Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 66 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. tain Hardin will hang your worthy leader, Tom | ask you a question. This Captain Hardin—I Duke.” ‘‘Curse him, he lies!” cried Bennett. ‘‘ The captain is all right, and will be here in an hour.” * Do you really think so?” said Ned, laughing. **You are the most sanguine fellow in Texas, then, for even Duke don’t think so. However, I am willing to wait an hour, if that will do ou any good. In the mean time there is a lit- le document which you will read to the men, Blanchard.” He produced a paper, which he placed in Blanchard’s hand, who commanded silence, and read aloud: ‘“‘AT Harpin’s Rancn, July 12th, 18—. “To my MEN IN THE CHAPARRAL: “IT ama prisoner in the hands of Captain Hardin, and likely to be hung if you do not comply with the demands of the man they send, Deliver to him the risoner Miss Hardin, and let them go away unhurt. t isthe only way in which I can obtain my liberty. In my absence, Blanchard, under the orders of Coral, will be in command of the band. Tom DuKg.”’ ‘“‘Tt’s a forgery!” cried Bennett, looking about on the group of crestfallen faces. ‘It’s a trick to get the prisoner. away from us.” ‘** Nonsense,” replied Blanchard. ‘I recog- nize this writing, and it is the captain’s hand, so don’t be fools. I understand by this that you want the girl, Ned?” ‘* Precisely; nothing can be more plain,” re- plied the young man. ‘* Will you take her away at once?” ‘‘T am obliged to do so, in order to get back in time. You see, that if I am gone more than three days, the swinging-branch will be the por- tion of your worthy leader.” ‘*T cave. You’ve got us dead, and it isn’t the least use to kick against it. I would like to have you see Coral, if ic can be done.” ‘*Coral is here,” replied a rich, full voice. ‘““What do you want with me? What is this I hear?’ ‘** Duke is a prisoner, madam,” said Blanchard, extending the letter. ‘‘ Here is what he says about it.’ She snatched the letter from his hand and devoured it, word by word, her black eyes flash- ing strangely as she read. A more utiful woman than the one called Coral is rarely seen in this imperfect world. Of medium hight— with a clear, creamy ma such as is only seen in the creole—wit golden-brown hair floating in profusion about her lovely form, and eyes large, dark-blue, and full of melting ten- derness; with a wT ve of motion, given only to a gifted few, and delicate feet and hands, she was a model of womanly beauty and grace. Her dress was Mexican, and jewels of rare price sparkled at her throat and on her bosom: A golden belt was girdled about her waist, in which hung a pair of silver-mounted pistols and a jeweled dagger. ‘*So, Ned Clayton,” she said, turning upon him quickly. ‘‘ You are a traitor, it seems. What have you got tosay for yourself?” ‘*I prefer to say it to you alone, Coral,” he replied, ‘Fall back, men; leave us together,” she said, in a commanding voice. The men seemed ac- customed to obedience to her orders, for they were hardly given when Ned Clayton and this one woman stood alone upon the level sand. ““T can not tell you how much it grieves me that you should be false to us, Ned,” she said, softly. ‘‘If I had been asked to point out one among all whom I have known who would not be faithless to their oath, you are the one, Ned. Why did you do it? why did you turn against us? ‘“‘ Coral,” replied Ned, hanging his head, ‘‘ will you never understand that it is not in my nature to love this savage life of ours? I would not have done you any harm—lI told Duke so ae we met—but [ wanted to live an honest : e,” ‘*Pshaw! I thought you above such pitiful foolishness as that. Do you know that you de- serve to die, and that Duke will kill you when he escapes?” ‘*T don’t think it will pay to threaten me now, Coral. I have got a little the best of the bar- gain, and have no time to waste in idle words. for you, there wiil never be a time when I will not be ready to lay down my life in your defense. You are beautiful, and have a brave heart, and no lad ever had a better friend than you have been to me; but, I can not