Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 672 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

“Sec ‘» am « c : * . <> - ther, who is dead. . It was in a woman’s handwriting, too—a, decidedly neat hand. ‘It’s from Ethel,” thought- Dick, as he } tore it open. ‘‘ She must be in tronble ” It proved not to be from Ethel. It read as follows: ‘“*T see you have taken another bird under your wings—you whom I loved on first sight. Very well. I am sure you will be happier with her than with me. But, mind you, let my marked people alone, or you will be gathered in with the rest. I still gather ’em in ** BELLA BRENNAN.” ‘Well, by blazes! that does take the cake,” muttered Dick. — . | ‘‘She is jealous of the rescued girl, but “how does she happen to know of the res- cue?” Dick finished his toilet, donned a clever disguise, and went down-stairs. ‘He found that the girl avenger had been true to her oath; she had in truth been gath- ‘ering them in. Sheriff Jackson and his deputy were dead! Mayor Mike Murphy had also been shot, but his wound was not serious. Dick was standing on a corner, listening to the passing comments, when he felt a slap on his shoulder, and turning he bebeld Walt Wyndham. ‘*Oh! Lknow you,” the latter said. what do you think of this business?” _ “ What business?” | ‘This Brennan girl’s case!” ‘‘T have no opinion to express,” Deadwood Dick replied. *‘ It is none of my affair, any- how!” 7 : ** True, next?” ‘*So do I.” ‘*And why so?” ‘* Because, if the girl don’t gather him in, ** But, I-reckon my old man will be the “IT will.” ‘* What have you against him?” . * ‘* Enough to warrant me in killing him at sight—both him and Braudon.:” “Walt shrugged his shoulders. ° ‘* No loss in Brandon’s case, and very little about the old gent’s.” , ‘* You are a winner, in the latter instance, I reckon?” ¥ ‘*No! He wouldn’t leave me a red if I was dying for it. Have you any news of Ethel?” + ** TD have,” “*Good! What is it?” ‘*T have found her!” - “Indeed? That is good news, she?” ‘* At present, Mr. Wyndham, she is in my care. I have her where she is safe, and I propose to keep her there, until matters are Where is girl, herself,” «: . >. ‘* You refer to her money?” em,” ‘Well, I wish you all success, but I am afraid the old man has got it penned up where you nor she can ever’get it.” ** Well, my opimion of your dad is that he’s ascamp of the first water, and 1am bound to fetch him to justice.” ‘* Hope you do. He’s never done any | fatherly act to me, and he abused my mo- I have hated him, from infancy—I hate him now.” 7 Just then there was heard the report of a rifle, and a man named Raymond fell dead in the street not far away. Things were beginning to get really alarm- ing. Denise who were in the habit of being out at night went home. The wealthy ones went to the Argyle Hotel, and advised with ~ each other how much reward to offer. ° On the following morning, circulars were | as _ -— — = + " Selle a _™ —— 4 * ; “ y n Dnre On the last.one found, was this notice; “Two more yet to gather in. or rer ‘* CALAMITY JANE, JR.” CHAPTER XY. INTO TROUBLE AND OUT AGAIN. THE reward was now big. It was worth trying for anyhow, so many of the citizens of the town argued. But to earn the reward was altogether an- other matter. Men in plenty were to be found who would gladly do the work if they could, but to tackle Calamity Jane was a se- rious matter. That she meant business needed no prov- ing, for the proof was shown in the slaying for vengeance of those under her ban, and there was good cause for the other murderers of her father to tremble, Deadwood Dick shared some of the anxi- ety, too, and not without cause. The note he had receivea from the woman avenger gave him something to think about. He was hunting down Wesiey Wyndham in order to make him restore the money he had stolen from Ethel Bly, but to press him further, at preseut, evidently, would be to incur the enmity of the desperate Brennan irl. She had warned him to keep away from her ‘‘ marked” ones, under penalty of being ‘‘ gathered in” himself if he disregarded the warning. ‘*She’s a Tartar,” he said to himself, “and would as heve pop me over asnot. I'll have to be wary of her, but she can’t scare me off. I must get that other girl’s money for her be- fore the Fury gets in her fine work on Wynd- ham.”’