Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-07


hsa fully n-1e up I1y E11Ei 10 re
fuss hils. and IL be ssss.1pss-d 70 draw
ne into aazxrel 70 saoos him without
mercy. - knew that tbs only ehAnes
For nay life lay IL getting the advantage
Of hlm. Strange - SAY, lie did not make
any such proposition % nae. and l. gave
him no chance u do 81.
One night We had started out from
vieksbaEg. and were heading marrIly
down the river. when Sturdivans came
up Ia ths group which lad gathered
around the stove. he had been drink
INK. All raace way for him
well. gentleman he said in an un-
steady tone. .'you seem 10 be terribly
dull. Who wants To play for twenty
dollars ante
There was no reply. All present
sssmed " know the man, and no one
cared 70 volunteer 10 place himself in
his clutches.
"Umph.' he exclaimed. with an az
vressson Of contempt, AFRAID to try
your luck with Dan Sturdivsnt. eh? Or
maybe yen want little coaxing. Some
of you must play with me. can't stand
such treatment Come, let's see who il
shall be-"
He glanced around the crowd a. II to
secure bis victim. For the FIRST time
noticed the gaze OF one OF the group
fixed steadily upon him. He was y
stranger to me and was dressed in .
plain srit Of homespun. and bis face was
partially concealed by brood brimmed
sombrero. which was drawn down
over it.
Are you Daniel Sturdivant, tho gam
bler:" he asked in q calm tone without
rising.
Srurdivant flushed darkly and gave
the stranger . keen glance.
.sSome 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 quiz
ely, II want an snswer-yes or no."
"well. then. am" said the gambler.
what Of it,"
Simply this" replied the stranger, II
have heard it said that you claim to be
the best card player in the southwest. I
have come 200 miles to prove you liar. .
Sturiivant strobe forward q step OF
two, and thrust his hand into his breast.
- If to grasp . weapon
STOP" said the stranger. III you
shoot mo you viii simply prove yourself
afraid Of me. Take your seat at the
table, and / win make my words good.
There was something in the calm, stern
manner Of the stranger that seemed tc
render the gambler powerless. He hesi'
tated . moment and then said bully
ingly:
II never play with man whose fac<
cannot see."
'.Never mind my face; II you are moi
afraid Of losing you shall see it when
am done with you"
"But how do know that you have
money for such sport2' persisted Sturdi
want "You look seedy enough, my fnt
fellow"
There" said the stranger; II hsvt
1900 there. II you can win it yor
shall do 60"
With an oath Sturdivant placed him
self ct the table and babe his challenge,
do likewise.
Those Of Us who had listened to thi
singular dialogue now gathered around
the table, expecting to see scene o.
moro than usual interest. The stranger
had not raised his hat brim and mono o.
Us bad seen his face, but we all felt from
his general air and manner that DAME
Sturdivant had ut last met his match
It did not take long to show Us that thu
stranger was an unusually good player
For an hour or more the playing wen
on in silence. The stakes were high and
the contest marked with rare skill
Sturdivant exerted himself as he hat
never done before, but in spite Of all hi
efforts be lost steadily. By the expira
ton Of the time indicated above he haG
lost over $4,000. ! noticed the Ausi
upon his face deepen and . strange hgk
come into his eyes. At last, with an en-
clamstion Of triumph, he drew towars
him the heap of notes.
THAT was well done" said the strsng
er. You are an expert at cheating
But 60 on; can best You whether yoa
play openly or dishonesty"
Sturdivant said nothing, but dealt th,
cards again. The hand was played ant
Sturdivant was about to seize the stake
again when tho stranger laid down {
card and checked him.
The gambler uttered sharp cry ant
eat motionless, with his eye fixed on tn
card, q worn and faded sce Of hearts
with dark stain across the face. Stur
divsnt's face worked convulsively as b.
gazed at it. and the spectators gathere,
more closely around the two, wondering
ct the strange scene.
ain Gods name, who are your askes
etprdivxnt, with his eyes still fixed o.
the card.
Look at me-" said tho strange
quietly.
As il powerlees to resist, Sturdivan
raised his eyes TO the speaker.
the stranger raised his hat and a
looking at the trembling man with eye
which blazed with fury. Sturdivan
uttered groan and sank back in hi
chair, with his face white and rigid
The stranger with one sweep gathere,
up the money from the table and thrus
IL In his bosom.
| THE ace " hearts IL On unlucky car,
II