Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 560 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

a greatly to the joy Of the latter, who no ’ a2 iy f ‘ f. j * 7 hot > e ? ¥ ty vy ‘ ae v ri + be wy a / } : ~ :y ‘4 \e | , iy ae SF « a + 4 * ahaa sly i th ‘'Toen you © seovered that I was innocent, * ysked Pawnee Bill, ore Six months after you left us, and « ‘aink was the thief? <ao.w who it was, sir.” adid you find it out?’ asked Mr. Rol- ) surprise, 3 night of the robbery, sir.” ) you mean that you knew who was guilty 4 you were accused?” I do, sir.” f ‘And would not defend yourself by telling?” **T would not, sir.” «6 Ww hy 9” ** Tell me, sir, ‘c My son.” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘And now let me know why you would not make it known?” Pawnee Bill glanced at Ruby, blushed, and ool, i he d ei, Sir, your son saved my life the da that Black Ben would have killed me, and Sth sir, I looked upon Miss Ruby as my sweetheart, and you had all been so good to me, that I de- cided to bear the charge rather than have you, your wife and Miss Ruby suffer.” “You are a noble fellow, Gordon Lillie, to thus sacrifice yourself; but let me tell you that - WY poor son was ty only in act, for what he _ ‘did was done in his sleep,” “Do you mean it, sir?” ‘I do, for I missed money after your depar- ‘ture and so set a watch, __ * Andrew slept at the bank, asa guard, after Ifnisse] more money and discharged the watch- anan, and, as I still found money taken, I watch- ed myself, So ‘He would get upcut of bed in bis sleep, open the safeand takeout money, hiding it away in a closet in bis room, _‘“There I found the money you had been ac- cused of taking, and half a dozen other amounts that he had taken at different times. “i found that he had been wild, gambled, and ‘was given to Cis pation and late hours: but i ag t he took he did not use and all was done in is Sleep. ‘| watched him again, and awoke him when he was robbing the safe, and the shock was a fearful one to him, for he lay ill for weeks, — ‘*Then the rumor went forth that my safe ‘had been robbed, and a run came upon the _ bank, and I was ruined.” ** You havé my deepest sympathy, sir.” | “I know it, my son; but my wife broke ) down, and we buried her soon after, and An- _ drew, on his recovery, went East and got a Sasa. hei With Ruby here, left our old ome and jolIned & party of good people coming West to find new homes. is ee ~ And here, a8 We are nearing the end of our tong journey, but for you, my noble boy, we bh ere uae our death,” es, Gordon, WC OW you our lives.” said Ruby ina low, earnest tone, —Abidnecy ‘You were going Over on the river to settle, were you not, sir?” asked Pawnee Bi). ‘*Yes,. We were going to homestead our De = f can direct to better land. <; wil cuide you thar. ee ene .. “It is near my own ranch, and there js room for plenty, with land spare, While it is fur. ther from the Sioux yj ages, and ‘in less danger of raids from them, | “In the mean time you and Miss Ruby must be my guests, until you cay pyild your bome,” ‘We will, Gordon, for [ know the livitation comes from your heart, | ‘Once [ was rich and you homeless; but now our position in life is veveren: but I was brought up a farmer, and Can’ gat a’ pew lease in life out here, While my son wil join us, he said, and I may yet see many years of jife.” " Sincere! ope 50, SI ry sa d Pawnee Bill. And then the emigrants Were calied together, and the change Of destination suggeste,. be change WaS at once acquiesced in’ and the train was soon after on its way to the lands which Pawnee Bill haq in view for them to set- tle on; and while he acted as guide, his Pawnee braves followed ®8 an escort to the emi, rants, 4onger first, who was the guilty one?” lt dread of an attack by the Sioux. CHAPTER xxv. MAY FLOWER’s Love. . HE em Upon the lands Pawnee Bill se] for thetn, ang they were great] prased with thei RW homes on the far CTar sn ie d vert Decade Vea