Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 339 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

out a mouthful of oaths, and glared around bim savagely; but one glance was enough to assure him that to again attempt his purpose would be sure death. Bull-beaded and brutal though he was, he had sense enough to know when odds were too great- ly against him. Seeing no one else to vent his spite upon, he turned and glared at Kit, who was watching him keenly, ready to put a bullet through him at an instant’s warving. **See hyer, ye leetle scab cf a cuss, d’ye know what I’ve’a mind ter do wi’ you?’ Blacksnake roared, hoarsely. ‘‘Nary!” Kit responded dryly; “but I know what I’m goin’ ter do wi’ you, ef ye ev.r even offer ter address this young lady again!” ‘*'W hat now, ye young monkey?” ‘*Why, I'm goin’ ter paste ye one right in the jaw wi’a chunk o’ lead out wv’ ove 0’ these six- shooters; you hear my gentle voice. An’ ef evyer I hey occasion ter do it, you'll need a box 6 a grave-digger’s sympathy ter git ye under sod ! ‘* Bah! chaw off yer ear. bouncer, too!” **Then you’d better bounce out of this camp, or you'll be sorry. The boys o’ Played-Out don’t allow no such rips as you about!” Kit tben turned to Mai, who clung to him, seeming greatly terrified, ** You had best retire from the stage now,” he said, ‘* before there’s any further trouble,” ‘‘Ob, I am so frightened!” she whispered, in atrembling tone. “if—if you would only be so kind as to see me home, I—I should be very grateful!” ‘You bet I will, Back this way?’ “Yes; we can go through the rear door. I always come that way.” Not without some degree of triumph did Kit accompany her bebind the ‘‘scenes””—a board ac pops sao they left the building, she cling- g to his arm. I’ve a mind ter come up thar an’ I’m a bu’ster, lam—an’ a CHAPTER IIL BOY LOVE. EVERY inch a man did Kit feel, as he accom- panied Mai from the Sbebang through a dark part of the guich—for old Roulere’s cabin was situated some little distance from the other habitations. **Ob! bow can I ever thank you enough to express my gratitude toward you for your time- ly interference?’ Mui said, drawing closer to him as they walked ee “You were so brave and thoughtful. I do believe those stupid miners would really have allowed that awiul ruffian to assault me, even tho’ they all like me,’ ‘Who wouldn’t like you, I'd like to know? Bless you, you'd set any onecrazy! As fer the miners, I reckon they was almost afraid ter tackle him.” **I should have thought you would have been afraid, too?’ ‘* Nix-ee, Jeremiah! If it had been Old Nick hisself, an’ you stan’in’ there in peril, 1’d have sailed in an’ tried my band on the old sardine, Tell ye, when thar’s a purty girl in the case, an’ she needs help, my biud goes a-b’ilin’ way up inter the bundreds an’ somethin’ hes got to move.” ** How about a homeiy girl, then?’ Mai asked, laughingly. **Ob! thet makes a heep o’ difference! A feller has to struggle hard to git nerved up fer biz, then.” “Then I take it that you think I am pretty?’ “Bet I do! I think you're jest the purtiest girl I ever saw.” “‘T am pleased to know your opinion is so favorable of me. I always considered myself quite plain. 1 think you are nice!” ** Get out! You’re clubbing me now. My ap- pearance ain’t fust class, but I’m all myself, ria . I’m Kit Bricktop. Who are you?’ ** Mai Beales. Queer name, isn’t it? live with my father, a i dissipated person, who never will work, and I am forced to try and earn a living after the manner you saw to- night. It is very distasteful to me, I assure ou, and I trust you will not think bad of me or being in such rough surroundings.” ‘Not a bit of it. I like your pluck, and I like you, too, you bet!” *‘‘Thank you! I am glad you do, for it’s uite a novelty to have os one like me, except the rough miners. How old are you, sir?” ‘*Well, | dunno, exactly; for you see my obliging parents passed away when I was a little kid, not leavin’ behind as much as an ink ‘haf ote © \ Sa td Pires” dot to show me my age, ancestral standing, and so forth, Kinder negligent in ’em, now wasn’t it? But, anyhow, sccardin’ to all my scientific calkylations, I’m old eftough