Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 489 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

tongue and your temper and you will probably live your entire lifetime.” ‘* Will you cease this cursed fool-talk?” cried Heath, thoroughly exasperated. ‘‘ I never saw ee such a coudemned idiot. Again, arid for tho last time, I ask you, do you accept my offer?” ‘*Nary!” responded the parson, straightening up. “I will talk straight enough to suit you. ou shall pay mea reasonable sum, or I will balk your whole game. I will give you just three | days to think this matter over. If you feel lenient at the end of that time, you can easily | hunt me up. me again. Do you understand?” ‘* That’s plain enough.” ‘Pm glad of it. be. still holding his revolver in his hand. trouble you for that beard. Thanks.” ‘“Go!” growled Heath. ‘ Hurry up and get out of here. I’ve seen and heard all I want to of you.” ‘Haven't a doubt of it. deal more than I wanted to, of you. offer over, friend. Ta, ta!” He backed to the door, and, with a low bow, disappeared, Heath listened a moment to the sound of Lis retreating footsteps; sprung to his feet, foam- ing with rage. e rushed wildly around’ the room, uttering volley after volley of oaths. 1) kill him! I will! I will! I will!” he rated, through his clinched teeth. ‘‘I was re- uctant about entering into this game, but now I’m in it, soul and body. Nothing shall thwart me! He shall die! If itis necessary, I will do the) job with my own hands! The sum he asks cannot and shall not be paid, Lightning blast the fool!” Suddenly he drew his revolver and sprung to the window. This he threw open, and thrust out his head, peering eagerly up and down the street. The object he was looking for, the par- son, was some distance down the street, wall:- ing rapidly away. Heath half-raised his re- volver, then lowered it with a shake of his head. ‘¢ This won’t do,” he muttered. ‘‘ That would be a genuine fool-trick. It must be done secret- ly and quietly.” ** Hullo!’ called a voice behindhim. ‘‘ What's the trouble?” Heath whirled around to see Isabella, the Song Queen, regarding him with a look of as- tonishment. ‘¢ What's the trouble?” she repeated. ‘‘ Trouble enough,” Heath replied. ‘‘I have just bad an interview with the spy, who over- eard the outlines of our game. I couldn’t come within a hundred miles of satisfying him! but he’ll get satisfaction yet.” ‘¢ What do you mean?” Heath replied with a bard laugh that spoke volumes. There was a snaly, evil glitter in his eyes. He was ina decidedly dangerous mood. he parson had made a bitter foe. if Isabella, nothing shall spoil this little game. There is enough money in it to allow us all to go away to some foreign land and live in lux- ury. Once we get the ducats safely in our fingers, it’s skip. 1t wouldn’t do to remain, for the simple littlo reason that, although it is very improbable, the real heiress might turn up.” he compressed her lips and said nothing, but there was a look of angry protest in her eyes. It was evident that she was not greatly en- amored with the game she was about to enter into. Sit down,” commanded Heath, ‘‘and I will tell you all about our little interview. If you are at all interested in this matter, you want to get a good grip upon your temper and hold on while I am talking. Iam so mad now that I can hardly breathe.” They sat down, and Heath told her all about the interview with the parson. She listened quietly till he was done, Then he said: “ Well, Isy, what do you think about it?” ‘Tf I was going to express my opinion fairly, I should say that we are entering mto a very dangerous as well as dishonest game. Itis my opinion that the whole business will fall through, and if we don’t look sharp we shall find ourselves within prison walls.” | 6s Pil I’ve seen a great Think my up. Just think of the chink in the pot! you it’s worth making a try for.” If you do not, you will hear from | | _—_— The Diamond Sport. ee et ee —— She sprung to her feet, her dark eyes flash- ing. * Little I knew that he was a gambler!” she cried. ‘*I took him because I loved him, and believed him the very soul of honor, Was it my fault that he turned out to be a dishonest reprobate? Little did I once think he