stay here.” “You have chosen your path, Ned. I am sorry to lose you, and warn you to get out of Texas as soon as you can. @ may meet again, in a happier hour than this, when you will not be ashamed to own Coral asafriend, I wishto know that Duke hates him—but who is he?” ‘* A brave and good man, against whom Tom Duke feels the most deadly hate. Shall I tell you why?” “Tf you will.” ‘* Because they loved the same woman years ago, and Hardin won her. This is her daughter whom you have prisoner here, and for whom we are willing to exchange the captain. They tell me that what she is now her mother was at her age.” ‘‘I must see her,” cried Coral, eagerly. ‘* Where is she?” ‘Blanchard can tell you that. Coral wants to see Miss Hardin.” ‘She is in my cabin with my wife,” replied eT pay: ‘You can see her there if you ike. . Ned and Coral accompanied him to the door of the cabin, and, as they entered, Lilly, who was sitting in a dejected attitude upon a low stool, sprung to her feet, and with a cry of joy threw herself into Ned Clayton’s arms,’ ‘*Oh, Ned—dear Ned, have you come to take me back to my father?’ ‘Yes, Lilly, yes; did you think we would leave you here?’ Coral did not speak, but, advancing, she look- ed at Lillian so intently that the girl winced s her steady gaze, and drew back in some alarm. ‘* Do not fear me, sweet one,” said Coral, ten- derly. ‘‘ Yes, you are beautiful and you are good. If your mother had that face when she was young it is no wonder that he loved her. How dare he bring you here?” ** Hush!” replied ed. “It is a part of his re- ven e. 7 Tt was unmanly in him, the only unmanly act of which I ever knew him guilty,” said the beautiful woman, ‘‘ You must take her awa at once, Ned, and guard her better after this. My darling girl, would you mind kissing one who, though erring and sinful, has yet a wom- an’s heart and can love that which is good and beautiful?” Lilly sprung into her arms and kissed her again and again. ‘There, sweet one, we must part. Perhaps Here, Jim; it is our fate never to meet again. If so, re- member me as kindly as you can. Where is your hat?” ‘*T am afraid they took her away in such haste that they neglected to provide that useful article,” replied Ned. ‘‘ Anita, go tomy house and bring the small hat with the golden band. Be as quick as you can, for they ought to go away at once. hat isthat shouting outside? You ought to keep your men in better order, Blanchard.” ‘They are a set of devil’s babies,” replied Blanchard. “ There is only one man who can a them quiet, but I will do my best.” e left the room and the cabin, but the excite- ment did not cease! Anita came back in a mo- ment, with a sort of riding-hat of soft felt, with a drooping feather in a golden band. Coral took it from her hand and placed it upon Lilly’s head, Then she unclasped a bracelet from her wrist and putit upon the girl’s. ‘** Keep that in,memory of me, This tumult is horrible. Ned, I wonder what it can mean? Surely they are not mad enough to rebel against my authority vested in my trusty Blanchard!” euproar outside became greater, and seem- ed to approach the cabin. ‘You must go away at once, Ned,” said Coral. ‘* Not yet!” cried a commanding voice. ‘‘ Not without my consent.” Ned Clayton started back in dismay, for there, standing in the doorway, ing him with an evil eye, stood—Tom Duke CHAPTER X. THE TABLES TURNED—DUKE’S ALLIES. How had he escaped? We left him in the cellar at Hardin’s Ranch heavily ironed, and apparently as far from all hope of escape as a man could be; but there he was, in flesh and blood, a look of malignant triumph in his dark eyes. He now flung off his hat and wig, tore away his yellow beard straightened his bent back and a peared to add three or four inches to his hight by the act, and stood there erect as an Indian, and with as little mercy in his breast as one of that evil race, and there was unmistakable triumph in his face as he said: Céral Spring ints his aries ‘with «glad oral sprung in is arms witha g for, bad and cruel as he was, this wetkens bal given him the priceless treasure of her love, aos com a Taken without his disguise, he was an aristocra- tic-looking