Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-06-11
Gambling With Fate.
pleasure. and could be found At Hawk

1Qu hDEW tnClC WIS ltuN hC~
tween Murgatroyd and Darrell"
'Murgatroyd told me. He said that
Darrell was in Sandy Bar and must not
get out Of the camp alive. He said
that was to help him put Darrell out
of the way"
mild sensation was caused by this
announcement.
why should Murgatroyd ask you
to help him In such criminal pro-
ceeding?" went on Payton.
Because had helped in other crimi-
nal proceedings, | suppose" was tho
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 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?"
I'm Denver. Physicians sent me
there for my health. 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.
at is nervous. they tell me. Undue
excitement throws me into condi-
ton that resembles death-but 1t is
not death, although it has led me close
to 1t. I 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 OAR
rel. when I fled from Sandy Bar.
that night. was beside myself with
apprehension and remorse. I took
refuge In that deserted cabin, and feel
ing that an attack was upon me, and
not knowing but it would be the last.
i made a few preparations and
stretched myself out in the bunk,
covering myself with blankets l car
ried with me.
"Then you came, Nate Darrell. Up
to the time you closed my eyes every
move you made inside the cabin was
seen by me: every word you spoke |
heard
what did Darrell do?" asked Pay
ton, bent on proving barrels story.
McCloud recited barrels actions in
detail, substantially as Darrell had al
ready set them forth.
what were your feelings, Nc
Cloud?" continued Payton.
The utter silence OF the room was
broken only by the low tones Of the
speakers and an occasional burst OF
music from the dance hall.
Il 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
Again be addressed Darrell.
Il have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking a Morocco
purse from his pocket, he brought from
it a ragged slip Of brown paper Read
1t, DOCTOR" he added. ut 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 its 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 Dem
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 to
worse. Friends paid the amount of the
forged paper, hushing the matter up.
From that hour, however, I was lost.
The letters of Murgatroyd's devilish
influence were things from which I
could not free myself. I did not un-
derstand his power then and do not
understand 1t now--but 1t was an in
vincible weapon and he used 1t merci-
lessly. For that monster / have re-
nounced everything hold dear in life
and see how am repaid"
In the brief. lowering stiffness that
followed there was not one but looked
upon McCloud in pity and upon Muir
gatroyd with horror and loathing.
49," said Payton, softly, "you came
A. T. Ant