Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1154 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

| | — “Oh, don’t—don’t,” she pleaded, turning her head away; ‘this is cruel tome.” ** But is it not cruel to me, to refuse my dying uest? Oh! oh! I felt a twinge then.” elena, desirous as sho was of sparing the feelings of her’relative, could not deceive him. So, looking him full in the face, she said, in a low, but unwavering voice: \ “Perey, [ am engaged to be married this autumn to Edward Tararied, and if my life is spared to meet him, my promise shall be kept.” ‘Oh! thatéis all right,” replied the imperturb- able Percy, ‘‘ You know a great many mar- =, take place where the love is all on one 6.” ‘What do you mean to insinuate by that?” she demanded, looking earnestly at him. **T have never seen this counter-jumper from St. Paul, but [ doubt not that your marriage was arranged to suit your parents.” This was enough*to offend any plighted maid- en, and Helena certainly felt the extremely bad taste of the remark, but, recalling the peculiar situation of her cousin, her sympathy out- balanced every other emotion. d Perey, do you doubt that my affianced loves ** Not in the least; indeed I am sure of it, for you are so confoundedly pretty that every one must admire and love you to distraction.” ‘* You “ave admitted that—then you will be- lieve me, when I declare to you, that I love. Ned Hosmer with my full heart—love him, as I have never loved, and. can never love another. I have an affection for you, and my heart is deep- ly saddened at your unfortunate position; but, certainly you can no longer mistake my mean- ing. Now let us make no further reference to it. Tell me, can I do anything for you?’ ‘*T have a few trifles In my possession that I will turn over to you,” said Percy, in a changed voice. ‘I have several pRoogvephes of young lady friends of mine, Here is lsabella Livings- ton, a belle on Broad street, and Sophionia Jug- erton—whose father struck oil—a good catch, ut she ain’t pretty; then here is—but what is the use of telling you their names when you don’t know them?” **How many photographs have you, Percy?” “T had thirteen when I star from home, but Iam afraid I have lost some, or else,” be added, fumbling in his pockets, ‘these thieves have robbed me of them.” * And you wish me to return each of them?” ‘* Yes; you will find their names and address written ona slip of paper, and inserted in the back. You see I got them mixed sometimes, and I hit on this plan to keep things straight, I wish you to return each of these to the address written on the back, with a few lines mip | my lamentable death, and assure each and al that my last thoughts wero of them,” Despite the solemnity of the occasion there was something so ridiculous in these remarks, that Helena Fullerton actually-smiled with the eonviction that she certainly had the greatest ‘*sap-head” for a cousin that ever lived, But what was the meaning of this? A half hour had passed since Percy swallowed the fearful drug, and he showed not the least evi- dence of being affected by it. _ his pecans reas ket The victim was still Resi ag and finally dove down into the which haa been visited so often while he was cooking the mutton. This was prethy: eel) filled, and he drew out several photographs and packages. One of the fatter he laid upon the ground be- side him, and then picked it up and looked at it ain. ia By Jove! how is that?” Tt. was labeled ‘‘ Poison,” and was securely tied up with twine, and the paper was un- broken, ; Fitzsimmons held it up and stared at it in silent amazement as though he couldn’t make out what it all meant. “Why that is the package of arsenic, that Ned Hosmar browshe me from Saint Paul; did ou tie it up again ? Instead of answering, Percy stared, with one eyes, ani then forced his d down in his _ pocket again. F This a he fished up another package of per, that was covered with a white powder, ‘the paper torn, and apparently with half its reed ac contents gone. aa ey sph was the parce! from which the powder had been taken and scattered over the meat. ae Percy held it a? and as the firelight shone upon it, Helena F lerton read: ‘* MInTaTURE MOTHER OF PEARL. inal and Genuine Article; Contains no In- feorious Substance, Prepared onlg by—ete,” - Old Zip’s Cabin. ee ee And then, there was the likeness ofa handsome young lady in the corner of the