Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 589 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 haired, warm-hearted and impulsive—the living image of her mother, who had died years be- fore. She was not hedged in by fierce hauteur and exclusive pride, Power and the lust of riches bad narrowed and contracted Philip Edgerton’s affections and withered his once generous impulses. He had made a fortune in the palmy days of the Golden State, and was now striving to double it, in this wild corner of Silverland. As his wealth in- creased he had drawn more and more away from the communion and society of his fellow- men, until now he was pride-imprisoned—sur- rounded only by retainers, like a feudal chief- tain in an old Rhine castle. ‘““T have summoned you, Lily, on a matter that concerns the honor of this house, It is a matter that touches my pride—my pride in the Edgerton name, That name has never yet been linked with infamy; nor has any one bearing it ever done aught to dishonor it.” There was a severe sternness on his bronzed and bearded face, and his daughter shrunk from him, as if his words were cruel whips. ‘*T suppose you know what I refer to!” calm- ly noting her perturbed manner, ‘I had no thought that my daughter—one of the Edger- ton’s—would countenance the attentions of such a man as Clifford Curtis.” ‘* Why, father!” flutteringly. ‘* Neither did I think that she would welcome any one as a lover, without my consent!” ** [—] couldn’t tell you, father. You are so— so—” “ Proud of the Edgerton name, eh? Yes, I am ;roud of the Edgerton name! Itis worthy of pride!” ‘* So. hard to approach on a subject of that kind!” she persisted. ‘‘ Father, you are so hard to approach on any subject. f don't know why itis, but you do not seem to invite confi- dences, even from me, I always felt that you are above such things. That you are—” ‘*T think I know why you didn’t wish to ap- proach me on this subject, Lily!” be broke in. ‘** Clifford Curtis is not a man whose love an Edgerton could feel pride in possessing. Why, what is he?” ** An honest man, father! You know that he is. And intelligent, too, else you would not have placed him in charge of your mining works.” ‘* Pooh! The fellow’s smart enough, in his way. But, that isn’t the point. bat bas he got with which to support a wife? And what is his ancestry? Whoever heard of the Curtis name before he chanced to drift into Silver City? Who knows what his father was? A blackleg, perhaps, or worse! ‘*T was amazed at the fellow’s impudence. He came in here this morning as boldly as if he owned the Comstock Lode. Actually spoke as if he thought himself my equal! Great hea- vens! The equal of an erton! I felt like kicking the puppy out of the house. ‘‘ Stated, as coolly as if he expected me to relish it,that he loved you and that you returned his love !” ‘*T do!” was the calm and unexpected state- ment, The Gold King’s icy manner almost forsook him, so great was his wrath and astonishment. “You—you an Edgerton, and make such an avowal!” he cried. ‘* Would you have me tell an untruth?” she asked, looking at him through wide, tear-filled eyes. ‘‘I do love Clifford Curtis; and he is worthy of any woman’s love—even an Edger- ton’s!’ Edgerton ran his fingers tremblingly through his silver-streaked hair. This outburstsurprised and annoyed him. ‘* Lily!” he continued, coldly, when he had calmed himself sufficiently to trust his voice. ‘‘T am surprised and pained at your statement. I will say, frankly, I did not expect it. I en- tertained a higher opinion of you. You have been trained and educated to fill the highest cir- cles. Can it be that you would throw yourself away on a nobody, who has nota dollar between himself and actual want? ‘*T have known for some time that you were approaching the age when women instinctively look for a lover, and marriage. That is right and proper; God designed them for the marriage relation and they are happier there than any- where else. But you are only a girl yet, Your tastes are unformed. The man you fancy to- day in all probability is not the man you would love five years hence. ; ‘* | intended to send you out into the world next year, to flutter your butterfly wings awhile before zettling down in the prosaic duties of married Tom-cat and Pard. life. In that big world that lies beyond the small circle of these hills you will find many men a thousand times more worthy of your af- fections than is Clifford Curtis.” She simply bowed her head, as he went on, and he could not tell what impression his words were making. ‘ Believing that you were not yet capable of of forming warm attachments, I turned Cliff Curtis away, this morning. More, I told him that you would never marry him, That, in fact, you were already pledged in marriage to an- other,” Oh, father!” ‘Tt is true, Lily!” with stern severity. ‘I have never told you of if; but there is a man on the Pacific Coast, an old friend of mine,who has a son that would be to you a model busband. My friend is worth a round million dollars, and his son will inherit every cent of it. Besides, the young man is handsome, honest and strictly mosh tbe qualities you so highly prize in Cliff Curtis. ‘* Years ago this old friend and I agreed to unite our fortunes by bringing abouf the mar- riage of our children. ‘* So, you understand why I could not counte- nance Cliff Curtis, this morning. I told Curtis of this. He declared that he would marry you in spite of my injunction to the contrary; and I ordered him out of the house. ‘*T also discharged him from his position, and warned him that if he persisted in his attentions to you I would shoot bim on sight!” he Gold King said this as coolly as if speak- ing only of shooting some worthless dog. Lily Edgerton sprung to her feet, wild-eyed and panting. ** Oh, father, you did not say that?’ ‘*T did! And I repeat it!” He smote the table with savage energy, “Tf Cliff Curtis has any regard for his worth- less skin he must keep clear of this house. I in- tend to run him out of Silver City. He cannot stay here withont having some kind of employ- ment to support bim, will see all the men who employ labor in this vicinity and I will pay each of them double what Cliff Curtis could earn, if they will refuse him work,” Lily sunk back into her chair and gave way to a flood of tears. ‘*There is no use in crying, Lily! Cliff Curtis is not worth a single tear from the eyes of an Edgerton. He will be forced to leaye here; and you will forget him before he has been gone a month.” ‘* Never!” she cried springing to her feet, like a young tigress at bay. ‘* Youcan break me, father, but I will not bend, The Edgerton blood, of which you are so proud, flows in my veins also, you must remember, I will meet Cliff Cur- tis, and J will marry him, if you disown me the next minute.” “et you do I will kill him as I would a rattle- snake!” thundered the Gold King, his calmness deserting him. ‘* What, my daughter wed such a coyote? Never!” ‘You have heard my statement, father!” she asserted, backing toward the door, as if she an- ticipated physical violence, ‘‘ I intend to marry Cliff Curtis! With your consent, if your con- sent can be gained; if not, then without it!” With this parting shot she slipped through the doorway; and the Gold King sunk back into his chair, breathless and fuming. CHAPTER II. A DASTARDLY SHOT. THE vagrant wind whispered among the branches of the stunted cedars that fringed the little mountain stream flowing by Silver City. A full moon rode high in the sky, plainly reveal- ing the gloomy buildings of the Edgerton Mine; and dimming the twinkling lights of the town. A footstep sounded on the gravelly bank of the stream; and, in response, a woman hastened from the concealment of the shrubbery and hur- ried forward, with a glad cry. ‘*Oh, Cliff, I thought you would never come!” she exclaimed, as the man caught her in his arms. ‘*‘ What kept youso late? It is almost midnight!” ‘‘Let us walk ona little further,” he said, ‘‘ where we will not be observed by any chance asser. I am late, but I feared to come earlier. thought I saw some men shadowing me.” ‘Surely father would not employ ruffians to dog << foot ” ‘Tt may have been only fancy. I can hardly bring myself to think he would do such a thing. But I didn’t want to take any chances, ‘Of course you got my note, or you wouldn’t be here!” ; ‘ Ce al He led her to a fallen log, well within the shadows, and took a seat by her side. He was a handsonie, manly-looking fellow, as the moonlight bad clearly revealed. ““Yes;: I got ycur note, Cliff. And I have been crying my eyes out ever since.” Lily Edgerton looked into her lover’s face in a trusting, loving way that revealed the depth of her womanly affection, ‘‘Ts it really so bad as you stated? Will you be compelled to leave Silver City?” ‘‘IT can see no other way?” he replied, rather gloomily. ‘‘ This is an expensive place in which to live; and, as you know my purse is ratber slender. I visited all the mines this afternoon, trying to secure a position. I found that your father had sent word to every manager in the vicinity, and their works were barred against me.” ‘‘Surely father will relent!” she exclaimed, making no effort to check her falling tears. ‘‘ He cannot be so cruel and hard-hearted.” He drew her to his breast and smoothed the sunny hair back from her fair forehead. ‘‘T fear not, my dear! Not for some time, at least. If I could obtain employment I would stay and trust in the soundness of bis sober second judgment. As for bis threats against my life, I do not fear them. Whatever he might do he is too honorable a man to stoop to deliberate assassination, He was mad with rage when he made the threats, and now, no doubt, sincerely regrets his language. ‘But no matter where I may go I[ can toil with an ever-renewing and inspiring hope when I feel and know, as I do, that you love me!” ‘You know that I love you, Cliff, better than my own life, or I would not meet you here!” He kissed the radiant, upturned face, out of which the blue eyes shone lke stars through rifted rain-clouds. ‘‘T believe you, Lily!” he said, fervently. ‘‘ And loving you as 1 do I cannot bring myself to leave you. ‘‘ Will. you not fly with me, now, this very night? Before morning we can be far from here!, ITcan secure employment in almost any mining-town. How I would toil and slave for you, Lily! Under such circumstances the severest drudgery would be a delight. ‘‘T know that you have been carefully nur- tured, and I almost tremble at my audacity. But, my dear, other lovers have started. up the slope of life with only their brave hearts and true hands to support them, ‘¢T would slave for you, aS many a man slaves for the woman he loves. Wecould be in inde- endent circumstances in a few years, witha Folin of ourown. It might be humble, but it would be ours, ‘‘T care nothing for your father’s gold, Lily. It is you—and you alone. I have nothing to offer you but a loving heart and a pair of strong and willing hands!” He paused in his torrent of words and covered her face with burning kisses. ‘Oh, Cliff!” struggling feebly to release her- self. ‘‘Donot tempt me! Please, do not tempt me! Iam weak, oh, so weak, and all because I love you, Cliff. Do not take advantage of my weakness, ‘““T have no fear but that you could support me. Itis not that. Andlcan cook and sew, although you may not think it. But I could not disobey my father in that way. Not now, Cliff. Let us wait a little while. He willrelent. I am sure he will; for father loves me. ‘¢ Tf father’s consent could be gained I would ladly go to the encs of the earth with you, dear Cliff, nd I am certain he will when he sees how he is distressing me. Let us not be hasty. We are both young. If our loveis true it will stand the test of time and separation.” In his distress he had averted his face. ‘‘ Say that you are not angry with me, Cliff! Let us not part in anger. That would kill me,” “Tam not angry, Lily!” he said, again draw- ing her to him. ‘But I amsoheart-sore, I know that I did wrong in trying to urge you to fly with me. But I cannot bear the thought of separation,” ‘¢ It will not be for long, Ciiff, believe me,” “T hope you are right, Lily, but 1 cannot shake off my gloomy fears. I ca not drive from my mind the memory of the men, who, I believe, were/watching me to-night. ‘“‘That shows me tbat your father is deter- mined in this matter. I am afraid he suspected we would arrange a meeting. I threw the men off the scent and came here unseen, but the ac- tion of your father in the matter shows how bitter he is against me. ‘‘ But I am causing you unnecessary pain!” as | | — a