ter git spliced ter some nice little level-headed gal like you!” “*Oh, Kit! what an idea! I don’t intend to get married, urtil I am thirty, at least!” | ‘*Git out! You'd be a vinegary, toothless old maid, by that time. How old are you?” ‘** Guess!” “Sweet sixteen.” “Wrong! Iam almost seventeen.” ‘Waal, ye’re sixteen sweet enuff, ’til ye’r’ seventeen. I’m over eighteen, I calculate, any- how, An’ I’ve jest made up my mind I'm goin’ to stop off here, in Played-Out, awhile—that is, if ye will let me come to see ye.” ‘IT could not refuse you that favor, sir, if it would be any pleasure to you,” she replied, look- ing up intohis face witha winning smile. ‘* You must know you are young yet, bowever, to think of anytbing as serious as marriage. Iam sure I shall value your friendship very much,” Kit did not make an immediate answer. It occurred to him that her words conveyed the idea that he was not old enough to be her lover —tbat her ideal was of an older person. He was almost ready to kick bimself for so betraying his feelings, when she gave his arm a little squeeze, and looked coyly up into his face, ‘*Then you think you would like to come see me, eh?” she asked, softly. s Nothing would please me better, I assure ‘Then, I'll always bid you welcome. But, there’s one thing I want to tell you. Here we are at wy home. Wait a moment!” They had reached a good-sized log-cabin, with two sbuttered wiodows and a heavy dour, on the front side, Mai stepped cautiously to the door, and listened, ‘* There’s some one in there, with papa, I do wonder who it can be?’ she said, coming back to Kit. “Never mind; we won’t go in, yet. Come around here, out of the rain.” She led the way to a little shed, in the rear of the cabin, and once more took Kit by the arm. ‘*T wanted to tell you, sir, two things, which might seem queer to you. Theman Leall father —for Heaven only knows whether he is my father, or not—is a very eccentric person, As I told you before, work he will not do, and more than two-thirds of the time he is drunk—some- times stypidly so. Every stranger he sees he seems to consider an enemy, and through this fact you may have trouble with him,” ‘*Pll risk it. Iam not so much a stranger to his interests as I mought be, ye know. But, let thet drop. What else did ye wish to say?” ‘*Tbis. Tbere isa man here named wton Leech, who is supposed to be very wealthy, and owns all the miping-claims, except a tract own- ed by my father. It seems to be the ambition of his life to get possession of father’s tract, for, as I believe, he knows it is, or is destined to be, very valuable. He is also a suitor for my hand, but you can guess how heartily I despise him, In fact—” ‘* What?” ‘“‘That!”—and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “1 like you. There, now —don’t dare to kiss me, for I won’t permit ib. I just wanted to warn you to look out for Law- ton Leech, as he may become your enemy.” ‘Oh! then you didn’t want to kiss me, I take it!” ‘“'Y-e-s—that is—I—oh! I don’t know what, Come! let’s go in the cabin, out of the wind and rain,” ‘‘One minute,” and the boy lover put his arm around her waist and drew her to him, ‘“You have made me the happiest fellow in Played-Out, and | only want the privilege of returning your favor. You will not deny me, little sweetheart?’ Her girlish upturned face, as her head rested upon his shoulder was answer enough, and be imprinted a shower of fervent kisses upon her cherry lips, and forehead. Then, she gently released herself, and they went around to the front of the cabin, where Mai pulled the latch-string and opened the door. Kit, with a heart beating high with exquisite pleasure, followed her into the commonly-fur- nished main apartment, and closed the door be- hind him. Two men were seated ata rude table, upon which was a lighted candle. Both were persons apt to attract attention, but it was because, in some degree, of the contrasts between them. One was an old man, with a face thin and pinched, but terribly reddened by the use of whisky; keen black eyes sunken in his head, and angaroo Kit’s Racket. > snowy-white hair. His face-expression was dis- agreeable, if not really villainous, In