Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 658 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 - §ky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. measure, but it was not without some doubts that he retired and closed the door. Sky-Rocket Rob and Wesley Carter stood in front of the fire, drying their wet garments. Carter did not appeal to Roger’s admiration as he stood thus clearly revealed. He was a tall man, broad across the shoulders, but otherwise slender and bony. His complexion was dark, and a mustache of unusual length swept over a prominent chin. “*This fire feels good; I’m chilled to the mar- row!” he declared. ** You'll find dry garments yonder.” “7'll put them on at once. Boy, why didn’t you mention them?” ‘** Roger’s boss here.” Rob answered ungraciously; he had nogood words to waste on Wesley Carter. Why had the man been so quick to brand Carona a thief? Even while she lay senseless he had instilled poison into the minds of those who were stran- gers to her. Rob hated him for it. ‘* Well, 'm thankful to have my life left,” Carter added, as he made for the dry clothes. ‘*How came your vessel in such a plight?” asked Walden. ‘**7’m no sailor, and can only say that the gale caught us on the hip. One of the masts broke short off and went down with a wreck of the rigging. By the time it was cut away the schooner was leaking and unmanageable—I sup- pees she would have been in such a wind, any- ow. We drove on to the coast as helplessly as you cap conceive.” “‘Dia you leave the craft of yourown free “Hardly. The Singing Sally had leaked badly, and, when we were impaled on a spike- like rock, it became all-day with us. All hands had to take tothe deck as a last resort, and from there I was washed away.” ‘* And your companions?” **T can’t say. Some were left when I was washed off, but how many I don’t know,” Roger asked other questions, but not one in regard to Carona Dane. She was uppermost in his mind, and he listened eagerly for sounds from the inner room. He suspected Carter of having a desire to injure the rescued girl, and would have shown the man the door cheerfully if he had consulted his choice. The young fisherman had grown restless when the door to the other room opened and Mrs, Vincent-Brown appeared. She closed the door behind her and approached Roger. “The girl is consciousand strong of body,” she announced, | ‘‘ That’s good.” ‘¢T am not so sure as to her mind.” “No?” ‘*T am perplexed, and want your advice—or rather, I want you to take charge of the case. It’s too deep for me. Come in!” Her manner was mysterious, and Roger would have questioned her gladly, but she abruptly receded, opened the door again, reveal- ing Carona Dane; and he had no choice but to go to her at once, She sat in a chair by the fire, but as the gar- ments supplied for her were both neat and of fair fit, if not costly, her naturally aoe face lost nothing by the scene. Roger found it an attractive face, She was of a style of beauty somewhat delicate, and her expression se eghs sad. Her eyes, as she looked at him, had the doubtful expression of a troubled child, rather than a woman’s gratitude, such as might be ex- pected then, He smiled reassuringly. **] am glad to see you so well,” he remarked. ** You are very kind,” she returned, in a low, nT hone i ped with ” ope you have esca without injur **T think I have,” id ‘You are now among friends who will do their utmost for you.” **T am very thankful,” **Can you suggest anything for our guid- ance?” ‘* No; nothing.” She answered with a pause between the words, and, withal, a peculiar air which Roger could not fully understand. ol Maga friends on the Singing Sally?” he ontinued., ““ No,” * You were going to New York, I suppose,” ** Yes—I sup 80, ** Have you friends there?” **T don’t know.” ** No?” returned set ok in surprise. ‘* Well, you came from Norfolk. Yaur relatives live there, doubtless.” **T don’t know where they do live!” This singular statement was made with a voice which trembled, and in such a manner that the eset vo? half-expected her to burst into tears. here was a vagueness and uncertainty in her way that led him to credit Mrs, Vincent- Brown’s statement that she could not under- stand the girl fully, but he attributed it to the peril, hardship and horror of the wreck. Her sadness appealed strongly to him, ‘* We are humble folks on this coast,” he re- sumed, ‘and not overburdened with money, but I trust that our hearts are all right. We shall be glad to send you to your relatives, or sum- mon them here,” “Tam grateful to you,” Carona answered, ‘* but I don’t know how tohelp you. Ihave lost my past life; if I bad not learned it by chance, I should not even know my own name!” CHAPTER IV. THE MYSTERY IN HER LIFE. RoGEeR WALDEN looked in amazement at the waif of the wreck, ‘*‘Not know your own name?” he echoed, me- chanically. ‘‘Let me explain,” the girl responded, with feverish haste, a red spot appearing in her cheeks. ‘* I am deep in misfortune, and, though J would avoid the revelation if it were not a ne- cessity, I feel constrained to make explana- tion to you.” “‘-Your confidence shall be respected,” Roger returned, with grave kinduess, He looked uneasily at his companions, Rob Wiley was thoroughly reliable, but there was a good deal of doubt as to Mrs. Vincent-Brown and Wesley Carter. That the latter was Ca- rona’s personal enemy er had at first thought, but she gave no indication of so re- garding him, To send these two persons out while the res- cued girl was talking would be to arouse their ill-wil He decided to make no radical move. ‘‘ A few days ago,” began Carona, “I found myself in Norfolk just recovering from severe illness. Fortwo weeks I had lain delirious with fever. When I recovered, my past was gone, I did not know who I was, whence I had come, or why I was there. “‘T questioned my nurses, but could get no light. I had come to their door ill and feverish, footsore and dust-laden, and begged for a night’s shelter. My words were rambling and vague, and gave them no clew; they asked me ques- tions, but did not even learn my name, “Plainly, I had been too much afflicted to realize my situation, or what was wanted, *‘ As a result, when I did recover, I could not get information from them, and as my mind would not work, I did not know a thing con- cerning my past life. ‘““The gradual return of bodily strength did not improve me otherwise, and when at last I was what might be called wholly well, I was at loss as much as ever. ‘‘In place of memory I had a conviction: I felt, without knowing why, that it was a vital necessity for me to get to New York City at once. | listened to this voice of fate or chance —whichever it was—and engaged passage on the vessel. ‘‘When I did so I was requested to register. I took, the pen, and, without thought or diffi- culty, wrote the name, ‘ Carona Dane!’ ‘‘When 1 had done this I regarded it with wonder. Was it my own? Certainly, I had written it as easily as a person in good health would put down his own—in a purely mechan- ical way. I felt that I had penned my own name, but was not sure of it, ‘* Tt awakened no recollections, ** Well, the vessel sailed with me as a passen- er, and”—here she paused and looked at Wes- ey Carter, with a world of doubt and fear in the gaze—'* my story may be concluded by say- ing that I was shipwrecked in the storm,” Carter and Mrs. Vincent-Brown exchanged glances. Both smiled—she, openly; he, hehind a hand which strayed to his mouth in his half- hearted attempt at concealment. Not so with Roger Walden. He had seen less of the world than the two cynics, and, conse- uently, was more ready to believe. ,» He did be- lieve Garona. She had told the story with sim- ple pathos and an air of veracity and sorrow which went straight to his heart. ‘You are to be pitied,” he declared, earnestly. ‘‘ Heaven help me!” she murmured, ‘‘More than pity—I and my friends shall be glad to work for you practically.” ‘‘T thank you; I thank you.” ‘‘ Have you any plans?” “Tf I had, the wreck has driven them from my mind,” ‘You might advertise, The influence of a newspaper isall-powerful, If exerted for good, it can do great good,” ‘* The idea is worthy of consideration,” ‘If your name is really Carona Dane, as ap- pears likely, a news-item should bring some in- formation of your friends. But, for now, rest and quiet are things which you neec above all others; so we will leave you to yourself for the remainder of the night,” ; ‘*‘You are very kind, indeed,” she answered, tears glistening in her eyes, ‘* We are simple people here, and long life on the border of the restless ocean has given us a keen feeling of sympathy for all who have suf- fered from that same ocean. Rest easy, and rely upon us as your friends, Good night!” ‘* Good-night—and may Heaven bless you!” Roger had been moving toward the connect- ing-doors, but the straightforward sympathy of | his voice and manner went straight to the girl’s heart, and her reply was more pathetic than words could indicate, The young fisherman closed the door and faced his former companions, ‘*T can no longer endure inaction,” he added. ‘*Foretop Ben and the other men are enough to do all that man can do on the shore, ’tis true,. but I want to be with them. I may be able to wrest one more life from the sea-destroyer’s grasp. Rob, this dwelling is your home, and, in the absence of Ben, you are naturally master. Of course you will have charge.” This was a quiet suggestion that he, not Mrs. Vincent-Brown or Carter, would have Carona Dane in charge, and all understood it. The man and woman did not resent it im noe Sky-Rocket Rob nodded with quiet em- asis, ‘** Tl attend to all,” he responded. Once more Roger went out to meet the storm, and the boy Life-Saver prepared to act as host, ** You'll find a chair yonder, ma’am,” he said to Mrs. Vincent-Brown, ‘‘ and there are stools a you and me, sir. Make yourselves comfort- able. *“‘T’m all right,” Carter declared, ‘‘ It takes more than a gale or a shipwreck to bother me,” 40 believe you needed some one to pull you out?’ ** Haven’t I returned thanks?” **T presume so,” ‘* All heroics may be saved for the girl with the remarkably history!” he sneered. ‘‘The improbable history!” affirmed Mrs. Vincent-Brown, elevating her nose, ‘* You don’t believe it?’ questioned Rob, **T don’t!” ‘* Nor I!” Carter agreed, ‘‘ That’s the best proof that it’s true.” ‘See here, youngster, don’t be impudent!” commanded Carter, sharply. ‘* Tf you sit on a teeter-board you can’t expect to bob up without going down now and then. I’ve as good right to criticise you as you have to be so merciless to her /” Rob pointed toward the inner room, and his eyes flashed indignantly. ‘You believe in her, I judge,” sé Yes. ” **T don’t,” deposed Mrs, Vincent-Brown. ‘*Charity is not an ingredient of your na- ture,” ‘** See here, if you don’t bush up, I'll box your ears!” cried the lady, furiously. ** Allow me to do it now,” volunteered Carter. ‘* Try it, and you lose the shelter of this bouse to-night—not to mention some damage I may do while you’re boxing!” was the Life-Saver’s de- fiant retort. Carter wisely concluded to laugh and aban- don his purpose. ‘‘ You've sailed with the girl,” continued Mrs. Vincent-Brown, in whose nature malice wasa see 1 rarely atjrest, ‘‘and ouzht to know her well. ‘¢ T know she was accused of theft during the voyage.” ‘* What did she steal?” ‘*Money. The captain had some in his cabin, and it strangely disappeared. It was found— strangely or otherwise, as you will—in Carona Dane’s state-room,” ‘*Put there by some one who hated her, pet- haps!” flashed Rob, You should be a detective!” **T may turn to one.” ‘‘ With your intuition, you would be a phe- nominal success,” ‘Perhaps you'll admit that fact proven, later,” Rob answered, pointedly. “This scene is disgraceful,” Mrs. Vincent ‘ mi a? A I i ee ee ee ee ee —————— get eee = ee eee ge eT Te -_- Eg a i a me : tw is ~*~. aN a 4 ‘Ad hair. ‘aD bey ie os } JO0OKS:.coOm..