Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 The glitter in his eyes, however, indicated that the letter had not made a very favorable im- pression upon him, so far as his recreant wife was concerned, CHAPTER VIIL SUCCUMBS AND SO DOES JACK DOCK. Later that day Sir Royal Rignold, tired of the house, managed to crawl out for a stroll about the gulch, although he was too lame and sore te undergo very much exercise. He was furious, too, that he had allowed him- self te be dissuaded from challenging the band- some sport, Big Buckskin, for he smarted with chagrin at the treatment he bad received. Preud and arrogant, as befitted his title and position, it was like gall and wormwood to be so worsted by a man of no rank—an American rough—as he considered Buckskin to be. Hardly satisfied was he yet, but what he should take the liberty of breaking bis promise to Agnes Andre, and bring the sport to account, With such thoughts in mind he sauntered though the gulch, and paid little attention to where he was going, until he suddenly found himself in the presence of Denver Doll, who was plucking a bouquet of wild flowers, a profusion of which grew in the eee ‘‘ Ah! excuse me!” he said, tipping his hat. ‘* Hope my intrusionispardonable. But really, tis a most pretty picture tosee one so young and pe rg Sai in the pastime of flower gather- ing ** Sir!” Denver Doll retorted, coldly. ‘* You will please keep your flattery to yourself. Ido net know you.” “That matters not. It’s an easy thing to get acquainted, you know. I am Sir Royal Rignold, of Chelton Castle, Derbyshire, England.” - ** You don’t say so!” Doll retorted, with biting sarcasm, ‘‘ Why didn’t you say you were the Prince of Wales. It would have had just as little effect. As for getting wei 7s age with me, that is im ible. Go and waste your praises on Miss Andre, who no doubt has time to listen to taffy talk.” 2 Oh, no! One tires who pays constant atten- on. ** And that’s why you left the banks of famed Killarney, is it?” Doll fired back. Sir Royal’s face grew white in an instant, = his gaze became sternly riveted upon her ace. ‘“*What do you mean?’ he demanded in a husky tone. ‘Speak girl—whatdo you mean?” “Oh, nothing, only I allow you’d look much better back on the ould sod, a-feedin’ av ther pigs an’ ther chickens!” Doll answered carelessly, as she resuméd the making of her bouquet. “T am not an Irishman, but a lineal descen- dant of royalty,” he said, loftily. ‘‘‘ You Americans are very backward in understanding and politeness. In England a peasant deems it the hight of honor to be addressed by one of the nobility like myself.” Doll burst in a loud laugh. ““So you count yourself some pumpkins, eh?” she responded. ‘‘ Well! well! I don’t know why it We American girls don’t care an more for a conceited galore wi’ a Sir to his name, than a rere red high-toned hoss-fly cares fora burro. ’Tain’t the title that makes a man hyer, but the man himself. So now, BUCKSEEN MUR- please move on. I do not want your acquain- tance. If you don’t move, Pll call Big Buck- 1 he is a puppy!” “You bet net ag Uppy. enough to lick any Johnny Bulldog! li rejoined. ‘Come! move on!” And to enforce her order, she drew a revolver menacingly, at which the knight moved off, growling unintelligibly as he did so. While Denver Doll muttered to herself: ‘*The first seed planted, and I think it will grow. How quick he changed color when I 2 i mera y, the home of Nellie 2 y- _ She spoke truly. The seed had been planted in the breast of Sir Royal, and was quick to grow. : “ What does that woman, or girl, rather, know about me and my past?’ he mused, as_ he strolled on. ‘‘ She cleverly turned off the hint, but it hardly deceived me. She meant to put ime in mind of that Irish girl I was so foolish as to marry. Egad! can she have followed me here? so, ll murder her!” The matter grew more and more momentous to him, and weighed upon his mind until he grew fairly desperate. It was about the time he had reached this / Ea ee EE EEE ae PFE CF ese eee SS Denver Doll’s Decoy. ——— stage of feeling that a voice in his ear gave him a violent start. ‘* Ex-ke-use, sir, but will you loan me your at- tention a moment?. My name is Gum—George Washington Gum, general canvassing agent for all the leading works on psychology, physiology, electricity, useful knowledge, literature and sci- ence. have a be utiful little volume here, en- titled ‘How to Put On Airs.’ Now, my dear sir, judging by your appearance, this volume would be most happily adapted to your require- ments.” Sir Royal turned and gazed in astonishment at‘the superannuated book-agent—-the same sleek, glib-tongued man it was who had invaded the outlaws’ retreat several weeks before; but, if anything, he looked more lean and lank now than at that first appearance. ‘‘ Away with you, vagabond!” Sir Royal or- dered, haughtily. ‘‘ What do you imagine I could want with your trash?’ ‘‘Bat you don’t understand,” G. W. Gum went on, unabashed. “ I have books adapted to every peculiar phase of human character, and for allages. Here’s what you are seriously in need of—‘ How to Be Polite.’ Now you couldn’t study a more useful work. I have also a useful work—‘ The Butcher’s Manual ’—tells you how to kill hogs, and so forth. But, the best of all, here’s a new work just in press—‘ The Rogues and Rascals of London,’ founded on authentic facts and brought down to the present day, in- cluding the bistory of the noted counterfeiter, Jack De Haven!” And the book-agent took out a publication list and began an examination of it carefully. With a face as white as marble, Sir Royal Rignold had turned hastily and walked away toward the Andre shanty. Apparently, George Washington Gum did not discover this act until he had finished a search of the list, when he looked up and saw Sir Royal several rods distant. Then a low laugh escaped his lips and he shuf- fled off toward the Bonanza Hotel, in the office of which he met Big Buckskin and Denver Doll. ‘‘Hello! what have we here—a Zulu, as [ live!” Doll langhed, at the sight of the curious specimen of bumanity, which the agent \really was. ‘No! no! fair lady—you mistake. Iam sim- ply George Washington Gum—a general agent for all the latest book adem mesa: of the day. Can’tI sell you a work on how to make love, oyster puddin’s, apple dumplings, or how to get married, settle down and become happy, ?” ‘‘Some other day, Georgie. Buckskiy, can’t you buy something?” “Eb? Buckskin, did you say?’ Gum demand- ed, eagerly. ‘Of course—Big Buckskin, the best man of his inches in the West. Why?’ ‘“‘ Then he’s the very feller I want to see,” the agent declared, extending his bony hand. * Mr. Buckskin, it does me proud to meet you! I have been lookin’ for you far and wide, because I have a dumfounding revelation to make to ou! a Is that so?” the sport asked, dryly. ‘‘ Weil, what is it?” ‘¢‘ Ex-ke-use, but if I tell you, I dare say you will compensate me for the valuable time I oc- cupy in telling you?” “Of course, if your revelation is of any im- ance!” Buckskin answered. ‘‘ Then come to some private apartment where there are no prying ears, and 1 will unfold!” Accordingly he was shown by Doll into a pri- vate room in the rear of the office, where all three became seated. ‘‘Now, then, go ahead!” Big Buckskin or- dered. ‘‘If you have anything to say that is worth listening to be quick about it!” ‘Exactly. Quick sales and small profits is my motto. You are Big Buckskin, or other- wise Joe Wilton?” ce Yes ” “You have heard of a gang of desperadoes known as the Murdock Brothers? ‘*T have.” “You also know a minister named Jubal Andre?” Yes.” ‘“‘ Married his daughter?’ ““ Co ” ** Don’t live with her?” **No!” Buckskin answered the questions rather hesi- tatingly. He was aware that the gaze of Denver Doll was fixed upon him in a stare of surprise. ‘‘ Well,” G. W. Gum went on, “‘some weeks ago I chanced to drop into the den of these Murdocks, hoping to sell one of my valuable _———_—— ————— eed works. While there there came a rap, and’ I was importuned to wait behind a screen.” “Yes. Go on.” ‘‘ Well, while there I was a silent witness toa deadly compact. Of the visitors there were three—Jubal Andre, his daughter, and an Indian named Red Eagle.” Big Buckskin whistled. He was beginning to caich the drift of what the revelation was to be. ‘‘Go ahead!” he commanded, eagerly. ‘* Well, this Jubal Andre did all the tatkin’ for his side, and the object of his visit was to hire the Murdocks to put two persons oat of the way—namely, you aud your son. He stated that bis daughter was desirous of marrying an Engiish aristocrat, but could not do so until you and the child were silenced.” ‘¢ And the boy-—-my son—where did he say he could be found?’ ‘* He did not state definitely, but said the boy was roving somewhere through the West with a female companion.” ‘‘Thank Heaven, he is alive then! I will now search to the ends of the earth but what I'll find him. But, goon! Was a contract made?’ ‘“Yes, The captain of the gang agreed te put you out of the way for athousand dollars down and another thousand when the job was done.” ‘‘Humph! Jubal Andre is playing a high game!” the sport muttered, rather grimly. ‘“‘ Is that all?’ ‘“Yes, I made my escape then, with the re- solve to hunt yeu up and warn you.” Big Buckskin took several gold pieces from his ket and tossed them into the lap of the book-agent. a You deserve to be paid and to receive thanks Gum slipped the gold pieces into his pocket with a satisfied grin and arose. ‘Much obleeged to you,” he said. ‘Td give up canvassing if I could catch on to such a snap every day.” When he was gone Denver Doll remarked: ‘‘That fellow ain’t what he seems, I am going to watch him.” Buckskin smiled. ‘‘ He’s a traveling Bohemian, who lives on his wits,” he assumed. ‘‘He has, however, done me a favor of no mean proportions, I will be more wide awake than before.” ‘¢ You will need to be. I am very much in- terested in your case, and will help you all £ can. ‘““Thenk you. You have already won my sincere gratitude. One knows how to appreci- ate kindness after being buffeted about the world. My marriage to Agnes Andre proved to be a most unhappy one, and I have oftem wished myself dead,’ “Say not so. Life should not be made a bur- den to one, no matter what disappointments come.” ‘* Wero I free, I perhaps might think the same as you: but, tied by my marriage vows, and also guided by a desire for my only cbild, [ of course have naught todo but remain—a foo), perhaps!” He was silent a moment, and then went on: ‘IT need not necessarily lead this wild life. for I could retire into the quiet of a peaceful existence, with a competency to subsist upon- But for the erjoyment I would have I might as well shut myself up ina prison, for in either place I would be equally alone. I say this to you because, somehow, in the few bours of our acquaintanceship I have grown to regard you as a friend.” “You are right in doing so. I am a friend of every hovest, right-minded person. CObeer up. Something may occur that will make a change in your life. In the mean time let me manage your case, and in the end I will surprise you. I know a few things that you are not aware of, and if I mistake not, my little schemes wilt eventually be fraught with bappiness for you- I’m also working up a case for a big English - estate, in which Sir Royal Rignold is concerned, — along with several others.” ‘“Humph! the less you have to do with that case the better you'll be off. This Rignold is the puppy who aspires to the hand of my wife. Let him go! After he gets her he’ll be sorry enough.” “Probably. But leave it to me, and I will work some resul/s that will pas you.” ‘“Very well. Go ahead; I will remain inac- tive, and give you full sway. You already have excited my admiration, not only for your- | self, but for your indomitable pluck; and | give you fair warning not to do too much for me!’ “T will try not to,” Doll answered, arising with a mischievous laugh. EO AMIKE NOOKS (lO) ats)