form he was tall, but almost as thin as @ skeleton, and he noticeably trembled, like one palsied. His attire was old, ill-fitting, and shabby. The other party, who sat opposite him, was a much younger man—apparently about twenty- five or six—and, as Kit at once acknowledged, was a decidedly handsome personage. He was about the medium stature of men, but splendidly framed, every muscle well developed and every curve gracefully rounded. His face was full enough to be decidedly bandsome, adorned as it was by a graceful blonde mus- tache, that sbaded a pleasant mouth; a de«rk blue eye, penetrating in its glance, yet possessed of a charming expression; and a wealth of chestnut-colored bair, tbat rippled back over his head, and down over bis broad shoulders, after a manner that wonld baveenth used a poet’s pen. A pair of patent-leather top boots were met by a pair of neatly setting trowsers, belted at the waist, and connected with an elaborate trimmed white flannel shirt opened at bis throat. A slouch sombrero lay beside bis chair, in company with a belt of weapons, anda medi- um sized valise. A noticeable feature about him, bis hands, were very white and small, and bad plainly never been accustomed to bard labor. Kit saw Mai cast the stranger a shy inquisi- tive glance, and a spirit of jealcusy assailed him, Perhaps this handsome fellow was her ideal of what a lover should be, and she would henceforth look upon bim, Kit, as a sort of spoconey, fit to play with, when no better at- traction was at hand. “ Fatber, this is Mr. Kit Bricktop,” Mai said, turning to her hero, ‘ Kit, this is my father, Mr. Roulere! The other gentleman’s name Ido not know!” ‘*This is Mr. Byron Milton, girl!” old Roulere hastily explained, in very good Englith. ‘“ He is a former friend of mine, just from California, and 1 want you to treat him as a respected guest of our home.” ‘‘l am delighted to meet Mr. Milton,I am sure, and shall endeavor to make him welcome, for your sake, futher!” Mai responded, courtesy- ing to Milton’s gallant bow. Right, girl—quite right. My friend Milton is an educated and refined gentleman of leisure, vet gifted as a poet and a painter. And, now, Mai, who is this young jackanapes with the dirty face, that ycu have taken the liberty to bring here?” ** His name is Kit Bricktop, as] said, and you owe to bim many thanks, instead of insulting bim. He rescued me from being grossly in: sulted to-night, at the risk of losing bis own life; and lam sure none of the miners would bave raised a hand to help me.” ‘Indeed! I suppose because he played tle heroic you have fallen in love with him from the start?” the old man sneered, disagreeably. *‘Maybe I bave,” Mai replied. ‘“‘ Anyhow, be is my friend, and I want you to act as a friend toward bim.” ‘*T don’t fancy mixing up witb ee Se. my child, If the fellow deserves any thanks he has them, I'l] attend to any loverly business on your part, however, my dear.” ‘“T am not so sure about that,” Mai said, with a toss of her head, ‘‘Here, Kit, iake a seat near the fire. Itis very wet and cold out.” ‘‘Thank you, but I will not have time to stop to-night. have an errand yet to perform at the camp, so you will excuse me,” ‘Certainly; you might stay a few moments, however. Before Ap go I must prevail upon you to take back this valuable nugget, sir. I could not think of taking so great a prize, for even a gift, I assure you.” And she took the nugget from her pocket and extended it toward him, ‘Ob! no—you must keep it as a present from me. Icould not think of taking it back,” Kit assured bastily. ‘Hello! what’s that? Ha! d’ye see it, Miltou? A nugget of gold, as 1 live, and it’s a stunner. too, Of course you'll keep it, girl!” And with a dexterous spring, that one would not have thought him capable of making, the old Frenchman snatched the nugget from Mai’s hands. ‘“‘Oh papa, how cruel of you! Please return it to me after you examine it. If Mr.—if Kit won’t take it back, I want to retain it as a keep- sake,” ‘Keep nothing!” Roulere sneered. ‘“ This nuggetis worth a heap of money, girl, and J'It keep it fer you—T’ll keep it fer ye. Much obliged to ye, young feller. ar did you get it?’ Gomledoo