Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 629 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

. ’ eee - ee, Te _ Dee Dandy Dirk uttered a hoarse shout of fury, and seized the money, exclaiming: ** 111 be blowed if you can beat me like that!” Like a flash a derringer leaped into Vane’s hand, and, as he shoved it against Dandy’s fore- head, he said coldly: ‘*Hands off, or I will let daylight shine through your cabeza!” CHAPTER VIII. THE BEST MAN IN JACKTOWN. WHERE the weapon in the Velvet Sport’s hand had come from no one could tell. His hand bad not descended below the level of the table, nor bad he drawn the derringer from his bosom, It seemed to have sprung into his hand at the com- mand of his will. Steadily the little man gazed Straight into Dandy Dirk’s eyes ina manner that made the dark-faced gambler quail despite himself. Dandy’s revolver lay close at hand, but he felt that to attemptto grasp it would cause the little sport to send a bullet crashing through his skull. There was a look in the dude sport’s eyes that said ‘‘ shoot” as plain as words, ‘‘ Hands off that money!” repeated the Velvet Sport, sternly. The proprietor of the Silver Bell was forced to obey, uttering a vicious curse as he did so. ‘*T will have your life for this!” he snarled. ‘*'You may have my life—if you can take it,” retorted the little sport quietly. ‘‘ But you can- wot have one cent of this money, which I hon- estly and fairly won,” ** By bluff—” ‘Your own game,” interrupted Vane, as he gathered up the bills with his left hand and thrust them into bis pocket, keeping Dandy coy- ered all the time. Dandy almost frothed in his fury, but the man in velvet did not appear a bit alarmed. In- deed, he seemed amused, Erastus Wagg was delighted. ‘* Whoopee,” he cried. ‘‘I knowed ’tw’u’d end this way! Ill bet on Sweet Violets, every time! He’s full o’ sand frum the groun’ up, Ef Jacktown wants er champion, ther posy in vel- vet’s ther man. He kin wipe out ther big men 0’ Jasper single-banded,” The crimson flush of rage left Dandy Dirk’s swarthy face as ho heard these words; he be- came almost ghastly white, and appeared more dangerous than before. His eyes seemed to fair- ly blaze. “This insignificant puppy has not yet con- quered the best men of this camp,” hissed the proprietor of the Silver Bell, in a low, distinct tone. ‘“‘He got the best of Bhzzard Ben through an accident, but be will not be so fortu- nate next time, He has beaten me out of some money, but I mean to take satisfaction out of his hide.’ Dandy’s friends, and those who stood in fear of him, uttered a faint cheer. The tall gambler wielded considerable power in Jacktown, and had he given the signal a dozen of his allies would have attempted to ** snuff out” the Velvet Sport ere that individual left the room. But Dandy saw that Vane had made friends and ad- mirers since entering that room, and the wily gambler refrained from giving the signal. The tenderfoot laughed easily. ‘** Partner,” he said, ‘‘ I have won your money, and am bound to give you satisfaction some way. Howwill you have it?” Vane had lowered the hand which held the derringer, but be was ready to use the weapon in an instant, should Dandy make a treacherous move, ‘* Do you dare stand up before me as you did with Blizzard Ben?’ demanded the Hercules. ‘* Dare? I am afraid to meet no man on equal terms,” was the reply, calmly spoken. ‘* Hooraw! I knowed it!” shouted Wagg, ** Hain’t he er Jim-dandy?” Dirk arose to his feet, throwing off his coat and making other preparations for a fistic en- counter. Once more the crowd became wild with excitement, and bets were freely offered that the proprietor of the Silver Bell would crush his antagonist. With the exception of Erastus Wagg, Violet Vane’s friends dared risk nothing on the little Sport’s head, and although Wagg had nothing to venture, he made an un- limited amount of talk, Blowbugle shook his head sagely, but was too wise to express his belief of the result. The judge was pretty sure to cheer the victor and drink to his success, whichever way the battle went, Vane arose to his feet and buttoned bis black velvet coat tightly around him. His hat he placed on the table. “Whoop!” cried the tramp Erastus springing Violet Vane. upon the table, a