Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 425 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

~~ . +T™ ¢ _- ——— —w es ——— os— ——- - —-——— ee ee Ci tween us an’ ther bonanza. VPd like ter see Heavy Hugh stop ther hoss, or watca ther girl— ther ranch rose—find him sudden before her house. Oh, I’m a tiger with claws, King; you know that.” The half-breed nodded and grinned. Yes, he knew the tiger andhisclaws. Hehad served the Border Rattler long enough to know him thoroughly, and in more than one rascally piece of work his hands had helped him. ‘¢ You know that I left Hermosilla Ranch be- fore Major Ralph’s rifle,” continued Texas Trump. ‘'I happened ter speak ov Greaser squaws in ther same sentence about Inez, It war a spark ter powder. He wentoff ina flash, I left thar as Laced Leon. Can I go back as Happy Hank?” The half-breed boy had no doubt of it. He had seen Texas Trump play a hundred games successfully; he was a firm believer in the des- perado’s destiny; he could not fail anywhere, **Wal, ’'m goin’ thar,” the llano sport went on. ‘“ When a prize is worth playin’ for you mustn’t stop ter rest. Ter Hermosilla, King!” The two riders touched their steeds with the spurs and galloped forward as the morning light Brey stronger and the sun crept up the cloud- ess sky. It was hours afterward when Happy Hank dashed up to Major Ralph’s porch and doffed his sombrero to the man who came forward, eying him intently. ‘‘ Don’t know Happy Hank, major?” cried the Rattler with an outburst of laughter. ‘* Many’s ther time I’ve seen yer among ther lords ov Austin an’ ther money men oy Loredo, [’m one ov yer free lances, a daisy thet’s broke from ther hot-house, a flower on ther rampage in wild gardens, ‘Give me a rope with an easy noose An’ lm a king—heigho!’ The Texan made no reply until he had thoroughly scrutinized the man in the saddle. The day was vanishing and the shadows of the tall trees near by were falling across the porch. ‘‘Get down and havo a cigar,” said Major Ralph. ‘‘ Have you crossed the plains?” ‘‘Bet yer life ter invitation an’ question!” said Happy Hank as he slipped from the saddle, and took the slender cigar extended by the rancher. ‘This doesn’t look like I went away from hyer ahead ov a rifle,” he muttered under his breath. ‘‘ Ef ye could look under my mask, major, I fancy thet invitation as well as ther cigar, would be postponed.” At this juncture and before tho rancher could speak again, tho rustle of a dress was heard, and the rose of the ranch appeared on the porch. At sight of the new-comer, she stopped suddenly and went back a step, ‘‘T’m only Happy Hank,” said the desperado, “T now know what makes Hermosilla Ranch famous everywhar. Major, is this peerless creature your—your daughter?” “My ward—Inez,” said the rancher, ‘‘T know a song about Inez, but not this one, perhaps.” ‘‘Let us hear it!” cried the girl who had re- gained her composure, It was evident that the girl had no high opinions of Happy Hank’s musical abilities, and when she saw him throw. his hat on the floor and clear his throat with several preliminary ‘* chems,” she threw a quick smile at the Texan. The song pitched in a rather hieh key but with a rollicking chorus, floated far from the hacienda. Inez applauded and Happy Hank bowed his thanks. ’ ‘‘T blievo L could sing my way inter Para- dise,” he said to himself. ‘ I wonder what King thinks, for he hears all behind the trees out on the knoll. Ther more I see of ther ranch rose, ther more I know she’s worth playin’ for.” The one song did not prove enough, another and still another followed, and the result cf the strange introduction was that Happy Tank’s' horse was taken to the stables by a servant and he had accepted an invitation to remain all night. , ‘In your travels did you ever meet a fellow called Laced Leon?” asked the major, ‘‘Tve seen him once or twice. I don’t fancy the fellow,” was the reply. “He's a ruffian of the first water—a man who knows that ho is not wanted at Hermosilla. He was here but once; that was enough,” The two men now occupied the porch alone. Tnez