Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 285 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 “Do not feel bad, but cheery and ae like myself. I’ve had some tough trials in my time, whieh none but myself ‘inde God knows of; but | locked ’em up in my heart, with a resolve to face the cold world -.ith a brave front. We may be bitterly wronged, dear, but if we do ri at as our conscience directs us, we've the sat- isfaction of knowing that we'll scoop in th + win- tins deal over our enemies, at the end of the game—but maybe you don’t understand our vernacular phrases. Nevertheless, I want you to tell me of your past—why you are here— everything!” Nellie looked up into her face, wonderingly. ‘* Phat yez a to know for?” she asked. ‘‘ Because you have caused me to be interested in,you. Why are you here, alone and in desti- tute circumstances, so far from your native country?” ‘Shure, it’s searchin’ for me husband, I am.’ “ Your husband, eh? Ishe here, in the West, my dear? ‘Faith, ma’am, but he is. He thought he could dodge simple Nellie; but, bless the good Saints, I was sharper than ‘he thought. 4 “He ran away and left you, then?’ ‘He did, but [ had a bit of money saved up, an’ I followed in the next ship!” “Good for you! Where do you expect to tind your husband?” ‘Shure, the last place he wint was to Bias City, 1 think.” ‘* Boise City, you mean.” ‘“‘That’s it. Irun out ay money at Freer’s Ford, and had to foot it.” “ And, Nellie, why is it you pursue this man, who is so unfaithful ‘” ‘The divil only knows, mum, only I want to git the likes of a glance at him, once more, and prevint him from foolin’ any other girl.” = oer ‘Good! Vl help you.” ‘* Phat?” “Tl help you. If you will promise me to remain in my care, and obey my advice, I'll make you the happier by making your husband unhappy. Tl also compel your husband to pro- vide for your future.” “ Yez'll do this?” “Yes. But you must t etins to stay in this room, closely, and doas I instruct you. I think i can work up a good case here, that will please LOPE than one.’ ‘May the saints preserve you! I will do evervthing phat vou say.” * Very well. You can occupy this room with me, and I will see teat you are rightly cared tor. Will you loun me the Jocket, to work on?” **Sbure I will. But vez dowt know me hus- band’s name?” “Yes, Ido. It is Royal Riznold!” “The saints save us, but how did yez learn the likes of that?” “Ob! I saw him twice to night—once iu life, and once in the locket.” ‘‘Och! he’s not here?” ** ‘Yes—but, you must stay right here, until I get ready to use you against him.” ag! | will do as pla wes vez, Yeu have been good wo me.” “Tt'sa bargain, then. I will now go down and close up for the night!” She descended to the office, where she found waiting no less a personage than the redoubt- able Gulliver from Lilliput, whom Big Buckskin bad met at Sal Slap’s ‘‘ Guzzler’s Glory.” CHAPTER VIL. A GLIMPSE OF THE GAME, Ir was the first time Denver Doll had ever seen the giant, and she stared at him for a mo- ment, with amaz2d incredulity. Gulliver smiled bis sweetest smile, courtesied, und scraped his foot in true Chesterfield style, and then spake: ; ‘* Beloved maiden, beboldest thou me?” _ “Well fy should snicker!” Doll re lied, with a low lau **Any one that couldn’t discover such a ose as you, ought to be imprisoned in an eyeand ear infirmary. You take the rag off'n the bush!” “No, beautiful sissy, 1 never war guilty of theft, cept once in my bloomin’ youth, when Lstole the lav frum the buzzom o’ the belle of Chicago. I war purty, then ; but alas! leaves fade, when autumn tickles ° em, an’ flowerets tade, when frost nips em. Dy’e see this nose, sissy ?” “a Yes! ” ** Av’ this discolored organ of sight?” “You bet!” - ‘Waal, but a few hours ago, both were fair to view, but the blighting hand of a son-of-a-sea- «ook fell upon them, in two fell swoops, and left the indelible results you behold, Don’t you ee ee ee ee Oe Denver Doll's Decoy. — ET I * think such a person orter be lynched fer such an outrageous assault on a poor, homeless orphan?” ** To be sure he ought,” Doll replied greatly amused, and wondering how she was to get rid of the overgrown ruffian. ‘“That’s what I think!” Gulliver went on. “And yet, bere you keep that same galoot under yer roof, the same as if he was a prince!” “T don’t know who ye mean!” ‘“Ye don’t! Don’t know nothin’ about a chap called Big Buckskin?” “Ob! do you mean him?” ‘Bet [do! Ho’s the chap what did the busi- ness for me. Jer usalem Jericho! didn’t he polish me, though!” “Glad of i!” Denver Doll declared. ‘‘ Big Buckskin is my mash, you know!” with a laugh. a Oe ord help you! ef he mashes you in the sume style he did me; you won’t be so purty as you aire now,’ ‘* But he won’t. And now, if your interview is concluded, I will close up shop. #3 ‘But it ain’t. Iwant to see that aire fellow that slugged me inthe eye and mashed the corn on my nose!” ‘** You can’t see him!” ** But I will see him!” ** But I say you shall not!” The giant stared at her for a moment, as if doubtful whether she meant if or not; "then, turning, he strode toward the door, on reaching which he turned and tipped his hat, with comi- cal suavity. ‘*Ta, ta! daisy—I go, as went forth the toads from Ireland. As Grandad Gulliver said to the Lilliputians, I cannot comprehend the strange- ness of these people.” And in a moment more he had vanished from view, (Juite satisfied with the number of incidents of the day, Doll closed up the Bonanza and retired for the night. With the dawning of the next day, the topic of the stage robbery was revived, and generally discussed. A number of the principal claim owners held a meeting to adopt some measures for breaking up the gang of desperadoes, at the start. After due consultation it was decided that no better plan could be adopted than to organize a Vigilance Committee, and put a solid man to the front. ‘Among those whom I judge most yeph see to take command,” one miner said, the noted outlaw hunter, Big Buckskin!” ‘* A good choice!” affirmed another. * But I object!” put in Jubal Avdre, who had managed to work himself into the conference. ‘That fellow is a rascal, and jhas a a notoriety second to none for wickedness.” ‘Have you any personal interest, miner asked, ‘‘in this appointment?’ ** No,” was the answer, “‘ but my prospective son-in-law may have.” “We are not conside ‘ring prospective son-in- laws, nor personal spites,” the miner said. ‘We will take a vote on the matter, among ourselves, who are most interested, and if the result is in favor of the scout, we will give him the charge.” With a suppressed growl, Jubal Andre separ- ated himself from the « caucus, realizing that that was no time for his protest. A vote was taken, antl it was unauimously agreed that Big Buckskin should be waited upon, and asked to take the cbieftaincy of the Vigilantes at Little Bill’s Bonanza. n the mean time Jubal Andre returned to his sbanty, aud found Agnes and Sir Royal playing chess in the front room. The latter was white and nervous, and had his left arm in a sling and his head ‘bandaged. ‘Well! did you find out who the puppy was who ce me, Parson Andre?” he asked, rrim nf I did,” the other replied, with a glance at Agnes, which was full of significance. ‘*He is a border ruffian of the boldest ty pe, and is known as Big Buckskin.” ‘“‘Humph! I have resolved to challenge the fellow to fight me with swords. I am ay expert at fencing, and am satisfied that I could run him through. But do you know, friend Andre, that there is one thing which puzzles me?” * Eh? Something that puzzles you?) What is it, prays ¥¢ ‘Why, you see, if seems so deuced strange that the fellow should call my darling Agnes by her name and then, likewise, call me by my name!” ‘That [ ean easily explain, Sir Royal, This sir,” a “upon it — man, it seems, bas been in co-operation with another rascal, who awhile ago attempted to blackmail me, with a view of extorting money. They had a confederate in my house in the per- son of a servant, whom I afterward discharged. It seems their game is young yet. They evi- dently propose to make money out of me at all hazards, and their knowledge of some of my family affairs p peopenty caused the trouble last night. I would advise you to let the matter drop, for your life is too valuable to be placed af the mercy of one of these ruthless border ruffians,” ‘*Oh! dear Sir Royal, please don’t think of running the risk of your life,” Agnes cried imploringly. ‘ Life would be a blan to me if you were taken off.” ‘Then rest your heart, my betrothed, for I will submit to your judgment!” the English- man averred. Later, when Sir Royal had retired to his room, Jubal Andre still sat in the parlor, in company with his fair but false daughter. “It is be, then!” she was saying, ber eyes bent upon the carpet. ‘Yes, and we bave got to play our cards cleverly, or he will be of great a to us Did you count Sir Royal’s money before you were robbed?’ ‘* Yes, There were ten thousand dol—” 3 Which, all told, was worth perhaps twenty- five cents.” ** How do you mean?” “| made an exchange a few nights 6go—poor for good, you know.” * Ah! then—” ‘* We are ten thousand in, whether you cap- ture bim or not.” ‘“] think I can depend on him, if Joe Wilton does not spoil the thing.” ‘He must not. The Murdocks are here now, [ suspect, and Vil hurry them up as soon as |} can safely see them. Once Joe Wilton is out of the a you can saf ly marry Sir Royal and we will all make a start for England, and Cast!o Chelton, where years ago | served as bailiff to Sir Hugh Chelton. Strange what ever became of Sir Hugh, and that young scapegrace, Sir Clifford. It was a lucky thing anyhow for Sir Royal, and, as it promises to turn out, a lucky thing for ourselves.” ‘*Ah! yes: [ suppose so. fate of my child, however.” ** Bah! forget that you ever had one, or a busband. Remember that future wealth and happiness now all depend upon you.” CHAPTER VIL. ANDRE BEGINS TO DOUBT, AND BUCKSKIN BE- GINS TO ACT. DuRING the night of Nellie Kelly’s arrival Denver Doll sle He ‘but little, for her mind was too busy in thought for sleep. When morning dawned she arose to find that Little Bill and Old Prowler had already opened up for business, Sending the former on an errand, the De- tective — approached the bar, and looking thoughtfully, said: ‘Prowler, you say you are an English de- tective, and, consequently, ought to ki ow every important personage upon that patch of land governed by the queen. Did you ever hear of a man named Sir Roval Rignold?” ‘Yes; [once knew a Royal Rignold, but be had no Sir prefixed to bis name. This he prob- ably acquired from inheritance.” ** Tell me about it, Prowler.” * Why do you want to know?” ‘For your own good, You told me you were anxious to find the lost son of a great estate. Perhaps I can be of a deal of assistance to you.’ ‘‘Think you so? Then I will enlighten you a little, though I do not care.to throw the whole business into your hands. The estate of Chelton Castle belonged to Sir Hugb Chelton up to the time of bis strange disappearance, After him, it should have descended to Sir Clifford, his run- away son;. but, hegbeing absent and dead to the world, it ‘fell tothe next of kin, his cousin, Royal Rignold. May I ask what you know about the case, more than what [have told you?’ ‘Very little. [have gathered in some points, however, and were you to put the matter en- tirelv in my hands, I believe I could make a success out of it.” ‘*T fear not. Were Sir Clifford found, even, after so many years, it would be bard to rein- state him, since Sir Hugh is dead, and he would have difficulty in proving his identity.” ** Did he not have some birth-mark, or some family relie in his possession nt the time of I wish I knew the leaving home?’ micbooks (E©) ae * a.