long-barreled revolver in each hand. ‘‘Form er ring, ye starin’ galoots! Hyer’s fun by ther cartload! This is a great day fur ther race, I’m goin’ ter overlook ther sarcus an’ see fair play. Fu’st one as goes crooked ‘ll git er dose outer one o’ these ante- mortem pill-dispensers an’ system perferators, W’en one o’ them implements 0’ war explodes, su’thin’ ginerally drops.” In a few moments both Dandy Dirk and Violet Vane were ready for the conflict. As they faced each other in the center of the ring made by the spectators, Dandy said, with a sneer of triumph: ‘*Il noticed that you were pretty handy with your dukes, but your blows are little worse than mosquito bites. You will not find me the kind of a man that Blizzard Ben is, He has plenty of strength; but no science. I have both, and lam going to give you the worst licking you ever got.” Violet Vane’s reply was a smile, A moment later the two were at it, sparring cautiously, watching each other closely. It soon became evident to the Velvet Sport that Dandy Dirk had spoken the truth when he laid claims to a certain amount of skill, but, despite his in- ferior size, Vaure was a thorough master of the manly art. The dark gambler soon discovered this fact. Vane decided to get in his work on Dandy’s eyes first, and almost every telling blow was aimed for them, Here, there, round and round skipped the lithe and supple figure. At first Dandy thought to allow him to tire himself, in that way, but one or two stinging strokes under the ears and on the jaw caused him to change his mind. By-and-by Vane’s fist caught Dandy in the left eye, and the big gambler came near going to the floor; At that, he lost his head and madearush. Asa result he caught a left- hander in the other eye, while instantly, Vane’s right struck bim a terrific whack under the chin, and down he dropped. ‘t Jeehocus!’ shouted the woolly-headed man on the table; ‘‘ hain’t | glad I didn’t run erg’in’ thet ‘Gyptian batterin’-ram! Say, mister, ef yell climb up here whar I am, Pil pick ye up.” Dandy lay still for a full minute, gasping and rubbing his throat, seeming dazed. As he lay there, he heard some one in the crowd cry: ‘‘ Where are the men who wanted to bet on Dandy Dick? I will go’em two to one on the little man in velvet!” With a hoarse cry Dandy struggled to his feet. His eyes were swelling rapidly, threaten. ing to seriously injure his prospect Or success, 80 he resolved to push the Lattle. Aud he did push the battle for a few mo- ments, giving the fisticuff expert about all he wanted to do to ward off the fast and furious blows. The proprietor of the Silver Bell be- lieved that, if he could force his foe to a clinch, he would be able to down him, and might give him a bard fall that would end the struggle. The result revealed his mistake, Dandy seemed to suddenly get an advan- tageous hold on the Velvet Sport, and he strained every inuscle to dash the little man to the floor. Both went down, but, strangely enough, when they struck, Violet Vane was up- permost, and in an instant on his feet again. Another round followed, and this time Vane pressed the fighting, His opportunity came; he gave Dandy both fists, one on the jaw and the other under the ear, when the Hercules went down like an ox, and the fight was ended, for he was fairly knocked out. When the result was made known, the crowd seamed to fairly go wild. Every man crowded forward, and tried to get hold of the victor’s hand, The champion had come! ‘“ Hooraw fur ther best man in Jacktown!” bellowed Erastus Wagg, discharging both of his revolvers in a rapid and reckless manner, And such a yell as went up had never before been heard in Ja ‘ktown, CHAPTER IX. A RECOGNITION, Davy Hawser was urging his four-in-hand by whip and word, for he was slightly. behind time and the old coach was lightly loaded. In- deed, it carried but two passengers that day, a man of fifty and a young lady of nineteen or twenty. Both rode within. ‘* A tenderfut,” was Davy’s comment when he first saw the gentleman at Cold Water City; but, when the stage-driver’s eyes rested on the face of the young lady who was following the Easterner. he could only gasp: ‘¢Oh, my!” That she was pretty any one would have ad- @ a — —— mitted, and most men would have called her