Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-06-30
GAMBLING
WITH FATE
By WILLIAM WALLACE COOK
Author Of "The Gold Cleaners: A Story OF
the Cyanide Tanks" "Wilby's Dan"
"His Friend the Enemy, Rogers
OF Butte Etc.. Etc,
Copyright. 1908. by William Wallace CookJ
CHAPTER XIX.-CoNTINUED.


A mild sensation was caused by this
announcement.
why should Murgatroyd ask you
to help him in such a criminal pro-
ceeding?" went on Payton.
Because had helped in other crimi-
nal proceedings. l suppose" was the
bitter reply.
Don't go outside Of the Sturgis mat
ter McCloud," said the doctor, by way
of warning. I'VE only care to know
about this
Il am a wreck and will soon be be-
yond the pale of any earthly law.
What | am | owe to Murgatroyd and
would like to have everything known" ."
Where did you first meet Murga-
troyd?"
"In Denver. Physicians sent me
there for my health. l am the victim
of strange malady and physicians
were puzzled and could give me little
except advice and suggestions. They
sent me to Denver"
Professional curiosity manifested it
self in DR.. Payton's manner.
What sort of malady, McCloud?"
he asked.
1T is nervous, they tell me. Undue
excitement throws me into a condi-
tion that resembles death-but it is
not death, although it has led me close
to it. | can see and hear all that goes
on around me, but there is no notice
able beating of the heart and all the
evidences of death, even to rigor NOR
tbs. may be detected"
Rare, but not unique" muttered the
doctor. THE attacks come on at in
tervals?"
Excitement brings them on. They
have been more frequent of late than
formerly" McCloud turned to Dar-
rel when | fed from Sandy Bar,
that night, l was beside myself with
apprehension and remorse. | took
refuge in that deserted cabin, and feel
ing that an attack was upon me, and
not knowing but it would be the last,
| made few preparations and
stretched myself out in the bunk,
covering myself with blankets l car
Iied with me.
Then you came, Nate Darrell. Up
so the time you closed my eyes every
move you made inside the cabin was
seen by me; every word you spoke i
heard"
What did Darrell do?" asked Pay
ton, bent on proving Darrels story.
McCloud recited Darrels actions in
detail, substantially as Darrell had al
ready set them forth.
Mt
Cloud?" continued Payton.
The utter silence of the room was
broken only by the low tones of the
speakers and an occasional burst oi
music from the dance hall.
81 was glad" said McCloud glad
that Darrell could save himself by i'm
personating me. My hope was that !
might die and be found, after a time
and mistaken for Darrel-just as he in
tended. But fate spared me for this
final act of reparation. | recovered
and, for the last four weeks, have been
living with prospector in the hills. y
Again he addressed Darrell.
Il have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking a Morocco
purse from his pocket, he brought from
it ragged slip of brown paper. Read
it, doctor" he added "It will prove
that Nate Darrell is man of fine feel
ing"
Payton took the slip and read it
"Is there another paper in the pocket
book?" he asked.
This"
1t was the writing which told of the
marked bullet and deep breath es-
capped the listeners when it's contents
were made known to them
Let us come back to your relations
with Murgatroyd," proceeded Payton
You say they began in Denver?"
Yes; in gambling house in Den
yer. | played there night after night
forging checks to cover my losses
Murgatroyd took the stolen money and
finding me an apt pupil, taught me
how to play with him and help him
fleece others. went from bad tC
worse. Friends paid the amount of tn,
forged paper, hushing the matter up
From that hour, however | was lost
The fetters of Murgatroyds devilisE
influence were things from which
could moi free myseR. | did not un-