Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 515 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

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Therefore, I shall look out for my protegee, until such time arrives!” ‘Lord Lindley flushed, angrily. ‘‘But you’ forget, sir, that I am the girl’s guardian, and have the power to act, in this if he refuses to give her he matter of his dis- [ll leave you now, and approach him ortunity affords,” e result.” ed, Jack Jasper away vigorously at wood Dick, and then, on the subject, as soon as op ‘*Do so, and let me know t After Lindley had disap chuckled softly, as he puffe his cigar : muttered. ‘‘It will be e Lindley is right!” he . a capital idea te put this Deadwood Dick out of the way. ‘hen I will step into his place, and | matter—the power! sir! the power !” reign as ruler of this golden realm. Ha! ha! I} Dick laughed, quietly. always knew I was born under a lucky star, “A fig for your power!” he said. “If Lady even if I did have to serve a turn in Van Die- | Carleton appointed you guardian over Lady man’s Land, Yes,my gay and festive Dead- | Bess—which I am aware she did not—you might wood Dick, you must suddenly disappear, as just | have some power, in your own country; but here, your power don’t amount to shucks. Ll ou are quite numerously in at the present time y suc own this camp, and nearly all that’s in it, and the way of my future plans, When I have suc- cessfully stepped into your boots, I shall con- | when you come here with the idea of exercising tract with Lindley for the removal of the girl, foreign authority, you'll find yourself grandly and shall apparently put her forever out of the | left!” Lindley scowled, savagely. ‘‘ We'll see about that!” he growled. ‘* The girl shall go back to England with me, no mat- ter what you say!” ‘‘Notif the court knows herself, she won’t!” Dick retorted. ‘‘It will require more blarsted Britishers than you can command, to take her from Pistol Pocket!” ‘Oh! it will, eh? Supposing, you Yankee dog—supposing she cansents to accompany me —what then? You cannot detain her!” ‘Nor, shall ltry. If Miss Carleton desires to return to England with you, she shall have that privilege. But, I am safe in saying that she will refuse to have anything to do with you!” ‘Well see, Dll convince you to the con- trary. And, mind-you, if I find you are trying to influence ber against me, it will be the worse for you!” ‘Is that so?. Why, what will you do?” ‘What will I do? Dll teach you a_ lesson you'll not soon forget, you Yankee upstart!” ‘See here, my man, lookout you don't call me any more pet names, or it will be the worse for you!” Dick cried, with rising anger. “T repeat it!” retorted Lindley. ‘ You area Yankee upstart, and the meanest kind of one!” This was enough. Dick was on his fect, in an instant, and seizing his lordship by the coat collar and the seat of his trowsers, he ran him out of the office through the open doorway, and pitched him headlong off the piazza, into the middle of the dusty. street. When the unfortunate Englishman arose, his elegant clothing was a sight to behold, his silk tile was crushed into a shapeless mass, and his face was skinned and bleeding, in a dozen places! His first taste 4f Yankee hospitality was hard- ly up to his idea of nicety! CHAPTER IX. DICK READS A LETTER. Ir was not the first time Deadwood Dick had taken it upon himself to bounce an unruly char- acter out of the Grand Pacific, and the bystand- ers who saw him send Lindley a-flying, gave him a cheer. Since Dick’s regime in Pistol Pocket, there had been few fights or other ‘‘jamborees” to break the monotony of everyday life; consequently the Englishman’s precipitate journey into the street created a sensation, and immediately drew a crowd. Lord Lindley uttered a roar like a bull as be scrambled to his feet, and rushed back upon the iazza. ‘‘Tll have your life for this!” he yelled, shak- ing his fist at his enemy; but, as Dick made a move toward him, he darted into the hotel to es- cape further bouncing. After waiting a few minutes to see if his lord- ship intended to come forth and execute his threat, Dick left the hotel and sauntered back to- ward bis.office. As he approached the shanty abode of Baby Bess he saw Mabel Lamont leave the place and wey sybee & ‘¢Ha! what does this mean?” Dick exclaimed. ‘¢ Has that adventuress been trying to strike me another blow?” He quickened his gait into a swift