Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 617 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ‘ ry = ‘ & Dc lade «2 Gee SA ‘ ‘ aj ie, ery rs H “af aes Wir by pd ’ pa ND > ‘ r ‘ | : ’ ie fs) : >? P ed ae ¢ f ’ : > ' ge \ Saat ad ot ‘a - > i . . ¢ Wie , ran bs 4 apy = 4 1, TY sty T ~ ~ 4 ae. te, oY aes > 4} ws <. J an on ee re’ ny at “ : é a ‘ ee | oe | 1 i . * , f 4 4 ‘ wo . p 4 : * . a . ge . — for lam not alll seem—I am well off in this world’s goods, and with your love to brighten my pathway through life, gladly would I leave the rolling prairies behind me, and live else- where, Have I, a scout of the plains, offended, in offering my heart’s best love to you, Miss Lin- ville, my commandant’s daughter?” The scout paused, and his dark, earnest, wo- manly eyes, turned with a look of fascination, a hope and of fear upon the maiden by his side. For a moment Kate Linville was silent; her lips trembled, her face became almost pallid, Then she bent forward in her saddle, and burst into tears. - Ralph Randolph was shocked, surprised, pain- ed, Why did she weep at what he told her? Was she bound to Rodney Radcliffe by an engagement, and wept from pity for his hopeless love? : Had he so deeply offended in offering his ove? Such were the thoughts that flashed through the mind of the scout, yet he said nothing, only looked terribly distressed. At length Kate controlled her emotion, and looking up, held forth her hand, “ Forgive me, Mr. Randolph, but I meant not to pain you—no, you have not offended me in offering your love—I prize it above all things in this world, I frankly tell you. Yet, would to God it had remained untold, for we can never be more to each other than we now are. Do ‘not ask me to explain—trust me, and there let it rest. bn some day you may know me better, and feel that I did not try to lead you on; no, my deep regard for you made me openly show my feeling, when I should not have done so—” ‘‘Then you are engaged to Rodney Radcliffe?” said Death Trailer, sadly. ‘Rodney Radcliffe I abhor!” exclaimed Kate almost fiercely. Then she continued: *‘ Ask meno more—trust me and we will re- main friends as in the past—here is my hand ‘upon it.” The scout took the outstretched hand, drew the gauntlet half off, bent his proud head, and touched bis lips to it. Then he said quietly: ‘““Tt shall be as you desire—shall we return now?” Without another word they set off on their oy add the fort, a deep shadow in the heart of both. CHAPTER XIX, CAUGHT IN A TRAP, WHETHER the keen eyes of Rodney Radcliffe discovered that Death Trailer loved Kate Lin- ville or not, cannot be told; but certain it is, that after the afternoon ride of the scout and maiden together, he redoubled his attentions to- ward his host’s daughter, and haunted her even more than before. e As no signs of an enemy, either Indian or out- law, bad been lately seen about the fort, Kate Linville grew very bold in her rides and walks, and sometimes sauntered up and down the river- bank for a mile or more. A favorite spot with her, was where a small creek emptied into the river, and upon the shad- ed point jutting out in between the two streams. ere, one pleasant afternoon, she rode alone, and turning her faithful steed loose to graze she seated herself upon a log, book in hand. But instead of reading she sat silently day- dreaming while her right foot nervously patted the ground as though her thoughts were of an unpleasant nature. uddenly she started, for a foot-step was heard behind her. Turning quickly she beheld Rodney Radcliffe, who lofted his hat and said pleasantly: ‘‘ Miss Linville, I convinced ‘your father that it was not safe for you to ride out thus alone, and he sent me out in search of you.” ‘‘ Were there danger about, the Death Trailer would have discovered it—he goes scouting every day,” returned Kate, , “The Death Trailer may be at fault some- - times—will you return to the fort with me now?” There was a flash of rebellion in Kate’s eye, and she was about to return some stinging re- mark, when half a dozen dark forms suddenly sprung from the shadow of the cottonwoods, and four of them hurled themselves upen Rodney Radcliffe, while the two others rushed upon her, Kate was armed witha revolver presented her ‘by Death Trailer: but it was in the holster