Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 387 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

_ ~- — na = f° * a gy eee oe... S a a a. anne SS FE _ —. r ae De ae - le But would one man wish to remain in that lone *@pot, or even two, far from any habitation? He would at least see. Down the valley he rode, slowly and watchfully, until at last the dark objects came in sight that marked the shanties of the deserted mining-town. Pismounting from his horse the guide hitched him to a small tree, and wended his way on foot, his rifle in hand, ready for a surprise. “If 1 see the white form I shall fire on it regard- less of consequences,’ he muttered in a grim tone, On foot he glided noiselessly forward. Arriving at the first shanty he halted, No one was there to oppose him. Through the deserted streets he wended his way, and halting near the largest structure in the place, the one which ‘had been the tavern, he turned his eyes over toward the cemetery, The moon was just rising, and its light fell upon the little burying-ground, casting out in bold relief the white head-boards there. The town of Lost Hope was in shadow, for the moon had not yet soared high enough to throw its light upon it. Presently the guide started, for he was confident that he saw a white object moving in the cemetery, Was it imagination? Was one of the white board monuments really moving? He kept his eyes riveted upon the spot, and, after awhile said: **Tt does move.”’ A. long time he watched, and then muttered: At is a human form, clad in white, and coming this Bown the hill from the burying-ground came a tall form clad in pure white. It glided along, around tie creek, as though walk- ing upon the waters, for the ruide heard no splash- ing sound, and came directly toward the tavern A he stood, * When it comes nearer I will fire,’’ he said, and he brought his rifle up’ready to car ry out his threat. Nearer and nearer came the white-robed form, and the rifle of the guide was about to go up to the shoulder, when suddenly it came to a halt. Warpath Will lowered the rifle,and gazing earnestly beheld the arms of the seeming phantom wave to and fro. But the gaze of what he was so intently looking at seemed not toward him, but upon a point of the camp further down, for he faced in that direction. Instinctively the ’ruide looked in that direction and lo! theré was another phantom, Coming directly toward him, and not further off than the other, was a snowy steed, and rider clad iu white, The horse seemed to come on in utter silence, for no sound of hoof-falls falling upon the flinty ground could be heard. In dismay the guide listened an instant, and then, almost unnerved, he threw his rifle to his shoulder and drew trigger, The rifle was aimed at the phantom horseman, and yet, there came no flash, oo report, The rifle did not explode. ‘“*“My God! why should my rifle fail me now?” cried “the guide, and he turned and fled from the ot! iE eoklon over his shoulder, as he ran, he saw the mounted phantom in pursuit. The one on foot he could not see. His own steps made aringing sound, and yet the white horse behind him seemed to move noiselessly. On, on he flew, until his horse came in sight. He saw that the phantom in chase was gaining upon him, Whipping out his knife he cut the reins, not stop- ing to untie them, and sped off at the full speed of is horse. Loud rung the hoof-strokes of his own horse, as he dashed along, but the white steed behind seemed to run without sound. “‘T dare not attempt to fire again,” he said, so on he flew for half a mile, not daring to look behind him, for fear he would see the specter almost upon ————— ee ss COS ra Ol eee At length he gained courage sufficient for a hasty glance, as the suspense was “awful. The panto had disappeared. But the guide held on his way at full speed, and ee draw rein until the miner’s cabin came in t ere was still the reflection of the firelight in the cabin where was Cleone Marsden; but he rode by, gtaked his horse out in the vale, and sought the shelter of the ‘**mansion”’ for the night. He readily found himself snug quarters and wrap- ping his blanket about him sought to rest. But sieep did not visit him for hours, and only when he was utterly worn out. When he awoke the sun was shining brightly, and gents out of his retreat he saw Cleone getting reakfast. He hastened to join her, excusing his late nap by telling her that he had stood watch all night. But he did not once refer to the phantoms he had seen in Lost Hope City. CHAPTER XXII, CLEONE’S CHOICE, For several days the two, Cleone Marsden and Warpath Will, the guide, remained at