Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

~~ eee a ee —_— oe ** But had we not better go far away?’ “It is impossiblenow. I must wait and stand my trial, at ten, to-morrow. I would not go away, for double the amount of bail, that has secured me my present liberty. No, we will go to this shanty, and I dare say will be safe there, for a day or so, as no one knows I purchased the place, the miner decamping immediately after he got his money.” “ But, Don, are you not afraid to stand your trial? My father has sworn to work his best to convict you, and I fear that you will standa poor show of justice.” ‘I do not. Ive every confidence of my ac- quittal. Your cousin’s statement alone breaks down that of Buck Brady, who is known to be an inveterate liar.” ‘‘Perhaps. Lonly hopeso. be waiting us,” “ Yes, He will be there.” They left the spacious grounds, and just with- out, found waiting Little Quick-Shot’s handsome steed, which was mounted, and they went fly- ing aprey toward Daggersville. voiding the heart of the town, they passed through the outskirts, and into the gap, and in a short time, came to a clump of firs, in the gap, in among which was a snug board shanty. en out of a dozen passers of the locality, prob- ably, would not have noticed the structure, un- less something directed their attention par- ticularly to the “hans of trees. After Quick-Shot had lariated out his horse, he and Lenore entered the dwelling, which con- sisted of one fair-sized room, and a smaller sleeping apartment. ; A cheery fire was burning, a candle furnished the light, and two persons were seated upon stools, which, with a table and rude lounge, comprised the furniture. One of the persons was Miss Grit Gleason, and the other, the only clergyman of Daggers- ville, where he plied the pick instead of prac- ticing bis profession. Lenore had removed her outer wraps, the twain took their places before the minister, who soon bad the nuptial knot lawfully tied, and pronounced them man and wife. After extending their beartiest congratula- tions, Grit and the minister departed for Dag- rsville, the former promising to keep a wate or the newly-married couple, and inform them, should any danger threaten them. Will the minister CHAPTER VI, GLEASON’S UNWELCOME VISITANT, EARLY the next morning, Pedro, who was a devoted servant to his master, walked into his master’s presence, as be sat in his library, and handed him a letter, drop ‘‘T don’t know what it is, sir, but I found it on the stand in Lenore’s room, and she is not there!” ‘ ‘‘'Ten thousand devils seize thegirl! LIbetieve she has outwitted me, at last. d, Pedro— quick !” : Pedro tore away the envelope, and obeyed with alacritv. The conteuts were short, and to the point: “ FaTHER:—-When this reaches you, I shall be | away from here, and the wife of Donald Wav- erly, better known as Little Quick-Shot, It will be useless for you to bunt for us, as we shall be out of your reach, never to return, until you welcome us as a son and daughter, ‘* LENORE.” Pedro paused. sah Gideon Gleason was staring at the floor, a savage expression upon bis face. ‘‘ Ralked!” he said, at last, without raising his eyes, ‘ All is now lost!’ ‘“So am I balked; but all is not lost!” a tri- umphant voice exclaimed, and, wheeling about, ro and the General found a pair of revolvers leveled at them from the grasp of a tall, Apollo- like knight of the plains, : A man, be was of commanding aspect, an eagle eye, and a handsome face; it was evident he would make a formidable antagonist Ina per- sonal encounter. General Gleason's face grew somewhat whiter at sight of this man, whom he knew but too well. ‘‘Cap. Melton!” he gasped. ‘‘ You dare tocome here?” ‘‘To be sure!” the other answered, with a sen- tentious sort of laugh. ‘‘ I dare to go any where, you know—that’s why I am so amazingly free and easy in my movements. Business in my line being ratber dull, 1 thought I'd ride over for my intended bride, the fair Lenore. It + 4 . 4 1 i : a vw } — > i oe ae é .