Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 263 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

instrumentality. Oh! curse you, Maurice Ma- guire—curse you!” The marshal watched ber with an evil émile while she spoke, not appeariug to be in the least put out by ber words. ** Pooh!” be said, when she bad done. ** What bave you lost# The man you profess to love is not worth one hair of your head, and is either dead or as good as dead, for I am bere for the ve — of ending his career in accordance ith the law. I am empowered by my superior officer to offer a large reward fer the culprit— that is, five thousand dollars for bis capture, dead or alive. How does that strike you? You soa | know the whole situation. I’ve hed a party here for six months engaged in ferreting out the case. Your spouse, whom you believe to be dead, is just as alive as either of us, and, moreover, has been courting up the belle of the town—Laurel is her name, isn’t it? Well, that mee pa proves that he cares nothing for Calamity buried her face in her hands and was silent, while Maguire went on: “Til not trouble you by saying more now, vut think the matter over—think how you have bestowed affection upon that man only to be de- ‘serted by bim in a fit of jealousy! Will you stand this, and know that be is lavishing bis af- fections wpon your rival, or will you come to the one who has no choice—no hope in the se but you? I will leave it to you to de- cide.’ He bent over then, quickly imprinted a kiss upon her head, and arising, strode toward the bar with a triumphant smile. CHAPTER X, BUM BELLIGERENT AND CALAMITY’S WATER WRAITH. » Catamiry JANE did not stir for several min- utes after the insult, but kept her face buried in her hands. But, though she made no attempt to avenge herself, there was one who did, and that person was the man of contrasting hair and beard, Old | Bum. He had witnessed the bold act of the deputy marshal, and it seemed to fire him with anger, for as soon as Maguire reached the bar Bum + ie up to him and tapped him on tho shoul- er, Maguire wheeled like a flash, proving that he was always prepared to turn on the defensive. **What the deuce do you want?” he demand- ed, surveying Bum with a half-amused glare, for he had evidently never encountered such a curious-looking specimen of humanity before. ‘““{ want ver know ef thet gal over yonder told ye that ye could kiss her in public in that fashion?” Bum cried, menagingly. *“What of it?’ the deputy blustered, ‘I reckon F kiss whoever I please, regardless of other people’s wishes. That gal is mine, over yonder, if ye want tew know it, an’ I'll kiss her all I please.” And with this declaration, be gave Bum a h, that was almost instantly answered by a ‘low in the breast that knocked Maguire agains. the bar with terrific force. ‘Guess ye’ll Yarn ter keep yer flukes off a re- specterble citizen like me, arter this!” the vet- eran cried. “‘My name is Bum, from Bum- ville—no keerds!’ It was a full minute ere the deputy could re- cover his breath, pe rma to speak, so heavy bad been the force of the blow he received. When he did recover, he glared at Bum as if he could annihilate him instantly. ‘*Man! do you know whom you have in- sulted?’ Maguire hissed, his face flushed with rage. Iam a deputy U. 8. marshal; so down on your knees and apologize, or Vil have you hung before another sunrise!’ Bum gave vent to a snort of disgust. “I don’t keer a conternental ef ye aire ther hull Government consolidated—ye can’t skeer gol” he averred. ‘“‘I waren’t brought up in fae woods ter be skeart out by buzzirds. Ye insulted my friend, Kerlamity Jane, and ef [ ketch ye at it ag’in, durn my left colors ef I don’t make yer heels break yer neck. I’m bad —very bad, an’ ef ye know when yer in good health, thar’s whar ter put on yer brakes an’ avoid an accident!” , Calamity came forward just then. “ See here, Nondescript!” she said. addressin m, “who told you to biteinto this biscuit I'l) tend to this indivi'ual myself. He did in- sult but I feax him not. Maurice crs or ou shall pay for what you have done, and that, dearly?” She then turned and strode from the saloon, ner eyes gleaming with set resolve. Deadwood Dick’s Divide. “Thank youl” Maguire called after her, “I rt not require any pay for my services 80 ar He then turned toOld Bum. **Bo you won’t apologize, eh?’ he demanded. “If you don’t, it will be the worse for you!” ‘Baht bah!” was the retort. ‘I defy you and all who back you. ‘‘ Lay but a finger’s weight on me and I'll teach you that though you word bave the law on = spore! side, you can- not buck against the odds I can bring against you. I am heeled, and if it comes down to necessity, [ can clean out the whole crowd, be- fore I'll surrender.” He drew his revolvers, cocked them, and stood grim and defiant before the deputy, his very expression showing that he was ready for a battle if needs be, ‘“*Shimminy gracious! Sdop! sdop!” cried Solomons, mounting the bar. ‘‘I vil haff no shoot pizness goin’ on mit in dis bremises. I vas run dish saloon, und I plow der prains outside in off any veller vot gommidts so -.e fusses!” But, he got down out of sight pretty lively, when he saw one of Bum’s glittering weapons leveled upon him. ‘*T dake it all pack—don’d shoot,” he roared from his refuge bebind the counter. ‘‘I vas a square man, so drue ash vot I iff.” ‘*Come! out with it!’ Bum cried, eying the officer, sternly. ‘*Do you /want to start a funeral enterprise right bere, or not? Ef you do, say so, an’ Vildo my sheer of ther under- takin’! ‘**T guess there is no particular need of fight- ing over the matter!” Maguire said, with a sinister smile, ‘If I wished I could arrest you, but Vil not doit this time. Maybe your danger will be a lesson to you to mind your own busi- ness hereafter |” “Oh! you make me laff!” Bum retorted, with an expression of disgust. ‘‘ The less of your rope you try to lengthen in this hamlet, the better it will be for you!” He then turned and left the saloon, with the independent swagger of the King of Tram Maguire’s hawkish gaze followed him until he had quitted the saloon, then he ordered a drink at the bar and gulped it down with a snarl, even as a bungry dog might have made over a piece of meat. He then procured a large sheet of white wrapping paper and a marking brush, and seating himself at one of the tables proceeded to print out a placard, which he occupied some time in completing. A crowd gathered around and looked on in curiosity to know what was the matter. When finished, the work looked well, and read as follows: ** $5,000 REWARD. ** 70 whom it may concern;—L will pay the sum of five thousand dollars into the hands of any person or persons who will capture and deliver into my custody, dead or alive, the notorious desperado thief and rufflan-at-large, known as Deadwooc Dick, who, though reported dead, I believe to be still living, and in this vicinity. M. Maourire, “U.S, Deputy Marshal.” This, Maguire posted up in a sightly place, within the Big Bonanza, where it was read and re-read by all who chanced to drop in for re- freshments—and they were not few. Of course the reward offered created a buzz of excitement at once, for a thousand dollars was a goodly sum, and it took a good many days to pan that much out about the mining district of Doomsday, but five thousand—why, that was a rich strike! Would the famous rover be caught? There were various opinions on the subject. Some thought he was alive and would sooner or later be captured, while others believed he was immortal and beyond earthly power to capture. And thus the matter was forced to rest for the time being! When night again fell over the little moun- tain city, darkness as black as Stygia reigned supreme, _ The wind howled dismally over the peaks, amd thunder growled rebukingly along the western borizon, as if as a warning to sinners to desist from their sinful pu es, As soon as darkness had fairly settled down in its blank intensity, a female figure, clad in male attire, came stealthily down to the lake shore, where the ferry usually landed. It was Calamity Jane. In her band she carried her rifle, and her belt was supplied with its customary weapons, Her face was almost deathly white, and bore ane on of pain, Her eyes burned with an unnatural fire, and agitation was betrayed ee NN EGS 9 PUETT EO aT ee meee war 8 ef ° —_ - we tee Oe Oe ee meee whe® Gee we —e- —— ———e frame. When she came to the ferry-boat, she sat down upon the edge of it, and was silent for | — minutes, her chin resting upon her nd, “Why is it that I am so jealous of bim, if all is true I bear against him? To be sure, he had the first right to be jealous of me, “Wild mountain waif that I was, I mingled tn the roughest scenes and the roughest society of the roughest towns in the mountains. He took me, married me, and redeemed me from the curse that hung over me, never saying a word of the past—at least of my past but always elaborating on a happy future. Yet [ always fancied that he was a little watchful and doubt- ful about me, and when he saw Maurice Ma- guire making love to me in our own cabin, I do not wonder he turned and fied from me as he would from a viper. And yet, I cannot—n nor never will I give bim up, no matter wha damning devices » may bring oe to test me. Trust him in the face of love or death, will I, until [ find on my death-bed I am wrong—then, if IT am wrong, I will repent when it is toe late,” ’ As she ceased speaking she raised her geme, as if praying to the Almighty to strengthen her resolve and purpose: then she arose, and glided toward the Laurel shanty, which stood not far from the lake shore, partially surrounded by e oe of maples—the remnants of a once heavy orest, ‘‘T will see if they are all asleep,” she mut- tered; “‘ then, if I safely return it, they cannot seas = for berrowing the boat for a little while!” She said this as she neared the shanty, in the front door of which Mrs. Laurel was seated in ber invalid chair, weeping, ber head. Lowed in ber hands, ‘* Poor old lady ” Calamity said, to herself, a she saw her. ‘She feels bad over the supposed death of her husband. I wonder if she feels half the anguish at heart that I dof” She stood in the shadow of a buge maple, and gazed at the bereaved wife and mother, fora few moments, then, hearing the sound of voices in the rear of the dwelling, curiosity impelled her to glide stealtbily in that direction. Shortly she gained a position where she waa able to dimly view a scene that set ber pulses throbbing wildly. , Upon her knees, near the rear door of the shanty, knelt Kate Laurel, her bands clasped, and her bead bowed as though in prayer. Upon a camp stool, just before her sat Dead- wood Dick! It was notin flowing robes of white that be now appeared, but as bis natural self, as Cal- amity bad last seen him at their far-away mountain home. Calamity stood as if turned to stone. She saw him, heard bim speak, and yet could not move or speak, berself, Kate Laurel was tbe first to speak. “Oh! Mr, Harris, you have lifted a load from my heart, and | hardly know how to tbank you forthe words you have uttered, For the relief you have given me, however, I will thank you, sincerely and with all my beart, and should it ever come within my power to grant you a favor, rest assure. will do so, whether asked or unasked?”’ , ‘*Miss Laurel, speak not so,” the voice of Deadwood Dick answered. ‘‘ Although other ears may be listening, I will truthfully say tuat I believe you to, be an estimable and highly respeetable young lady, and any favor a gen- tleman could do you would be only a credit to yourself. What I have said, please let remain a secret between us, until the developments I mentioned, are matured. Then, I fancy you will not be sorry you ever met that consummate rascal and desperado, Deadwood Dick—a man whose friends forsake him day by day, and 4 drive him to the desperate deeds for which he . receives the curses of nearly all mankind. Aw revoir, Miss Laurel!” The Jast sentence was uttered in a choked tone, as if the speaker were in sudden remem- brance of some past-and-gone sorrow, or love He arose from his seat, mechanically, and dis- appeared among the trees, whilé Kate Laurel ain buried her face in ber bands. ike a sleuth, and with cat-like footfal Calamity Jane followed after the man she ba seen, or his apparition—in ber delirium of jealousy, she hardly knew which. Through between the trees she glided, so times almost near enough to touch him—an remorse ng at her heart-strip | Did, or did he not know that she was close Geom books:com