Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 378 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

ae Hy cee a! i or ¥ sure I sent the flowers, together with a note to Miss Smith, requesting an interview with her. I intend to get into her favor sufficiently, so that it wil] be an easy matter to abduct her if she attempts to interfere.” “Ah! I see, A good plan. I am afraid we shall have trouble in the matter, that would im- licate us all. However, I have talked with elen, and she is willing to become a party to the scheme, depending upon it that you will re- marry her, when it succeeds, If you then re- fuse, she will humiliate herself to become avenged upon you, by a full exposure—and you may guess what that would mean for you, in a town like this—the rope.” ‘*She, nor you, need entertain the least fear that [| will be inconstant to my promise. And, now, what work is done must be done quickly. If we get our iron in the fire first, we are sure to win the first heat, don’t you see? One of my main objects is to hurt the character of this Eagle City Ed, in order to decrease his fast- growing popularity. Once he is out of favor with the people, it will be smoother sailing.” ‘What do you propose to do?” ‘‘This: Within an hour, I shall challenge him, to meet me at thirty paces, with pistols. Juss before we are to fight Helen is to rush from the hotel, throw her arms around his neck, and call him ber truant husband, and yell and scream, and beseech him to take her back, and so forth. See? It will create a big sensa- tion, and as he will naturally deny the allega- tion, the crowd will sympathize with her, and it will hart him more than anything I can con- ceive,” ; Hensbaw shook his head. ‘*T don’t believe she will consent to this thing,” he said. ‘‘It places her in a bad light.” ‘‘Pshaw, no! It will do more to establish her in favor here than anything else that could be done. Go talk with her, and have her ready twenty minutes hence. If she refuses, 1 drop her.” ‘‘T will see what can be done,” Henshaw said, grimly, and turned away. ‘Ob! he’ll come to time,” the daring young schemer mused, gazing after him. ‘‘ Now, for the other part of the programme.” Spying Big Boots, the giant, he motioned to him, and the ponderous mass of bone and flesh approached. ** Good-morning!’ Nabob accosted. ‘‘ You, I believe, are a sort of friend of Eagle City Ed, are you not?” ‘*A durned sight ’nuff more bis friend than I am yours,” was the gruff response, ‘‘Ob! I presume so. I could not think of doubting that. I have, however, a challenge, here, for your friend, which I want you to con- vey to him.” He handed the giant a note which he had written, before leaving bis office. It read: “EAGLE Crry Ep:—You are a coward and a cra- ven, 1 hereby challenge you to meet me, fifteen minutes later, in front of the Bung-Eye Hotel, at thirty paces with pistols—the best man to live. ** NABOB NED.” ‘¢ Ye want me to take this tohim?” Big Boots demanded, after taking the liberty to read the note. ‘¢‘ Certainly I do.” ‘‘Then, jest take a fool’s advice, and go git fitted fer yer wooden overcoat, thet’s all.” And away strode the Hercules. Eagle City Ed was sitting in the gaming- room of the Bung-Eye, when the note was handed him, smoking acigar, _ He had as yet moved about, little, that morn- ing, and was at the time cogitating over the subject of a note he had received a short time before from Polly, which ran as follows: “Mr. EaGur Crry Ep:— ‘‘Srr:—It is with cheeks burning with shame that I wish to apologize for what I did last night—an act for which | cannot account myseif responsible, as I certainly could not have been in possession of my senses when I did a thing so unbecoming and un- ladylike. Itrust you will accept this explanation, and avoid all allusion to the occurrence in the fu- ture. Miss Suiru.”’ After receiving that passionful kiss, Ed had certainly passed a sleepless night and arose at daybreak, in the full belief that he was full as much “gone” on the pretty Miss Smith as she was on him; but when he received the note. he got considerably mixed up in his conclusions. And he wasin this condition of mind when Big Boots banded bim the challenge, and stood grimly waiting for an answer, Eagle City Ed leisurely opened the note and scanned the few lines, his face scarcely chang- ing expression. Nabob Ned. ‘* Tell the sender that I will be there,” he said, and resumed smoking bis cigar. Big Boots looked his surprise, as he moved away to deliver the message, ‘‘Durn my Sund’y boots ef thet aire Eagle Ed ain’t as game as they muke ’em!” he mut- tered. ‘* He received thet note ther same like et was an invertation ter a ice cream festervel, His jaw never drapped once.” He returned the answer to Nabob Ned, who was pacing to and fro outside the botel, and in three minutes afterward haif the town knew that Eagle City Ed and Nabob Ned were to figbt a duel, and a crowd quickly collected at either side of the street. Working himself into a passion, simply through trying to keep cool, the Nabob paced up and down the street, awaiting his intended victim. That singular gentleman did not make bis ap- pearance until time wes up, when he sauntered leisurely into the street. Ao audible murmur of applause ran along either line of spectators, and caused Ned to grate his teeth savagely. ‘“Gents,” Eagle City Ed said, smilingly, “ I have been challenged to fight yonder individual with pistols, and as I knew your appreciation of fun, [ could not do less than accept, You wish to practice with pistols, I believe, Mr. Nabob?” ‘*T do!” was the curt reply. ‘' We will stand thirty paces apart, and at a signal—one, two, three—begin firing, and continue until one or the other falls. You may select a man to give the word, for no seconds are required, bat suits me if it does you.” ‘‘Very well; I’m agreeable to almost any- thing that’s fair,” Ed replied. ‘“‘Go ahead and measure off. Your legs are as good as compasses,” A smile was visible on the spectators’ faces, Ned’s peculiar point was the length and thin- ness of bis lower limbs. He failed to take a meaning out