The Newark journal., 1905-01-27
(CQntinued from last week)
CHAPTER III.

 Hawkbills on and after ten D. m. and been certain of exciting entertainment A philosopher of another school might have seen more than enough to point a moral and adorn a tale and perhaps have retreated with a discouraged sense of mans nhumanity to man.
 Darrel could be indifferent and hard, or sympathetic and yielding. Deep in his heart was ever a feeling that stirred at another's misfortune and his moods varied with the characters of the players as well as with the play.
 He stood close to a table, facing the door and dividing his attention be- tween the fall of the cards and the men who entered. An old, old game familiarly known as two pluck one" was in progress, wherein a pair of mereiless eampaigners were taking money from a beardless and rash youth who sat between them
 Cheating, on the part of the gam bers. was constant and fragrant But the boy had eyes for only his own cards and was playing with absorbed and tremulous intensity.
 Thsy'll have headlines on me in the eastern papers" he recklessly averred. unless l make a big winning tonight"
 There's no telling when the luck II turn" answered one of the gam blers insinuatingly, shifting a cut" with lightning quickness. Its all chance. you know. Up to now I've won. but from this out 1t may be your turn
 The youth elenehed his teeth and whitened, for he had losers grudge against a winners assumed superior ity. He wagered the last of his money "a dozen crisp bills marked with a &'C'' in one corner.
 He lost Rising from the table with the quiet remark, I'm done, gentle men he walked steadily out into the darkness, far beyond the glare of the red lamps.
 It was the old story of the moth and the flame. Darrel knew it well, but not so we'll that familiarity bred any thing but deeper and more consuming pity.
 He was at the youths back in time to snatch a s.x-shooter from his con- yulsiye hand.
 Come eome," he said, as the boy gave Q startled cry and turned on him. Where is your manhood. young fel 1ow?"
 Manhood" was the bitter response, task the red. white and blue chips at Hawkbill's Give me that, or by"
 With plunge he sought to catch the weapon and tear it from Darrers grasp.
 Softly" warned the other, clutching his hand. If get your money back for you will you promise never to touch another card so long as you live?"
 Who are your" gasped the youth. My money is gone and l am ruined. How can you get it back for me?"
 Follow me and you will find out. As to who am, that is beside the question. Have I your promise?"
 ''Yes. but I should like"
 Heres your revolver. I'd throw it away, if were you
 Darrel pushed the weapon into the young mans hand. turned sharply and retraced his steps to Hawkbill's. The two gamblers were still at table.
 What Darrel purposed doing called for skill and courage. Both qualities were his and he sought the issue with that airy confidence to which others had often attributed his success.
 It was by meddiEs in somewhat similar way that he had earned the hatred of Murgatreyd. Yet that had not cured him of the dangerous habit.
 He had observed the gamblers care fully. One was past middle age and had iron gray hair and beard; the other was but little elder than the man they had vietimized
 Well Sturgis' the younger man was saving as parrel came up, If we could find some one else with a roll this nights worl, would break the rec ord
 You're never satisfied Cliff re- turned Sturgis tossing of the contents of a glass just brought by q waiter.
 May l sit in with yoa. gentlemen?' inquired Darrel, pleasantly.
 At that moment he looked the un sophisticated and ingenious easterr gentleman, caring nothing for a littl, money and desirous only of whilinl away the time. As he spoke, he dis played large roll of bills.
 T had thought of quitting, sai, Sturgis. shooting a glance at his con federate, but still, if you want rpund I o,.ase I cou1d aoe,,ra ofl Q f you Do you want to take hand? he added, carelessly, to the other gam bler
 T might. returned Cliff. with ar