man, with a face of marble—a man whom nothing could turn aside from any course which he had marked out for himself, and who would never forgive an injury. He kissed Coral’s lips, and then put her gently from him. _“* You will have to postpone the little excur- sion which you have marked out for yourself, my dear Ned,” he said, coolly. ‘I have come back, you see.” _ Ned saw that he was in deadly peril, and that it was a moment to think and act quickly. Making a sudden leap, he flung Duke aside and ran out into the open air, where he found himself in the midst of a strong party of the outlaws, upon whom he flung himself desperately, hurl- ing them right and left in the strength of de- spair, and with unparalleled bravery almost breaking through. nnett threw himself in the way, but was felled like an ox, and for a moment it seemed that the brave youth would escape, but a huge ruffian stealing up behind, struck him with a heavy club, and he fell, A dozen hands seized him, and, half stunned and bleeding, he was dragged into the presence of Tom Duke, struggling and defiant to the last. ‘“‘ Now, my fighting chicken,” said the out- law, ‘‘I think you have reached the end of your rope. I told Dose at Hardin’s Ranch that you would repent having turned traitor, and I hope you see & es folly now.” _ ‘‘Tonly repent one thing,” replied Ned, reel- ing from the effort of the terrible blow he had received. ‘* And what is that?’ “That Captain Hardin came between us while I had you by the throat. Come, finish me now; you'll be sorry if you don’t.” ‘Time enough, my boy; nos! of time, so don’t be in such a enn ¢ to die. @ really can not spare you yet, and I have several questions to before we work you off. But, there shall be no unnecessary delay, I assure you.” ‘* But, Tom,” said Coral, grasping his arm Date surely do not mean that you will kill ‘Silence, Coral. The young rascal knows our laws and accepted the danger when he turned traitor. Why, it is as much as my life is worth to attempt to save him now, and I have no inclination to do it. He deserves to die, and die he shall,” ‘You never refused me mf thing before, Tom,” she pleaded. ‘‘ Spare his life; he is young, too young to die such a death, and if he has done any wrong he will atone for it.” _“‘ Ask him if he will join us again and keep his oath. I know he would break it, but you may ask him.” ‘* Youare sorry for what you have done, Ned?” said Coral, turning to the young man. ‘ You will be true to us in the future, will you not?’ **T wish I could say that with honor,” replied Ned; ‘‘but I can not. I never will join their infamous band again.” ‘* You see,” said Tom Duke, sternly. ‘He is hardened and would sooner die than give up. Bennett, you will take him in charge; and re- member, if he escapes, you answer for it in your own person. . Do you understand me?” Bennett nodded with a grim smile, and eall- ing in twoor three of his subordinates, bound the prisoner, and prepared to lead him away. ‘Your evil deeds will one day find you out Tom Duke,” cried the brave young man. ‘ [ may die, and I am ready to meet death; but there are those upon your track who will never leave you until you sleep under the grass of the Shea And if you lay a finger upon Lillian in-— ‘“‘ Knough of that. Bennett, drag him awa and stop his mouth if he persists in talking: The young scoundrel deserves a worse fate than we can give him.” aw,” rep tig , -by ; © best I could for you.” C te Lillian threw herself at Tom Duke’s feet and held up her hands pleadingly, while he looked down at her in unalloyed triumph. ‘This is something, at least, after years of waiting,” he ead. revenge has ear? men and if they only knew whose work it was, I would be satiefied. But they shall know. You may as well rise, Miss Hardin; you will lead in vain for that young traitor, and your ather’s daughter does not look well kneeling at my feet.” ; illian rose, her face flushing proudly, ‘“‘T am glad you spoke of my father,” she said. ‘¢ He will not forget us, and I should not be sur- rised if he were close upon your heels with all his brave men.” “We will try to receive him with the hop FOOKS-cCOM |