label. | Fitzsimmons laughed till he fell over on his side, then straightened up, and as soon as he could subdue his risibles, said: “What do you think, Helena? Instead of sprinkling the arsenic on the meat, I got the wrong package, and threw some face-powders upon it, as harmless as so much flour,” ‘What were you doing with the face-pow- der?” she asked, so greatly relieved that she felt privileged to quiz him a little. $6 WY: ell, you see, I carry it asa present to my lady friends; 1 hope you don’t think I ever use it; I bought it, because it had the picture of such a handsome lady upon it, and, as a present to yom It generally comes in a round box, witha ittle red fringe around it; but I smashed it uD and put it in this paper, because it was so much handier to a ow, ain’t that a piece. of good-luck though? and [ have eaten enough din- ner to last me a week. I wonder who got fooled —t'ese Indians or me.” ‘* Both, that being the case, although I don’t much relish the thought of eating ‘ Mother of Pearl,’ yet, perhaps it is the best use to which it a be put, and so I will venture upon some my- self.” With this, Helena walked to the log, picked up the remainder of the meat, disengaged a por- tion,;and began eating it. Seeing this, one of the Indians came forward and protested against it, probably fearing that she meant suicide. But she refused to discontinue, and ate enough to give her all the nourishment she needed, and then she seated herself upon the log, where she could face her three captors, and see the move, ments of all. Their interest was centered upon Fitzsimmons, whom they expected every moment to fall on the ground in his last struggle. But this expectation did not meet with much encouragement; for, having discovered another cigar about his person, Percy drew a brand from the fire, lit it, and then reclined upon the ground in the attitude of a man who feels him- self in an exceedingly comfortable position. ‘‘ Let them watch,” muttered the object of their attention, understanding very well what it meant. ‘‘lonly wish I had a little more ap- etite left and [ would eat the rest of that mut- on, and compel them to go without their sup- per. , ‘* Wasn’t that a fortunate rag for me? It was a providence indeed; but. Ll ought to have been more careful in emptying my pockets, Helena’s bright eyes saw that powder, and I do believe she thinks I use it myself. Of course all we beaux do, but we don’t care about the ladies knowing it; especially those that are like her, who do not need artificial assistance to highten their charms.” It was alittle annoying to feel this conviction, but the great, overpowering mistake—if so it might be termed—so outweighed every thing else, that it can not be wondered that Fitzsim- mons felt so elated at times that he could barely repress a shout. He even meditated leaping to his feet, placing his hands upon his hips, and waltzing about the camp-fire, to show his prime condition. ‘Then it would be a sort ef homeopathic war-dance,” he added, ‘‘ and would teach these wretches a Christian amusement that can take place of their barbarous practices,” Fully a half-hour more passed, during which the three Sioux scarcely removed their eyes from Fitzsimmons, who contined puffing very leisurely at his cigar, so as to make it last as long as possible. Occasionally one of them glanced toward Helena Fullerton, wha sat quiet and motionless, watching all. When the time mentioned had ela , the In- dians were convinced that no mischief had been intended by their prisoner, and that he probably meant to ribute some sort of an appetizer over the surface of the meat. So, as they were all in need of a meal, they | fell to and ate the rest of the meat themselv without the least appearance of any suspicion 0 anything wrong. his done, the savage who had heard Percy ask Helena for her pistol, now walked to where she was sitting, and pausing a stepor two away, as she rose to her feet, said: ‘ “ Got little —gib me.” ro ces his eae, in a moment, and she ste away from him. ; ; Stell hab,” he added, drawing his knife from his girdle and hol it aloft in the same threatening manner that he used to- ward Fitzsimmons. Helena passed her hand to her bosom, and ' i | —the best of us 11 drew out the diminutive weapon, as if she were about to surrender it. Instead of doing that, however, she hastily drew the hammer back, =e raised her arm, looking her foe full