Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 185 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

_ military, on the Mexican side, so gular feature, was the eyes. One seemed restless and the other passive, giving him an odd appearance. He was attired in dark velveteen garments decorated with lace and a profusion of silver buttons. The manner of the person was ex- tremly polite and bis accent betrayed Mexican origin. Such is a pen picture of Manuel Costa, a Mexican planter, said to be fabulously rich, who aspires to the hand of the beautiful Texan girl, Winona Walters. lt was plain to be seen that the American gir! paid but little attention to the compliments stowed upon her by the Mexican planter. Winona arose and bowing tothe Don, grace- fully left the room. The Mexican drew nearer to the old gentle- maniand in a low voice addressed him. ‘Your daughter isa most charming person. Ever since the day that I was fortunate enough to stop her runaway horse, and thus find an in- troduction to yourself and daughter, I have vis- ited your home with pleasure. I have but one object in view, sir: I love your daughter and would make her my wife. You know that I am wealthy and have large estates in Mexico. Now, sir, | leave the case in your Set | would like your consent, first, and I think I can gain Winona’s afterward,” ‘‘T think you will find that quite a hard task, Don, because Winona does not trouble herselt with lovers or love matters. As for my con- sent I must be plain with you: Before trusting the happiness of my child in your hands it would be necessary for me to know more of you. You know, sir, that I have but your word for your antecedents and social stan ing. Bryan Walters’s voice was firm, but its tono was friendly and polite. The words seemed to arouse the suitor, for his swarthy face changed toa sg color, and his thin lips were pressed togetber in a nervous manner. ‘**Do you doubt my word, sir?’ he demanded, after a momentary pause. ‘No, sir; do not mistake my meaning. It is the custom of our people to know more of an in- tended husband than hearsay. [ love my child devotedly, and cannot trust her in the handsof a comparative stranger though he possessed the wealth of the universe.” Don Costa arose and glared upon the old gen- tlemen, who, however, regarded his visitor calm- ly, and then slowly proceeded: ‘“You are aware, sir, that my child has not been consulted in the matter.” ‘** But a parent’s pions as ‘‘Should be very cautiously exercised in mat- ne concerning the heart and welfare of a child. “Then, sir, 1am to understand that you re- fuse to aidmein my courtship by using a pa- rent’s authority?” “That is exactly what you are to understand, Don Costa,” replied Bryan Walters. ‘‘ And that is my answer also,” said a sweet voice close behind the Mexican, and Winona glided into the room, and her white arm encir- cled the neck of her parent. ‘‘T am mistress of my own heart, Don Costa,” said she sweetly, ‘‘ and I think your suit should have been addressed to me; but, papa has an- swered youfor me. I wish to retain ea friend- ship, but to love you is something entirely out of the question.” The sprightly American girl spoke in pleasant tones, rather reprovingly, yet devoid of ill feeling. The effect upon the Mexican was some- thing startling. His anger was ill concealed and his face betrayed the passion rankling in his heart. ‘‘Very well; I accept the verdict,” he re- sponded, harskly; ‘‘I have proved myself a valuable friend to you, Bryan Walters, and you thus repay me. have prevented the cattle- thieves from depleting your stock, and this is my reward.” ‘Indeed, sir, I did not know that I had you to thank for the safety of my cattle ranch. I would be pleased to know how you prevent that scoundrel, Evil Eye, from invading my planta- tion and running off my cattle? It is generally known that the bandit fears neither law nor the how is it possible for you to hold him in check?” Don Costa’s face changed color and he cast a strange look upon the Texan. “Tt matters not to you, sir, what my in- fluence amounts to on the Mexican side. Once that I cease to interpcse between your ranch and the followers of Evil Eye. you will quick- ly feel the ravages of that bold outlaw,” an- swered the Mexican, somewhat proudly, v } ome oe eee ee —— — ‘“‘You must be on friendly terms with that scoundrel,” affirmed Walters, ‘‘ for he certainly ts no authority in the matter.” ‘** As I said before, I will not reveal the secret of my power.” ‘‘Perhaps, Don, you are closely related to the person in question?” suggested Winona, ‘and, as I must admit, I see a remarkable likness in the principal features of your countenance. have only the descriptions of the person and they tally with yours, with several exceptions.” ‘‘The repulsive eye, you mean,” returned ta, with a sneer; ‘‘ but, no matter; I have roffered my friendship and it has been refused. ou will bitterly repent it—both of you. member that up to the present hour I have been a friend to you, Bryan Walters.” The Mexican strode from the room haughtily, mounted a swift mustang, and dashed away from the spot at a full gallop. ‘*'We have made an enemy of that man, and I fear that harm will befall us insome manner,” said Walters, as he gazed after the disappearing horseman. inona reassured her father, and her gay conversation and laughter banished all apprehensions. Night came on apace, and the shadows lengthened. Bryan Walters had scarcely re- tired when a commotion at the door constrained him to rise and hastily attire himself. A scream from the lips of Winona caused a thrill of terror to sweep through his frame, He dashed into the room in time to see his lovely daughter in the hands of several Mexicans, who bore her screaming toward the lawn. A blow from a tall, swarthy villain laid the father sense- less upon the floor, and the bandits dashed away with their beautiful prisoner. en Don Costa rode away from the home of Bryan Walters he proceeded toward the Mexican frontier. He had probably journeyed a dozen miles when he suddenly disappeared in