Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 398 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 than forty-eight hours, Barton and his wife had become quite intimate with their new com- nions, for Mr. Worthington had introduced imself as an old friend of Mrs. Barton’s father, and had shown himself so familiar with that gentleman's history that not a shadow of sus- picion entered the minds of the young husband and wife that he was not exactly what he pro- fessed to be. So that when he had introduced to them the reverend gentleman whom he had encountered on the train, as an acquaintance of several years’ standing, they considered the latter fact sufficient so of the minister’s identity and welcomed him at once. And it would have been almost impossible to recognize in the present portly gentleman of the cloth, the quondam proprietor of the ‘* Fresh Clam,” situated on the banks of the Harlem, Jim Jordan, Esq. In changing his clothes and personal appear- ance, he had changed his manner and his lan- guage, and was now as silky and as courtly and elegant in his deportment, as he was choice in his wg ta The burden of the conversation was supported by the three men, for Mrs. Barton seemed are indisposed'and looked pale and worn out. ** You do not seem well, my sweet pard,” said her husband, caressingly. ‘What is the matter, you have scarcely eaten a mouthful.” ‘*A severe headache, Kit, arising I suppose from the fatigue of the journey. ‘**l am afraid that I shall have to ask you to excuse me. ‘*I think that I would be much better soon, if I could lie down.” ‘Certainly, my dear madam, certainly!” broke in the Reverend Elkhart. ‘* While we deplore the cause we regret the necessity of your enforced departure. ‘*Mr. Worthington, I am sure, will join me in my Se pei ‘Most assuredly; but no doubt you will feel Se. restored in the morning, after a quiet rest. And with a kind ‘*‘ good-evening,” Mrs. Barton left the room, accompanied by her husband, who promised to rejoin his guests as soon as he had escorted Mrs. Barton to her room, and seen her comfortably fixed for the night and pro- vided with whatever she might be in want of. The two plotters, thus left together, did not for an instant forget themselves, as the dining- roem was crowded and their remarks would surely have been overheard, but conversed on indifferent subjects until Barton returned, which was in a very short time. ‘We hope, Mr. Barton,” said Mr. Elkhart, ‘that your wife’s indisposition may prove nei- ther severe nor lasting.” **Thank you; I’ve no doubt that she will feel Bi ee well in the morning.” ‘** Rejoiced to hear it, I am sure.” ‘** And now, gentlemen, what are your plans for the evening?” inquired Barton, when they ro finished their dinner and were sipping their coffee. ‘* Mr. Elkhart, he tells me, goes to Milwaukee this evening,” broke in Worthington, quickly, before the reverend gentleman could re ny. rticular to do ‘‘I, however, have nothin after seven e’clock, and will then be at your commands to go wherever you wish.” ‘I think that I should like to go out for a short time, and, if you can suggest anything, I will agree to it.” ‘“*T have a friend here,” continued Worthing- ton, ‘‘ whe lately returned from Europe, bring- ing with him a number of fine paintings and pieces of statuary. ‘* His gallery is not yet open to the public, but I know he would allow us a private view. ‘* Suppose that I go up there and see him, and return in an hour for you?” ‘** Excellent! I should be delighted to have this opportunity, and will remain in the writ- 6, until you get back.” nd the trio separated, Barton going to the reading-room, while Worthington and the min- ister went out together. They re-entered the hotel immediately after- ward by the main entrance, and went up to their rooms, which adjoined each other, and locking the door of Colton’s apartment and clos- ing the transom, engaged in a long and earnest conversation. in they went out and rated, and were not seen at the hotel until late at night. Barton continued writing, having on hand several letters that demanded his immediate at- tention, glancing at his watch from time to time Kid-Glovo Kit and Pard. until the hour of seven approached. when he fin- ished, and turning, awaited the arrival of Worthington. Just then one of the hall-boys came in and handed him a card, bearing Worthington’s name, and having scribbled on the back of it a few words which read thus: ‘*My friend will be delighted to see you. I forgot an important visit in this neighborhood, and now go to make it, but will be back by the time you arrive. My carriage will bring you here.”’ Putting on his overcoat, Barton, or Kit, as he was more familiarly called, walked outside, where a coupe was standing, and asked the driver if Mr. Worthington had sent him. Having received an affirmative answer, he stepped into the carriage and slammed the door, when the horse was driven off at full speed. The vehicle rolled on leisurely for some time, when suddenly there came a report as if a gi- antic fire-cracker had been exploded under the orse’s hoof, and instantly the animal dashed off at full speed. The vehicle swayed and rocked, while Kit tried in vain to open the door, when all at once he heard a loud shout, a crash, and then, bein thrown violently forward, he felt that the ca was falling, falling to an unknown depth, CHAPTER VI. WESTWARD HO! Wuat had happened? Simply that this was the first effort of the two plotters, Craig Colton and Jim Jordan, to rid themselves of Kit Barton. The former had been the means of causing the horse to run away, the latter had been the driver who had changed his disguise and driven to an open draw-bridge, leaping from his seat just be- fore the horse took the fatal plunge into the Chi- cago river. ordan alighted unhurt and immediately ran to a buggy that was standing near by, in which Colton was seated and was driven off at full speed, Hastily removing his coat and hat, he made a bundle of them, in which he placed a heavy weight provided for this race ben El he on the overcoat and silk hat that Colton had brought, and once more appeared as the Reverend