the heap of notes.
"That was well done," said the strane
er. "You are an expert at cheating
But go on; can best you whether yo
play openly or dishonesty"
Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt tn
cards again. The hand was played an
Sturdivant was about to seize the stake
again when the stranger laid down
card and checked him.
The gambler uttered sharp cry an
sat motionless, with his eye fixed on tn
card, worn and faded ace of hearts
with dark stain across the face. STU
divant's face worked convulsively as h
gazed at it, and the spectators gathere
more closely around the two, wonderin
at the strange scene.
SIN Gods name, who are your aske
Sturdivant, with his eyes still fixed o
: the card.
"Look at me-" said the strange
quietly.
AS if powerless to resist, Sturdiva1
raised his eyes to the speaker.
The stranger raised his hat and 81
, looking at the trembling man with ey'
which blazed with fury. Sturdiva1
/ uttered groan and sank back in h
t chair, with his face white and rigi'
! The stranger with one sweep gathere
r up the money from the table and thru
!. It in his bosom.
b "The ace of hearts is an unlucky cal
: for you, Daniel Sturdivant," he sa
d coolly; "you played it once when ye
n thought it to your advantage. Nov
d God help you, for that play is returned
9 As he spoke he raised pistol whit
# we had not seen, and before we cou
stop him aimed deliberately at the tre1
10 bling man and fired. The gambler fl
n heavily upon the table corpse, and tt
d bright blood streamed over it, hidil
% the fatal card from sight.
is "Gentlemen," said the stranger, r
It ing to his feet as we stood paralyz
l, with horror at the dreadful scene, 18th
g man ruined my wife and tried to mi
p der me. have been hunting for hi
for ten years"
a. He walked slowly by us down t
IN stairway to the lower deck. Just as {
lg steamer touched at the landing he spra
s. ashore and vanished in the woods
IL o. in New York News.
SYMPATHY.
oi They came to mo and gently said,