. _. The storm had cleared and the day was a cloudless one. ‘IT believe I will take’another ride,” Dick decided, when he- had thought the matter over carefully. ‘‘ I'll go out where I had the interview with the girl outlaw upon the other occasion and perhaps I’ll see her again. If do, I can arrange a truce with her, perhaps. I have neither desire nor. inclinatidh ‘gathered in’ with the rest of her flock.” Getting. his horse, he mounted and rode out of town. Many curious glances followed him. The citizens were wondering, no doubi, where he was going, when the town was so beside it- self with excitement, but, little the brave de- tective cared for their thoughts. | When about two miles from town, as on the other occasion, he stopped as near the same place as he could locate the spot, and. dismounting, took a seat on a log and al- lowed his horse to nip the grass near by. | He had been thére barely a miaute, when he heard some one stir in the bushes on his right, and a voice demanded; ‘‘ What brings you here?” It was @ woman’s voice, and as Dick look- ed up the bushes parted and Belle Brennan stepped out into sight. ‘‘T came here with the hope of seeing you again,” Dick made reply. ‘‘I could not have done better if we had had a time ap- pointed, it seems,” he added. ‘* Why, did you expect to find me here?” ‘Bless vou, I didn't, but 1 oped I could if I remained tong enough. It was near here that i-saw you before, and I concluded that this is the trail leading to your place of hid- ER / | cf You guessed aright, sir; it is, And I was going there, too, when I heard your horse coming, and stepped into the bushes to let you pass.”’ | ‘‘Had no desire to meet any one, then, to be G, ~ & i -— moo e ri. ° ’ oe iv © sy —s ° + ‘‘Why should I? Did they not commit*a horrible crime, murdering my helpless father as they did? They shall all die, I have sworn it.” : =f ‘‘And you have threatened to gather me in, too, along with the rest,” Dick remarked carelessly, “*No, [have not. I warned you. that I would do so, however, if you interfered with my work. Do not do that if you value your life. I hate to spare you, even as it is, but I will, because—” ‘* What is your reason?” ‘* Because I love you. son, too, that | hate to spare you, your secret, as my note told you.” ‘*You think I love Ethel Bly?” . “Why, of course you do! Have you not risked your life for her? What more do I want in the way of proof?” Dick laughed. | “You reason just like a woman,” he de- clared.. ‘‘1 do not love the girl. Of that I assure you. I have rescued her because that is the business that brought me here to this town. lama detective by profession. I am simply yee out a case.” . ; ‘* Are you telling me. the truth?” ‘*Of course | am.” ~** And you do not love her, then?” ‘‘I do no<«, nor has she any regard for me. .Truth to tell, she has made a conquest in another direction.” 3am ‘I wish I could believe you. Who is her lover?” ‘ “Walt Wyndham.” ‘** How do you know it?” “Why, he told me himself. It was love at first sight.” ‘‘Well do I know what that means. I told you in my note that l love you. If you will make me your wife, Deadwood Dick, I wil! make yoa rich.” wri “Tam sorry, miss, but I can’t do it,” an- swered Dick, gently. ‘‘I might doa great l know I | deal worse, but Iam not on the market. I am too much of a wanderer, and my keart is too hardened. A wife for me is not to be thought of for years to come.” ‘Then let us say no more about it, From this moment my course is determined. Re- member this when you see me in death.” ‘* Which I hope will not be my misfortune, You are too. young and pretty to talk of death.” : ‘Life has nothing forme. But, enough. What did you want to see me about?” ‘“‘T want to make a deal with you.” ‘* What is it?” “You have threatened to kill me if I | interfere with any of your marked men.” ‘‘AndI meant it. There is only one left now, however.” “And that one is the very man I must bring to account,” ‘What have you to settle with Wynd- ham?” ‘‘ He has robbed an innocent girl. I must force him to disgorge the money he has taken from Ethel Bly.” 5 ‘Well, you can do that, and still leave him to me,” ; “That is just the point. Knowing you meant business, I thought it best to see you before I sought another interview with the man.” “T will come to terms with youon one _ condition.” ‘* Name it.” “That you will not arrest leave him to me, after give up the money.’ “Tt is a bargain. Tdoit. Thatisjust - - | i ® ae It is for that rea- — va you have made him g ¢ * « wo ie SPA Oe - as SA 2S rs te ON ov, » ‘* You do not mean to allow one to escape, ) :* 4 4 ‘ ~ } - - < iy ” ~ ‘ ’ a ET - : . — - me = be veal es - oe ® a c a ~~ 7 =~? —~ _, - rv al —- eo * what I wanted of you.” — CTTRD ies ‘Phen our interview is ended. Good-by, = = |: ' | Deadwood Dick, and good-by forever. a Lee i When next you see my face it will be in “eR a Py death. . 4 ‘With that she turned and walked rapidly re eh?” - “No, not yet. My work is not done.” ‘* How many have you gathered in?” ‘* All but one, now.” ‘And who is that one?” ‘Wesley Wyndham.” floating about town, bearing this notice: ae “$1,000 REWARD! | _— _ * The above sum will be paid for the capture of Togs Rs. Bella Brennan dead or alive. COMMITTEE,” oS Two more men had been found killed. Pda es Br. Nefre' ' f jos : i Le iA)? hice” WE ee tr ] ° “i eet hy rs “Au settled. There is more depending than the ; ” a i> j : ’ : , = + wea Se G os ; “ iJ ull ye . , on. itp 7 ot 14 ae } =", ,% ’ r et Ws if ae’ 3 ‘eee? 4 i NY ae i Noy ° oe iy : or. pen “: 4 : ne ow i . tae « Mtn» ave ie ee) « >» ae 5 7 ‘ 4 tae 4 | ‘ d Cm F 4 * 4