Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 32 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 -— —_— “Good Saints!” gasped Jonas, grasping Cecil nérvously by the arm, and toward the new comer pointing, “d’ye see her, boyee? That is her— Hurricane Nell!” CHAPTER IV. HON. FELIX GROVER’S—THE NEWS. In the open level lay of country to the south of Dwight’s, which we have before men- tioned, were a number of new residences, erected by well-to do farmers, and speculators in some cases, for their own occupancy. Farms had been opened here prior to the discovery of gold by emigrants, and now, even in the hight of the excitement, excellent crops of tasseling corn, waving and ripening hay and grain, and fields of earlier harvested winter wheat, helped to make up a scene at once attractive and enlivening. In a beautiful modern-built mansion, set down on the edge of a magnificent grove of cottonwoods and facing a small, purling stream, was the home of Hon. Felix Grover, estimated to be the wealthiest man in the vicinity of the great mines. He had come here immediately upon the discovery of the precious veins of gold and had bought up an immense tract of rich land in the vicinity of Dwight’s, and then, as the tide of adventurers swept that way, had leased it out to companies and mi- ners, making a big figure. No one knew the enormous percentage he had realized, but it was hinted that it was enough to make him a millionaire. Subsequent upon this action he had built a bank or broker’s office at the settlement of which Dwight’s tavern was the starting point, and established a paying business thereat; ex- changing greenbacks for gold at a premium, and also keeping the earnings of various mi- ners in his safe from week to week, or until they saw fit to otherwise dispose of them, for a certain per cent. But about two weeks previous to’ the occur- rence of the events related in the Jast chapter ‘Governor ”” Grover—as he was habitually oalled—was attacked with asevere spell of the gout, and consequently was compelled to re- linquish the performance of his duties at “the bark” to the management of his trusted clerk, Aubrey Lee, who was, we may as well add, also the prospective husband of Lotta, the ** Governor’s ” dauvhter, and the prettiest lit- tle lady for miles around, Not that Lee was betrothed to the young heiress, for such was not the case; but it was pretty generally understood between Grover and his wife that eventually they would have the shrewd young clerk for a son-in-law. On the morning after the tussle between Cap’n Bob and Cecil Burnett in Dwight’s tav- ern, Aubrey Lee hurriedly left the bank, mounted a horse belonging to him, and gal- loped swiftly down across the country toward **Governor Grover’s,” He was a finely-formed, good-looking per- sonage, of perhaps eight and twenty years, and would have been pronounced by a casual observer really handsome, but for a singular, habitual drooping of his eye-lids over a pair of snaky eyes, when spoken to. His dress was neat and stylish, his manner courteous, and his speech indicative of a pol- ished education. On arriving at Grover’s, he found the family lingering over a late breakfast, with the ex- ception of Miss Lotta, who was practicing in the morning room, at a new piano. She was a lovely blonde, of some nineteen summ just budding into the rusy bloom of early womanhood; and, what with her sweet smiles, her brown, lustrous eyes, and soft, shimmer- ing hair, set into bold relief by an elegant form of exquisite development, she made a ra- diant picture of youthful and healthful beauty. “Governor” Grover was a hale and hearty old gent of sixty, and Mrs. Grover a quiet, re- woman of ten years web y ay ' After lingering a moment by the piano » with Lotta, and making a few gallant Shenaxks Beadle,s Half-Dime Library. on her skill, as a musician, Aubrey Lee joined | with. I hate to do it, but I suppose there i» the family at the breakfast-table. A few words of greeting, then the clerk said: ‘* As soon as you are done, sir, I would like to have a few moments’ private talk with you, if it will not tire you too much. Something of importance, you see!” “Nothing gone wrong at the bank, has there, boy?” “Yes! allow me to wheel you into the li- brary, here, and I will explain all.” This was soon done, and the clerk closed and locked the door behind them. ““ Now,” he said, taking a chair, and seating himself beside the *‘ Governor,” in a business- like way, “‘prepare yourself for a shock, for I have bad news. The bank was robbed last night of every cent of money!” Governor Grover covered his face with his hands, and uttered a horrified cry. ‘“* Robbed!” he gasped; ‘‘ impossible, are joking, boy!” “T heartily wish I were, Mr. Grover, but, an hour ago, when I went to the office, I found the safe unlocked, the papers scattered over the floor, and the whole of your money, together with the amount deposited since your con- finement by the miners, counting up in all to the tune of five hundred thousand dollars— gone! Yes, sir, gone! The robbers took noth- ing but the money; but of that they took every penny from the safe!” ‘‘ Tt seems incredible! How could they have gained an entrance into the office, much less the safe? I fail to see!” ‘Duplicate keys in both instances, sir, I presume. Now, then, I have a proposal to make to you: You will remember, I| think, that several weeks ago I told youof an inheri- tance left me by an English uncle? Well, that has been turned into cash, and netted me near- ly one million of dollars, sir, which is now awaiting my order in an eastern bank. As I have no present use for it, I can lend it to you, and settle with these miners, and satisfy them. Otherwise, as they are very excited over their heavy losses, you are in danger of being mob- bed if you cannot show up their deposits!” ‘**And you will lend me this money, my dear boy?” gasped the ‘‘Governor,” grasping him by the hand; ‘‘bless you! blegs you!” “Yes, Mr. Grover, I will pay back to them what is due, and lend you enough to re-start in business again on certain conditions.” ‘Name them, Aubrey, name them, and if they are within reason I will agree!” ‘* Well, in the first place, I shall require a mortgage on this residence and the hundred acres of land connected with it—” **To which I say ‘ yes!’”’ ‘* And if I find the robbers of the bank, and recover the stolen money, to give me a third of it down—” “‘ Agreed,” nodded Grover, slowly. ** And lastly, you must promise me the hand of your daughter, Lotta, in marriage!” The old man put up his hands at these words. “No, no! Aubrey Lee!” he replied in a fal-; terivg voice, ‘‘ ll promise you nothing of the kind. If the dear girl loves you enough to marry you of her own accord, ‘so be it; but Ill promise or bind her to no man, She shall be her own judge in the matter, Have you ever broached the subject to her?’ ‘“No; but I intend to ere I leave to-day, and if she does not promise me, sir, then—” ‘Then what?” “Then | fear I shall withdraw all my propo- sitions. My sole object in the offer I make, is that I may become your son-in-law!” “‘ Aubrey Lee,” said the ‘“‘ Governor,” medi- tatively, ‘“‘I’m half inclined to believe that there is some scheme or plot in this matter!” The clerk started a trifle, then flushed hotly. “Beware, Mr. Grover, how you imply un- worthy or base designs. I do not care to be thought a villain no more than would you!” “Oh! excuse me, my dear boy; I meant nothing at all, at all,” said the ola man, apolo- getically. but stay. First, just draw that desk here, and I'll write up a mortgage and have it done You ' Sellen neni “ll talk with the girl at once; no alternative.” ‘None at all,” Mr. Grover. “Even now, doubtless, the miners are waiting for my re- turn. Should I not ever show my face in Dwight’s again, they’d butcher you, out of spite, ere another sunrise!” CHAPTER V. THE QUEEN OF THE LASSO, Tue figure pointed out by Jonas to the young lawyer was of medium height, witha form of exquisite contour, that was attired in a close-fitting suit of buckskin, tastefully fringed and ornamented with Indian beads, which all the more enhanced the beauty of the supple body. You saw an almost purely classic face browned to a nut hue by the wind of the pra- ries and sun of the plains, from years of con- stant exposure—a firm, yet sweet little mouth, eyes now black as the raven’s wing, and at other times of the hazel cosor, a small haughti- ly-poised head, and a wave of dark chestnut hair, that hung in a luxuriant mass upon her shoulders. In a belt about her waist were thrust a pair of revolvers, and also fastened a coil of rope—the lasso. “That Hurricane Nell? Impossible!” said Burnett. ‘‘ Why, that is a man!” ‘‘A girl in man’s clothing,” laughed the host. ‘* Come forward, and I’ll give ye an in- troduce!” They now advanced toward the beautiful maiden, who was about to retreat, as she saw a stranger with Dwight. ‘‘ Hold on, gal!” he exclaimed, seeing her inquiring look; “it’s no one as ye need be afraid of. ’"Low me to make you acquainted wi’ Cap’n—Cap’n—what is it, boss?” “Burnett, sir, Cecil Burnett.” The maiden acknowledged his courteous bo with a careless nod. ‘* Ye see,” went on Jonas, ‘‘ thet he is want- In’ a guide across to the valley —Cherry Val- ley; an’ I told him as how | thought ye might accomydate being’s you are the only guide hyarabouts as is ’quainted wi’ the route,” ‘“* Yes, sir,” replied Hurricane Nell, address- ing Burnett, and at the same time keeping her eagle eyes riveted on the door of the inner apartment, ‘‘I am at liberty to engage with you. My horse is ready at any moment.” “Then we will start in the morning,” said the young lawyer. ‘I suppose you know the habitation of Luke Rice, when you see it?’ “Ido. I’ve been there several times since pa died.” “Well, it is to this Rice’s cabin that I wish to be conducted.” Hurricane Nell started violently, but by a swift, fierce effort, mastered and concealed her agitation from the two men, ‘Where shall I find you in the morning continued Burnett. ‘* At the edge of the grove, which you wil} see in the prairie-valley, from the tavern door, here. I will be in waiting.” ‘I suppose I shall need a fast horse and a rifle?” “Yes; above all, come well armed. Many unseen dangers lie between these diggings and Cherry Valley. It is there, in the midst of a howling wilderness, that are enmassed a gang of the most ferocious ruffians who roam in these territories, Both the red-man and the white are equally savage and oloodthirsty.” Burnett shuddered. “Then, are you, not afraid to boldly enter such a region?’ he asked. ‘“No, Mr. Burnett; | absolutely fear nothing of late years. My life is one of constant peril, and, strange as it may seem, sir, the greater the danger, and the more exciting the adven- ture, I glory the more init. You will doubt- less think me a wild and strange creatt without a heart or a woman’s instinct, but cannot help it. As one is accustomed to roam | through this life, his or her habits will bind Eomicbooks Cc