Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 296 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

a . — _ —__—__ _—_ —= hot fer you, or else l’d make your heart stop beatin’ right here. An’ now I'll give you just about ten seconds to turn your pedals and scoot! D’ye hear?” ‘* As you have the advanta to the inevitable,” Clifford said. for me—we shall meet again!” . He turned away, and te watched him un- til he was out of sight, then followed him until she came in sight of him again, and saw that he was still traveling away toward McGuiffin’s. Satisfied that he had no purpose of returning she returned to where Apollo Bill still lay un- conscious. Searehing about, she soon found water, and filling the cup at her belt she went back and bathed the road-agent’s forehead and poured some water between his lips. Then, by rubbing and chafing his hands, she soon had him restored to consciousness, and he sut up and gazed about him, for the moment be- wildered, “Ah! I see!” he extlaimed, feeling of his forehead. ‘‘The treacherous devil came near doing tor me. Where is he? How canie you here, Rowdy Kate?” “Oh! I happened along, just in time to baffle him!” Kate grimned; then she proceeded to ex- plain, Blake’ the while listenipg attentively, his handsome face growing sterner and his eyes gleaming, . ‘‘And he did that, eh?’ he demanded, when Kate was through. ‘* You:bet! an’ 1 only let him off alive when he suggested that maybe you'd’ prefer w settle with him yourself. Oh! -by ae you bet I'd - paralyzed his heart- strings ef it/hadn’t bin for that. ‘You are a good girl, Kate, and I respect you for yene bravery. Moreover, 1 owe a great deal te you for saving my life!” ‘*‘No ye don’t—not a cent, nor I ain’t the tenth part of a good girl, an’ you bet on it. ‘All thar was.of it he was goin’’to play the knave when I stepped in with the ace of clubs and turned a trump)!” ‘‘And wons Well, I shall always be grateful to you. You’ are alone in the world, Kate— there must be a history connected with your life. Wil you tell it to me” ‘*‘ Mebbe, some time. But not now, I must get back to McGuffin’s to-night, where some- thing may occur in'which I. am interested. So, if you feel:recovered, [will leave you,” ‘Oh! yes: Pm all right, now. If you must go, good-by, and [hope for further acquaintance in the near future, if so be you are willing.” , | must submit ‘* But look out After Lord Clifford’s departure Lady Theresa went out, ostensibly for a stroll about the camp, but, in reality, in hopes of seeing Dick Drew. °- Somehow of late she had been very nervous and ill at ease—by no means in the humor that had swayed’ her on coming to McGuffin’s. The seeds planted in her mind by the oily tongue of Dick ere had taken root, in spite of her heart struggles todo what was right. Had he not told the truth, she argued? If little Lady Maude was found she would, of course, be. Lord Clifford's sole heir to an estate worth one hundred thousand pounds at the least. What, then, would be her— Lady Theresa’s—fate? . : Probably she would not be actually ousted from Castle Clifford, but she would not, natu- rally, have the same liberties, nor the same moneys, nor the same attention that she had so long enjoyed. There would be no more London season, In all probability, and many less admir- ers, when if came to be’ known that she was a dowerless catch instead of a golden one. The thought was gall and wormwood to her, the more she considered it, and all interest she had at first had in Lady Maude’s Recevands gradually died out, and in its place grew the hope that she would never be found. ‘‘ Dick Drew told me he knew where the child was—that my hand, in marrivge, to him, meant the reign of a life-time for me, at Clifford’s Cliff. If he speaks Ube WHY. should I not ac- cept him? He is nota -looking person, and seems to have both the education and the man- ners of a gentleman. If I. could marry, and tolerate him, until I could find out the where- abouts of the child, and—and—well, dispose of her, then, I could perhaps, Manage to get rid of my husband, and choose again, from rank and nobility. It isa desperate to do—I shall have cut loose from uncle and support—the question is, will it pay® That was the question she had been agitating for several days. Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. — She walked about for some time, finally going down to the river bank, where she met Dic Drew, who was lounging there. He arose, re- spectfully, as’ he saw her approach, and stood gazing at her, curiously. " -afternoon r. Drew,” she greeted him, bowing. ‘‘ Were you fishing?’ ‘‘Oh! no; I was merely area. away time, by watching the water. suppose you have come down to sail for Africa have you not?” Sbe flushed, and then turned into a laugh. ‘“‘l appreciate your taunt, sir; I perhaps de- serveit, Do you know-that I have been seek- ing for you?” ‘** No, I was not aware of it.” **'Well I have, avd what do you think I am going to propose t6 you?” = Welle t really can’t say, That Igo and commit suicide?’ ‘‘Oh! no; far from that. I have been con- sidering the proposition you made me, the other night, and I’ve made up my mind to give you my band in marriage!’ ‘**Oh! you have?’ “Yes, on conditions that you can prove to me that you know the whereabouts of Lord Clifford’s child.” ** But, that I cannot do, without going miles and miles from here, and taking you with me, Therefore, all I have to offer you is my word of honor. To-morrow, unless before that time I make other arrangements, J shall start tofetch the child, and receive from its father, the sum of twenty thousand dollars.” ‘From Lord Clifford?’ and Lady Theresa suddenly paled. | : ‘Ofcourse. We came toa bargain, this morn- ing.. You know) twenty thousand dollarsis a snug little sum of money?” * Bab! It is but a trifle: You said if you did not make previous arrangements. Does that mean you are. ready to marry me, and keep the child forever in seclusion?” ‘It does. I am ready to carry out to the letter, the plan I first proposed to you.” + Then, come. Let ‘us at once go before a magistrate, and be married, with the under- standing: that I am your wite, and ‘you are to support me, until by the demise of Lord Clif- ford, we come into possession. of his wealth,” ‘‘ Certainly. There is an ordained minister, werking in one of our mines, Who-will tie the knot in shape, and after we are married, we can laugh at his lordship. It will be like loctng a link in the golden chain of fortune, to im! , Dick Drew then took her to his father’s house where he left her, while he went to: make all necessary preparations, In a’ short time he returned with a rough- looking miner, who, equipped with a book, read to them the Episcopal m é service, and in- side of five minutes, Dick Drew and Lady Theresa Tremaine were man and wife! And, within an hour after that, nearly every- one in McGuffin’s knew of it! | er vexation CHAPTER XIII. A DOUBLE GAME OF VILLAINY. Lory Curmrorp heard of it, on his return to Me- Guffin’s and swelling with rage, he went at onee to the Drew mansion. Darcy Drew, himself, answered the summons. “Is my niece here, in your house?" Lord Clifford demanded, savagely. ‘* Not that Iam aware of, sir. elder Drew asked, with a yawn. “T am Lord Henry Clifford, and I hear reports that my niece has married your foster-son. I want to know if it is true!” ‘“* Quite true, sir. They are married, and gone, I know no more about it, sir!” and with this by-no- means-comforting assurance, he slammed the door in Lerd Clifford’s face, leaving that individual in a turmoil of passion and uncertainty. And that was all he could learn. No one knew whether Dick Drew and his bride had left town, or not. Some thought they had pened, while others * poohed”’ at the idea. rd Clifford went to his hotel, and deliberated. ‘‘Let them go!’ he muttered. ‘** For the sake of future inheritance, she has allied herself with a ras- cal, who claims to know where my child is. If he — orn al ay — is, it is their urpose er to put her out o e way, or kee per for life in obscurity. t, we shall see. I eae get possession of her, yet, in spite of them, and then we chal see who will triumph !”’ Later, that evening, he received a call from Madame Moree. She was elegantly attired, and looked really attractive. **T have just heard the news of the fair Lady. Theresa's great mistake, and want to tell you how much I aympethize with you,” she said, as he hand- ed her a chair. , Who are you?” the —— _ - . - - _ — — beached, This was pus 13 —_ ——_— _— — - - ——— | ‘Then, you think she has made a mistake, eh?’ Lord Clifford asked, ip ek ae her curiously. “Oh! certainly, my lord. It was a great mmesal- liance, BODE rew isa fellow with no heart, feel- ing or principle, and no one likes him. He simply married your niece, hoping, should not your child be found, that he would realize handsom y from your wealth.” “So lam aware. of my child?”’ Y 0, but he may have, hours.”’ “What makes you think so?"’ *“ Because, he as good as admitted that he was going to Bet possession of the child, and wanted me to come toa certain place and take care of it."’ ‘“Ah! then there must be something in his asser- tion that he knew her whereabouts. dame, could you be Fi ae to tell me the place they wanted you 0 to?’ “No,” was the reply. ‘ I could not do that,” “Then can you, still better, accept of the position offered you, and possession of the child, and 80 Do you think he has possession within twenty-four et urrender it to mef It will pay you wel to do ‘*T will consider your proposition, Lord Clifford, and give youan answer at an early date, I will now bid you good-evening!”’ And she arose, and took her leave, ‘* Methinks I foresee a little scheme cropping out originated in the fertile brain of the madame. if she gets the child in her possession, she is the very woman to aspire to lofty position as a reward for yielding up her prize. Ob! God, why am I thus peeseorie and plotted against, when | only seek my ost darling?” . That night when darkness reigned supreme, ow- ing to the fact that the heavens were overcast with the clouds of an impending. svt, the Drews younger and elder, tly left their house, and made their way cautio to the water's oct burning in the shanties, n There were but few ligh Mt ae after ten o'¢ and the two night-hawks vO ittle trouble in avoi being seen, t the water's edge, a or small boat was hed off and entered. Darcy Drew taking the oars headed the boat up-stream. “We'll get a drenchin’, I'll bet!" Dick growled, keeping mself. well enveloped in a rubber coat. ‘It's going to be a blamed rough night." ** Just. the thi for our business,’ the elder Drew ted, with satisfaction, ‘Allus select a night like this, for nefarious business, if you wish to succeed. The louder the din the greater surety of success,”’ And the thunder was.not lacking. in deep detonating tones, one clap. following an- other until there seemed to be one constant pound- ing, jarring cannonade of sound, he lightning flashed and flitted in vivid ore? now and then vane plain to view the little ski with its two occupants. Rain soon came down, in torrents, whereupon the thunder and lightning grew less frequent, While Darcy Drew manipulated the oars, Dick took advantage of the flashes to sean the shore for the widening of the trail, and the cave entrance in ad mountain side, of which Moses Monk had spoken. At last he discovered it, and directed his father to pull in to shore. “The next thing is, how are we going to work this little ramet Diek said. ‘‘It walt, be dangerous to enter the cave boldly, as she may be on the watch and lay for us!”’ *‘T have thought of all that, and planned accord- ingly,’’ the elder Drew exclaimed, ‘‘We will land, and climb to the ledge, in front of the cave, Here we will have an argument, the drift of which will be that Bill Blake sent us for Mary Monk and the girl, and that you are afraid, and so forth. She will no doubt overhear us and listen, and on finding we come from Blake, will be ready to go to him.”’ ‘How know you this?” | ‘*Easy enough. She used to be in love with Blake, and he was kind to her, and you can bet she would be glad to get back to him,” mab tea orig For ideal scheming you are un- su ed!’’ Dick said, They pulled in to the shore, and fastened their boat; then they the ascent of the mountain. It was no non ng , and considerable time Was oc- panied in reach the ledge. ere the two villains became seated and lit their It soon came pipes. ‘I tell ye, I don’t like the job,’’ Dick Drew growl- ed, ina loud tone, why the blazes didn't he come fer her himself? Furst ye know, she'll pop us over,”’ ‘Pooh! what ye skeered at? Cap knows his biz, you bet! Didn't he say as how et would be al! + capal Well, Lorne he pe shal. te sed as how 18 Mary , used ter n his employ, when he Ae known as Bill Blake, and that.as An her war good friends, he felt certain she would want. ter see him, now, ‘Yas; 1 kno" he did, but the gal not knowin’ this. is likely ter take us fer enemies, instead o’ friends, an’ give us An ounce or two o’ cold lead, instead o' a Pe aably Mhetll be. Hckigs th “Git ou e’ c nigh to death, when she finds out Blake sent fer her.”’ . ' Vii mebbe How did he find out she war “Dunno, ‘cept that he found et out t th in’ pre et out down at the * You think he's struck on the gal, eh?’ Pears to me so. He’s allus talkin’ about her.” Then there was a pause, during which the two GOomicdooks Ef the captain wanted the ga® com