Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-05-21

OF his unfortunate vocation.
In any other walk of life his sterling
qualities OF mind and heart would have
claimed their tribute OF respect and so-
cial position. A man who believed that
his fate was of his own making could
hardly have been ignorant of this; but
passion for play was too deeply in
grained in his nature. The notoriety
he had courted and won, in any other
profession would have been the MILL
stone that pulled him under.
The recovery OF the boys money
aptly illustrates barrels character.
He could not see anything wrong in
turning the tables on the blacklegs
and it was a pleasure for him to be
able to do it,
He played an honorable" game; and
he considered it honorable to worst a
couple of sharpers at their own tao
tics.
AS he made his way back along the
struggling street toward Hawkbill
Henderson's he was warily watchful.
Recent events had taken his attention
somewhat from his main purpose in
coming to Sandy Bar and the murder
Gus Murgatroyd might be lurking any
where in the shadows or logging his
steps.
The wheezy tones of fiddles, guitars
and bass-viol, accompanied by hoarse
shouts, laughter and fall of dancing
feet echoed from building across
the way. Other buildings along the
street were aglare with light and rife
with clink of glasses, a rattle Of
poker chips and boisterous cries of
drinkers and players.
There were few on the street at that
moment and Darrell passed rapidly on
in the direction of the gambling place.
Abruptly form hurled itself across
his path from dark space between
two shanties on his left.
Instantly a revolver was in his hand.
Nov then, my buck" cried a voice
sharp with passion, well settle our
differences man to man"
1--WE have no differences to settle,
Sturgis," returned Darrell. relieved and
not little surprised. He was looking
for Murgatroyd, not Sturgis.
The gambler was in blind, unrea-
soning fury. In the light of later
events it was patent that Darrell had
set trap for him and beaten him
and his confederate at their own game.
When man like Sturgis has such
a grievance there Is but one way in
which the score can be settled. Stur-
gis was fiercely determined and Oar
rel was quick to comprehend his peril.
A flaring lamp in front of the dance
hall opposite cast q dim light over the
scene. The field was clear for the en-
counter, no one being abroad in the
street apart from the two concerned.
Rigidly erect the two men stood, re-
volvers ready and swinging at their
sides, their eyes alert and watching
catlika each others slightest move
ment.
you're either the devil himself OF
else youre-Nate Darrell of Frisco
said Sturgis, between his teeth. INC
man could play the game you did with
out being one or the other. 1t was
barrels discard you threw into the
deadwood, and you sat between Cliff
and me and helped yourself to just
what you wanted out of the pack"
Darrell laughed little at that. II
wasn't the first time his phenomenal
skill had led gambler to confound
him with the arch fiend.
You're bungler, Sturgis,' said he,
"and have yet to learn the first rudi-
ments of your profession. have
taught you lesson and II you want to
live long enough to profit by 1t you'll
put that gun in your pocket and take
yourself off,"
An exasperated cry fell from Stur-
gis' lips. Recklessly he threw himself
forward, raising the six-shooter to q
level with his eyes.
There was no blood on Nate barrels
hands. In his whole career he had
never found it necessary to protect his
life by taking another's.
His ready wit and his wonderful
strength--which his slight form in a
been his bulwarks of self-defense. He
had horror of bloodshed and carried
q revolver in humble demonstration of
the theory that leads great nations to
build great navies hoping to make the
arbitrament of war still more remote.
BY coming to Sandy Bar in quest Of
Murgatroyd he had faced an issue at
direct variance with his inclinations.
He was well aware that fatalities were
almost certain to result; If he were
the victim, no aching void would be
left in the world, while If Murgatroyd
fell the cause of humanity would be
advanced.
But he wanted no exchange of shots
with Sturgis. He had threatened, but
1t was with the forlorn hope Of avoid
ing a clash.
AS the irate blackleg plunged for
ward, Darrell threw himself to one side
At that precise moment shot rang