of Eugle City Ed’s remark, but measured off thirty paces from. a given point. ‘¢ Who will you select for starter?” he de- manded fiercely. ‘Pll ect!” Pedro Sperra cried, stepping for ward, ‘It won’t be the first duel I have offici- ated at. Get ready, gents!” Neitber men objected, but drew their revol- vers, and put their left foot forward, with wea- pons leveled, “One!” counted Sperra, in a ringing tone, ‘Two !” Hark! A woman’s scream! And a woman. Sbe darted from among the crowd in front of the Bung-Eye, and threw herself upon Eagle City Ed, knocking the weapon from his grasp, and then throwing her arms around his neck. ‘Ob! my husband—my long-lost truant hus- band!” she cried, piteously, ‘I have found you at last—ob! at last. Long and patiently | have hunted you, and thank God, I have at last found you!” In spite of his struggles she rained kisses upon his cheek, and it was a couple of minutes ere he could free himself, and put her away at arm’s length, ‘*Woman!” he gasped, ‘fare you mad? [’m no husband of yours!” “You are—you are! and it is useless for you to attempt to deny it. Youare my husband, and no power on earth shall ever part us again!” Eagle City Ed was not only astounded, but horrified beyond measure, He gazed at the woman, utterly dumfounded. She was young, well dressed, and pretty of form and face. She was a decided brurette, and her features were those of a person of re- finement. ‘*My dear lady, you have surely made a mis- take,” Ed once more assured, ‘It is some other person you are looking for, I was never married in my life!” “Ha, ha! You would deceive me, but you eannot. Do you suppose I have forgotten you? No, never!” At this juncture Harold Henshaw rushed for- ward and.caught ber by the arm, ‘Helen! Helen!” he cried, reprovingly, ‘“what do you mean? Haven’t I sworn you should never live with bim again as his wife? Come, you foolish child!” And he half dragged her back hotel. And Polly Smith, standing on the veranda, attired to call on Nabob Ned, heard and saw all, with a sickening sensation gnawing at her heart. into the a ee ee EE EE ee a a er . SE — _—— me ‘* POINTER,” WHEN Helen Henshaw was gone Eagle City Ed turned to the crowd nearest him with pallor in his face, ‘*Gentlemen!” he said, clearly and distinctly, ‘*you have all been witness to the scene just now, and of course are welcome to your OW%e POLLY'S opinions. But asGod is my judge, I never saw that young woman before, There are but two ways about it. She is either insane or else a job has been put up to injure me. I presume I can point out the instigator!” He turned his angry gaze toward where Na bob Ned had stood a few minutes before; but that worthy was nowhere to be seen, and on iu- . quiry, no one appeared to know where he had gone, A smile of contempt curled the sport’s lips, when he learned the truth, and he turned to the crowd, “You see, gentlemen, The so-styled nabob of your camp bas moseyed. He evidently knew I would accuse him of putting up the job on me and was afraid of encountering my vengeance, Well, let the coward go, He is not worthy of the time of bunting up and killing tim. Let’s all take something.” Some of the bystanders gave assent, but not all of those present, for many shook their heads significantly, as much as to say—‘' We don’t care to drink with a man as would desert his wife,” Ed was not slow to notice this, He raised bis hat courteously to Miss Polly, as he ascended the steps to the veranda, but she turned her head aside and refused to acknow- ledge the compliment. This cut the sport like a knife, and be knew, too, that she was justified in doing as she had done, if, indeed, she had witnessed the street scene. Half an hour later another of Cupid's wicked shafts pierced his heart, when he became the recipient of the following worded note: **Mr. Eacue City Ep, :— ‘‘Srr:—Your services as my manager will not be required any longer during my stay im Slab City. Thanking you for past favors, I am, sir, ‘* Respectfully, etc.., * Paving SMrrH.”” ! Ed was writing ina pocket memoranda at the time he received the note, and after he re- ceived the missive, he deliberated full an hour and then sent back the following answer: ‘* Miss PAuLINE:—I accept my discharge, without a word of protest, wine of course that you are weak-minded enough to believe true what you saw to-day, when it was one of the most infamous con- spiracies to ruin me, and I have no doubt but what your flower-gift lover was at the bottom of it. Yow can accept this at its par value, and believe me, ‘Resp'y yours, * Baaie Crry Ep.” During the afternoon Polly visited the cflice of Nabob Ned, and found that genius of schem- ers alone, He received her with the greatest courtesy, and atter she was seated, said: ‘*Miss Smith, you have bonored me greatly, by calling, and [ trust we shall be able to ar- range matters so satisfactorily that you will not be forced to sing before the class of audiences that frequent the Bung-Eye Hotel.” ‘How do you know [ am forced to do so?” Polly retorted. ‘For all you know I may de it as a preference,” ‘* Ab! yes, but then, you know, T drew the in- ference that the occupation was not congenial to one with your refined tastes.” Polly simply smiled. ‘‘Perhaps not,” she answered. “ But I did not come here to discuss my likes or dislikes, You wrote me you wished to see me on business concerning my deceased father’s estate.” “ Bxactly, providing we can establish it that you are the daughter of my late lamented em- ployer. To do that, you know, we must bave strong proofs—very strong proofs—of your ideutity.” “ As long as you get proofs, why require that they should be so extremely strong?!” Polly de- manded, sharply. “For the simple reason that there is another claimant in the field, who has proofs that will be difficult to gainsay.” * Another claimant?” Polly echoed, ‘*‘ Who, ray?” ‘* Miss Helen Smith, who bas document(s that would stand fire in any court, to the effect that she is the daughter and only cirect heir of John Smith, deceased.” This was startling news to Polly, and she lookea dismayed. com TT EVOOKS.cOoOmM