of her gaddle and she was powerless to use it. , A moment more and she was in the strong 7 we sat PA! aed <2, “ d el rer hs —~?e he Ralph, TS Fae me te “Ss 4.245 oP vA me - * ‘ ” a hee . é 4 ~tby iz niaigs bce eer ae td . re | * “nt d “~% - tr, . i 2) ls ri oe - ¥ f —_— —— ——_—_——————e a ee grasp of the two burly ruffians, whom, at a glance she recognized as outiaws of the band of the Bravo Chief. Tien her eyes turned upon Rodney Radcliffe, who though taken by surprise, was making a manly resistance against his four assailants. But resistance was vain, for in ten minutes after their appearance, Rodney and Kate were bound securely, mounted on tkeir horses, and placed between a guard of two men,. ‘‘Come! we must get out of this,” said a huge, savage-looking outlaw, who appeared to be the leader, Instantly the party mounted and moved off, and, as they rode out of the little grove, six more horsemen joined them. Tben, ata rapid gallop, the whole party set off across the prairies, heading for the mountain range, Visible far off in the distance, ‘‘ Well, Miss Linville, my suspicions were right—we are caught in a trap,” said Rodney Radcliffe, quietly, as they rode along. ‘‘Yes; but the Death Trailer will discover the trail of the outlaws, and my father and bis troopers will soon be in pursuit—I feel a hope of speedy rescue, Mr. Radcliffe,” and Kate’s tone was certainly most hopeful. Darkness at last settled upon the prairie, but still the outlaws pushed on until they reached the range of foot-hills, from whence Kate Lin- ville had started upon her lonely ride to the fort, mounted upon Comanche, Here they went into camp, and certainly every attention was shown Kate, for a shelter of brush was built for her, and a tempting meal placed before her. Fatigued by their long ride, both Kate and Rodney slept well, and when the sun arose the next morning, their eyes glanced back over the rolling prairie. Alas! no band of troopers were in sight, and dread rested heavily upon the heart of Kate Linville, At length breakfast was over, and all in readi- “ee to continue their flight toward the strong- hold. As they moved off an exclamation from Rod- ney Radcliffe caused all to look over the prairie, in which direction his eyes were turned. Far off, just coming over a roll in the prairie, they beheld a dark object riding on their trail at a swinging gallop. The leader of the outlaws turned his glass upon the approaching object, and said quickly: ‘““Tt is the Death Trailer, following like a hound on our trail—and he is alone.” CHAPTER XX, UNMASKED. ¢ ALTHOUGH the outlaws could see that there was but one man on their trail, yet they exhibit- ed signs of uneasiness, and soon had their pris- ‘oner's mounted, and set off again on their flight, for such it had now become, Kate seemed now more hopeful, and as the turns in the trail up the mountains gave her a view of the prairie, she would anxiously gaze upon the daring horseman who was coming swiftly in pursuit, Under other circumstances, she might have felt that it was madness for one man to attempt to cope with a band of desperadoes; but already che had seen the scout at work, and felt that he eould accomplish almost anything he under- took, Rodney Radcliffe also seemed nervous, after his discovery of the Death Trailer on their track, and kept silent: but his eyes frequently sought the solitary form far off on the plain, a8 if he also had confidence in the man to in some way outwit the outlaws, With renewed speed the little band pressed on, and when they encamped the following night, ‘half of the number stood guard, But the darkness passed away unbroken by the crack of a rifle, or the deatb-cry of a sur- prised sentinel, and again the flight continued, until at length the stronghold came 1n View, the party crossed the ford, and were soon upon the plateau. Rodney Radcliffe aud Kate were at once con- ducted to the headquarters of the Bravo Chief, and the maiden soon found herself again in the comfortable room, from which the scout had rescued ber, Slowly the day dragged away to the poor girl, who was perfectly worn out by her jong and hard trip, and she was glad when night came that she might rest, ’ The same old negress attended her, and all was done for her comfort that the stronghold the Death-Shot