Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 122 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

wee ee ee Ee ee —- + a mn me ee ee ee ee —- ee ee Owe + ome ~~ rem ere -= “Dont believe you will," replied Phil sturdily. ‘This belonged ou, and it’s got a bistory. Them’s two things. Dont want no ph goods.’ Alice yielded to the sentiment of the lad and said no more. After some consideration it was decided that she should stay temporarily with Mrs. Hardy, while Mr. Russell hunted up her aunt, and apprised her of these occurrences. The old lady was proud and glad enough when she saw her former visitor return, and Susy danced around her with the lightness and joy of a fairy. “To think of your being so kind as to come here!” Mrs. Hardy exclaimed, with tears in her eyes. “Why, of course I am too glad to have her,” she continued to Mr. Russell. ‘“‘ And thank you kindly for bringing her.” “And do tell us the whole Baya cried Susy, dancing still in her excitement. ‘We only know a little bit of it.” “The rest aint worth telling,” muttered Phil, sourly. “Dont you swallow that, Susy,’’ responded Dick. ‘¢ Phil’s just the boss boy out, that’s all.”’ “T will tell you what 7 know of it,” said Alice. She proceeded to do so, Phil nervously crossing and uncrossing his legs and twisting his arms, and looking as sour in the face as if he had been given a disarreeable dose of medicine. , He could not help striking in, however, with an occasional emendation of her account, and a piec- ing-out of the parts of which she was not cognizant, though sternly deprecating that he had done any- thing more than any boy might do “if he’d been fixed just like him.” **And been built like you,” said Dick. Yet Phil could not help himself from being lion- ized. His grandmother was enthusiastic in her de- lirht, while Susy seemed wild with joy in her boy, as she called him. | ‘*And you, too, Dick,’’ she cried. ‘i declare if his face isn’t asclean as a new penny. I'll have to kiss you too, if only to thank you for having such a well washed face And—where’s Mr. Russell and Miss Alice? “Oh! they are just having a private talk in the next room,” said Mrs. Hardy, witha meaning look. “Going over some matters of business, I suppose,” CHAPTER XXV. ALICE HOMiR’S STORY. THERE was a happy party gathered in Mrs, Hardy’s combination-apartiment, serving, as it did, the triple urpose of kitchen, dining-room, and parlor. It was Fre day succeeding that which had been so full of exciting events, and all our friends were there, Phil and his crony, Dick; Mrs. Hardy and Susy; Atice and Mr. Russell. The latter had promised an explanation of the cause of the murderous persecution of Alice by the gang of villains who had been apprehended, and there was much curiosity in the minds of the others to hear his story. He had just sone in, and stood leaning gracefully on the back of a chair, as he addressed Alice. **T have just seen Mrs. Corson,” he said. ‘* She is anxious to have you come at once. She was per- fectly horrified to hear of what had happened.” ‘‘T dont wonder,”’ broke in Hardy, energeti- cally. “Itisenougb to make any reasonable crea- ture’s hair stand on end.—But do sit down, Mr. Rus- sell, And let me have your hat.” She took it from him with scant ceremony, and with kindly vigor hustled him into a chair beside Ali ce. ‘** Never like Saeed ne posed standing when it’s just easy to sit,’’ she ex ned, ae Jost as live deans any time,” said Phil, in an aside, “if it wasn’t on my head.”’ ‘* Hush!’ warned Susy. ‘“* You’ve got no business to be contrac cung your grandmother. She ought to ow better than you.”’ a Maybe she ought,’’ persisted Phil, ‘‘ but she dont always.”’ “T suppose you are all willing to hear what I be- evel offered to tell you today remarked Mr. Rus- pel. ‘¢- Yes; willin’ in the way a feller’s willin’ to eat his supper oe he’s got cheated out of his dinner,” roke in en You keep quiet,”’ admonished Dick, in an under- tone. ‘Let the old folks do the talking.” ‘You dunno how it is,” answered Phil, in the same tone. ‘My tongue gits loose sometimes, and it’s jist the hardest thing a-goin’ to nail it down, Got to let off the exhaust steam, you know,”’ “Ag goon as my friend Phil gets through with his private conversation I am ready to proceed,” re- ioarked Mr. Russell, with a comical look, “Oh! I’m done. Dried up. Shut tighter than a clam,” eried Phil. ‘* Dont b’lieve you could pull an- other word out of me with a fish hook. There was a slight laugh, as much at his tone as his words, and Mr. Russell proceeded: “Miss Homer is an American by birth,” he said, “though she has spent all the latter portion of her jife in England. Her pareuts removed there when she was—how old, Alice?” . ms “You should know,” she replied. ‘‘ You and I then were about as close friends as Phil and Susy are now. Susy blushed, and moved her chair back a slight space from Phil's. 2 ‘* Well, about twelve, or some such venerable age, coutinued Mr. Russell. ‘“ There was some unpleas- ant feeling in the ogi A at the time, which was the rincipal cause of emigration. Your uncle Millen was always @ cross- ed, eccentric fellow, Alice. The only way to get along with him was to occasionally. quarrel Phil } ! i i i ee a | replied Alice. Hardy. the Boss Eoy. ee we ee ee ee + + om es eee eee ee eee eee *I only remember him as a kind old gentleman,” ‘** And I know that my father blamed Anucdwew Cunning barn as being the cause of the quar- rel which separated us.” “IT think there can be no question of that,” re- sponded Mr, Russell. ‘‘ He has always been a hidden serpent, and he is perfectly ruthless to any person or which stands in his way.”’ “Anyhow he’s got his rations now,” remarked Phil, in an undertone. 4 e bore the same relationship to Allen Mercer as did Miss Homer,’ continued Mr. Russell. ‘*The old man was rich, and was getting feeble. It was a shrewd trick to drive away his proud competitor, for Mr. Homer was quick and haughty in temper, and would have lost an inheritance any time rather than submit to insult. After his departure Cuuning- ham tried, and succeeded somewhat, in getting the old man under his own influence.” ** What a villain he must have been!’? murmured Mrs. Hardy. ‘* He was always that,”’ replied Mr. Russell. ‘‘One of your smooth, wily villains, who. usually manage to hide their hands in their rascally schemes. I dis- trusted him, boy as 1 was, and blamed him for driv- ing Alice across the ocean, and forcing us to the poor comfort of letter-writing ”’ ‘‘Aint you never seen her since?’’ asked Phil. ‘**“You knowed one another at sight, aboard the Strongbow.” ‘*Oh! he has been across the ocean to see me,”’ ex- plained Alice, with a slight blush. “I lost both my parents within a yearor twopast. Mr. Russell came over, as soon as he heard of my bereavement. He was ever so kind tome. I shall never forget his ten- derness.”’ There was asad tone in her voice, but her eyes were fixed on the face of her lover with a look of un- bounded faith and trustfulness. “Thought it was queer how you kept oe across sO much salt water,” iil. ** Hush, Phil!’ Susy admonishingly whispered. “*T am quite ashamed of you,” ‘* Bet if it was you, Susy, I'd cross the duck-pond, too,” Phil energetically returned. * 1 wish you young fry would quit chattering there in the corner,” exclaimed Mrs. Hardy. ‘*‘ Mr. Russell cant £0 on for you,” up your muttered “Oh! I guess so,”’ replied that gentleman. “ Let them talk if they wish. To proceed with my story: —about six months ago Mr. Mercer died, hen his will came to be read it proved that the eccentric old man had been less under the influence of Andrew Cunningham than that individual imagined. For it was found that he had left the bulk of his property to his orphan niece, Alice Homer. The fact of her having lost her parents probably had something to do with softening the heart of her uncle toward her.” ‘** How came Cunningham then to have any claim?” asked Mrs. Hardy. “Through a codicil to the will. Alice grieved much over the loss of her parents, and was very ill for a long time. Fearing she might die and lcave no heir to his estate, Mr. Mercer had appended this codicil, leaving her inheritance to Andrew Cunningham in the event of her'dying unmarried. That is the whole secret of the villain’s murderous schemes.” ** Taint too late for him yet then,’’ remarked Phil, with a meaning glance. ‘*It shall be soon—that is if Alice consents,” said Mr. Russell, with a look of the deepest love in his eyes. s a I must do something for personal safety,” she blushingly replied. **Hurrah! for our side!’ cried Phil, flinging up his cap enthusiastically. ‘‘Spose you're goin’ to give us all an invite to the weddin’. I’m goin’ anyhow, invite or no.”’ **Hold your tongue, Phil,’’ replied Mrs. Hardy se- ry ‘**T never saw anybody so ridiculous.”’ “"Kraid Iwas borna Phil. ‘It seems 4 kind of nat’ral dispersition.” ee ee eee ee 19 — = | not utter a sound, and locked me in one of the state. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ! | | | : ' i rooms.’ ‘* Didn't none of the sailors know you were there?” asked Phil. “No, It was dusk when I was tak@n on board. and I observed none of them on deck: They may have been removed Par poses Vi “No doubt of it. Their scheme was well laid,"’ ex- claimed Mr. Russell. - ‘“ My next few hours were full of the deepest men- taland physical agony,” continued Alice. ‘ When 4 bonds were removed we were far out of sight of land. I need not dilate on the long and dismal voyage, which was one unceasing agony.tome. Yet I suffered nothing at the hands of the villains be- yond the pain of confinement, and flerce threats of personal injury if I should make any effort to attract attention. Otherwise I was well cared for.” “Timagine that fear of discovery by the sailors revented them from attempting to murder you ou he open sea,’’ remarked Mr. Russell. “Very probably. My great source of suffering was distrust and doubt as to their object. I early suspected Mr. Cunningham's connection with m abduction, but they would admit nothing.—This, believe, is all I have to tell. I remember falling into a deep lethargy one evening after eating, life was @ blank from that moment until I found myself on the point of being hurled into the water.