wie as Sy é ) pe) Veer * .. ea © t ie : aT a wf Mic: i it at te . Nt . rey, %e tat we ‘ *" . i es - re wey ~" ee oe eee i “iy or Of ‘4 . wives ~ Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. —6e—e—e—e—e—s—=—=—=™=—™—$aOaOaOaOoOoOmWwOowshaOwWhaOOoeoOoOwoaoooo ee There was good land, crystal streams flowed through the valley, and plenty of timber fringed the hills, with rich grazing-lands for stock. Pawnee Bill selected a choice spot for Mr. Rolston, and aided in building his cabin and getting all in readiness, He presented both father and daughter with ood saddle-horses and some stock, and when narew Rolston, Jr., appeared, some weeks after, he was as kind to him as a brother could have been. The home was at last finished,’ greatby to Pawnee Bill’s regret, for he hated to lose bis guests, and the Rolstons moved into their new quarters, which were indeed most comfortable, though of course far different from the palatial mansion they had once dweit in. One day as Pawnee Bill was riding along through the forest with Ruby Rolston, he was startled at suddenly beholding in his path none ctber than May Flower, She was dtessed in her bead-embroidered buckskin suit, and carried her rifle slung at her back, while her pony was hitcbed not far away in the bushes, But her face was pale and haggard, and she looked very wretched. Pawnee Bill had told Ruby of the beautiful daughter of the renegade chief, dnd when he spoke her name, in amazement at seeing her, she knew who she was, ‘* Why, May Flower you here?” he cried, as he sprung from his saddle, ** Yes, Lillie,” was the sad reply, ** You look like a ghost.” \ **T am not-well, Lillie.” *“Come to my home with me, and I will care for you, May Flower,” and Ruby slipped from her saddle and approached the girl. ** You are Ruby, are ycu not?” Vee?’ » ** Lillie told me of you lonz ago,” ** But, May Flower, why are you here? asked Pawnee Bill. ‘To see you.” és You are sick, so go with Ruby, as she asks rou. my No, I have come to see you, Lillie, to tell you the secret I promised to tell you. ‘** You deserted me that night, Lillie, and nearly broke my heart, for I loved you, and I love you now, “You escaped in safety, and it was your warning to the Pawnees, who drove the Sioux back that night. ‘My father was wounded, and he never re- covered, and some months ago he died.” ** Your father dead?” } ‘Yes, and be told me to go to a settler’s home ‘—one who dwelt far from here—and tell him to care for me, for he was my unele, ‘‘Teseaped from the Sioux, for they would oid: have allowed me to go, and I found the cabin. “ But my uncle and his family had been mur- dered, other settlers told me, and their house was haunted, ‘* But it was whom I found bear’s robe, ‘* He it was who had murdered my uncle and his family, and afterward had haunted the cabin, having a hiding-place in the chimney, ‘‘ He was mad, but reason came to him before he died, and he told me all, ‘* The settlers buried him, and I came then to seek vou, Lillie. ‘**T found that you loved Ruby, soI would not have your heart. é | ‘‘T have baunted you both like a spirit, and I have heard you tell Ruby you loved her, and her words of love to you in return, “I then decided to speak to you, Lillie, to Speak to you both, for I am ill, and oh, so tired, tired of life,” ‘“* My poor friend,” said Ruby, while tears fel] from her eyes, oe You are good and true, Ruby, and I love haunted by a poor old man ‘‘T love you so much, that before I leave you I wish you to do me a favor. “ Angele os May Flower.” ng, everything, May Flower. “T do not wish Pinte * forget me, I do not wish you to forget me, so I beg of you, Ruby, to take my name, ‘Ruby is a pretty name I know: but so is May. and will you not let Lillie call you May? * “Think, when you become his wife you will have the name of two flowers—May, Lily— ‘* Will you do this for me?” “IT promise y i and if Gordon says so I will | not break my word, _ “Twill be glad to call you May, for I would ‘ - » a fy a. *1% \ j . oe at ‘ . is * pee ¥ neh . 