< ot - y aa se * Little Quick-Shot. seems, however, by the letter your servant has just read, that she bas given us both the shake!” ‘‘Tt matters not, ou couldn’t have her, were she here!” the general cried, noting with chagrin that the cattle-catcher’s weapons never wavered from their aim. ‘‘T doubt that. I shouldn’t have stood on any ceremony about inviting her to accompany me, As it is now, L’ll give you till to-night, midnight, to hand her over to me, as my lawful property. If you fail, lll do you harm. Ive got my plans all arranged, and I mean to push them to the bitter end, you bet! Deliver the girl to me, and 1 withdraw all hostilities!” “Bah! what care I for your hostilities ? Not so much, [Jl swear, that I could for a moment think of yielding up my beautiful daughbtor as prey to one of your stamp!” ‘Then you defy me, do you?” ‘To the bitter end!” ‘Very well. You have till midnight to accept my terms; after tbat I wouldn’t like to stand in the shoes of the owner of Villa Voselle. Good-morning!” . And, hee Sig a mocking laugh, the bandsome chief of the Cattle Clique backed out of the room and was gone. Gleason made no motion to institute a pursuit, but sat for several moments in deep thought: then he arose and sought his own room. Here he remained for awhile, when he ordered his horse, and mounting, rode away toward Daggersville, On arrival there be found that a large crowd had collected in front of the Cinnamon Bear Hotel to witness the trial of Little Quick-Shot. As the town afforded no suitable place for a ‘public trial, a temporary platform had been erected in the street for the accommodation of those taking an active part in the proceedings. Upon it were already seated Old Man Ronald and his daughter Ruth, several of the male Seay of the previous night, Major Greer, uck Brady, his five pals, and a couple of townsmen. Little Quick-Shot and Grit Gleason were neither of them present. : There was a scowl upon the general’s face as he rode up to the platform and drew rein. ‘‘Are you gentlemen waiting here to try the ruffian, Quick Shot?” he demanded grimly ‘We are waiting to try Quick-Shot, major declared, blandly. ‘Then you are spending time uselessly,” Gleason announced, a spice of triumph in bis tones, ‘‘ for my daugh'‘er, | am ashamed to say, bas eloped with the rascal, and they’ve had at least nine hours’ time, I calculate, to get out of town, Old Man Ronald consequently forfeits ten thousand dollars, which goes to the real estate owners of the town!” ‘Oh no! It goes into the treasury, and officers will have to be appointed to receive it for town expenses—that is, if I lose it, for it Jacks twenty minutes of ten o’clock yet, and I have every confidence Little Quick Shot will be here!” Ronald declared, ‘We will see. You needn't hope to creep out of the bail. If you do, I'll spend twice the amount, but what you shall pay it!” ‘“‘’m not noted for making an ass out of my- self!” Mr. Ronald retorted hotly, “Do you mean to insinuate that J have?” the general roared, growing apoplectic. * You have, sir, ('Jl agree, and so will every one else,” ‘You are a liar and,a puppy ! as soon as you are doné, bere!’ ‘* Very well, sir, you shall be accommodated!” The crowd was electrified, Here were two men of great power, literally at war; what would be the result? There could be but one.- They would fight it out to the bitter end, for, although they bad never bad avery words before, it was known that they were not particularly fond of each other, politically or socially, and should a rup- ture occur, neither would give up, until the other was dead or out of the country. The fuse had now been kindled; the explosion was to follow. _ Either man, if it came to an open fight, could muster a formidable force of the “ tigers” of mountain, mines and prairie, and it looked as if the I'll see you a bloody strife might now reasonably be ex — pected, The spectators and listeners conversed in low tones, but neither of the cattle-kings spoke again soon, Grit Gleason now made her appearance upon the platform, looking as bright and cheery as a rose. Somehow, she was a favorite in mii ie ville, because she was good-natured, shrewd and capable of taking pod y care of herself, | 7 7 —— ‘Have you seen Quick-Shot, Miss Gleason?’ Major Greer asked, making room for her beside his corpulent person. ‘* Not this morning, sir.” ‘The general tells us he has eloped with his daughter, and will not appear.” ‘That is both true and false. Heand Lenore Gleason did elope, but Quick-Shot will be here. He is not the man to run from an enemy.” A faint cheer went up from the General Gleason uttered an oath. ‘‘So you were a party to the plot, were you?’ he cried, ina tary. ‘No, but you bet I took in the weddin’ tho’, Hello! yonder comes Quick-Shot, now!” General Gleason made a move toward an in- ner pocket, with his hand, but at the same time saw the major cover him, with a revolver. ‘ Let up!” the fat man cried. ‘lm watch- ing you, so don’t come none of that sort of busi- ness, or you'll be sorry for it!” At that instant Little Quick-Shot galloped up to the stand, ee eee rowd, but CHAPTER VII. THE RIDER'S MESSAGE. A FAINT cheer broke from the lips of the crowd, as the Scarlet Scout rode up, looking as handsome and manly as before the cloud of guilt hovered over him. Quick-Shot nodded pleasantly—then leaped from bis saddle to the platform, and s*ood with folded arms, awaiting proceedings—nota tremor of fear upon his face, ‘You can take a seat!” the major said, “TIT have undertaken the responsibility of yeur de- fense, sir, while Mr. Renttrew, one of our towns- men, will act for the people. Mr, Laverty bas been appointed judge. Now, then, we will get to work. Buck Brady is the first witness for the prosecution.” | Brady arose and was sworn. His testimony can be summed up as follows: ‘* Your honor, all I know of the case is this. General Gleason come to me an’ said as how he regarded this chap, Quick-Shot, as a ’spicious character, and adwised that it war my duty ter watch him. I see’d him leave town about dusk, an’ calculatin’ be were up to some mischief, me an’ five o’ ther boys follered him. Wecome oe ter him jest in time ter see him steal up bebin the young feller, an’ whack him over the head, One blow did the job, an’ the young man tum- bled out o’ the saddle. The prisoner then bent over bim, and sed, aloud; ‘Ha! ba! You won't stand between me and Lenore Gleason, Ralph Ronald, I'll tote ye home, and get a footin’ wi’ ver parents fer’ doin’ so.’ He then shouldered the body, an’ fetched it to the Cottonwoods. We follered, an’ I guy bim away, as yer know. That’s all | know or keer. It war a plain out va! out murder, an’ the scarlet coat orter stretch | emp!” ' | Brady told this with apparent perfect candor, but his testimony did not seem to impress the crowd, Their sympathies were evidently with the Scarlet Seout. , One by one Brady’s pals were sworn, and their testimony taken, It corresponded with that of the greater ruffian in all respects, As no further evidence of importance was to be had on the part of the prosecution, the de- fense was taken up, by putting Grit Gleason upon the stand. a Her statement was clear and concise: ‘‘ All I know of the case is this,” she said. ‘‘ Donald Waverly, alias Little Quick-Sbot, is a Government detective. 1 sbould not know this only by the accidental discovery of his badge, while he was purchasing Cigars at my store, Many of you witnessed a duel between the young gentleman and Gideon Gleason, and un- derstood that it was because Donald had paid loverly attentions to Lenore Gleason, Well, it was after this I first met the prisoner, and learned that be was a detective. 1 warned bim to Jook out, as the general would try to barm or ruin bim. It was ater the duel that I saw the general visit Buck Brady's den, I felt sure he would not go to that vile hole except for soroe evil purpose, for, as you all well know, Brady has a bard reputation, and more than one sad erime has been traced to bis door. Money, however, bas always saved bis neck from the halter; but let us hope thatsome dey money will fail to shield him.” Brady’s face grew livid with rage, but he did not speak, , ‘‘ Believing the general was plotting Little Quick-Shot some dire barm, and kno that the latter was to meet Lenore at the Cotton- woods, I kept watch. Half an hour before dusk, Donald rode awav from thetown. Just at dusk, Buck Brady and his five cut-throat pals ' Gbooks:con com