Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 104 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 Jacques Frouch’s eyes sparkled greedily. ** Are you lying to me? he demanded, suspi- ciously. ‘No, upon my honor. If you will bring me proof of the death of Deadwood Dick’s ward, you can send for a minister as soon as you choose thereafter.” ‘‘Very well. You can depend upon me, and if you back out, you shall die by the same agenc as your victim!” he said, significantly. ‘* But, this is not what brought me here. I was sent for you.” ‘*Sent for me? Whom by, pray?’ ‘‘That I am unable to tell, more than that the party was a woman, and deeply vailed, at that. She came to me, and desired that 1 should fetch you.” ‘*Strange; I know of no woman here, who could possibly be interested in me.” ‘*She is, all the same, judging by what she said tome. Will you come?’ ‘Of course. I’m curious to see a vailed wo- man.” Together they hurried down Harrison avenue to the Clarendon Hotel, which they enter and ascended to the general parlor on the second floor. A woman clad in a dark robe, and with her face deeply vailed, arose as they entered, and polar 5 a step—then paused, -hesitatingly in the middle of the floor. ‘‘Are you Miss Farron, the songstress?” she demanded, snmnesttng OF eagerness in her tone. ‘*T am the same,” the actress replied. ‘‘ Why do you ask?’ ** Because I have an interest in you!” the wo- man said, sinking into a chair. ‘ Be seated, pray, and we will talk. In the first place, what are the first recollections in your early life— that is, how far back can you remember?” ** Not very far,” was the reply, and the ac- tress exchanged glances with Jacques Frouch, who had seated himself near the door. ‘‘M first recollections are of the stage, on which sung when I was but ten years old.” “Were — alone—do you remember the party who had you in charge?” ‘*] remember her very indistinctly: a woman who drank poor whisky to excess, and who beat me around unmercifully.” “What became of this guardian of yours?” ‘*T don’t know, She called herself my mo- ther, buf then, I never eounted on that, and was glad when she skipped out. They told me she’d slid for stealing some money from one of the actors.” : What became of you, after this woman left ou?” me Well I shook for myself,and took care of my- self, an’ here you see me.” ‘* Yes, and glad I am, too, for I believe you are not that scrupulous that you would refuse to earn a pile of money in an easy way.” ** As to that you may have read me p ett correct!” Miss Farron replied, with a laugh. “ certainly should not hesitate to pick up money and examine it, if Isaw it lying in my path.” The vailed woman laughed, too, in a peculiar, rasping way. vident it was that she had secretly studied the actress, and laid her plans accordingly, pre- vious to the visit. ‘It is as I thought then. For money you are willing towork. Allright. Do you know what your real name is—your real name?’ **No, unless itis Farron.” ‘*Then let me tell you. Your name is Howell. You’re the first and only legitimate daughter of Major Howell, the speculator of this place!” ‘“*T Major Howell’s daughter?’ the actress cried, in amazement. ‘‘ And you—who are you, woman?” ** T am your mother !” “This is incredible, madam. Are you the same woman who was my guardian in the ‘“‘The same. I would bare my face to you but for reasons all-sufficient to myself. TI left you, years ago in order to hunt up this villain who married and deserted me, and now I have found him, married again, with a family grown up around him, and well to do.” ‘* Well, what do you propose to do?” the act- ress demanded, in a business-like manner. ‘If you’ve any plan to make some money for me, out; if not, git ‘*T have a plan,” the vailed woman replied, without appearing to notice the coarse sugges- tion of the other, ** and you being my child, shall share equally with me, if you lend me such aid as I desire. Major Howell will pay high to have us lay back and not expose him as a bigamist.” | ‘True. You have got him where the hair is long, sure enough. Well, count me in, and let’s Deadwood Dick’s Device. —————$ go to work. I want money. I spent all of