Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 286 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

ee —os a _— “Ne — th has happened here,” said Joshua, The ge gre looked still more annoyed, but at that mement the negro, who had used his eyes more than his tongue, speke to her in a low tone, and she suddenly turmed on Josh. po How long have you been in this office?” she asked, ‘‘ Right days, miss.” The “girl turned impatiently from him and helped herself to a ehair, ‘Sit down, Nemo,” she said, te the negro. The latter obeyed, and Joshua looked at them inan uneertain way. To a certain degree, he felt afraid of this i imperious young woman, he was filled with wonder at ber singular course, and he resented the way in which she made her- self at home in the office. Me therefore scratched his head doubtfully and looked first at her, then at the gigantic negro, and, lastly, at the door, to see if either of the partners would appear. Suddenly, struck by a brilliant idea, he asked if he should not go for them. “No,” she eurtly answered. ‘‘ You will not leave the room. Nemo, watch the door!” CHAPTER VIII A STARTLING VISIT. Tas burly negro moved a little nearer the deor, and it dawned upou Joshua that he was practically a prisoner, though why it should be so, he could not guess, For a moment he thought of read-agents and like robbers, but be knew that if these persons were on that errand they would not let the precious moments slip away A Velligerent feeling began to creep over the youth, and he studied his chances carefully. ear his hand lay a loaded revolver, a potent yacans ef argument in a dispated case, He gla at his guests. Nemo, the negro, had two huge revolvers in his b elt, and the shawl of the young woman, falling back a little, revealed a twenty-two caliber at her waist, He had struck a portable battery. All this went to teach Joshua caution, but his belligerent feelings did not subside. ‘‘See here, naow,” he suddenly exclaimed, “what in the name o’ time dew yeou ' ean anyhaowf Be yeou train-robbers jor what? Buzzard Bar is a civilized Beee an’— Joshna stopped short. Just then, Mr. Jared Thayer wor the door and walked into tbe room. ba woman glanced quickly at Rola ea sot ed his relieved air, and drew her own conclusions. Mr. Thayer had observed her, and, with his hat off, was bowing proton: “Goed-morning, miss. A lovely morning,” he said, in his bland fashion. “Lovely as a sunflower,” she returned, ey- this placer osely. ‘“ Are you the man that runs th we Yeu miss, I am the senior partner of the Thayer & Foster.” **] thought so.” “Ab, yes! Is there any way in which I can be of service to you?’ ‘‘Yes, You can turn over to me the keys of this place and all other valuables,” she returned, in the same curt, uncompromising way in which she had addressed Joshua. “TJ den’t clearly understand,” he stam- mered. ‘Perhaps you will when I introduce sere; Tam Nora Barr, daughter of Randolph Barr, actual and sole owner of the Tiger Mine.” Straight in the face of the strange girl looked the senior partner. Shortly aud clearly she spoke, aud on his own part he looked like a man struck by a locomotive, Surprise, doubt, incredulity and consternation seized upon him, one after the other, and’he sat in his chair wi hout motion, a strange pallor on his clerical-looking face. It was some moments before he found words in which to make reply, and when he managed to do so it was not very coherently. ‘““Whot What—what did you say?” **1 do not see the need of repeating it, but, to eonvince you that [am what [| claim, I will £0 ever the ground more full Some months ago ene Randolph Barr, of ashington, purchased the Tiger Mine. He took it without ex» mina- tion, to settle a debt, where he would otherwise have got nothing. Then he sent a lawyer on here to examine the property, but the man re- turned te Washington and said the claim was a ‘sglted’ one and worthless. Some weeks passed on,and Mr. Barr had almost forgotten the mine a eee ee i a Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot, when he received information that it was being | worked by Thayer & Foster illegally, and that | it was paying well,” **A remarkable story,” murmured the senior partner, caressing bis chin. ‘It is, as you well know, for the Washington lawyer, on arriving here, fell into your tender hands, and it was a sresent from you that in- duced him to return East avd report the mine worthless.” “Ts this tale copyrighted?’ blandly inquired Mr. Thayer, once more fully himself. “No, sir. It is in such a state that it will soon ‘be common property, unless you surrender the mine. That, however, ts copyrighted, and the Barr family will allow no trespassing. You must surr ender the property.” ive senior partner smiled in a forbearing wa hry dear child,” he said, ‘‘you are labor- ing under a mistake. Mr. Foster and my. self are the sole owners of the Tiger. We bonght the mine and paid for it, and that releases us from all obligations to this Randolph Barr— your father, did you say?” ‘My father, sir.” ‘Why is he not here to present this remark: able claim?” “yg | erheces ct, sir, that you can answer that question better than any one else,” said Nora, beginning with some anger, but ‘speaking un- steadily at the end, ‘*How so, Miss Bar?” ‘My father, sir, left the East some weeks ago to demand his rights of you. He wrote me from ev and then followed utter silence. I did not delay long, but followed in his footsteps. T have tr ise) him to Crested Butte, whica place he left in company with one Paul Wilbur, an experienced miner, and there the trail ends. They did not reach Buzzard Bar. What, sir, became of them?” ‘* Perhaps they are at Irwin or Gothic.” Nora made an impatient gesture, ‘** Let us not deal in suppositions, Mr, Thayer. I sik ve that you know what became of them!” ‘You, sir.” Mr, Thayer was looking at her steadfastly. If there was anything he wished to conceal, ‘the mask was skillfully drawn over his smooth bland face. He would have served as a model of a Sunday school