Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-15
A GAME
OF BLUFF
By MARGARET BARR
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

Wcrselcy thought. Mrs. HelG4 Dana.
a widow, who dotted on her s.n. was
his fiancee. He knew what sums she
had given George to pay gambling
debts already. Finally Worseley said
TO her:
Give rue the check. / will give 1t
TO Shapiro"
what good will that do?"
"I don't know that it will do any
good"
She wrote the check and made It
payable to Shapiro. as Norseley sug'
gested. He put it in his pocket ana
left her.
This scene took place In New Or
leans near the middle Of the last CEN
fury. The best people Of that gay city
sambled. fought duels and did great
many other things that are now obso1
lete. though most Of them have sur
vived IN some other form. except duel
ing. which is thing Of the past even
In the Crescent City.
worseley went 10 the - club, where
he expected to find Shapiro. ana he
did. Shapiro was not playing at the
tune. and Yorseley beckoned him to
room whefc no one else was present
and handed him Mrs Dana's check.
saying:
"a man who will win money from a
boy and accept the winnings from that
boys mother deserves to be expelled
from respectable society"
stood with the check in his fingers
scowlng at Worseley.
at seems. to me. sfr. Worseley. that
You hate deprived me Of the power OF
declining this check by your words.
Therefore I shall hold it while i an,
considering what to do In the mat
ter"
"You can't present It till bank hours
tomorrow morning; meanwhile | shall
consider for you"
"Indeedw
Eyes. Go into the coffee room and
order a glass of wine. I will be with
you directly"
"And suppose decline to do your
bidding:"
"It will do no good. My purpose is
10 make a pretext for what is TO take
place between us in order that nell
Their young Dana nor his mother will
be drought into the affair"
Shapiro. seeing that he was in for
meeting with Worseley. yielded to the
plan of concealing the true cause,
went into the coffee room. took a seat
ut a table and called for wine In a
few minutes Worseley passed him.
pretended to stumble on Shapirc's foot
and, Selling the glass on the table.
threw the contents in Shapiro's face.
saying, I'll teach you to trip me-
Then Worseley walked away.
There was nothing for Shapiro TO
DO but send a challenge at once. the
sffair having been witnessed by half
a dozen men. Worseley accepted.
chose Derringer pistols. appointed the
time at sunrise the next morning. in n
wood where the duels were usually
fought
Worseley was not professional
GutilSt, Dut was hhOWh " " - $1,000
Of wonderful nerve Shapiro. who
made his living at cards. had recently
appeared in New Orleans with letters
sufficient to secure his admission
among gentlemen and had not yet
been detected for what he was When
the two parties were on the ground
Shspiro's second asked Worseley's the
distance and received the reply. Over
a handkerchief" This he reported to
Shapiro. who saw that 1t meant death
TO both principals.
After a conference between shapiro
and bis second the latter asked IL
there was any way by which the mat
Ter could be settled IN honor TO botb
parties
Tell HIM" said worseiey. that II
he will return the check ] gave bin
this evening with receipt in full TO-
the debt for which il was intended
will apologize 10 him for what have
done on the ground that his tripping
me was upinteniioual."
Shapiro was disposed 10 regard Gis
whole AFFAIR bluff by which 10 regain
possession Of Mrs. Daoa's check ana
that by standing firm WcrseIey would
withdraw 81 the last moment But
his second vaEoed bin that Worseiey
did not bear any such reputation Ncv-
crfheIess shapiro. who was anxious to
retain the morcy. concluded 20 blur.
and not tII the two seconds. each
holding = corner Of handkerchief
Instructed their principals 10 advance
With weapons extended till the muzzies
were on a line with what separated
them did he throw I'D the sponge
Then be accepted worseicy's terms
The check and a receipt for the
amount Of ns face passed. and Worse
isy infimafcd that he would state AZ