my t month’s at the Coliseum, and am dead broke. Haven’t even got a copper.” ‘*Be not in a hurry, or you will spoil all,” the vailed woman replied. ‘I will prepare the way first, and then wait on you again.” Then, after a few other words, she took her departure. The sign of the double cross! During the succeeding week, this was the subject uppermost in the minds of the people— the topic of general conversation, in Leadville and its tributary mining cities. For, every day was Deadwood Dick’s strange device being found, either upon the living or the dead, through the mountain gulches and in the mining villages adjacent to the carbonate region, in and around ville. ‘The Double Cross!” was upon every lip, and | the mention of it was a synonym of terror, for | it meant the vengeance of the Prince of the Road—the notorious Deadwood Dick, who had When this was arranged to his satisfaction he turned to the major, who was disguised an masked, ‘‘ Now, the next move is to get into the out- law’s wer} and procure the girl,” he said, sav- agely. ‘ he is likely to give us more trouble than the whole gang of road-agents.” ‘‘ Not if you manage it right. Gag her when ‘| you catch her, and you can easily bring her onan: * ‘** But, how am I to get to the stronghold when they have doubtless got pickets outposted, to in- tercept new-comers?” ‘* That is a question we must devise a plan to answer. By our united brains we ought surely overpower an obstacle of that nature, with- out muchtrouble. Thought isa great invention you know!” Then the father and son engaged in a whis- ered conversation, which was not audible to a istener. For there was such a listener, as was observable had human eyes penetrated a clump of undergrowth not far from where the two hanged once to secure his freedom, and having | Howells stood, failed to get it at the hands of the eae, J rei of terror and deat never before been equaled. In justice to him- self, said some, was this daring outlaw fighting but the masses failed to view the matter in that opie, was light. Through the shadows of early evening, two men left the town of Leadville, on foot, and made their way toward the north. Upon the outskirts they were joined bya band of four- score or more of mounted, armed men, who also held two empty saddle-horses in ween. hese were soon filled, however, by the two parties first mentioned, and then the whole cavalcade galloped toward the north. For some time they traveled on; then, as the moon hove in sight from below the horizon, they drew rein, at a wave of the leader’s hand, he being no other person than Alf Howell, the speculator’s son, and the man beside him was the major in person, What was the meaning of this midnight expedition? -Why all these armed men on horse- back, venturing into the wilderness—men whose rough, slouchy dresses, and still rougher. phy- siques, pronounced them to be of the most riffianly classes? (tT got oe » There could be but one supposition—that they were going to a conflict, As they came to a halt, Alf Howell said: ‘Order, now! Are all the boys here?” ‘** All here,” replied one of the men. : Eighty-four, in all?’ “Ay! Eighty-four, in all.” ** Good. every man properly armed, and ammunitioned?’ ‘“‘Ay! Ive seen to that.” * again. All dismount, now, and secure your horses, hereabouts. Before us lies the Dead Pine Tract, which is our destination.” The order was rapidly obeyed, with as little noise as possible, hen every man had tether- ed his horse, and assembled in the little glade where they had halted, Alf Howell, or Dandy Alf as he was more familiarly known, said: “If you are all ready now, we will divide into four companies of twenty-one men apiece, and separate. McNulty, you can take c rg of one b e and station yourself at the northern edge of the Tract, throwing out senti- nels every little ways to prevent any one from escaping from the Tract. Shoot any one at- tempting such a thing. Deems you may do the same on the eastern side with the second divi- sion, and Brocton can take the west end, ditto. I will remain with my division here on the southern side. Let no man pass youor goin or pat oe the Tract, unless he gives you the pass- word. ** What is the password?’ asked McNulty. ‘I have forgotten, if you told me.” ‘* It is ’Sdeath !” the gambler replied, grimly. ‘“Now divide up, and get off to your posts, where you will remain until you hear the blast ofahorn. Then make for the big cabin in the lade. If you are attacked before, however, ow your trumpets, and hold strong until we arrive. I haven’t made all my plans yet, and can’t give you further directions. Score off, now, and get to your posts!” This order was speedily obeyed. The three officers, McNulty, Deems and Broc- ton selected their twenty-one each and departed into the depths of the forest. Dandy Alf then strung the southern side of the Tract, wherein was lo- cated the new village of the daring outlaw, Deadwood Dick, placing them at regular inter- t of his men along emergency. ee a eee eee eee A bulky mass of individuality was curled up at had | in these bushes, and had been, ever since the ar- | rival of the band. It now be | uncoil, however, and finally disclosed the to cautiously n- derous Leadville giant, Beautiful Bill. The Pet Elephant it was, sure —— and, having heard ell that he was able to hear for the time being, he be to cast about him for eseape. oclumsy hulk was the giant, evidently, when he chose to exercise caution, for he wormed his way out of his place of concealment and into the glade right oe the sentinels, without being dis- covered, a quiet grin the while upon his battered features. Straight toward the cabin rendezvous of Dead- wood Dick he made his way, often having to lie flat upon his stomach, to avoid exposing his rson to the bullets of any pickets who might gazing toward him. In this way he finally gained the cover of the great cabin; then in its entrance he came face to face with—Deadwood Dick. ‘*Shoo! don’t make a noise!” the giant cau- tioned, as Dick stepped back in surprise, and laid his right hand upon a pistol butt. © ** I ain’t no k, ner no soopernatural visitation, you bet, but Beautiful illiam, ther Pet Elephant o’ ther Leadville trail.” “The devil!. How did you come here?” Dick demanded, sternly. ‘Waal, pant 0’ the ways on my feet, an’ ther other two-thirds on my hands an’ knees an’ stum- mick!” the giant replied, with a grin. ‘* Then, you are my prisoner. you were not content with the thrashing I gave you, a limb mf a tree will perhaps do you,” Deadwood Dick ye” ‘Hold on! Iain’t a-goin’ ter hang yet. Ef I ain’t an angel, Iam a-goin’ ter try ter be one. Didn’t ye git ther warnin’ I sent to you, wi’ old Avalanche?” ‘* Yes, and threw it in the fire. You are not sharp enough to fool me with chaff yet, my pil- “Thar warn’t no chaff about it, Dick ‘my Onley Pa as sure’s my fronticepiece is Beauti- ful Bill. Thet war a fair shakeI give ye, ter luk out fer ther major, an’ ef most likely yer fire is all doug ** What do you mean?” **Oh! ye’ll see, d’rectly, sure’s I’m one o’ ther detached planets from Jupiter. Old Howell an’ a gang 0’ eighty galoots hey surrounded ye, an’ ef they don’t make it hot fer ye, I’ll lose my sur- mise. ‘“By Heaven! I don’t credit this, We've seen nothing of them.” ‘‘Mebbe not; but it’s a fact, just so sure as ye gamboled my proboscis out 0’ kilter. Jest feast yer eyes on this nose, Dicky—ther ’reck o’ for- mer prominence. Don’t et make ye feel bad ter think thet ye war ther means o’ sp’ilin’ a fellar human’s beauty, fer nothin’? But I fergive ye, my honeysuckle—I do, from ther soles o’ m stogy boots, because ye did a fust-class job. Ye licked me, and licked me ’til it did me proud, an’ heer’s my fist in eternal friendship.” And the io thrust out bis brawny hand. Deadwood Vick hesitated but a moment, then d it and shook it. “Tl trust you,” he said, ‘‘until I find you treacherous—then, Ill put a revolver-bullet through your thiek skull. Excuse me if I am more emphatic than polite, but I am obliged to consider every man a treacherous rascal, in order to make my general estimation of the world correct. I consider every man my enemy, 76 cen mind it, . until he proves, beyond a doubt, that he is my vals, and reserving the other portion in case of | friend.” ‘‘ Don’t blame ye a bit, an’ ef ye ever ketch com FF y ra ooks:com } - A —~- oe or