the miner’s cabin. The guide was as kind as a brother could have been. He did not go far from the cabin at any time, but procured plenty of game, and seemed to try and minke the maiden forget her sorrows. At night he pretended to stand guard; but as soon ‘ fos —— OOOO EE es ee ee | as Cleone went to her cabin, he would seek his re- treat and strive to forget himself in slumber. Most anxiously did Cleone watch for the comin g re oj father and brother, and her heart ached wit rea They should have been back the day after her ar- rival, and yet they came not. ‘*What could itmean? Had harm befallen them?”’ she would ask herself over and over again. One day the guide went out on a bunt for game, and he returned after several hours leading several horses, one of which Cleone recognized as the ani- mal ridden by her brother Guy. Breathlessly she rushed to meet the guide erying: **Oh, sir! what has happened?”’ ‘Miss Cleone, I found these two animals straying in the valley. **One you know is Guy’s horse, and I suppose your father rode the other one, and I ‘fear—” **Oh! they are dead, they are dead!’’ groaned Cle- one in despair. ‘*Oh no, I do not believe that; but ae either de- serted their hor ses, and took to the ills, when chased by the Mormons, or the animals got away from them when they halted to camp, for you see they are saddle d and bridled.” * Yes, yes.’ “ Now if it was on their way to meet you, by this time they should have returned, even on foot, and, as they have not, I think— ** Well?” groaned Cleone as the man paused. ‘*T was going to say tk at I intended to find your father and brother for you,’ **Oh, how good you are to me.’ “ But I dare not leave you he re. . alone, and there- fore must ask you to go with me,’ ** Whither?”’ sy dislike to ask it, but then there is nothing else to be done.’ ‘* Where do you wish me to go?” ‘Tf you remain here, the band of Red Champion would come and capture you, were I not here to defend you, or wild beasts might destroy you, for there are grizzlies in these mountains, not to speak of roving bands of Indians, while, if there was noth- ing to fear, the loneliness of this life, without One to call upon, would be enough to drive you mad.”’ ‘*Tt would, it would.”’ “Tor these reasons I ask you to trust me and go with me,”’ ‘** Where ?”’ ** To Salt Lake.” Cleone started and became very pale, but uttered no word. ‘*Understand me,”’ said the guide, quickly: ‘*T wish you to go where you can be comfortable, and have no cause to fear. ‘*My position as spy enables me to enter the Mor- mon stronghold, and I will get you good quarters there, and, to prote ct you wholly, will give out the same story that I told Red Champion.” ‘*' What was that?”’ ‘That you were my wife.” Again Cleone started, and the guide went on: “With this belief the Mormons will not disturb you, and I can leave in perfect confidence on my search for your father and brother. ‘‘When I have found them they can await you here and I will £0 after you and take you to them,’ **T thank you.’ ‘*You can thus take your choice, Miss Cleone, of remaining here, or of going to Salt Lake.” ‘‘T would die if J stayed here,”’ she said with a shudder. ‘*T fear so.” ‘* T can trust you wholly, I feel.” ** You can,”’ **T will go with you.” **Then | will at once get ready."’ Half an hour after the two rode away from the little cabin in the canyon, and their destination was Salt Lake City, the stronghold of the Mormons. It was a long, hard ride, but just after dark the evening of the second day, they rode into the city of strange people. The guide seemed thoroughly acquainted with the place, and passed the Mormon guards without trouble, as soon as be was recognized. Turning into a quiet street, he stopped at a small house, pleasantly located, and with pretty grounds surrounding it. A woman with stern mien and quiet manner met them and greeted him somewhat coldly, and gazed at Cleone with interest. ‘*Mrs. Claire, I have brought you a boarder for a short while, for lam called at once away. “My wife, Mrs. Claire,”’ Cleone started, and her face flushed angrily at his words, and she seemed about to break forth in in- dignant denial, when the guide pressed her arm in warning. pane woman addressed as Mrs. Claire said, qui- eli will look to your comfort, madam, during the absence of your husband. ‘* Come with me, please.” She led the way into a cosey sitting-room and bedroom adjoining, and a lamp burned cheerfully upon the tab “There are your rooms, Mrs. Hendricks, and I will have supper prepared at once.’ She left the room, and before Cleone could speak, the guide said: * Do not betray yourself, or me, I beg of you. “T told you how I would have to bring you here, and it was your choice to come. ** After sup ae I will depart, and devote my life to finding your father and brother.” ‘Thank you—oh, thank you!’’ and she extended her hand, —_——— -— OC OO Oe Oe Oe ee eee eee ee O_O m $$ ————-- anker————————————————— He grasped it warmly, and continued: a ‘*Cleone, you know that I love you, andI that in all truth you were my wife. “You know me as I am,a plain hunter of t plains, but I have means, and in other than thit western land would be glad to have you go with me “ to live,and I would devote my life to your happi- ness. ** Answer me then if, when I have found your fa- ther and brother, you will be my wife?” She seemed deeply moved, and fora moment did not speak. Then she said, faintly: ‘‘Teannot give you the love I would wish to be- stow upon one I called my husband, but you have been good to me, and I cannot refuse AA “Come to me when you know the te of thoseT love, and I will be your wife.”’ **IT thank you,” he said earnestly. ‘*From my inmost heart I thank you for those words!”’ With this he led her out to supper, and soon after mounted his horse and rode away down into the busy part of the town. CHAPTER XXII. A MINER ALLY. WHEN Warpath W ill left Cleone, he wended his way down into the the busy part of the town, as I have said, He sought a stable, where he left the tired animal he had ridden, exchanging him for afresh horse, a superb bay. any persons seemed to know the. guide, as he went along. Seeking the head-quarters of the Mormon Legion he remained within for some time, in earnest con- versation with the commandant, and then he mounted his horse and rode out of the town. After leaving the last guard post behind him, he turned into a canyon and soon drew rein before a small hut. A light glimmered through several cracks be- tween the logs, and the guide called out: ** Hello!” ‘Oh! I’m here, pard, and has a bead on yer. **T heerd yer horse a-comin’ so jist got ter my leetle lookout, fer these is troublous times. ‘ie = ho is yer, and what are yer biz with Miner ar 49? The mancould not be seen, but he evidently had his face close to some hole in the wall of the cabin. ** Don’t you know me Mark?’ ‘Yas, [knows you now, cap’n. ‘Come in,” and the man threw open the door. The guide dismounted and entered the little hut. It wasan humble home, a bunk, a few blankets androbes,a table, bench and in one corner a pick and shov el, in another a rifle and shot-gun. in another corner, in the rocky floor was a clear spring, bubbling up and finding its way out under 1e log wall, and a cupboard held the cooking uten- sils and household stores. ‘‘ Well, Mark, how does the world use you?” asked the guide, taking a seat upon the bench. ‘* Waal, I git along, cap’n.”’ **Do you hunt much now?” ‘*Pretty much all ther time, fer robes and ‘skins finds a good market, and game sells in ther city,” was the reply of the man, who was dressed in a buck- skin suit, wore moccasins and a wolfskin cap, the tail hanging down his back. His face was bearded high upon his cheeks, and the wolfskin cap was pulled down to his brow, £O that his eyes and nose were the only features visible and these were not altogether prepossessing. He looked like a man of great strength and endur- ance, and one that would be a dangerous foe. . ‘Haven't found the mine you have been looking or?’’ ‘No cap’n, but I'll git it yet, ferI are confident I are intended fer a rich man.’ “3 ied I have found a mine, Mark.” vé oO,’ ‘Yes I have.” * Whar?” ‘*Some distance from here.” a How does she pan out?”’ “Are yer all alone in it?” **Tt is not mine.’’ ‘Thought yer said you hed found it, cap’n?” ‘‘Well, Mark, it is just this way: “The mine was found by a man, who came out here to dig a fortune. ae had his boy with him, and they hit upon this e ‘Then the boy went to Kentucky after his mother and sister, and on the way out the old lady died. “TI was guide for the train, andI fell in love with the girl.’’ ** Jist like yer, cap'n.”’ ‘Well, the boy left the girl and her mother, while he went to bring the father to see his wife die, and neither have since been heard of. ‘‘T took the girl to her father’s cabin, but as I could get no news of either the man or "his son, I brou ht the girl to Salt Lake and left her,”’ “Yas , cap’n; are she likely?” Ke She i is beautiful. s ** Jes’ so.’ ** Now Mark, you have the reputation of being a good miner.’ ** None better, Cap.”’ ‘*T wish to arrange with you to go to that mine and work it for the young girl.” ‘* How much, Cap?”’ ‘‘ One fourth the dust you dig.” ‘* How do it pan out?’ é Big.” cbooks.co