Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

%® 4 Little Quick Shot. Then he fetched yer son here, and we follered ter arrest him.” “This is an atrocious lie—a conspiracy to injure me!” Quick-Sbot cried, flercely. ‘‘ I know nothing of how this young man was burt. I found him, as I stated to sy and brought him here. This lying rufflan s been employed to do me this evil turn, and I am not afraid to name bis employer. There he sits, like the villain he is, rejoicing at the apparently success- ful attempt he has made to ruin me—General] Gideon Gleason !” ‘““You lie! you lie!” the cattle-king roared, leaping to his feet, in a rage. ** He don’t lie!” cried a second voice, and into the room stepped Grit Gleason, the pretty shop- keeper, ‘There is a diabolical conspiracy bere, and you, Gideon Gleason, are at the bottom of it! I saw you visit Buck Brady’s den to-night, and knowing of your batred for the Scarlet Bcout, 1 suspected your motive. When Brady and his men left the town, I dogged their foot- steps, and I am here to swear that they came direct to this place, and secreted themselves in the park, and remained there until they saw Quick-Shot entering this house with the man in hig arms! You see what a lie has been told, in hopes of criminating the Scarlet Scout!” ‘Seize that girl! She, too, is in league with the assassin!” General Gleason roared.“ Jus- + pe be done here, though the heavens Tall A couple of Brady’s pals rushed upon the brave girl, and secured her, in spite of her frantic struggles. The house was now in dire confusion, and every one was greatly excited. “Silence to this clatter!” Old Man Ronald ordered. “ We'll have order in my house. There’s something that needs investigation. If this scout is not the guilfy man, a villainous attempt has undoubtedly been made to injure him. Be he criminal, or not, be shall have fair | “ y- He shall remain my prisoner until some ight can be thrown upon the matter.” “T jest reckon I’ve got a smell of a say "bout that, boss!” Buck Brady cried. ‘*I’m deputy- sheriff, ye know, an’ I takes charge o’ all offenders, every time! We cotched that Scarlet Scout a-committin’ the act, an’ that’s all we need ter ‘rest him.” “ Villain! monster! you shall never take bim from this house!” Lenore cried. ‘J will stand by hiw, if no one else will!” And she swept across the room, and took her plac» beside Quick-S ot, looking like an angered queen, as she clutched a pistol in her hand. ‘‘Lenore! girl! for God’s sake, what are you about!” the general ravea, frautic with rage, and yet afraid to attempt tearing her away from Quick-Shot’s side. ‘(What am I doing?’ Lenore retorted. “Tl tell you! I am standing here, ready to shoot down the dogs whom you set on to destroy my rver, ““ And 7m with you, Lenore!” Grit exclaimed. “ There'll be a dead Brady here, if an attempt is made to barm the brave scout.’ “ Let we say a word here!” Major Greer in- pee stepping forward. ‘This man bas arrested by an offier of the law, and if Mr. Ronald desires to hold him, he must give bail, in the sum of ten thousand dollars.” « Which I stand ready to do—all bear witness. Farther evidence is not necessary. Brady, re- ‘Jease these two people. I'll be responsiole for them !” “I object to this!” General Gleason cried sly. “Your objection is overruled, sir. Every- body knows that Mr. Ronald’s word as bail is mod for many times the amount,” the major replied, ‘“ Bu enough of this. The young man must be revived.” Willing hands procured water and liquor, and every effort was made to resuscitate the stricken son. Bit all to no avail. At half-past ten o'clock he was taken with convulsions and apparently expired within half and hour afterward. There were but few dry oyes in the room as his life ebbed out, but among those who were ty be named General Gleason end Brady and bis gang. Mr. Ronald’s grief was silent. He knelt a few minutes by the inanimate form of his son, then arose turned to Quick- Shot, who was much affected. “Sir, my boy is dead!” Ronald said, ‘‘and are dares: with his murder. Although I | ly believe in your guilt, I mean to Nene ae Ba investigate the matter. The trial will take place to-morrow at ten, and until i ;' Se then I have gone your bail. Will you do as much—appear and stand your trial like a man?” ‘God permitting, I will.” ‘Then you are at liberty to go.” Quick-Shot bowed and turned to depart, but | Lenore pulled him to one side and uttered a few words in a low tone. They were: ‘‘>Sh! listen! Come for me at two to-night. Listen again and help me. I will bid you never enter my presence again; asa blind, you see! She then stepped back haughtily, her face as cold and white as marble, ‘‘ Sir!” she cried, angrily, ‘‘ you mistake your position altogether. ou have no right to talk thus to me! Begone, sir, and never to en- ter my presence again. I can never aught to one like you. : ‘‘Lenore!” Quick-Shot said, entreatingly. ‘‘ Go!” she fairly screamed, stamping her foot gry f He bowed his head, and turning, quitted the parlor like one dealt a sudden blow. His footsteps had scarce died out when Buck Brady uttered a frightful oath and pointed to one of the parlor windows. “The Dead Face!” was his startling cry. CHAPTER V. LOVE LAUGHS AT LOCKSMITHS. NorsinG more startling than the cry of the border ruffian could bave tended to electrify the already excited guests at the Cottonwoods, for the apparition of the Dead Face had been seen by nearly all of those present, and they knew it was an omen of evil. The trembling finger of Buck Brady pointed toward the large pane of a bay window, against which the face was pressed. It was along, gaunt face belonging to a man of advanced years, theskin being drawn tightly over the bones, the l'ps sufficiently parted to of xpose to view two gleaming rows of teeth, the eyes tightly closed, and the whole beardless face wearing a ghastly whiteness, peculiar only to the face of a corpse. The head was covered with bristly gray hair, which stood in all directions, A more frightful spectacle to behold would be bard to conceive, and it was little wonder that