Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

——— ta ee pe = —e oe ree ee out at full length, groaning and pressing one hand upon the nasal organ, while his eye as- sumed a discolored appearance. ‘* That’s enuff!” he howled. ‘I ain’t a bed- bug—Tlve got one taste, and that’s enuff!” A cheer rung out through the room. At the same instant there came the report of a pistol, and a bullet whizzed unpleasantly close to Big Buckskin’s head. Looking quick'y around, he beheld a young Indian in the act of skulking from the saloon. With a leap that would have astonishea many a professional, he reached the door just in time to seize the red-skin by his scalp-lock, and jerk him back into the room! Planting his foot on the would-be assassin’s breast, be drew a revolver, and cocked it. **So you thought you were going to get off easy, you infernal cutthroat?” he cried, a wild gleam in his eyes. ‘‘ You should have known better than to attempt the life of Big Buck- skin |” He then turned to the crowd that flocked around, ‘*Gentlemon, can any of you inform me who this red heathen is?” ‘* That’s Red Eagle, from Boise!” a miner said. “ He’s a sneak-thief and rascal, and you can’t de better than finish him!” A sudden thought came into the Sport’s mind just then, for he thrust the muzzle of his re- velver against the Indian’s temple, a fierce glow im his black eyes. “See here, red-skin!” he hissed, ‘ your life depends upon your truthful answers to my uestions. If I detect you in the suspicion of a lie, Pll blew your brains out where you lay. Do you hear me, you red rascal?” “ The savage bobbed his head, in the affirma- ive, “Then, see that you answer me truthfully. Who ey a up to shoot me ?” ‘* Nobody !” “Take care! Are you lying?” Red Eagle nebber lie!” ‘ What did you shoot at me for, then?” ‘No like pale-face. Kill many Red Eagle’s people!” ‘Get out! That’s no excuse. Do you know the Murdocks?” The red skin started. . Hear of ’em!” he replied. ‘Do you know them?” the sport repeated, fiercely, ‘“*Ugh! some!” “I thought so, Theyset youon. Where are they, now?” “Dunno!” “ Look out!” “Red Eagle think um in mountains.” ** Where’s their ranch?” * Dunno! nebber there!” “They want my life don’t they?” “ Tink so!” “And you allowed by killing me, you could get paid for it?” “Ugh!” _ Big Buckskin put his revolver in his belt, and — the savage to his feet, by his scalp- ock. ‘* Now, you red devil, Pll give you ten min- utes to leave the camp. I catch you here again, I'll shoot you!” The Indian was in no wise loth to obey, and made his exit from the shanty, in a manner more hasty than graceful. Having seen sufficient of Guzzler’s Glory for one night. Big Buckskin soon after left the place, and returned to his room at the hotel. “The Murdocks are after me in earnest, now!” he muttered, “‘ but they’ll find me as wide awake as ever. Once I get them broken up, I will Lid adieu to this wild country, and return to the home that knew me in my yea hood. Yet, [ can hardly bear to go know- ing that I have an only son buffeting somewhere abeut this world, perhaps without a home or friends. Something tells me, too, that I am go- ing to see Agnes. God forbid, for very likely she has forgotton me, in all these years we have been separated.” F He lay for some time upon his bed, but a feel- ing of restlessness had possession of him and sleep failed to come to his eyes. The room seemed to be close, and it was with diffictlty he could get his breath. Finally, in a spirit of desperation, he arose, and went down-stairs, where he procured a glass ef wine, at the bar. Olid Prowler eyed him, with a strange ex- pression, while he drank. ** Exeuse me,” he said as the sport set down his 5 lp upon the counter, ‘‘ but you are called Big Buckskin, are you not ad —E7E Denver Doll’s Decoy. | — + — - ~— + — -e — es i ee ee es -- — ** T opine that’s about the ticket, my friend,” Buckskin replied. ‘‘ Why do you ask?’ . ** Merely out of curiosity. Im your features I perceive some resemblance to a person I once | knew. Strange, ain’t it, how memory will carry faces back into the past?” ‘True for you!” Buckskin returned. ‘I often see a face that reminds me of some friend in days gone-by.” “You have another name?” ‘** Well, yes; but I don’t have much occasion to use it. Big Buckskin is more popular out in this country than plain Joe Wilton; sol hang to the first.” **T see. You must have had an eventful life. Sometime, when you have nothing to do, I should like you to give me a brief sk tch of it.” ‘*Thank you. Some day when I have the blues I may be able to accommodate you.” Just then the stage from Boise City dashed up to the door, and the stentorian voice of old ank Hill yelled: ‘* Little Bil’s Bonanza! Pile out!” Big Buckskin sauntered out upon the veranda to look at the new arrivals, and was there joined by Denver Doll. ‘** No accommodation here for this crowd,” she said, laughingly, as the passengers left the stage. ‘‘ Ah! what’s that—a stage robbery?” The word ‘‘road-agents” was passing from mouth to mouth as the passengers alighted. ‘*What is it, Hank?’ Doll asked, as the driver approached her, ‘Oh! nuthin’ much!” the veteran grunted, “A gang o’ agents halted us a mile out, and cleaned out the wealth. Not much loss, ’cept the gal yonder, who got cleaned out of a heap of paper money.” he eyes of Denver Doll and Big Buckskin turned toward the coach, and the Jehu passed on. A woman, young and beautiful, and well dressed, had just alighted, and was gazing about her excitedly, evidently expecting some one. The bronzed face of Big Buckskin turned pale, and he stepped from the verauda to her side. *‘Agnes!” he said, in a low tone. She turned with a gasping cry, and. gave him a startled look. At the same time a man sprung forward, pushed Buckskin back, and clas his arm about the lady’s waist. : ‘‘Avast! you ruffian!” he cried addressing the Buckskin Sport. ‘* How dare you insult an un- protected lady?’ ‘ For an instant the sport did not answer; he was white and speechless with rage; the next instant he sprung forward, and tearing the man—who was Sir Royal Rignold—from the lady’s side, he raised him high above his head, by the power of bis mighty arms, and for an instant held him there in a horizontal position, erying in tones clear and stern: ‘Curses on you, Royal Rignold. I'll show you what authority I have to address that wo- man!’ The next instant be hurled the Englishman in a heap to the ground. At the same time Jubal Andre appeared upon the scene, and comprehending the situation, hurried his daughter away to the shanty. Leaving the victim of his anger lymg in a stunned condition upon the ground. Big Buck- skin turned to the crowd. & ' “Gentlemen!” he said, quietly; “if that puppy calls for satisfaction, some one of you lease bring the intelligence. I shall be most appy to accommodate him.” Stil white with passion, he turned and en- tered the hotel. ; : Denver Doll followed him, and caught his coat-sleeve just as he was about to ascend the stairs. ‘‘Hold up!” she said, her gaze meeting his. ‘‘T want you to answer me one question?” “Well?” ‘“ Who was that woman?” He laughed bitterly. ‘“‘A stone—a viper, and best of all, a woman who will never interfere with my great respect and admiration for you!” Then he went up-stairs. CHAPTER V. THE DESERTED GIRL-WIFE. No incident worthy of detail bappened during the remainder of that night, except at the Bo- nanza Hotel. The bruised Sir Rignold had been picked up and conveyed to Jubal Andre’s shanty by a party of sympathizing miners, and the remain- der of the evening was spent in discussing the two main topics—namely: the stage robbery } 7 and the strange proceedings in front of Bo- nanza, ; . As for Denver Doll, she moved about her prosperous establishment, superintending ti. ings with her habitual pleasant demeanor; but an intimate acquaintance might have noticed that there was a more vivid flush upon her cheeks to-night than usual, and that she was somewhat less vivacious, She waited expectantly for a messenger from Sir Royal Rignold very naturally, surmising that he would send a challenge to Big Buckskin; but in this she was agreeably disappointed, for no challenge put in.an appearance. _ Toward midnight, when she was about to close up for the night, a ragged, baggard wo- man, barefooted and bleeding from brier scratches, and carrying a six-mopths’ old babe in her arms, entered the bar-room, of which the Detective Queen was the sole occupant. In years the new-comer bad evidently not passed far into her teens; but the attenuation of her figure, haggardness of her face, and wildly wearied expression of her eyes, told better than words that she had undergone long and exquis~ ite suffering. She approached the bar, behind which Denver Doll was standing, with a faltering step, as it she was afraid of being repulsed, Denver Doll, despite her own young life, had seen much of the sinfulness and suffering of the world, and withal had as tender a heart as ever beat within the breast of woman. Quick and discerning, intense and critical to a fault, she was last of all persons to turn from. a fellow-creature because that one had fallen into the painful clutches of poverty and mis- fortune. . It was no wonder, then, that her heart went out for the a ul-looking girl-mother, with her suckling babe. . ‘** Please ma’am, would yez be so kind to give me a drink of wather, and if yez have a bit of supper yez could ys me for the like av that, sae the Virgin Mary and the saints will bless yez ; And she laid a locket and chain upon the bar, with a wistfal glance, ' Denver Doll took itup, and examined it, with curiosity. ‘* Where did you get this?’ she asked. ‘* Shure, lady, I didn’t stale it,” the woman replied, witha balf sob. “It was the gift at me weddint, from me husband what has gone far away and left me.” The locket was a costly affair, of heavy gold set, with real diamonds and pearls. On opening it Doll could scarcely conceal her surprise. On one side was the picture of a fair young girl—evidently that of the poor bomeless creature who now waited without the bar. The reverse picture was the face of a man, and it was that which surprised Doll, for she had seem it before. ‘ ‘*Have you any idea of the value of this locket, lady?’ Doll asked. _“*Shure! I have not!” was the reply. ‘‘It’s little [know about jewelry at all.” ** Well, 1 should say so. To say the least, the oneye and locket are worth two hundred ‘dol- ars! The woman uttered a surprised cry, but her face clouded, when Doll handed it back to her. ‘* Won't yez take it?’ she asked. ** By no means, Take it and never part with it. You can have your supper free, Wait a moment.” She went into a rear apartment a moment, but scon returned. “Let me bave the baby, and come with me to my room,” she said, «Vou can eat there. You must be tired I know; and, besides, ’ve some clothing to give you.” The Irish girl uttered a prayer for all the saints to preserve her benefactress, and m surrendered her babe and followed, Once up in Denver Doll’s room, a transfor- mation was inaugurated, and Nellie Kelly, as she gave her name, was soon comfortably clad in full suit of female attire of serviceable goods, which Doll had long since discarded for her masculine dress. ;, The astonishment and gratitude of the poor irl would be hard to describe; and ber own anguage was certainly inadequate to express it. Next came the supper, served by one of the Detective Queen’s Chinese servants; and after it was all over, Nellie kneeled at the feet of Denver Doll, and sobbed out her heartfelt thanks. ‘‘ God bless yez!” she said, in conclusion. “‘'You are the kindest wan ve met in many a long day.” *4 > * (Sis