would one day taunt me with his own dishonesty. Oh, 8.! Si! how I have loved you! and you are still my lawful husband.” ‘Hold your tengue!” he hissed. still, will you? of the bag. are my wife, but you seem determined to post “Keep it | them on that line.” 1 cidn’t know as it would | I am going now,” rising to his feet, and — i i, lc LLL LLL LLL LE ‘*- Yes,” she said, slowly; ‘no one knows that Tam your wife, and I am thought the worse fcr You are bound to let the cat out , No one knows around bere that you | -_—-— a ---- it. If the facts were known, it would wash my | name ‘clear of the stain uponit. But, no one knows—no one knows!” ‘¢ Well, well,” returned Heath, making en at- | tempt to pacify ker. ‘‘ It is better fcr no one to know. If they did, the Sorg Gueen would scon fail to be the taking card at the Pleasure Per- lors ” ‘‘But the worst of this is, you want me to pretend to marry another man,” she said, scorn- fully. ‘You want me to sell myself, soul and body for money! makes me sick. loved me. to enter into such a disreputable scheme. would not even scheme to have me assent to marry that villsinous Giles, when you know that I hate him—hate him! hate him !” CHAPTER VIII. COLONEL ALLEN MaSQUERADES. COLONEL ALLEN had been an eye-witness of Tam convinced that you never Bah! the very thought of it | If you had you would not want me | You | the strect-luel between his tool, Roarin’ Bob, | and the Diamond Sport. Standing in the !ong upper corridor of one of Bed-Rock’s hotels, from a convenient window le had watched the whole affair, from beginning to end. A growl of disapproval came from his lips when he perceived the ‘*boosy ” condition that the Boss Bruiser was in. ‘¢ Infernal idiot!” he cried. ‘‘I was a fool to let him have any moncy till he completed the , job. the affair. way. Why didn’t he wait and knife him int back ?” TIle’s drunk, and is apt to make a mess of | He’s no match for that traitor, any : re) oe _ -- a —— wounded hand was rudely bandaged. Bob had not been drinking much, but was sauntering around the room closely Inspecting every one. Kvidently he was searching for some one. The disguised colonel touched the bully on the ari, aud said in a low tone, that could be heard by the bruiser only: **Come this way. rou.” ‘Waal, I'll be shot fer a—!” Bon began, but Allen interrupted him with a warning gesture, ‘Hush, you fool!” he said, in a low, yet stern voice. ‘* Tie up your tongue and foilow me.” Wonderingly, Roarin’ Bob complied. Allen led the way to an unoccupied corner of the eambling rocm. Here he seated himself at a deal table. _ Bob sat Gown opposite. ‘‘Durned ef I knew ye!” he muttered. I wag me jaw?” ‘*Tslk low,” cauticned the colonel. “Wat's ther game now? Durned ef I w’u’dn’t like ter know w’at ye’r’ rigged out in this style fer. ‘¢ Never mind that; I kave goodreasons, For a time Colonel Allen must not be seen in Bed- Rock.” ‘* Wat's ther meanin’ o’ this turn?” ‘‘ Thines have transpired that make it decided- ly unsafe for Cclenel Allen to be seen in this camp. By the way, ycu made a flat failure in your attempt to dispose of the Sport.” ‘Yes, durn’im! Hayre’s his mark,” holding up the wounded kand. ‘You were drunk—at least, too drunk to fight,” declared the colonel, with a touch of anger in his tones. ‘‘ You made a fool of yourself! Don’t for a moment think that in a fair fight you can get away with Velvet Vane, as he 1s called. Knife him in the back! Thatisas gocd a way as any, and it is the easiest and safest.” “ Kirect.” ‘‘ Now I have another job fcr you. Do you know the female you stopped in the street to- day?’ “Yes, she war ther gal as sings in this hayre saloon.” ; ‘Richt. Now each night after she sings, she leaves here by a back door and makes her way to her room in Metcalf’s Hotel. She must not reach her room to-night, Do you understand?” ‘¢Great Moses!” exclaimed the startled bully. ‘“Do you want me ter knife her ?” ‘‘No! no! Not by any means. I want youto be ready when she leaves to take her prisoner. I want to speak with ‘* Can Another fierce growl came from bis lips when | Make every provision to keep her from uttering he witnessed the result of the duel. ‘¢ Just as I expected,” he muttered. made a miserable failure, but I will put a spoke