The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-10-25

NO" thcn, my DUCK cried q voice
sharp with passion, we'll settle our
differences man to man"
we have no differences to settle,
Stursis," returned Darrell, relieved and
not a little surprised. He was looking
for Murgatroyd. not Sturgis.
The gambler was in a blind, unrea-
soning fury. In the light of later
events It was patent that Darrell had
set a trap for him n beaten him
n his confederate al their own game.
When a man like Sturgis has such
a grievance there is but one a in
which the score can be settled. Stur-
Sis was fiercely determined and Oar
rel was quick TO comprehend his peril
A fIaring lamp in front of the dance
nail opposite cast a dim light over the
scene The field was clear for the en-
counter. no n being abroad / IN the
street apart from the two concerned.
Rigidly erect the two men stood. re-
yolvers ready and swinging az their
sides, their eyes alert and watching
eatlikc each others slightest move
mcnL
You're either the devil himself OF
else you're-Nate Darrell of Frisco
said Sturgis. between his teeth.
bS - 6oiiS Jcu III Will
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 jusl
M you wanted out of the pack"
Darrell laughed n little at that. II
wasn't the first time his phenomenal
skill had led a gambler 10
him with the arch ficnd.
. s'Vp,,'rn 1, l,,o. c. -
land have yet to learn the first rudi-
ments of your profession. | have
taught you Il lesson and if you want tc
live long enough to profit by it you'll
put that gun in your pocket and take
yourself off"
An exaspcrated cry fell from Stur-
Eis' lips. Rccklessly he threw himself
forward. raising the ~six-shooter to a
level with his eyes.
There was no blood on Nate Darrel's
hands. In his whole career he had
never found it necessary to protect his
life by taking anothcr's.
His ready wit and his wonderful
strength-which his slight form in a
manner belied-had times out of mind
been his bulwarks of self-defense. He
had a horror of bloodshed and carried
a revolver in humble demonstration of
the theory that leads great nations to
build great navies-hoping to make the
arbitrameIt 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
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
II was with the forlorn hope of avoid
ing a clash.
AS the lratc blaCkleG plunged for
ward. Darrell threw himself to one side.
At that precise moment n shot rang
out from some point at Darrel's rear,
a bullet fame his cheek and Sturgis,
with an aGonized cry. tossed his hands
in the air. reeled and fell face down.
ward on the sidewalk.
Darrell was unned by the sudden
ness of the tragedy. In n second he
had whirlcd to look back up the street,
but saw no one. Then he did the
worst thing possible for himself bv
I ioi III anu
making an examination.
SturSiS was already dead. The bullet
had penetrated his heart and a stream
of blood flowed from the wound and
formed a pool beneath him.
The shot II the tortured CRY of the
dying man had aroused the peoDIe.
From the dance hall they came on a
run. and from Hawkbill's and othe,
resorts a h~alf-drunken mob charged
for the scene.
Darrell was found standing over
Sturgis revolrer in hand. Stursis was
dead and the habitues OF Hawkbiu'S
knew that Sturgis and Darrell had
Quarreled at cards.
Only one inference was possible
Darrell drew it as quickly as those
around him.
Where's the marshall" he asked.
his voice perfectly steady.
His hand frightened a little on the
reNolver and he retreatcd slowly until
his back was against the wall OF tie
nearest building. the half circle of
threatening faces in front.
w don't need the marshal" said
Cliff. savagely. Jack Sturgis is dead
and you're the one that killed him
Do we need the marshal, bovs2"
He appealed to the crowd. a snarl-
ing negative passed through the ranks
of the crowd and the half circle be
gan TO contract.
You'll need the marshal or the I'M
dertaker." returned Darrell. His voice