superintendent, greatly sur- prised at some unimportant thing, ‘1 don’t exactly understand,” he said, slowly. **T am not the keeper of Randolph Barr.” ** You do well to quote those words,” retorted the girl. ‘‘They were those of the first Cain; they have been used by many a_ subse uent murderer. So you at in doubt? Well, sir, to will say that 1 believe make all Bete to you, I you : eard of the coming of my father, and that you contrived to have bim assassinated on the way bere!” The accusation was at last made, and then followed a dead silence of several seconds. Thayer looked greatly horrified, but Nora faced him steadily, studying his smooth face, and Nemo, the negro, st behind her chair with a face that was like marble, though there was a slight glitter in his eyes and his gigantic form looked very impressive. Joshua, on his part, though a looker-on in Venice, Rae grown very much interested. He was a yore mar who believed in right and ustice, and, though Thayer was his employer, is s mpathies went over to Nora Barr, to stay until Thayer had proved his innocence, The latter was the coolest person there. Once only, since the interview began, had he shown again, something he was not likely to do n. ““My dear young woman,” he said, at last, with tha old calmness, ‘ phe surely cannot be aware of the gravity of your charges. [If a man had spoken thus to me, J would ti-row him from my office. I make due allowance for your gato but, really, "ti must speak less positive- y. You are accusing me of being a murderer.” “T am, sir!” “Can you prove | it?” ** At present, no.” “Then do not make the charge.” There was a threatening undercurrent in Thayer's voice as he spoke. ell, sir, we will drop that part of the mat- ter for the present. When will you be ready to surrender the mine?” Thayer frowned. “Let us end this nonsense,” he said, curtly, “T have bought the Tiger and paid for it: T fave all of the papers to prove the fact, and Thayer & Foster are the sole owners,’ "They do not own a square inch of it!” re- : | ee | torted Nora, boldly. “If you have ) papers such as Res mention, they are forgeries.” Carefully, Miss Barr!” cautioned Thayer, his smooth face Whatiging expression, “What do you mean?’ ‘‘ Simply that, unless you use more civil lan- guage, Is all eject you from my office,” y force?” ‘Tf necessary, yes.” - Nora smiled’ and turned toward Nemo. His black lips parted responsively, and, as ske laid her hand on his arm, he drew himself up to his full hight. ‘*This man,” said Miss Barr, “is my protec- tor. You can see his size and strength, and I need only add that he goes well armed and is a dead shot, for you to perceive that he is danger- ous when angered, emo would risk his life for me, so, if I were you, | would not try vio- lence, Mr. Thayer.” The mine-owner glared at Nemo, but made ne reply. In fact, he had none suited to the ocea- sion. He would not yield, and’ he cares not anger the giant. Before the silence was broken by ony of them the door opened, and Foster, the janior partner, entered, accompanied by two other men. Nemo stooped ‘and whis epered to his mistress, and she arose quietly. “Shall Isee you at Magoffin’s hotel, this after. noon, Mr. ne er?’ she asked. “Ves, y ‘ll be there promptly,” said he, glad to bee rid of the girl atsuch an awkward moment, “TI will expect you then.” She bowed and slowly withdrew, followed by Nemo and the wondering stares of Foster and the other new-comers; but when they ques- tioned Thayer, and rallied bim on bis fair caller, he bad no words which seemed suitable to cover the ground, The man was in a panic, but Nora bad rashly given him a breathing spell, and he meant to use it somehow, CHAPTER 1X. JOSHUA OVERHEARS A CONFERENCE, UNDER the banter of the new-comers, who were surprised to find so pretty and refined a girl as Nora Barr in the office of Tha ayer & Foster, the senior partner soon reeovered bis outward composure and settled down to business. Joshua Pepper, too, was engaged on his pro- yer work, but his mind was not with his fingers. e wrote absently. though cor rectly, and all the while thought of Nora Barr, Our young friend had not fallen in love, how- ever, for the young lady, being two or three one his senior, was a woman where he was a bo Stn, Joshua was interested, and in the li “ of what sbe had said to Tha ayer he forgot treatment of himself. She had charged fe om ployer with tsi put her father out of his way. Good heavens! wassuch a pra ssible? bis was the question which sur though the clerk’s mind as he worked, a ‘he would have given much to know. He. believed in justice, and if he bad known which side was right, would have quickly thrown bis sympa- chies accordingly. hen the visitors were gone the partners held a long conference together, and Joshua watching them, felt his faith in them vet They bad drawn to one side, and spoke in inaudible to him, which in itself was susp If they had nothing to hide would they nt bs willing to face Nora Barr before all the world? ar Thayer arose and went to bis clerk’s . se Jouhuat "he blandly said, ‘‘you heard the talk of that crazy girl who was here, didn’t you?” ‘*T heered it—yes,” said Josh, slowly. “Well, I wish you to say nothing about the matter. 'I shall send word to Crested Butte, or even to Denver, and learn from what asylum she escaped, but the matter must be kept quiet. It woul injure us and mske our business poor if it was known. Soit isto your advantage as well as ours that you say nothing.” Thayer rubbed his chin, and looked like a Sund»y-sebool teacher more than ¢ver. ‘Yes, sir, of course,” answered Joshua, awk- wary for he dreaded a direct call for a prom- Luckily, two speculators came in at that mo- ment an the conversation was interrupted; boi: Thayer left them to Foster, and bimself went out with a business like air. Joshua saw nothing of him after that for sev- eral hours. Business went on as usval, ari Foster did not refer to the impending trovbie. The clerk wondered if Thayer had called at Ma- <S (E(@) COMMICIO© ~ ° = —. tie *