Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ne a ee ee eee - —-+ eae — Se ee —————— Then they seperated, Denver Doll going in search of Little Bill, and Big Buckskin retiring to his room. Later in the day, as Denver Doll stood upon the veranda of the Bonanza, watching the busy throng as it moved through the gulch, a man came sauntering along, with swaggering gait, as if he felt the importance of his rather flashy attire. Denver Doll’s eyes were on him before he was near her, and her gaze never left his face until he was about passing, when she spoke. *¢ Jack!” He turned, as if electrified. “* Jack!” she repeated, Her eyes had met his now, and were burning with annatural brilliancy. The man seemed to tremble as he stood, his eyes never leaving hers. “Jack!” she repeated again, and this time sternly. ‘Down, Jack!” For au instant it seemed asif he was under- going a terrible mental struggle; then a sickly smile came over his face, and he dropped upon his knees. ‘‘Up Jack!” she ordered, a moment later. He arose like magic. “Come!” she said, turning and entering the hotel office. . And Jaek Murdock, of the notorious Murdock Brethers, followed her, as a trained dog would have fellowed its master. CHAPTER IX, BOLL’S CAPTURE AND SAL’S NEW DEAL. Tue pewer which Denver Doll held over the out- law was mesmeric, and she had him so under her call that she could make him obey her at will. Several years ago, before he joined his brother in ther career of crime, he had been Denver Doll's youthful lover, and it was at this time that she had discovered her wondrous power over him, and had practiced it a number of times, more for the novelty of the thing than for any other reason, So that she had made Jack Murdock life, no matter where they might meet, Doll led the way to the apartment in the rear of the office, and the young outlaw meekly followed, and became seated at the girl's motion, She then knelt in front of him and drew a revol- ver, after which she passed one hand to and fro be- fore his face. This motion appeared to have the effect of break- ing the ae for he gave a violent start as he saw her there holding the ne leveled at his breast. ve got you!" she said, tri- “Jack Murdock, I umphautly, “Eh! is it you, Doll? What brought me here?” and he gazed around him in a sort of dazed way. “ The same old power, Jack't’’ was the answer, at which a eo shiver passed over him, * Yes," Doll went on, “Isaw you coming up the street, and allowed that you were a fish worth snar- ing; so I told you to come in, and you came right along like a little man." Jack growled out an oath. “ Curses on thatinfernal power you hold over me! What do you ae to do with me?" “ Use you, Jack—redeem you, if possible. You are leading a criminal life, and I'm going to make you give it up and betray your gang into custody.” “Never! I'd die before I'd go ona pal. Even you can't make me do that.” “ But I can, though, and don't you forget it! You do just what | will—how are you going to help your- y?? her slave for “It would be mean of you to take advantage of your infernal power over me and cause me to bring my own brother to the gallows!” he growled. ‘Not a bit of it! Your brother his gang have done many deeds far meaner than that, and the law wants ‘em, as an example to other evil-doers. Tell me, now, wouldn't a free, honest life be better than a life crowned with the knowledge that you are an outcast and a villain, whom every honest person turns from in horror?’ “Dunno but you're right. But I couldn't never give Burk up to the law, nobow ye can make it.” “ But I say you shall, or [ll arrest you right here, and cast you into confinement. Bill’s Bonanza is a new town, and og know how new towns deal out jus- tice, I dare say!”’ 3 5 Te and be cussed, I'll never squeal on eur ‘But consider. Iean throw you into the trance again, and then make you tell me all I want to know, and arrest you in the bargain. So you see. I've got you ne ee Ae A sullen, dogged expression came over the young outlaw's face. **Go ahead and do your worst. I'll never go back on a pal with my Own consent.” * We'll find out!" Doll muttered, beginning to work the spell on him again. an incredibly short space of time he was thoroughly mesmerized and in her power. “ Now, then, tell me where the present rendezvous of the gang is,"’ she commanded, sternly. He did not answer. . ; There wss a set, determined expression upon his face, and a shiver traversed his frame. Denver Doll’s Decoy. “Speak!” Doll cried, stamping her foot. ‘* How dare you disobey me?” i Still no answer, but, in its place, that dogged si- ence, This convinced Doll that she had overrated her power to some extent. Fearful that he might shake off the influence of the spell, she hastily procured a Pes of handcuffs and made him powerless, so far as is hands were concerned. This done, she brought him once more out of the trance. His rage knew no bounds when he discovered that his hands were bound. “Curse you, Denver Doll! Little I thought, when I used to know you, that you would ever turn against me thus.”’ **Nor did I think that youn would turn into a life of crime and misery. I offered you a fair chance, but you refused; and, accordingly, it is my duty to ar- rest you.” “Go ahead. You couldn't make meé peach on my pais, an’ I never will. They'll get me out.” ‘“* We shall see to it that they don’t. For the hel ent, I shall keep you locked up in thisroom, Here you will be safe. If you attempt to create a racket ‘ll come in and gag you.” She then left the room and locked the door after her, well knowing that it would be impossible for Jack to escape without outside assistance. And she further believed that, after due delibera- tion, he would change his mind and come to terms, rather than run the risk of getting his head into Judge Lynch’s merciless noose, 0 ——— en Little Bill was always wide awake and about town, when not on duty at the hotel, and if there was any- thing going on that was worth seeing he was gener- ally on hand. bout sunset that day, as he stood on the banks of the gulch creek speculating as to whether or no the roily waters contained any of the finny tribe, he heard angry words close at hand, and crept to the cover of a clump of bushes near ay: A moment later Sir Royal Rignold and Agnes An- dre came into view, and pa near where Bill had “IT tell you I am not ready yet!’’ the latter said, impatiently. “You will have to give me time.” ‘**T have no time to give!” Rignold declared, sharp- RY deed pap eening has occurred that makes it imper- ative that I should return to England at once,” What?" “Oh! it don’t matter what.” *“ But I say it does. I won't have a man who won't tell me his secrets.” ‘Then it’s settled, be bossed by any woman; set you heart at rest on that! Iwill give you half an hour to decide, Marry me to-morrow night or never!" “Oh! I don’t know what to say. I don't know whether pare will consent to a hasty marriage."’ at Humph! he’s only too glad to marry you off we ” Agnes Andre did not answer. Her gaze instinct- ively wandered toward the Bonanza hotel, where the handsome sport, Big Buckskin, was pacing to and fro across the veranda. Sir Royal saw her gaze directed toward the sport, and he seized her wrist fiercely. “Oh! so (hat is why you hesitate about a speedy marriage, is it?” he ‘Tell me, girl; what is there between him and you?” *“Nothing!"’ Agnes replied, with a dry, harsh laugh. “Iwas just wondering if you could grow into such a rough creature.” “Never fear; Sir Royal Rignold is none of your low American stock. Do you know, if I thought you were anything to that fellow I'd kill your" * But Lam not! ** Never was?"’ “Never was!" ‘Well, I must believe you, I suppose. But how about the answer?” “It is yes, I guess, You must take me as Iam.” “Of course. We will set the time—to-morrow evening, at nine o'clock.” z Then hee was an exchange of kisses, after which ley wa away. And Little Bill crept from his covert, grinning from ear to ear, Ns ee “Golly! we’re goin’ to have a roe ae hitchin’-u match fer sure!’ he ejaculated. “ kon my Dollbaby, would like ter know about that.”’ And accordingly, he went back tothe Bo one told the ive Queen what he had seen an eard, Doll was not surprised, nor did she say much about the matter; but she kept up a terrible think- ing, and was constantly forming p in her mind for the achievement of the victory she expected to win, On her return to the shanty, Agnes Andre private- ly made known to her father the desire of Sir Royal, or an immediate consummation of their ramiiaia. “Well! what did you say?” the old rogue asked, anual. ‘*T said yes, as a matter of course,’’ Agnes replied. ‘“T cannot afford to lose a handsome fortune, even if I do run a little risk.” “You are right there. But, mind you, there’s something strange in sudden action on Sir Royal's part. I fancy the fellow has some secrets Se his own which es would not wish others, to cnow.”’ “Perhaps. But, pshaw! what need I care, afier I am once Lady Rignold, of Chelton. Castle, I can then tame him down to suit my own notion.” ; And both father and daughter laughed, ee Sir Royal Rignold will never: —~ Le ee “Thave come to no fixed conclusion how we are going to get rid of Big Buckskin!’ Jubal Andre went on. “J saw Burk Murdock this morning, and he refused to do anything without two _ thousand dollars more be paid into his hand. That I flatly re- fused to do.” ‘““Why? You could well afford to have paid that, after what you made off of Sir Royal.” ‘*Not much! I’m going to look out for myseif with that money, you bet! If you want to pay any more do it out of your own pocket!” “You well understand that I have no money,” Agnes protested. “if you don’t fix matters up, you know what the result will be. You'll have your daughter back on your hands in an incredibly shur't space of time.” Jubal Andre uttered a growl, and was abont to give some sour answer, when there came a loud rap on the door, “Come in!’ he called out, supposing it was the Chinese servant whom he had sent on an errand. The door promptly opened, and Sal Slap, the pro- prietress of the Guzzler’s Glory, made her appear- ance, Jubal Andre and Agnes could but utter exclama- tions of astonishment, for the old hag was by far ae nenes looking creature they ever had occasion © meet. “Don't be skeart,” Sal said, with a grotesque! horrible grin, as she helped herself toa seat. “ know I ain’t as purty as a noddin’ blue-bell, but that don’t make no difference. I’m old Sal Slap, and I'm a screamer, and downright proud of it, too, How ye gittin’ on, Jubal—you an’ yer , whor has grown inter a right peart ae ef Ido Bay it?’ ““Woman, I don’t know you. one, orl] have you locked up for a lunatic!" Andre cried, feeling alarmed, evidently. . “Don’t know me, hey?’ Sal went on, taking out a box, and helping herself to a pinch of snuff. ‘Well, I dare say not, for I've grown prettier as. my years advanced, an’ had heaps o’ experience, Agi e, thar, looks natteral, however, and you would, only you're cultivatin’ a red nose, n't remember Dorothy, do ye?” And she uttered a a pa laugh! Jubal Andre uttered an oath. “You are not Dorothy!” he declared, “*Reckon I ain't no one else, tho’ since I left yer employ, I've been roughing it under the handle of Sal Slap. Hain’t quite so purty, but I'm a heap sinarter than [ was then)” ‘**For Heaven's sake! A terrible ran has cer~ tainly come over you. What are you doing here. womany Explain yourself!" ; “T am keepin’ the Guzzler’s Glory hyarin Bill’ Bonanza, of which I'm one of the first inhabitants. The object 0’ my present call is jest to renew ac- quaintanceship, ye see. Et does my eyes Lter see ye both, fer ve know, Jubal, I allers. did have a sort o’ hankerin’ arter ye, Enough of such nonsense. You are an unwel- come Visitor, gst sf and your departure would ef,’ give mea “So? Well, now, that’s curious, But] don't mind. pone vishness, Jubal. I know you mean all right. ut if you don't, ye orter know better than to buck against me. I can do ye piles of ponte Sesh y pres- ent, if ye come any o’ your stuck-nup dodges around me. I hear yer is goin’ to be married tew a lord, duke, or some other high-fangled cuss. Bet a cookie he is as innocent as a clam regardin’ Aggie’s first mar : The Andres both winced. : { “Curse you!’ Jubal hissed. “If you betray the secret T'll murder ye!" “Oh, no! I’m allers heeled, I'm gittin’ new no- tions inter my head, too. I’m tired o' roughing it, and aspire to live in ay the rest o' my days. I've got a leetle spare cash, but want more, an’ it's only natteral thet you should want to furnish i arter all I've done fer you an’ yer " “Not a cent will ye get from me, swear to it,’’ Jubal Andre retorted. * Pat Just what In Boing to gety OF squeal cash th w m get, or squ "the hag declared. ‘“ Se hte bveieut the dead wood on ye, and ef ye don’t come to Limerick I'm golng to yedance? Ye'll remember the hoy is alive yet what ye hired me to murder!” ; ® Where?" Jubal Andre hissed. _ “Where I can Rectuce him without much trouble. Now, may be Sir oyal, as he is called, would like to ce kid, along wi 7" and you car You got your I 11 % ries take you, woman! If you dare to hint & the existence of a d to him out!’ and Andre's face was white with its vengeful. on, . ‘“*A tough old time you'd have at it. My heart is” a hardened one.” you want to kill the boy and keep “How much do your mouth shut?’ “Waal, I allow a thousand dollars would cover my mouth, But as fer ther boy, durn me ef I'll hurt him, He's as cute as a squirrel, he is.” “ Bither you put the out of the way or get ne mes . “Then I'll squeal.”’ **Do so at your 1” Sal Slap uttered a horrid laugh, “Well, think as you like,” she sneered. “If i hain’t handed an envelope wi’ a $1,000 note in it ter- night I'll squeal.” : Jubal Andee and hie dade ) ndre and } ter faced other wih saAxGes meses - ih “ Tt's narrowing into close * he snarled. * ce RS page to do something ) vs ‘Curse es rothy m silenced at ali hazards. Is have ts buy ber,” a mG (E(@) ‘tear your heart. ' + . - - a as a « i a: ja™ . ; 4 “_ = ee Se ae ee ee oe ee s ef a « . 2 : ‘ : “ - * _ ?.. .