desert in the wheel of Mr. Velvet Vane, curse Lim!” With these words, he drew a revolver and took a deliberate aim at the head of the Sport. | Just as he pulled the trigger, his arm was dash- ed upward, and, although the bullet sped out through the window and dangerously near the head of his enemy, the colonel’s dastardly at- tempt was frustrated. A sharp voice cried in his ear: ‘¢ Found at last, murderer !” The colonel did not stop for thought, but his heavy fist fell with crushing force upon the wild, desperate face upturned to him. It wasa stunning blow, and the victim was hurled back- ward and fell senseless to the floor; then the as- sailant turned, and, unobserved, made his exit by a back way. ‘Tt is getting a trifle too warm around here,” he muttered, as he hurried away. ‘ They are hot after me, but I imagine they will have a bit of sport before they ring in a cold deal on your humble servant. That traitorous dog shall die, if I have to kill him with my own hands! The next move I make will be to strike for the irl,’ | He reached his ‘‘ headquarters,” and_proceed- | ed to arrange a complete disguise. “T I went to succeed, I must hide myself behind a mask, Velvet Vane must never set eyes on ‘Colonel | Allen,’ for those eyes of his are too very sharp. He would know me instantly. But I reckon it will take sharper eyes than his to penetrate this disguise,” The disguise wes indeed admirably gotten up. | | ! | Few would have recognized in that portly, well- | ‘*Bah! You're faint-hearted. You must brace | I tell : ‘‘The money is well enough, but it is better to get what we want in an honest way. I have told you my opinion of the game. However, I suppose you will do as you please, and [ shall» have to do as you want me to.” ‘‘ You're getting on the contrary side, shouldn’t be so very scrupulous, for you know you married a gambler.” | dressed, florid-faced old gentleman the well- | known and popular Colonel] Allen. The amusements that evening at the Pleasure Parlors were progressing smoothly, when this person put in an appearance at that resort. ! Among the throng he attracted but little atten- | tion. | He wandered through the rooms seeking for | You | the Sport, but Vane was not to be found. ' } Evi- dently he had not yet urrived. Roarin’ Bob was there, however. The bully’s ' ing. an outcry; take her prisoner, and bring her to ‘‘Hehas the big pine that stands just at the mouth of the mine at the southern extremity of the camp. Do you think you can do it with that hand?” ‘Wat's ther indoocsements?” “¢ A clean hundred.” “That settles it. I] be thar wi’ ther fe- male.” ‘*Good enough! Now don’t make a failure of this affair.” ‘You may bet yer life I_won’t. As sure as my name are Roarin’ Bob, I'll be thar.” The two villains separated, Colonel Allen at once leaving the room. Feeling immensel Meaty by the prospect of obtaining a hundred dollars at one haul, Roarin’ Bob lingered around the Pleasure Parlors. He drank but little, just enough to nerve him for the desperate deed he was to do, He saw nothing of the man in velvet, and he was glad that he did not meet him. He resolved that his next attempt upon the life of Vane shculd be successful. He would not make an open attempt, but, taking Colonel Allen’s advice. would shoot or stab him in the back. The bully kept very quiet, making nO move to attract attention, He was patiently waiting ! for the Song Queen to appear. The Diamond Sport was not in the saloon, Giles was there. He desired to hear Isabella sing again. he hour arrived for the Song Queen to ap- pear, and as soon as she stepped upon the stage | 'Roarin’ Bob left the room and made his wa cautiously round to the back side of the build- Crouching in the darkness near the back door, he waited for the girl to appear. It was some time before the door opened and the girl stepped out into the darkness, She turned to move away when, with a sud- den spring, the bully Jeaped upon her, In his sound hand be held a handkerchief. with which he intended to gag ber. He clasped her around | the shoulders and attempted to cover her mouth with his huge hand before she could utter a eS But his wounded hand bothered him, and he made a bungling failure. When she felt herself seized by unknowm