exclamations of horror escaped the guests, For only a few seconds was the dead face pressed against the pane—then, there was a wild shriek of laughter, and the apparition, or what- ever it was, vanish ‘Quick! capture it, boys!” Buck Brady yelled, springing through an open window, upon the lawn, “A hundred dollars to the man that does!” Gcneral Gleason cried. But the search was in vain. Half an bour of it failed to discover the owner of the Dead Face, or any trace of him. Whoever the cadaverous —a was, he had taken good care, evi- ently, to put distance between himself and the Cottonwoods, ere Brady and his gang could act, As soon as the result of the search was made known, Mr. Ronald dismissed tbe guests, with a pathetic little speech, aud after tendering their sympathy and regrets, they departed for their respective bomes. “Tam proud to see that you have come to your senses, Lenore,” the general said, as, ac companied by Colonel McIntosh, be and his daughter galloped toward Villa Vorelle. ‘I could never imagine bow one of your refined tastes, could take a rotion to a border ruffian like the fellow Quick 8 :ot.” “T thought I fancied him, at first. But, papa, dear, don’t you think he is better-looking than your scarecrow friend, the colonel?” ‘‘Lenore! for shame! How dare you speak so insultingly of Mr. McIntosh. He is a gentle- man—a man whe can provide well for your happiness. The loss of an eye and a limb never depreciates the merits of the man, you know !’ ‘Of course not! of course not!” the co'onel coughed. ‘‘ Why, to tell the truth, Miss Glea- son, | feel jast as young, as I did when a boy.” “You look decidedly giddy!” Lenore replied, her eyes snapping. ‘‘That cherry-tinted nose | of yours, will save ns the expense of light, after weare married. Oh, but won’t I bleed your pocketbook though! Worth shall keep a ial envoy in this country, to supply me with cos- mes. ‘““You shall have your heart’s every desire <— dear Lenore!” the old suitor said, gal- antly. ‘‘But, tell me, beautiful lady, when am I to be made happy? Business demands my ED attention at home, and I would like to basten matters, as much as possible,” ‘‘ You better hasten right along home, then, as it will take me a month, at least to get cory ‘* But, Lenore, you must be considerate, and try to oblige the colonel. You can be married right away, so as to make sure of the thing; then the colonel can return home, and you can rejoin him, later.” ‘*Oh! well, I'l think about it till to-morrow. The tragic death of young Mr. Ronald has really unverved me so much that I cannot con- sider anything, to-night.” ‘‘Then you shall have till to-morrow. If you do not come toa decision then, I fear I shall have to give up all hopes of winning you. I do not like to be toyed with!” the colonel! said. ‘‘ Very well. You shall have my final deci- sion, in the morning, sir!’ Lenore replied, wearily. The remainder of the journey was completed in silence. The general’s mind was busily oc- cupied in thought, and the others evidently had no desire to speak. On reaching Villa Voselle, the colonel bade the general and Lenore good-night, and rode on toward Daggersville. After entering the house, the general was about to seek his own ae when Lenore bade him enter the parlor. poane then turned on the light and confronted m: ‘“*T want to understand one thing!” she said, her face white and cold in its expression. ‘‘What are you going to do toward helping clear Little Quick-Sbot?” “Toward helping clear him!” he ejaculated. ‘‘ Why, you silly, | intend to spend money and time for the purpose for seeing him hung!’ ‘‘ You do—and you claim to bea father of mine?” ‘‘I do: and I believe I have ever been a father to you. That low-lived cur has insulted me beyond pardon, and I sball see that he gets the yee he deserves.” ‘* He did not kill Ralph Ronald!” “* He did.” ‘‘Itis faise, and you know it! You trumped up that accusation to injure bim. Promise me that you will clear bim of that foul charge, or you are no longer a father of mine!” “ Bah! I'll promise nothing of the kind; and I'll learn you I’m your father, and master, too! Go to your room, and if I ever hear you speak of that puppy again, I'll break your neck!” “Wi ou?’ Lenore said, baugbtily, and, turning, she swept out of the parlor. She went to her room, which overlooked the lawn, and wrapped up a little bundle of cloth- ing, together with her money and jewelry, and a few trinkets, Sbe then took her seat at the open window, after dimming the light, and peered down upon the lawn. The tempest had only fairly begun, evident- ly, for the wind blew with increased force, and the rain came down in fitful gusts. It was a wild night, and so dark tbat Lenore could bare- ly distinguish the ground below, . An bour , then she heard a low whistle, and saw a form standing below ber window. ‘‘Ts that you, Quick-Shot?” she asked in a low tone. “It is I, and no one else! How are you com- ing down?” ‘By the front way. Wait.” She cautiously dropped her bundle to him; then left her room, and glided down the car- peted stairway. | Pedro was snoring upon a sofa in the lower hall, it being bis usual noctural po-t. To get past him, and unbolt the ponderous front-door, required great caution; but she finally succeed- ed in doing so, and in five minutes or less, was with the young Knight of the Pistol. ‘(Free at last!” she murmured. ‘I have left that home forever; and, as you asked me to be Seam, we, I row seek your love and protec- on.’ “ And, my angel, you sball have both to the fullest extent!” he said, taking her fondly in his embrace. ‘“ You bave given up wealth, home and position, for a rough diamond; but God grant our path through life be so smooth that you will never have cause to regret this nigh*t’s move!” ‘* Did I not have the fullest confidence in you, I should not be with you now, Don.” ‘‘IT believe you. But come; it is dangerous for us to tarry here,” ‘Where are you going to take me?” “To a shanty on the outskirts of Daggers- ville. I purchased it for a trifle from a dis gusted miner to-day.” comicbooks:co * ‘ . - ee Pa” Vane ot ~