a grove of native palms and cottonwoods. As he disappeared in the dense foliage, there came a body of horsemen following the well- beaten trail leading from the cattle ranch to the river. Their gay costumes, lassoes at the saddle- bows, and little, wiry mustangs proclaimed them at once to be Mexicans, e cavalcade EP a few moments near the grove, as if un- ecide d. A shrill whistle sounded from the ag ipa and a horseman ae from the shadow of the trees. It was Evil Eye the Mexican bandit. The mounted group saluted the bandit chief- tain as he rode among them and addressed a few stout Mexicans who rode in advance of the cavalcade. After a brief conference the horsemen pro- ceeded toward the ranch of Bryan Walters. When near the house the troop dismounted, and crept forward like a group of Apaches. ithin the house there reigned a deathlike stillness. The Mexican bandit leader ap- peoacue an open window and peered within. e started back with a low cry of satisfaction. Winona Walters was seated before a small table engaged in peeriae, t-like, the an sprung into the room. A piercing scream broke from Winona’s lips as she saw the dreaded form and features of Evil Eye, and recalled the words of Don Costa. A moment later and she wasin the arms of the bandit, and borne toward the open space before the house. Evil Eye’s ruffians swarmed into the house, beating down all who opposed them. Several minutes later the cattle-thieves and their cap- tive were speeding toward the Rio Grande. —_—_—__-__— CHAPTER V A NEW BNEMY. Apout ten days before the opening of our story, an incident occurred at the military post on the Rio Grande, called Fort Duncan. As this incident becomes part of our story, and relates to the characters we have intro- duced, it will be well to acquaint the reader with the affair, and introduce anew person- age. The Fourth Cavalry occupied the post at the time mentioned. and among the non-commis- sioned officers was a dark-complexioned young man, who had resided for years in the border towns of Texas. He spoke Spanish fluently, and mingled to a great extent with the Mex- ican element. In fact, his comrades were ac- 4 , vil hye, King of Cattle Thieves. ——— ee | eustomed to chaff him on the subject of a war | a eee eee eee ee ee os nae ee ee ee a lOO -_—— with Mexico, and, in a laughing manner, ask him on which side he would array himself in ease of a struggle, which then looked close at hand, owing to depredations on the border. Rafael Sanders merely smiled at these playful insinuations, and when the jokers went too far, or hinted at the cowardice of the Mexi- cans, his brow would grow dark, and a strange light would come and go in his restless eyes. Sanders hated Harry Powell, and he could scarcely hide his dislike. The only reason he could possibly offer for his hatred was that the young officer beat him at every little game of chance, wherever the two young men sat down as opponents. Sanders rejoiced to think that Powell’s favorite horse had been stolen from the post and inwardly hoped the animal would not be recovered. He showed his dis- pleasure plainly when it was rumored that Powell had obtained leave of absence and was soon to depart across the river to ransom his steed. ‘“T hope he’ll feel the stiletto of some native,” muttered Sanders. ‘How I hate him! Curse him; were it not for him I should be in a better position here. Everybody likes him, and that is why I hate him so bitterly.” The fellow slunk into an obscure corner of the inclosure and drank from a concealed flask. The aguardiente seerw.ed to loosen the demons of hate within his breast, for when Powell passed by and cheerily greeted him, Sanders, with knitted brows, failed to return the salute, and turned away with a scowl upon his dark fea- tures, Toward sunset Powell strayed beyond the stockade and had almost reached a little cluster of trees on the banks of the small stream flow- ing into the broad river when the sound of an altercation reached his ears. Powell hastened toward the spot and the blood within his veins fairly boiled with indignation at the scene suddenly presented to his view. An old man, respectably attired, was de- fending himself from the attack of a man in the military dress of the cavalry regiment stationed at the fort. One look at the man and Powell recognized Sanders who, in a semi- drunken fury; had raised a sword to strike down the gray-haired person beforehim. Tbe old gentleman was completely at the mercy of the armed assailant. The next moment Powell had leaped between the two, and with a stout cane dashed aside the sword in the hands of Rafael Sanders. ‘‘Shame on you, Sanders!” said the young man, in tones of reproach; ‘‘shame on you to attack an unarmed man—and one with gray hair. I gave you credit for manly qualities but I am sorry to see I have been mistaken in you.” “Stand aside, Harry Powell! Don’t you interfere in my quarrel, or, as there is a heaven above us, you shall share the fate of the old fool who has been rash enough to pro- voke this quarrel,” and Sanders again raised his sword aud advanced. ‘‘ Sanders, you are beyond yourself, Calm yourself and listen to reason. This old man is unarmed, and you are disgracing your uniform by a cowardly attack. Stand back and lower your sword!” cried Powell. ‘Till run it through your beart if you oppose me, Harry: Powell,” fairly hissed Sanders. ‘‘ Let me here tell you that I bear you no love, I hate you, and if you dare to stand in my way I'll redden this blade with your heart’s blood. The quarrel is between me and Bryan Walters, and be who interferes is a dead man to a certainty.” ‘Will you listen to me?’ demanded Powell, as he saw the furious man again advancing to attack the old gentleman with upraised sword. ‘Out of my way I tell you!” shouted San- ders, and the sword gleamed in the air, ready to descend. Powell instantly threw forward his stout stick and caught the blade upon it. One dexterous movement of the wrist and the sword was sent flying from the grasp of the assailant, and before Sanders could produce | GOMmie Keep JOOKS EOM=