stride, and soon overtook the Frenchwoman. ‘‘ Madam,” he said, layiug his hand upon her shoulder, ‘‘a word with you, please!” She turned quickly, her face pale, and her eyes blazing with anger. “How dare you lay hands upon me?” she fair- ly hissed, clinching her hands as if about to strike him. ‘*How dare you?” * Because I dare, my fine lady,” was Dick’s re- d Lindley back to England exult- ion that he is sole heir to the Carleton fortune. Tben I will make love to and marry my piquant Lady Bess, which, 1 bein Deadwood Dick, her friend and protector, shall have no difficulty in doing, and then we will go back to old England, and give his lord- ship the grand bounce, and make him come down handsomely, which he will do rather than risk exposure and a term of imprisonment. Ha! ha! Jack Jasper, you are a born diplomat!” ° ‘When 4 wood Dick reached the hotel, he mounted the piazza, and entered the bar-room, where he purchased and lit a cigar. He was about to leave when Lord tered and approached him, ‘You will excuse me, sir, “but I believe you are the g quest of—Deadwood Dick. wrong?” ‘You are right,” Dick replied, regarding his accoster inquiringly. “I am Deadwood Dick.” ‘“The mayor of this place, eb?” ‘* Exactly.” “Ah! yes. J have heard of you, but never before had the honor of meeting you. Have you time to spare me & few minutes private con- ference, sir? I have a matter in hand which I would like to speak to you about.” “Oh! 1 guess I can accommodate you,” Dick replied, off-handedly. *“° Step this way.” And he led the way to the hotel office, where they became seated. ‘“My name is Lord Lester Lindley,” the Eng- lishman began, after lighting a cigar, ‘‘and I come of one of the first families of England. This is my first visit to your country. It is bardly probable I should have come over, but for the fact that the death of a distant relative left a responsibility upon my hands—a duty to perform, you see.” Dick simply nodded. ‘6 Some yearsago,” pursued his lordship, ‘ this relative of mine, for family reasons, sent her young daughter over to this country, in charge of an old family servitor, here to remain until her ladyship’s death, when the daughter and heiress was to return to England, to claim her way, and send 1! ant in the supposit Lindley en- ” his lordship said, entleman I am in Am I right or a own. ‘“My lady died, some time ago, and, on her death-bed, had me duly appointed guardian of said daughter until she should attain her ma--: ais ih “T at once set out for America in search of my ward, and have found, singularly enough, that she is living here in Pistol Pocket, under your i and protection !” ‘Yes? To whom do you refer?” “To Beatrice Carleton, whom Ishmael Tver- ness left in your care but a short time since.” “Ah! yes. Miss Carleton was left in_my charge, and is quite comfortably situated,” Dick said, ‘‘I caused a shanty to be built and fitted up for her, and she has a little placer claim at which she works, during the day, and makes uite a neat little sum of money—more than enough to supply her wants, I take good care to see that no one molests her, and really I am proud of my protegee. I shall regret the time when she returns to her native country !” ‘No doubt you are greatly interested in your charge,” his lordship said, ‘Cand that fact makes ‘me the more sorry toinform you that Miss Carle- ton must accompany me back to England, at once, As her guardian, it 1s my duty to put her to school. and see that she receives a good education, befitting her station in life, before she makes her debut in society. Of course you -are not in position to make any objection to my plans for her personal welfare!” ia ome ** On the contrary I am in just that | of course eae !” Dick coolly replied, after reking ply. ““T want to know what you were doing at ng pullathiscigar. ‘“ Carleton was left ' the shanty of Baby Bess.” »” et ot betel wah. Wiehe ajninn tae: adie #4 ty iy Ny : hae? tks A ‘ se 3 ° ad | . . ve ; , wig? &! : . * P Hf ~ « : : pietdbed. ba tye aie es Le Wd. ’ . tte nell * : i - a My | jae ed” ee Ae PPS Sere — : >. are 4 Lae ies _ -—— ? ‘ at &) § . ‘, “i 4 ewe Hh on! . 4°iF ; ‘ \ fue Low iTikitos Ue , ‘ ' »* es " > y x i ‘ ray aS oe : bey ae ty - bet “& . rt oe = ’ , » J ¥!) Tee % re + r . ~, =~ Le = ig Seen: Rese epee sa me, “< Ss aY 7 F > ‘<,. , . 