—What has happened since I think I can best leaye my brave you: g friend to relate.” She turned to Phil with a winning smile that went straight to his heart, Our hero, nothing loth, proceeded to describe his part in the affair, dilating considerably as he related the events with which the reader is already convers- ant, Dick helped his modesty over some difficult passa- es, and he was looked on as quite a lion by the time e had finished. ‘*T declare I never knowed the half of what was oing on,” cried his grandmother, affectionately em- racing him, ‘*T did, then,” said Susy. “T knew my Phil was pe bravest fellow alive. And she too had her em- race, ‘What can we ever do to reward you?” asked Alice and Mr. Russell together. ‘““Guv me an invite to that weddin’. I guess that will answer,” replied Phil. ‘‘And if ever me and Susy gits spliced, we wont forgit to return the com- pliment,”’ CHAPTER XXVI, FINALE. Pur got his invitation to the wedding, Nor did he have long to wait. Mr. Russell and Alice had been declared lovers too long to desire much delay in the corer and her position as a visitor in the family of a relative who was almost a stranger was not one which she wished to continue. Of course there was that inevitable“ getting ready,” that instinctive desire to.shine for once in a woman's life, that always sets in operation a busy dressmak- ing manufactory. And Alice literally had nothing to wear. All her effects were in Liverpool, where her friends had been in a state of terror at her unaccountable disa pearance, and had vainly made every effort to dip. cover her, It was necessary to write and explain what had happened, and to have her clothes and other posscs- sions sent over by steamer. But the days of waiting which stretch out so inter- minably to lovers, and slip so guibly by to the rest of m d, came duly to an end, There were other ppEeSSons, besides those of the bride. Mr. Russell had not forgotten his promise of an invitation to his young friends, and ed to e, | make them presentabl ittle ridick’lous,”’ returned | ‘*Now wont you hush?” asked Susy, peecing her | hand very sternly over his mouth. silly.’ iP) Let him have his joke,” said Mr. Russell, laugh- ing. ‘‘ Weare too old lovers to mind it. AndifI am any judge of signs our turn will come yet,”’ ‘““Mought come now and not miss it much,” ven- tured Dick, with a sly glance at Phil and Susy. ‘Oh! said she, pettishly, removing her hand from Phil’s shoulder. “I wish you would let Mr. Russell finish his story. You dont give him a chance to speak.”’ She seated herself in the corner, as far away from | her young sweetheart as possible. ‘*i think Alice will have to tell the rest,’’ added Mr. Russell, with an amused Jook at the young folks. ‘“‘I am as anxious as yourselves to know her ad- ventures. "’ ‘**I was expecting, you know, to come tc America shortly,’ she responded. “In fact, I was waiting rincipally for instructions from you. Atthis june- ure I received a note stating that you had found it advisable to cross to Liverpool, and had just ar- rived, but were too sick to leave the ship, and re- questing me to come to you. Of course you had not written it, but in my haste and excitement I failed to notice that it was only a clever imitation of Phe handwriting. The bearer had a carriage at the door, and I hastened to accompany him to the Bhi ? vA most villainous plot!’ broke in Mr. Russell, oO 7 “tt roved so, indeed,” continued Alice. ‘*In the cabin I found only the captain and mate. Before I even anything wrong they had me secure- | ly bound. They next gagged me so that I could ou will be | making Mr. Russell and Miss Alice think you are | | a new blacksilk dress. And as for Susy, she was Phil blossomed to a real dandy in his “ spick and span’’ new suit of navy blue. Dick was treated to a series of Turkish baths, and for once in his lite felt as clean as anew whistle, and dressed like a gentle- man. Even Mrs. Hardy found herself the owner of me an animated rainbow, in her bran-new silken attire “If we aint ee scrumptious there’s no use talk- in’,”’ declared Phil, twisting himself so as to see the whole of bis figure in a diminutive mirror, and turn- ing the others round for observation, as if they had been dry-goods dummies. “Bet folks will screw their eyes to look atus when we march into church, and will be a-wonderin’ who that distinguished party of individerals is."’ “Dont be aga vain, Phil,” replied Mrs, Hardy, admonishingly. “There wont a soul look at us, among all the fine folks.—And I heartily wish they wont, , “Them that lives the longest will see the most,” was Phil’s sententious response, Phil’s opinion. proved to be the correct one, Many an eye observed them with curious interest as they entered the church at a rather late hour, Susy’s bright face being the main attraction. But Phil’s self-possessed end handsome countenance, and the shy embarrassment of Dick, were not without their admirers. The wdding was very simply conducted, a little to the disappointment of our youn, friends, who had expected to see a sort of Arabian Nights’ Enter- tainment. Yet ey erybody remarked that the bride was per- fectly beautiful in her floating, fl white, and with the look of perfect happiness and trustfulness on her fresh young face. And as for Mr. Russell, there was no denying that he was a handsome man, and that he was deeply in love with the bride it fA (¢ (E(6) 0)(6\(6) <SiGO