Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 486 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 -out or swing wi’? you. Ef ye cum down liberal, I kin easy put ’em off ther track. Ef ye don’t, why my conshence won’t allow yer to escape the -vengeance 1oomin’ up fer you.” ‘‘That’s your game, is it?” ‘You bet! hevn’t s’arched out all these ‘things fer years wi’out expectin’ ter git well paid fer doin’ it. Ic’u’d hev sprung ther trap on ye long ago, but didn’t want to. I wanted ye to ’ git rich, so thet I could bleed ye. Oh! Lute, me boy, I’m as fly as ye find ’em!” ‘| see!” the mine-owner growled. ‘* You’ve -struck the wrong party, however, Ill not give you one copper!’ i ‘* Ye won't?” ‘* You have heard me!” ‘Then I wouldn’t give two cents fer yer hull warcass!” the giant growled, rising to depart. “Til leave you now—ye need time ter reflect. My price aire fifty thousand dollars, An’ not a stiver less—fifty thousand in cool cash, or up ye zo, ye double-dyed-in-the-wool villain!” and Bullwhack backed out of the room, still grasp- ing his revolver in his pocket, ready to draw it -on the slightest sign of old Eben’s attempt to ** vet the drop” on bim. The old scoundrel now had good reason to wish “the giant silenced! CHAPTER XIII. WHO PLAGER POLL WAS. Apovut noon of the day that followed Seal- skin Sam’s escape from the cabin jail, Thede -and little Ruth made their appearance in Hunki- Dori, as did also Nicodemus Slambang, and his Teutonic comrade, Jake Schwackhammer. As may be imagined, their arrival, coming as they did, together, created a lively sensation, as “Gnome,” in particular, coming in for the major share of curiosity. About the first thing the strangely-contrasted quartette did was to adjourn to the hotel, and order a square meal. After that, Thede and his baby protege went forth upon the street, and taking a stand near the Cremonia, the child, in plaintive accents, ‘solicited pennies from the passers-by. ‘‘ Please, sir, give meapenny!” _ This was the appeal, and was by no means unsuccessful. Pennies and silver, and gold ieces, were dropped into a little tin cup she held, rigbt freely. Among those who stopped to view the Gnome, and his pretty child, was Ebenezer Selden. He surveyed the man awhile, with evident sus- picion, and also feasted his eyes upon the fair face of the little girl. . . Heaven, there can be no doubt of it!” he sages turning sharply away. ‘‘ That young -one’s face is all the world like that of Sadie Southwell. Itisherchildand mine! But, what is it duing in the possession of that disguised ‘beggar? Who is he?” is brows were knitted ina dark scowl. He ‘went straight to the tent where Lije Landers had his quarters, and found that gentleman at home, and also, in his company, the deserter, Larry Lee! The latter nodded nonchalantly, and surveyed his uncle, interrogatively. *(Jo0d-day to ye, Mr. Selden,” Landers said, “obsequiously. “What can I do fer you to- day ¢ “A great deal, if you like. privately?” ‘Ob! don’t be afraid to speak out, before me, unky!” Larry Lee said, sarcastically. ‘*‘ I know what you would mention—concerning the dis- ; pals beggar and the child!” ‘You are unusually brilliant ved. ** Who is the fellow?” “T don’t know. The child ough‘, by rights, ‘to cajl you papa!” ‘¢ T suspected as much!” and a grim look came over the mine-owner’s face. ‘' See here, Larry, T’ve learned something about you. You ab- -ducted Sadie, over a year ago. Where is she, now—tell me that?” ‘‘ Why do you want to know? D’ye want her back again?” ** No—of course not,” “ Well, Pll tell ye. I found her at Bartley Bryant’s, and fell in love with her. I tried to “persuade her to marry me, but she wouldn’t, I abducted ber and have held her a prisoner, ever since, determined she should never have her iberty until she married me. But she has at dast escaped, and Satan only knows whether I ‘shall ever get possession of her, or not.” “Probably not. I am afraid she and the child will be the means of causing us both trou- Can I see you + 1” Selden sneer- le “Bah! you are a coward.” a “Tam not. Landers, I want you to go take ' oun tas ted ae ewe er 6 eee -_ ane a AR ee et eet - os on —- ~ lod ~~ = >> sw tet” ~ape a el ge wens OT a Pere tng = 4 mem o “ ary ~ - li a 4 . é é ‘¢ 4 Sealiskin Sam, the Sparkler. that child away from this masked fraud, that’s causing so much commotion, and in some indi- rect way fetch it to me.” P ‘* Now?” ‘‘ No—after dark. That will be the best time.” ‘* How much is there in it?” ‘*'You can name your price—anything reason- able,” ‘* Well, say five hundred.” ‘Tt isa bargain. Make no botch, nor let any one know where you fetch the child,” ‘‘-'Ye can depend on me!” Landers declared. **T ain’t no fool.” At about the same time that Eben Selden de- parses from Landers’s tent, Savoy and Sardon selden left their home, for a stroll up the gulch. Both were scrupulously attired, and although the day was warm and pleasant, they were well wrapped. As they sauntered along young Selden said: ‘‘ Well, what is it you have to tell me so im- portant, sister?” ‘“ What we have been led to believe, is true:— we are not the children of Eben Selden, but, in- stead, of a rough overgrown ruffian who calls himself Bollivar Bullwhack.” | ‘* How do you know this to be true?” ‘“ By overhearing a conversation between Sel- den and this giant. The latter is going to ex- pose the fact that we are not Selden’s children. Oh! it seems as if I would rather die than suffer the humilfation. How the Clarksons will gloat over our fall!” ‘‘Curse it, I know they will. to pick with Leroy Clarkson!” ‘* What about?” ‘ ¥ He is getting entirely too thick with Placer oll! ‘‘ What do you see in that girl, to fancy?” ‘‘A great deal, or else I should not have mar—” ‘+ What? about?” The young man flushed and looked guilty. ‘* Curse the luck, I am always putting my foot init. I suppose you might as weil know the truth. Polly is my wife!’ **Oh! Sardon!” ‘“‘Tt's true, my dear sister—a bitter truth, that cannot be dodged.” ‘‘ Explain. Tell me all.” ‘It happened when I was at Harvard. A crowd of us sophs made the acquaintance of a number of girls eppoacin a to a female seminary in a neighboring town. Iwas struck with this Polly Prescott, and, like a fool, married her, [ repented the next minute after doing so and tried to buy her off, but it was no use. She dis- appeared, finally, and I thought I was rid of her, but when I returned home, here, [ found her here in advance of me. Only by keeping her well supplied with money have I been able to keep her quiet.” ‘‘ This is terrible.” ‘¢ Worse than that. But in time I may con- clude to own her, although I do not believe she cares for me. At all events no one else shall have her!” At this point they rounded an abrupt bend in the gulch, and came face to face with Leroy and Bertie Clarkson, who had also been out for a stroll, and were returning. A sudden determination seemed to seize Sar- don Selden, for he came to a halt directly in young Clarkson’s path. ‘* See here. mv friend!” he said, importantly, “T’ve gota little advice for you to digest; I don’t want todo you personal injury, but I wish to warn you that if I see vou paying Placer oer any further attentions there will be trou- le ” I’ve got a bone Sardon, what are you talking ‘* Indeed!” young Clarkson cried, his face flushing. ‘‘By what authority do you find it convenient to order me, I should like to know!” ‘“Tt matters not—I’ve warned you, and you had better heed what I say.” | ‘¢T should be a very practical fool to do any- thing of the kind. If I want to speak or even make love to Placer Poll, 1 shall do so without asking your permission.” ‘** You will do so at your peril!” _ ‘‘ Bah! do you think a Clarkson is afraid of a Selden?” ‘‘T’l]l make you afraid, if you say Jack Robin- son!” the young graduate cried, now worked up into a passion. I'll have you know that I’ve in- tended giving you a good thrashing this long time. you puppy!” “‘ Do it now, you mongrel baboon!” | This was enough. With an mfuriated snarl, not unlike that of some beast, Sardon sprung forward and struck Clarkson in the face. : —_— LL — eS EE eee ee a . ————E 5 a ee oll Although staggered, the latter kept upon his feet, and then they clinched in a deadly strug- gle, whereat Savoy ran forward and began to belabor Leroy; but she, in an instant, was fiercely attacked by Bertie, and thus it was a fierce struggle of brother and sister against bro- ther and sister. ae. was it destined to end without fatal re- sults. There were savage cries, the report of wea- pons in the hands of the two men. Almost simultaneously with six successive shots, all four fell to the earth, The first two shots, by chance, had killed the young women—the other four ended the careers of both young men. When the people, alarmed by the cries and shots, gathered at the spot, it was to behold a sight that filled all minds with horror—the story of which made the most tragic record in the an- nals of Hunki-Dori’s vivid history. From Landers’s tent Eben Selden went direct- ly to the Cremonia, During the day the establishment was but lit- tle frequented, and when the mine-owner enter- ed he found but few people at the tables. Circe was not present, but soon came in, and at Selden’s gesture came and seated herself at the table where he was sitting. ‘* What is it?’ she asked. ‘“‘Do you need to ask that?” she said, gazin sharply at her. ‘I have come for my answer.’ ‘*So soon! Why, it’s less than a week since you proposed to me.” ‘it matters not! Iam going to leave Hunki- Dori as soon as I can complete arrangements,” ‘‘ Because it is unsafe for me here.” ‘“‘ Indeed? Have you enemies?” ‘‘ More than you imagine. Circe, I love you; I have told you that before; I do not know you except as the masked woman you are, I am con- tent to take you without regard to your past. Will you marry me?” ; ‘*T am not prepared to say, Mr. Selden. Mar- riage is a grave subject for consideration.” But with me you would be happy. Ihave richesand you need never want ‘ae anything money can secure.” ‘* Bah! riches are neseine: IT have all the money I need. The fact is, sir, I do not love you. Were IT to marry you, I should never care anything personally for you.” ‘“‘ Are you sure?) ‘‘ Perfectly. The only man I ever loved did not reciprocate my affection, and my heart lit- erally turned to stone after that.” ‘* Whom did you love?” ‘*'Your bitter enemy!” Selden started. Who?” he ejaculated. ‘The lover of the woman you married, and deserted!” ‘t Sealskin Sam!” ‘¢ The same!” ‘¢ Yet you caused his arrest last night.” ‘‘Certainly. I would have killed him, had I not been afraid of hanging for it.” Selden regarded her, a fierce light in his eyes. ‘* Tell me,” he said—** were you the wife of the man son came to Hunki-Dori with?” ** Why do you ask?” ‘¢ Out of idle curiosity.’ ‘*] was Jack Dean’s wife, It wasn’t a love affair, no more than my union with you would be. It was merely a matter of business.” ‘‘ Well, are you going to give mea decisive answer?” ‘‘Not just now! sider.” ‘* Nonsense! own mind!” ‘¢ T don’t so far as concerns this matter. Come | around to-night and I will give you my answer. Don’t have any hopes, however, for they will be useless, I fear.” | ‘‘T trust not. I am certainly your equal, and we could retire from active life and live in peare,, and comfort for the remainder of our ays.” ‘Tam not so sure of that. But I will give the matter what consideration it deserves.” Ebenezer Selden arose, his face rigid in its expression of combined apprehension and pas- sion. . 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