15 ‘ » ‘ f . ‘ ¥ ‘ Ve aa , “fae TF Pa . : ‘ " a PS 7 H V Bae re » . _" * hay 5 RS a mide NG ‘4 Ss ~ ia* x s <>. r rat. © ——-* -— vo dying there, clad in a white | i a COM ~ 4D - \ <- ~ hee ‘Te re - yer? 'e = . fe, *L _. 2 A ¥ . Las. s 7 5 <i ° bs a6 ai hab ate”. P ae - Ps { ag? ‘i Ps * - * Pe ees : _ > fr es @ £ ae ee | ‘ *. i = never care to forget the name of May Flower,” Pawnee Bill said, earnestly. ‘Then remember, you are May now.” **T will not forget it.” **'You have made me happy at least. ‘* Now, Lillie, let me tell you my secret,” ‘What secret, May?” ‘* Do you not remember I was called the Gold Queen ?” ** Oh, yes.” ‘* Well, it was because I found what father called gold pockets in the wash-out in the moun- tains, ‘*] saved the gold, and he made it into bands for me; but Ido not wear them now, and will give them to May,” and she emphasized the name, “The rest of the gold I found, I put in a buckskin bag and it is tied to my saddle yonder and [{ give it to yon, Lillie.” ‘* My dear May, I would not touch your gold, ‘But you must, for I do not need it, and guess it’s a large fortune, though I do know,” Going to her horse she soon returned wi buckskin bag of gold, From it she took the bands which she bh worn, and which her father bad beaten out for her and gave them to May Rolston, as she had consented to be called to please the poor girl. The little pieces of gold that filled the bag she then banded to Pawnee Bill. ‘* No, May, I will not touch your gold.” She gazed at him an instant, and said in a low tone: ‘* Tt is yours, for I leave it to you. **Good-by, May, good-by, Lillie. ** Don’t forget me,” Turning, she ran to her horse, bounded into the saddle and sped away \ Both Pawnee Bill and May were deeply moved by what had occurred. It was getting dark and already had she dise appeared, so, hoping to find her the next oat Pawnee Bill tied the bag of gold to his saddle and the two rode on. ) He knew that May Flower’s fortune was but a couple of thousand dollars at best; but that she, poor gir], knew not the value of rem § On to May’s home they rode and told the story to Mr. Rolston and his son, who were also ime pressed by it. After supper Pawnee Bill started home, and upon arriving there was startled by finding a form lying at bis door. ‘*My God! it is May Flower, and she has ae herself at my very door!” cried Pawnee ill, It was too true; the girl had taken her life by shooting herself through the heart, In her hand she still grasped the fatal pistol, and about it was wrapped a slip of paper, On it was written: * LILLTE:— | ** | did not,care to live without your love, ** Be happy with May, and ever call her by my name, “The gold is yours, for I leave it to you, “Bury mein the timber where I last parted from you, and sometimes visit my grave. ** This is all I ask. ‘““Good-by to you and May. ‘* May FLower, “ 7'.e Gola Queen of the Sioum,” Such was the tcuching letter from the unfor- tunate girl, and bitter tears fell from the eyes of Pawnee Bill as he read the lines, The next day she was buried in a rude coffin, in the spot she had selected, and, as it was the spring of the year, May Rolston covered the rave with May flowers, while at its head awnee Bill placed _a board, into which he had skillfully cut the following: “POOR MAY FLOWER, “THE GOLD QUEEN. “ May she rest in peace.” _ A year after the tragic death of the beautiful Gold Queen, Pawnee Bill and May Rolston were married, and since that time the name of May has never been forgotten by either young busband or his lovely wife. many of his trails, no matter what tho — danger, May Lillie has accompanied her hus- _ band, who has won a name as a gallant and dashing scout, and is known far and wide up the frontier, as a white chief among his true friends the Pawnees, who are ever welcome guests at his home, as is Pawnee Bill in the tepees of their red-skin pards, = » Ls oe =