had retired and sat at her window that faced the undulating, J/ano and was wondering, perhaps, what had become of the young Texan Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. ——--——-- + ee - — —_ ae See ee en whose friendship had nearly cost her the love of fajor Ralph. Cigar after cigar was consumed by the two men, and night wore on. Inez at last left her window and fell asleep in an arm-chair, for the night was too hot to seek the bed. ‘*Major, try one of Happy Hank’s brand,” said the desperado, producing from an inner pocket two peculiar and very handsome cigars. Apparently, without making a particular se- lection, he handed one of the pair to the rancher who lit it and settled back in his chair to enjoy it. What made Happy Hank watch him so from under his long black lashes? What made the desperado’s eyes glitter like two mad stars? Suddenly the rancher’s tongue seemed to grow heavy. His sentences became confused and then disjointed. The atmosphere contained a pecu- liar, but not unpleasant odor. ‘*Beat me, beat Satan at his own game!” chuckled Happy Hank as he eyed the man inthe chair. ‘' Didnt Laced Leon say you could hake ‘im for a clam ef he didn’t get thar finally? Wal, he’s thar, Major Ralph. They don’t eucher this llano chick any more!” He leaned over and touched the man appar- ently asleep in the chair, The touch was felt, and Major Ralph attempted to open his eyes, but the effort was too great. ‘‘Thet’s ther costliest cigar ever smoked in Texas!” continued the ruffian, bending over the now unconscious rancher. ‘‘Thar war a drug in it deadly enough ter make yer sleep till ther final jedgment. Oh, I said I’d come back arter ther bonanza. I’m hyer!” The next moment the llano rough turned to- ward the trees and sounded the peculiar whistle. A Neg figure appeared at the edge of the porch. ‘* Brazos,” said Happy Hank, and the youth disappeared. For five minutes longer the cool head stood over the man in the chair. Nota muscle of the rancher’s frame was seen to move; he seemed dead. All at once the figure of the boy came back, and glancing over aia shoulders, Happy Hank saw the outlines of his horse. ‘Now for ther bonanza,” he ejaculated. “TIT play a game ter-night thet ther Brazos kentry will never forget.” He dextrously slipped off his boots, and throw- ing them one by one to the boy, glided into the 1ouse. : With the noiseless tread of a cat, he went up- stairs and stopped at the door that led into the girl’s room, It stood ajar. ‘‘Two minutes more, an’ P’ll be ther boss bo- nanza owner ov Texas,” fell from his lips. He pushed the door open and went in, but the next moment he stopped before the vision of beauty that slept in the arm-chair in the soft starlight. Texas Trump stood there a little while tranced. Remorse did not seize hold of the man was merciless. Suddenly his hand darted forward, but fell gently upon the shoulder of the sleeping girl, yet the touch was enough to waken her, ‘‘ Heavens! you here—in my room?” she ex- claimed, only prevented from leaving her chair by the hand that held her down, “Tam hyer, my ranch lily, No noise, ef yer please. I play deep hands when thar ar’ big stakes. You ar’ goin’ with me.” “No, no! The major stands between me and violence,” ‘Ther major? I guess not! He’s enjoyin’ his eternal sleep over his last cigar,” was the re- joinder, ‘‘No screamin’ now. I won't stan’ it, Inez. Come!” The hand clutched the shapely shoulder, and Inez was lifted from the chair. ‘Who are you? You must be more than Happy Hank. My God! I’ve seen those eyes before.” ‘Thar’s little doubt ov thet,” laughed the ruffian, ‘ An’ you’lisce’em often, from now on.” Texas Trump went down the steps to the porch below, bearing with him the half-conscious beauty of the ranch. It was the desperado’s triumph. He prevented her from seeing the figure re- clining in the chair, and carried her straight to the horse where stood a half-breed boy with a pair of anxious eyes, Texas Trump swung himself into the saddle, and then leaned toward his pard. ‘‘Now do your part,” he said. ‘‘ Remember yer instructions, an’ carry °em out. Take thet man inter ther house first. Then make sure work oy ther trap!” en- him : | lated. at Hermosilla—thet war al 7 King, the half-breed, turned toward the porch and Texas Trump rode off with his prize. ‘Tt didn’t take many plays for all,” he ejacu- ‘*One deal at i aa ther other He did not atop until he had put two miles be- tween him and the plundered hacienda. Draw- ing rein in a little hollow he waited apparently for some one, ‘It takes him a long time,” he said impatient- ly. ‘* Mebbe ther dusky devil failed.” At last the sky beyond the crest of the rise be- tween him and the ranch seemed to flush crim- son. Texas Trump uttered an exclamation of joy and spurred his horse forward. When he halted again he occupied the crest of a knoll from which was visible a raging fire about two miles away. ‘*Thar’s nothin’ like makin’ sure work as yer go along!” he cried, ‘‘What does yon fire mean?” exclaimed the girl held upon the saddle before him. ‘‘ Heay- ens! it is Hermosilla! You have fired the ranch home,” ‘Wal, yes; why play a poor game when you hold a boss hand?” Their eyes met. ‘‘This may be your triumph, but wait till mine comes!” she saidsternly. ‘* You haveadd- ed murder to the torch’s work. For this deed there shall come a day of vengeance, and I pray Heaven that I may be spared to inflict the most terrible retribution!” | ‘You'll hey ter git up early in the mornin’, my ‘Texas pink,” was the brutal reply. ‘A man what kin play two characters with success in a drama like this one, ar’ no fresh.” sg He turned and looked at the increasing light, and his face grew full of triumph. ‘Nerve my hand for vengeance, Heaven!” murmured Inez. ‘This demon must. be Laced Leon and Major Ralph believed him to‘be the desperado known as Texas Trump. Whoever he is, he shall pay for this night’s work!” CHAPTER VIII. IN THE NICK OF TIME. THE sun came up again to shine on a scene of desolation. , Where had stood the heme of Major Ralph the rancher, smoked a heap of blackened ruins, and a few men stood around gazing mournful at the sight. These men were, for the most part, the usual at-_ taches of the ranch, but there were not wantin among them others whose appearance cenote wealth—owners of neighboring haciendas, Major Ralph was not to be seen, and the ser- vants when questioned about him shook their heads, ‘‘See here. We can’t afford to be deccived about the major,” said a big rancher cornering one of the herders in the stable. ‘* You fellows know whar he is. If he perished in bis house we will make somebody sweat for this deed, What do you know? where is the major?” ‘‘ He has gone off,” was the answer. - & Alone?” ‘‘No.. He took with him Jalisco Jack, his head herder.” ‘* Did Inez go with him?” ‘*Heavens, no! He went to hunt her. It was a close shave for the major.” } ‘** How close?” ‘“The whole house seemed on fire when we dis- covered it. We were sleepin’ in the stables. With many a shout, we rushed to the house, Jack at our head. Into it we went, thinking of the major and Inez, Just beyond the door Jack stumbled over the major in a chair an’ uncon- scious. We carried him out, but the girl could not be found. Five minutes more and the fire would have caught Major Ralph. He acted like a madman when he came toin the garden, He raved about a man who had stopped at the ranch in the early pert of the night—a primped- up ranch loafer who sung songs an’ smoked the major’s cigars, He hasn’t been seen since,” ‘Could he have done it?’ asked the stockman eagerly. ; *T wouldn’t doubt it. That’s the opinion hyer. As I war sayin’, ther major acted like: mad. He recovered while we saddled Mars, his horse, an’ off he went with Jalisco Jack. He saw the light of the hacienda whenever he look- ed back. That is all I know. [If he finds the man who did it, hell’s gates will open for him, boots an’ all.” : ‘*T know him well enough to be certain that he would prefer to dohis own rats. said the ranchman. ‘ A deed like this must be followed by a swift revenge. The abduction of Inez is terrible enough, but the firing of the ranch is Com (EC) | JOO Cc cS