in the ace. ‘*T shall not give up the weapon,” she said, in a calm voice, ‘and if you come any nearer I will fire,” The Sioux, with a scornful grunt, sprung di- rectly at her, intending to clasp her in his arms; but she leaped beyond his reach, and pausing only long enough to make sure of her aim, dis- charged two barrels of her revolver, in quick succession, full at his face. CHAPTER VIL. INTO THE RAVINE. THE pistol of Helena Fullerton could not have been better aimed, and the first conical bullet went through the l of the Sioux as though it was but an egg-shell, and the second followed the first in a parallel direction, and scarcely a half inch from it. The savage was killed so quickly that he could not have known what did it, With a spas- modic gasp, and an upward fling of his brawny arms, he fell forward: like a log, and his head striking at the very feet of the maiden. The latter seeing that one foe was finished, raised her pistol again and held it ready for the othergwo, certain that they would attack her, in revenge for what she had done. All this was done with such suddenness, that the remaining Sioux seemed unable to realize, for some time, what had taken place; but the double crack of the pistol and the sight of their prostrate and motionless comrade, told the rey in a language that was not to be mis- taken. Knowing that the crisis was at hand, Fitzsim- mons sat stupefied, knowing not what t uo, and only wishing that he, on had a pistol. What the precise action of the Sioux woul4 have been had they not been disturbed, can only be conjectured; but it is probable that they would have subjected the g ent ts every possible indignity, had they been able t¢ secure ion of her person. But before any serious attempt could be made, the double crack of two rifles was heard, and both rolled over on the ground, as dead ag dead could be. Ere the two captives could comprehend what had taken place, the crackling of the under- brush was heard, and Old Zip and Ned Hosmer rushed up to the camp-fire, ‘* Ah! my own, is it you?” exclaimed the over- joyed lover’, rushing up to Helena, and catchi 1er in his arms; ‘‘ we have been hunting the hills for you, and, thank God, find you un. harmed.” The happy girl did nob swoon, but she was un- able to articulate, and suffered her lover to lead her to the tree, and seat her upon it, while he beld her precious head upon his shoulder, thank-, ful, glad, joyous in his passion. y, Old Zip looked around and made sure that the ‘‘varmints” were laid out so effectively that nothing was to be apprehended from them and then he advanced to where Percy was just’ rising to his feet. : ‘‘How are you, Persimmons?” said he, ex- tending his hand; “you have been striking up a trade with the varmints, haye you?” “Yes, confound them; I had to do it to k them in good-humor, but I think I'll trade bac ? now.’ , ped over that critter out thar?’ ‘Who po he asked, indicating the one lying near the tree, where the lovers were sitting. ‘‘T suppose I ought to have the credit for that,” he answered, ‘“‘as I assumed the .direc- tion of affairs here, although the young lady actually pulled the trigger.” “Ty should think she did, for your shots are more apt to hurt harmless critters than. they are them that they’re intended for.” Nothing special was meant by this, but Fita- simmons recalled his last mesalliance, and in- stantly demanded ; ‘“Who told you about that?’ ‘?Rout what?’ “ About my peoceE shad cow by mistake.” ‘‘ Nobody—I didn’t know nothing about it. I seen the cow in the wood, and s’posed it were the work of the varmints, but I’m glad you told me of it.” ‘By Jove! I was a little too quick there,” said Percy, with a sickly laugh. “I took the cow for a bear, and su you had seen me shoot ‘Come, Ned,” called ot th henbieewddanne: | me, c out the hunter, ing his-young friend. ‘I guess the gal bas re- vived, and we mustn’t that there are some y- 9? > J - : ; + i St) Ds " . : A ’ = ~ ee . . ’ ; > : . 5 , Bay ote ert ‘i = re 4 ' 7 SA ; . fe : 4 | : ae as : + + mh om + Y a> : ay PL : i : ; Ae é : d } é - 4 {> isl ' Ae -" Ay 2 ed at 4 Se see he Po 1. BAS vod iI? q | a a - i" “ k i), . , “i e ra “ ~~ eee 4 - ‘ 5 : ' a ia . ! aan - . > on a a 3 oD yy * Ls a Sime aay ¢ Ss = * . Ty . , : % } i Pas a ae “4 + CL, Mees ; " adie bb tiie — 7a? ——s - —. ee —_ — A itp POS AY FOS nT ete TI ee Los slats hE i- Sad Oe See “e St et Bu ak SS SN A Ss) oT. me = ve