Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 237 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ro ‘Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. which had been burned in the American war with Mexico in ’46, and was then the scene of a fierce fight. Outwardly this old ruin presented no attractions as a place of abode; but to her surprise, Bessie upon dismounting, was ushered into quarters by no means un- pleasant or uncomfortable. The stone flooring was covered with the dressed skins of wild beasts, the walls were hung with dainty curtains of white, and there was a lounge, easy-chair, and in an adjoining room an inviting bed, while a table in the plaza was y spread for a meal, and Bessie was re- joiced to see for one only, as she had feared that she might have to meet the dreaded chief. A peon woman met her at the en- trance to the ruin, and quietly looked after her comfort, and gliding here and there she beheld several [niin warriors, which proved to her that no chance for escape would be allowed her. ‘Where is your chief?” asked Bessie “of the woman, as she finished bringing in her things brought by the pack-mules from the ambulance, ‘*Nona knows not how to answer any questions?” was the woman’s stolid re- ply, and with a sigh Bessie resigned her- self to her lonely fate. At night tapers were brought in, and a tempting supper was served, and the maiden ate with considerable relish im spite of her danger and surroundings. Then she took up a Spanish guitar that hung on the welll and ran her fingers idly over the strings, but dared not trust herself to sing, as she felt like crying rather. At last she arose and said she would retire, and disrobing herself she lay down upon the cot, while the n woman threw herself upon one of the skins to sleep, and to watch the captive too. ‘CHAPTER XVI. A STARTLING RECOGNITION, THE following morning Bessie awoke, tly refreshed, for, in spite of all, she slept well. A tempting breakfast awaited her, and consisted of broiled birds, venison, tortzl- las, honey, bread and coffee, and she ate with a relish that surprised herself. ' All day she was attended by the peon woman, though allowed to roam at will among the _ hills, ing at the lovely scenery, and gathering wild flowers. , Not to a single question, other than ab- solutely necessary, would the peon wo- man reply, although Bessie offered her a gold necklace to answer her if she knew what were the chief's intentions regard- her. The woman looked with stolid indiffer ence at the trinket, though evidently sadly coveting it in her heart, yet ut- te ne reply. Returning at midday, a substantial meal was served, and again the maiden went for a stroll, preferring the wild woods to the old ruin, And then another night passed, and yet no chief a ‘ What could it mean? Had he gotten into a battle with pursu- ing soldiers and been killed, thought Bes- sie. No, that could not be, for there was no excitement visible in the faces of the peon woman and the dozen warriors she saw hovering about like specters. _ ®he Mexicans who had escorted her there were nowhere visible, and she could not ascertain where they had gone. Anxious to fully learn the surround- ings of the ruin, Bessie again walked forth, for her mind was bent upon one thought, and that was to escape. In a wing of the ruin she saw that her horse was kept, and her saddle and bridle hung on the plaza wall, and she was determined to watch her chance and make a bold effort for her liberty. Reaching a wooded hill, that gave her a view of the surrounding country for leagues, she sat down, the patient n uietly dropping upon the grass near her, or she did not allow Bessie to get ten paces away from her. Wrapt in the beauty of the scenery, the maiden failed to hear an advancing step, or to see a tall form approaching. But the peon woman both heard and saw, and sprung quickly to her feet. The act caused Bessie to glance up- ward, and a cry broke from Hes lips as she saw standing within ten feet of her, and gazing calmly upon her, the tall form of El Cobra, the hooded chief. He was dressed elegantly in the Mexi- can costume, but wore over his head and face the black hood and mask he seemed never to go without. Instantly Bessie was upon her feet, her form drawn to its full higth, her eyes flashing, and her face very pale. ‘You can go, Nona,” said the chief, in a voice