3 ¢> aS aa” : i Ne, ; 4 my “a, SY. - ah * se <* oncrk < i toe et th? - ‘* It’s none of your business what I was doing there!” was the defiant answer. ‘“‘I’m not sup- posed to give an account of my goings and com- ings to you.” | | ‘*T’m not so sure of that. You are a stranger here, in camp, without any apparent business or profession, and therefore come under the class of suspicious characters, Iam already aware that you have been trying to poison my superintend- ent’s mind and set bim against me, and now, I dare say you have been trying the same game ‘on my ward,” ‘‘ Tt’s no such a thing!” Miss Lamont declared, cowering under his stern gaze. ‘I simply made the young lady a friendly call.” ‘“T shall find out aboutit. Be it as it may, you cannot deny that you have been trying to influence Jerry Justice against me.” ‘“‘T do most emphatically deny the charge. I do not even know who Jerry Justice is.” ‘* You are a barefacec liar, and you know it, and I know it!” Dick declared, ** and now, let me give you a bit of advice, which you will heed unless you are a blamed sight bigger foc] than I take youtobe: Keep away from Baby Bess! If you do so, 1 shall not take any action against you, until I find you guilty of some other misde- meanor. If, however, Il hear of your speaking to her again, I shall certainly put you uncer ar- rest, and impriscn you for being anuisance. So bear this in mind!” and turning, Dick strode back to the shanty of Baby Pess. Mabel Lamont glared after him a moment, @ demoniacal glitter mm her dusky eyes, ‘‘Curse you!” she hissed, ‘“ You think you bave intimidated me by your bravado, eh? Ha! ha! you shall see! You know not with whom you have to deal, my gallant Deadwood Vick. I swore l’d have revenge, and revenge I'll have! our days in Pistol Pocket are numbered, my festive Richard!” In the mean time Dick reached Bessie’s humble but cosey home, and found the girl miner en- gaged in preparing the evening meal She was paler than usual, however, and there wus an expression about her eyes that denoted anxiety. ‘‘ Bessie,” Dick said, taking a seat in the door- way, ‘‘ you just had a caller?” “Yes, sir,” was the faint reply. ‘‘That woman is bad to the core!” Dick went on, ‘‘and I will see that she Coes not trouble you again. She has got a grudge against me because, when she, an utter stranger, besought me to marry her, I promptly refused. I presume she gave me a good overhauling, ch?” oP ‘Oh! yes, sir. She teld some terrible things about you, and tried to induce me to leave here and come and stay with her at the hotel,” ‘Did you believe what she told you?” ‘No, indeed, and I told her so, too. Then she ot mad and calied me a fool, and told me that rd Lindley was iv town in search of me, and that she would tell him where to find me. This made me mad and i ordered her to get out of the house, which she cid. But oh! Mr. Bristol! she made me awfully nervous!” ‘Bravo! I’m glad you fired her cut. If she romes bothering you again, douse her with a ail of hot water. So it seems she knows Lord indley, eh?” ‘So it appears. Is there any truth in what she said—that Lord Lindley hasarrived in Pistol Pocket?” ‘‘ Yes, the chap has arrived, and but a short time ago I had the pleasure of throwing him out of the Grand Pacific Hotel into the street!” ‘‘Oh! if be has come here, what shall I dof’ and Bessie clasped her hands in great anxiety. ‘Why, do just as you have been doing, I shall keep an eye on this blooded Britisher, and if he attempts to molest you, it will be to his sorrow, I have given him timely warning and 1 don’t think he will trouble you. However, he may seek to intimidate you, if he can find an oppor- tunity, when I am not near at hand; but don’t let him scare you in the least. You havea good pair of revolvers, and know how to use them too. Sif Lindley laysa hand on you when am not around, do not hesitate to put a bullet through him!” ‘Oh! I would not dare do such a thing!” “Pshaw! Have no scruples about doing it. Self-defense is one of the laws of nature, and no one can be held censurable for defending them- selves, especially a woman. This Lindley has proven himself, to my_satisfaction, to be a con- temptible puppy, an Ihave no doubt but that his motives, as far as you are concerned, are of a villainous nature. So itis your duty to pro- tect yourself when I am not near to protect you. Either I or my office-boy, Johnny Smile, will be next door all the time, so that an your part, will bring you assistance. ’ *. » hve is 4 ’ SL a= at x es at - : . 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