Scout. - Vy et «7 #4, > tee > ‘aay could afford, yet she was miserably unbappy, and for long hours lay upon her bed weeping bitterly. At length she dropped to sleep, to dream that | Death Trailer had again rescued ber and that — she was his promised wife. With a start she awoke, to find the bright sunshine penetrating her room, and finding that it was late, she quickly arose,and ate heartily | of the tempting breakfast brought her by the old negress, ‘The chief wishes to see you, lady.” Kate started, and beheld before her the youth- ful and handsome outlaw lieutenant, Halford. ‘¢] will go to him, sir, for I would know why this outrage has been perpetrated,” said Kate, — with spirit. Leading the way, Lieutenant Halford con- | ducted her across the hallway into a largefront — room, which looked almost like a curiosity-shop, | forin bis years of outlaw life the chief had col- lected many trophies, which adorned the walls of his room upon every side. In a large easy-chair, near a table, covered with books and writing materials, sat a tall man, dressed in a Mexican lancer’s uniform, His face was covered by a heavy black beard, and his hair hung in wavy masses upon his shoulders, He was certainly a splendid specimen of man- hood, and yet in his handsome face there was a look of cruelty and recklessness, As Kate eutered tbe chief arose politely, and bowing low, said in a deep, stern voice: | ‘* Be seated, lady.” | Kate i oreo took the proffered chair, while she said haugbtily: ‘‘T am glad that you desire to see me, sir, for _ I would know why I have been made the pris- oner of a robber chief.” ‘Ha! my lovely Miss Linville, your pride is not broken, I see, by your captivity; but I will explain: ‘Booty and beauty’ is an old watch- word of gervtlemen of my profession, and bav- ing gained considerable of the former by hard knocks, I desired to honor my castle with the \ latter, and deemed you the fairest representative of your sex on our wild frontier.” The Bravo Chief had spoken in a tone of | mock earnestness, and his manner caused a ~ thrill of dread to clutch at the heart of the poor — girl; but she replied quickly: ‘ Booty is what you have shed blood and committed the most heinous of crimes for—so pame your price for my safe return to my father, and you shall have it, sir.” 7 ‘‘T could name no price, Miss Linville—you are beyond price in my eyes* no ransom would buy you.” ‘* What! can you, bearing the form of a man, dare insult me, a poor, helpless girl, with the thought that you would keep me bere—to livein _ your crime-stained home, and become worse — thav the veriest wretch of your vile band?” Kate arose quickly to her feet, her form drawn to its greatest hight, her eyes flashing, and her whoule face full of haughty scorn forthe man before ber. fay ‘* Be seated, Miss Linville; Imeant not toinsult | you; Ehad said that you were beyond price in | my heart, for I love you.” ° ** Love me! you, a robber, Jove me, en inno | cent woman—out upon such base regard a, you can feel.” ) ‘‘ Yes, I love you, Kate Linville, and Is_ brought you here to prove that love, for with-@ | out you my life is one long night of gloom, t) With you, in the sunlight of your love, my lif@- | will be happy even in its surroundings of crime’d | danger, and desolation,” —_- ! ** Hold, sir, I will not listen to such languag#- from one who has disgraced the form of manjs who has reveled in carnage and crime, and wh , has been the dastard to tedr me from my o]1d | father’s protection.” ; nt ‘You doubtless believe that your friend, this Death Trailer, can save you here, as he did ony before; but that is impossible. "Your fathrill and all his troopers [could burl back from m stronghold—I am chief here, and I dread ::ut power that can be brought against me.” nd Kate Linville covered her face with hoff — hands, as though to shut out some terri — nightmare, and then said earnestly, almost i> ploringly: ‘Have younomerey—are you worse than 1; very wolves of your mountains?” a) I have told you, Miss Linville, that I kip, you—I will now prove to you that I speak ‘ay truth; that it is no idle tale of the hour. nde you shall know me as I really am; you s! and now how I risked life, everything, to’ possession of you—behold me as [ am!” r The heavy beard, and wig of long bairy pia! au