that was by no means unpleasant, and the peon woman glided away. ‘*Senorita Bainbridge, I greet you,” said the chief, bowing low. ‘“Who and what are you?” asked Bes- ne coldly, paying no attention to his Ww. ‘Men call me El Cobra, senorita, and I am, by profession, a robber,” was the reply, delivered in a voice of rare sweet- ness. ‘You then acknowledge yourself that | human monster, whose cruelties and cun- ning have gained for him the name. of a serpent?” said Bessie, with intense scorn of voice and manner. ‘‘T do, lady,” responded the robber chief, and there was no sign of anger in his tone at her cutting words. ‘* And why have you, a Mexican ban- dit, dared to kidnap an American girl?” He stepped nearer to her as she asked the question, and asked, in a low tone: ‘“You would know whyI have done eee Bainbridge?” és es ” ‘“You will be shocked to know.” ‘*T will listen.” ‘‘-Your nerves will be taxed.” ‘*T will listen, sir ” Again he stepped nearer, and suddenly drew off the black hood that he wore. With a shriek ‘of terror Bessie started back, and then sunk down upon. the mossy bank in a swoon, for she had been overcome at recognizing the face that had been suddenly revealed to her by the robber chief. CHAPTER XVI. A LOVER’S REVENGE. Wiru his arms folded upon his broad breast, El Cobra stood gazing down upon the unconscious girl, whom the sight of him had caused to fall as though sud- denly struck dead. ¢ Only when her long-continued motion- lessness caused him to fear she might be dead, did he move toward her. again Bending over her, he eres his fingebs upon her Tiles and said aloud: ‘It is a mere fainting-fit, from which she will soon recover.” Even as he spoke a thrill went through her form, her fingers were clinched con- vulsively avehal times, and then she opened her eyes, Instantly she closed them, and covered her face with her hands, as though te shut out some fearful vision, and then sprung to her feet. : A moment she stood gazin ¢ + »on him, the color slowly coming back to her face as she Jo! «1 into his. ‘‘Wel, Senorita Bessie, we have met as I promised you we should,” he said, hlandiy. ‘‘ Yes, and I would have rather died than gaze upon your hated face again,” and she spoke with unutterable scorn in her tone. ‘Say not so, sweet Bessie, for they are cutting words to use toward one who loves you.” ‘‘Loves me! don’t pollute the sacred word, base man. | ‘*Love me, when, because you saved my life, when I was a mere girl, bathin in the surf at Trueville, von have dog my steps ever since?” ‘‘Tt but proved my love, for the day I dragged you from the waters, even ne you were but thirteen years of age, | loved you, and swore never to give ou up. ) ‘*Hor a while you treated me with the kindness due the savior of your life, and because you knew me as your ki . but then your father wrote you who I was, and you turned from me, ‘‘But 1 did not give you up, sweet cousin mine, but hovered near you, un I forced you to leave Paris and return to America, , ‘*One whom’ you had met, and loved with a school-girl affection, left also, and returned to his home in America, where you believed I dared not: come. ‘‘Bah! I dare do anything, Bessie Bainbridge, as you see, and 1 warned you that you should never marry that. man. ‘“You defied me, and then I set to work, - - ‘**T had never met him, and hence was unknown to him, so, under an assumed name I sought him out, pretended to be his friend, made him presents, led him into all kinds of temptation, and one night played cards with him until I won every dollar he had in the world, which was only about enough for him to live in a love-in-a-cottage style had he married ou. me He accused me of cheating him, and I struck him, and of course a duel fol- lowed, and the result you well know, for he was secretly and hastily buried where he fell, as the seconds wished to hush the matter up and [had to fly. ‘But ere I left I Wréts and told you what I had done, and that one day you should be my wife.” “And still I defy you,” cried Bessie earnestly, while, during his recalling the bitter past to her, she had gazed hina steadily in the face, though very pale, and her eyes had dimmed, and lip quiv- ered, when he spoke of the young lover he had killed. : ‘* Well, you see that so far I have made my words good, and though you have preferred this far frontier to the life of a COMME NOC KS, (Eo)