Frank Reade, Jr., With His New Steam Horse Among The Cowboys; Or, The League Of The Plains — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Le é | THE LEAGUE OF THE PLAINS. eee ta eloquence, “Lf do so hope you will | Frank, coolly. ‘“T can see what you are f succeed. It is awful to think that his | without any explanation upon your bre murder should go unpunished. He was part.” is such a noble fellow.” ‘Come, come, gentlemen !” interposed i iz Frank divined the anguish in her Major Vose, “ this is too bad, . Harding, f beautiful eyes. you have forgotten yourself. I shall not tage “I will wager they were lovers,” he easily pardon this intrusion upon our thought, but said aloud: conversation. Mr. Reade is my guest.” fe “My dear Miss Vose, let us hope that Lhe heutenant had been upon the eee fe he is not dead, but yet alive somewhere, | point of replying to Frank, but he cowered yy ___, and that\we shall be able to rescue him.” | beneath Major Vose’s indignant gaze, Eolas 3 ~ Heaven grant it may be so,” said the | and with a low bow said - —-—-young girl, fervently. ‘Your pardon, major. I go, but I . But I hardly believe it,” said a cold | shall see Mr. Reade again.” _ voice at Frank’s right. He vanished beyond the barrier of _~-—s Al turned in surprise to see a tall, | shrubbery. Could Frank’s gaze have — i _ well-formed, but sinister-featured young | penetrated it at that moment, he would man in the uniform of a United States | have beheld the fellow standing, the | Lieutenant of Cavalry. inearnation of hatred and fury, shaking He had been all the while unobserved | his fist savagely, __-in a patch of shrubbery near. “ Frank Reade, jun.,eh ? Ihave heard _. The young girl’s form drew up, and | of you and your Steam Horse. So you __ Frank saw in her eyes a light of aversion. | have come here to look up the fate of _. Major Vose said curtly : | Arthur Bentley, eh? It might not have | “What are your reasons for doubting | been necessary had not the young fool it, Lieutenant Harding *” tried to come between me and Helen. / 7) «The tall officer smiled, and twirled the | Ha! ha! ha! nobody knows the fate of | long points of his moustache. Arthur Bentley better than I do, and I sce ett ee 1a “Arthur Bentley may be alive,” he | shall keep it to myself.” said, coolly ; “but if the rascals over at i) ; “ . * <ieee __ the Star Ranch had anything to do with his disappearance, I don’t see what, chance | | CHAPTER IV. uae com If alive, why does he not turn A PAIR WARRING: S Helen Vose had turned away, and |“ WAP AY I ask who that fellow is, entered the house. ; Major Vose ?” asked Frank. “I beg to differ with you,” said Frank, Sek “Certainly ; he is a retired stiffly. “ His foes might for many reasons | lieutenant of the United States cavalry,” » hold him a prisoner.” replied the major. _ . “Tt is hardly likely,” returned the| Probably court - martialled, and _. heutenant, coldly. drummed out of the company,” muttered i i = Perhaps - you are perfectly well- | Frank. : igi? _..— informed upon the subject ?” What ? : wate * Sir 1” “I beg your pardon. He is your friend 9 M9 eet <3 ee ° ; ° +e . ; va The lieutenant turned a glowering yet I have taken a keen dislike to him.” BY ie glance upon Frank. But the young “You may be excused,” said the major, i inventor returned it. ‘Very few people take to Harding. I ee iit --* Your manner would imply that.” tolerate him, as his father was an old» eS | “By Heaven! do you mean to insult” companion of mine.” : a mer” thundered the heutenant. “1 bee your pardon, then, for my great hs. + “Tf you choose to regard that single discourtesy.” ead 23 Statement as an insult, you may do so,” “It was his fault, not yours. Now, | arn ‘said. Frank, quietly. It is. quite | Mr. Reade, I want you to make Comfort © + Immaterial to me.” Ranch your headquarters.” ee 7 09 Harding was furious: He placed a “YT thank you,” replied Frank, “ T i) Se he aes ne j, ran. am a | 2s ee hand upon the hilt of his sword. tempted to accept your offer,” ie & Vve a mind to cut you clown for that,” ** Pray do go.” \ Re t > he roared, furiously. “Who are you ?” “You see, it will be quite convenient bo ae ) fee Slo am Frank Reade,. jun,” rephed | for me to rendezvous here,” | 5; a | y + ike oe “ x,