Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 339 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

— And although he was aware that his “‘ racket,” as he termed it, was creating considerable sen- sation, he was as cool and collected as a judge. He foresaw that Played-Out was to have a temporary boom, and that a hotel was neces- sary te accommodate the rush that would surely come. Such a place would quickly pay for itself, and also add to the already infant excitement that bis advent had been the means of caus- in The men worked like beavers, seeming in- spired to make their employer’s success doubly sure. Kit gave directions rapidly and concisely, and the building went up “ a-bumming!” During the afternoon, Mr. Byron Milton came strolling down to the scene of the building, with Mai leaning upon his arm, Kit saw them approaching, and a pained glit- ter came into his eyes, and his face became a shade paler. **Tt is as I thought!” he muttered. out of their way.” He managed to do this very cleverly for a time, by going to different sides of the building; but he found that they dogged his steps with persistency, and finally Mai left Milton, and ran forward and caught him by the arm, “Why, Kit, didn’t you know that we were here?” she asked, facing him about, and looking up into his face with ber sparkling eyes.” ** Yes,” he answered, absently. “Oh! did you? Then I just believe you have been trying to dodge us!” “‘] have been very busy.” “Too busy to speak to me, eh? Oh! you oose, you ought to have your ears boxed! ou see I asked Mr. Milton to accompany me down here. There were so many strange men I didn’t like to come alone.” “It was quite proper of you. Lam glad you came!” Kit said, with a smile he could not sup- press, while Milton toyed nervously in the sand with the we |king-stick he carried. But Mai-.-sweet, pretty Mai, with a face of sunshine and eyes like stars—she was watching Kit, earnestly. “Kit, you ere not offended at me—you’re only just a little hurt? Isn’t that it?’ she asked, still keeping her little hand upon his arm, He looked down into her face soberly. ‘*Did Isay I was either pained or offended, little sweetneart?” ** No, buf you acted so, I don’t want you to get offended with me,” and he fancied her lip quivered a trifle. **Pooh! of course I won’t. Associate with the poet as much as you like. Ishall not care. How do you like my scheme here?’ “Ohi you're just glorious, Kit! proud of you! about you!” ** What do they say about me?” and he smiled quizzingly. **Why, they say you are the most wonderful fellow they ever saw, Kit!” *“‘Maybs they ain’t seen me, yet—not all. But, there’s your escort, Mai, feeling as awk- ward as a salt-water crab in a fryingpan. I will excuse you, as itis a shame to keep the poor fellow in suspense.” “Oh! then you are tired of my company, eh?” with a pout. ** ‘You know better than that, Mai. But you really must excuse me just now, considering how busy Iam. The men will have a livery stable built, instead of a hotel, if I don’t watch out. “Oh! then certainly I will not detain: you. Perhaps I may see you to-night.” *“You are not going there again?’ and he nodded toward Tim Flannigan’s, which im- mediately joined one side of the new hotel.” “Yes, Kit. It's our bread and butter, you know, Papa is off again; I suppose on a spree.” ‘How long need you follow that vocation, Mai? [tis for you to answer!” ‘*{ don’t really understand your meaning, sir!” A trifle of color arose to her che:k, and her eyes flashed. “Oh! well, if you haven’t the slightest idea— there! the boys are yelling for me; excuse me, please!” Mai went back to Mr. Milton. A red spot glowed on eitber cheek; there was a strange intensity to her gaze. Then a soften- ing of the glance and expression followed—as though a sentiment of disbelief had followed a fancied injury. Did she hea: what Milton had to say to her? Perhaps! She answered him, at any rate, but ** Pll keep I am so Why, everybody is talking it was mechanically, rather than interestedly, Kt was only when she saw Kit looking ac her, wd - os 7 a * tif 3 7 , J ap it es TS 7 ae = * — i es Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. occasionally, that her pretty face lighted up Biosionely Mr. Milton, evidently, did not enjoy the situation. Perhaps, it was not poetical enough to suit bis refined taste? At any rate, be presently proposed that they return to the cabin, ‘Very well!” Mai assented, quietly. ‘ This hammering does make one almost distracted.” A faint smile curved his lip, but she did not notice it, nor did he speak. When they reached the cabin, she went within doors, while he satdown on the door- step. ‘ Your father has not returned,” he observed, lighting a cigar. ‘‘No, I knew he would not, once he got hold of that nugget. He will not see a sober minute until he has squandered the last of its value!” ‘*“Woud you like that nugget back, Miss Roulere?” “Why? ‘*Because I would be pleased to try and pro- cure it for y@u.” * Bat I wo@ld not accept it from you.” ‘Indeed! Why not?” ‘Because it was a present to me from another. Mr. Milton?’ ‘* Miss Roulere?” severely. *‘ What did you come here for—what mission brought you?” she a bruptly demanded, * Well—well—I—I— ‘*Shall [ tell you, sir?” ‘Ys, tell me!” ‘* Well, sir, you came here expecting to find me hand free and heart free—a pretty, suscep- tible girl of seventeen, with no better sense than to fallin love with the first good-looking fellow who came along, supposing tlat one would be yourself; you expected te find a mere child to deal with—and, furthermore, sir, it was understood that my father was to help along your suit. You found vour child, sir; for I am comparatively but a child, but I bave more sense than some girls. But, Mr. Milton, not wishing to offend you, let me tell you this: I shall try to doeverytbing to make ycur visit pleasant, but—you came just a little too late!” CHAPTER VII. MAI'’S *‘ FAREWELL” NIGHT By the way the men worked at Kangaroo Kit’s building, a looker-on might form an ap- proximate idea of how young miuving-cities spring up so suddenly in the West. Tbe men had been offered liberal wages, and they seemed imbued with a resolution to do the best they knew how, for the young speculator., During the afternoon, Kit dropped into the Shebang, and found Tim Flannigan, himself, behind the bar—a burly, good-natured Irishman, of thirty. At tbe time the saloon had no other occupants, and at Kit’s entrance, Tim looked up witha grin, from a letter he was reading, as if an intruder was especially welcome, at the moment, ‘*Gude-afternoon, me son! Troth an’ it’s a bit of gude luck I’m in, so ’tis. Yezbe the young gint what be raisin’ the divil around, intirely?’ ‘I’m thet same, I presume,” Kit responded, dryly. ‘* Well, thin, Pll tell yez: I’ve been after thry- in’ ter git a swate paice av calico, down in St, Louis, pamed Katy McBride, but she was as shy asafoxavy me. But yezcan bet I coorted her by mail, wid patience, an’ at last she has consinted to become Mrs, Timothy Flannigan, if I'll be afther avin’ to go to St. Louis, at one’t, Howly fathers! phat joy! Coome, me doy, take a dbrink an’ congratulate me!” ‘Well, Timothy, I ginerally drink cigars, fer mine, but bein’s this is wi’ you, I'll sample a lit- tle of your best sherry.” ‘‘ Av coorse ye will—av coorse ye will! Och! me boy, will yez jist think av the luck I have? Sure, by tha powers, it’s mesilf will start for Saint Louis, by sunrise, the morrow.” ‘‘ But who will take care of yer bizness?” ‘To the divil wid tha whisky! I’ve hed me fill of it, an’ made me pile, too, an’ now it’s me wife ’'m wantin’.” ‘*Perhaps | can buy you out then, and con- nect the two establishments?’ Kit suggested. ‘‘Sbure an’ av coorse ye kin. Make mean offer for it, an’ Pll jump the avenin’ stage, so I will!” ‘*T’ll give you two hundred dollars for every- thing, jest as she stands!” ‘Sold! Be forkin’ over yer cash, an’ Ill write tha receipt!” In ten minutes the Shebang belonged to Kit Bricktop, and Fat Fred presided in his accus- tomed place, behind the bar, About sunset, a placard in front of the She- bang, contained the following announcemen® which was one that was perused over and over again by the habitues of the place, who had a lively interest in all that appertained thereto “THE OLYMPIC RESORT! ENTIRE NEW MANAGEMENT. FLANNIGAN Makes His Pitt AND RETIRES To-NIGuHT! Positively Last Appearance Here, of Played- Out’s Favorite Songstress and Ban joist, Muue. Mat!” This had been arranged by Kit. He felt positive that the retirement of Mai from the stage, would cause considerable dis- satisfaction, but he was determined she should not thus expose herself, when the camp was now sure to fill up with all kinds of characters, who had in the jong run, v. ore respect for a dog | than for a woman. How she would take it be had no idea, but be felt sura that if he could see her, to explain, it would be all right. By dusk, the new hotel was inclosed, but of course lacked doors, windows and furniture, for all of which Kit had sent an order to Lead- ville, that day. As soon as if was dark, he mounted a horse, which he bad purchased, and managed to ride away from the camp, without being observed, This was just what he wanted to do. He wes aware that he was regarded rather suspiciously by several, who had bought stocks of him. Should he ak ride out of camp at night, he bad very little doubt but that an at- tempt would be made to stop bim, by those who would fear it was his intention to escape, with what money he bad received from the sale of the stocks. Down the gulch, a couple of miles grew, in bountiful profusion, a most magnificent variety of wild flowers. To this spot he rapidly rode, and here spent a half-hour in plucking a bouquet of such blossoms as were most desirable to the view, and smell. When be had finished, he bad a large floral offering, in the shape of a basket, which for beauty and perfume, would bave been difficult, indeed, to excel, and in any Eastern conserva- tory, would have cost dearly. Equipped with this, be rode back to the saloon, and gave it to Fat Fred, instructing bim to present it 1o Mai, that evening, at the conclu- sion of Ler performance, without betraying the giver’s name. He then retired to his room, That night was Mai’s farewell-night. It was on every tongue, ld miners looked sober, and said it wasn’t a right thing, for Kangaroo Kit to deprive them of a part of their nightly enjoyment. Some of the miners even put on a clean shirt, and brushed out their tangled beards, in honor of the occasion. The evening stages brought in big loads from either direction, Hearing the report of Played- Out’s probable great future, the passengers mostly stopped «ff, so that at an early hour in the evening the Olympic was crowded uvcom- fortably full of people, who drink, smokes, and waited for the last appearance of Mlle. Mai, as was announced. Kit did not present bimself until about time for Mai to appear, wben he worked his way well toward the stage, where he stood leaning against the wall, so that he could command a view of the audience, Some of the crowd were getting pretty noisy, but be had a revolver within bandy reach, and was resolved to summarily check any disturb- ance that might be commenced, Lawton Leech occupied a seat near the front, and was finely attired, even to a silk hat, and a bunch of flowersin biscoat. | He also held a bouquet of flowers in his hand, and while gazing at him, Kit saw him take what he judged to be a hundred dollar bill from hig pocket and stick it down among the flowers, A faint smile wreathbed Kit’s lips, for he had already prepared his cffering, on a much more liberal scale, Byron Milton was not present, nor was Big Blocksnake, Kit had wondered, several times during the day, what had become of the ruffian. At last the bell tinkled and Mai, attired the ad com ’ 4 ate 900KsS.com PY a 2»