Mr. Elkhart. Slacking the speed of his horse as he turned the nearest corner, Colton then drove to the nearest bridge and, after looking about to see that no one was near, Jordan dropped the bun- dle into the river, where it sunk out of sight. Having reached the other side, they drove about for a time and then returned to the stable where the buggy had been procured, paid the bill and then sought a quiet reading-room, where they remained until nearly eleven o’clock. Then returning to their hotel, Colton inquired if Mr. Barton had returned, to which the clerk replied that, as his key was not there, he had probably retired. So they also sought their rooms, and, going to bed, voy as quietly as if their consciences were as free from guilt as an infant's. It was nine o’clock the next morning when they descended to the breakfast-room, and walk- ing to the table that had been reserved for them were almost stricken speechless on seeing Kit and Dainty quietly seated there, conversing calmly, and apparently enjoying their morning meal to the utmost, and as unconcerned as if nothing untoward had happened to disturb them. But quickly nerving themselves, they took their seats, when Colton, after greeting the two, turned to Kit, with deep concern express- ed a every feature of his countenance, and said: ‘Your not coming, last evening, caused me = fear that Mrs. Barton had become seriously ill? ‘** And what is more remarkable, my coachman did not return to give me any information as to your whereabouts. ‘“‘T waited until after ten, and found, on enter- ing the hotel, that you had retired. ‘I trust that you are entirely recovered, Mrs. Barton,” bowing to the lady. ‘* Entirely, thank you. ‘**Kit here, though, had a much more serious experience than I, last evening. Ae them, Kit, what a narrow escape you And amid many ejaculations of surprise, horror and congratulation, Kit related his experience, telling them what we already know, and continuing: ‘* When I heard the crash, and felt that I was falling to an unknown depth, I was, for an instant, perfectly dazed, and unable to collect my thoughts. ——_-- -- — | ‘‘But men think quickly in emergencies, and I- immediately realized what had happened, having learned through the papers that accidents on account of open draw-bridges are by no means uncommon in this city. ‘Tt did not take the thousandth part of a second for all this to flash through my brain, and without an instant’s hesitation I dashed the glass from the window and threw myself out head-first. ‘The cab and I struck the water at the same time, and it is a fortunate thing that the river was only covered with a slight film of ice, for, had it been frozen hard, I would undoubtedly have been dashed to pieces. ‘Tt was an easy matter to swim alongside a vessel lying near, and a sailor who had seen the accident, having chucked me a rope, I was soon on board, and was not long in reaching the hotel. ‘*T was, of course, thoroughly chilled, but soon recovered from that, and feel no ill effects from my involuntary bath this morning. ‘‘ But it was a narrow escape, and I fear that the driver was drowned.” ‘A narrow escape, indeed, and we congratu- late you heartily.” “But I thought you intended going to Mil- waukee, Mr. Elkhart?” “That was my intention, but a_ telegram received, ‘ after I left you, has altered my plans, and, as I have a few weeks at my dis- sal, I am almost tempted to accept Mr. Vorthington’s proposition, and take a trip to Colorado. Pay ‘‘The scenery there must be glorious In win- ter, and I am informed that the climate 1s won- derful.” The conversation then drifted away from the subject of Kit’s adventure and turned upon the wonders of the Centennia] State, until the meal was finished, when they separated, promising to meet at dinner, the hour being fixed at four. When they were once more in Worthington’s room, the latter said to Jordan: ‘‘Our very neat little scheme has failed, and we stand just where we were before. ‘¢ Barton has not the slightest suspicion, I am sure, that we were the authors and actors last evening, and we seem to have won his entire confidence, ‘My counsel is that we allow matters to re- main as they are until we reach The Gulch, when we certainly will have ample opportunity to carry out our plans. ‘And it is just as well that our attempt failed, for we may be able tolocate the mine by Kit’s movements, ‘‘Tf we fail, we must use our utmost endeavors to obtain possession of some bends important documents that I am sure Kit or his wife now have in their keeping.” ‘* Just as you say, ap: “You suggest and I'll help you carry out the schemes. ‘We will leave to-night?” ‘¢ There seems to be no doubt of that. ‘‘T am going out to get the tickets and sleep- ing-car accommodations, and you had better re- main here until I return that I may be able to find you, should I wish to consult with you.” After a pleasant dinner, the quartette took carriages and were driven to the depot, taking the train, and jogging along without incident until Denver was reached, whence the stage whirled them to The Gulch. No snow of any consequence had as yet fallen, so that they made the journey without delay, and once arrived, were comfortably installed in the hotel. And Faro Frank and Diamond Dan and Charley nearly shook Kit’s hand off, while Old Pete, the woolly-headed attendant of The Broad- way, bobbed and grinned until his neck and jaws fairly creaked, now and then retiring to the kitchen and executing a scientific double- shuffle in the exuberance of his joy. CHAPTER VII. A DISAPPEARANCE. NoTHInG of any importance happened for a week or two, er meantime visiting the mine he contemplated purchasing, and receiv- ing assurances on all sides that it was well worth the price asked and that he could not fail to be amply repaid should he become the owner of it. And about this time the Reverend Mr. Elk- hart, who had been much interested in all that he had seen, but who lamented the absence of a church, in which he could preach to the decided- ly hard lot of characters who had located in and about The Gulch, received a letter, calli him East, and bidding his friends good-by too