beautiful. She was a blonde, with sunny hair and laughing blue eyes. Her appearance was bright and lively, and when she spoke, a be- witching smile lingered on her face. Her lips were like the petals of a crimson rose, and there was a fascinating charm about her small, sweet mouth. She was a trifle below medium height, but her figure was round, graceful and perfect- ly built. She was attired in a plain and tasty traveling suit, which displayed the beauty of her contour fairly well. The gentleman was of medium height, a trifle spare of flesh, and somewhat haggard and care- worn in appearance. He wore a full iron-gray beard, which partially concealed the expression of his features, but it was evident that he hada high-bred sensitive face. His eyes were sharp, searching and steady. He wore a plain brown traveling suit, and nowhere about his person was there a display of jewelry. Davy Hawser rightly concluded that the two were father and daughter, ‘* Goin’ ter Jacktown,” muttered Davy, when he learned their destination. ‘‘ Wal, I reckon Laughin’ Lu ’ll hav’ er rival. Sh’u’dn’t wonder ef ther camp had er cupple o’ queens afore long.” Davy did not know that Jasper City had robbed Jacktown of its queen the day before. As the stage swayed and bounced over the uneven trail, the two passengers carried ona broken conversation. ‘* How much further into this wild country do you intend going, father?’ asked the girl. ‘*T don’t know, Ione,” Owen Wilson replied. ‘*lam going to invest capital somewhere here in the West, and I have not yet found a place that suits me. There are plenty of sharks, I have discovered, who are ready torelieve a man of his wealth by selling bim ‘salted’ mines, or something equally as worthless, but thus far I have failed to find a solid chance for a safe in- vestment that was just to my liking.” ‘* This is a wild, beautiful country!” exclaimed the girl. , ** There is a charm about it which at- tracts and pleases me,” Mr. Wilson gazed fondly at; her and sighed, **T fear you will find it monovonous in time, It seems a shame to take you from the bustle pelts of society and bury you in this strange and, She Jaid her hand on bis, “You forget, father, that I was already an outcast from society,” she said, softly. “T forget it not,” be responded, with bitter- ness in both face and voice. “I cannot forget that you were ostracized through no fault of mine, though the finger of scorn was pointed at my back. Gods! I wish I might forget my feel- ings when the bank directors hinted that I had better resign my position! I suffered more than death at that moment, and | have suffered since,” ** Father!” She said no more, but he felt the unspoken sympathy of her voice, touch and eyes, It seemed to hurt him. ‘* Don’t, Ione!” he pleaded. “It is not for myself that I care so much, but you.” ** And I have told you a hundred times that I do not care,” she said. ‘* No matter what the world may think, | know my father is not a criminal!” ’ It is impossible to describe the look he gave er, “Tone,” he cried, in a suppressed voice, ** you areanoble girl! Day by day, you grow more and more hke your angel mother. She was the best woman God’s sun ever shone upon!” ‘* Dear mother!” breathed the girl, softly. ‘* But for all of your belief in me, it galls me to the quick to know that the world thinks mea thief. All my life I have been scrupulously honest, and never to my knowledge have I taken one cent that was not rightfully mine, And now, when I have reached the afternoon of life, my reputation is torn from me and my gond name blackened at one foul blow, All my plans for your future have been dashed to the earth, T know not what lies before us.” ‘¢Tt will all come right in the end, father,” she said, with the full faith of youth. ‘God grant it may!” he murmured, ‘ Your confidence is greater than mine, The very thing that should have cleared my name-proved & ter- rible blow for you, but even that did not free me from the ban,” Something in her face caused him to cease speaking in an abrupt manner, He knew that he had approached dangerously pear the one point upon which they could not agree. She firmly believed Philip Howard innocent, despite the fact that the young man himself had con- ‘ . ye Apo ee - ow +. | . pealprig Ae Ly