Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 705 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

They know each other well, but Damascus knows very little of either, Swift showed him- self a capable man to fill the place of Mr. Duke’s former superintendent, Davis, who was killed by the fall of rock, and so he obtained his position in the Royal Duke, At about that time this singular vailed woman first appeared in town, They may not be man and wife, but if I am not mistaken the time may come when they will ” Although it was yet early in the evening, the saloon was thronged with the striking miners, Bayard Swift pushed his way through the crowd, peering anxiously around for the vailed lady. But he saw nothing of her till he came to the part of the room where the card-tables were, There he found her seated quite alone at a table. Sbe saw him, and made a motion for him to approach, ‘Sit down, Frank,” she said, in a low, pleas- ant voice, ‘*I was looking for you.” ‘‘ And did you come here for such a purpose?” he asked, banteringly, a warm light in his eyes, and an unmistakable thrill in his voice, ‘‘ Not exactly,” she confesses, as he sat down opposite her, ‘* But I had a strong incitant to come here,” ‘You must have had, for I know you detest such places. I was amazed when I saw you enter the door,” ‘* Then you saw me come in?” ‘Yes, 1 was talking with Royal Norman in front of the saloon. followed you at once,” “Oh, you did?” half-laughed the vailed lady. ‘*T suppose you thought it best to keep an eye on me?” Swift smiled, but the warm light in his eyes deepened. ‘IT did not know but you were looking after some other fellow,” he acknowledged, jestingly. ‘* You scarcely dream how near the truth you were,” The smile faded slowly from his face, ‘* What do you mean?” he faltered. “That I was looking after another fellow,” she confessed. His lips came together firmly, and he stared hard at the vail which hid her face, ‘‘T wish I could see your face now,” he finally said, his voice low and hard, ‘* Ah, you are jealous!” came from beyond the baffling vail. ‘*Perhaps so. Iam sure you are jesting, but such jests turn my heart tostone, I cannot bear them, for the thought of losing you after you have confessed that you love me best, even though another has a prior claim on you—the thought is enough to drive me mad, ou know how | love you, my—” ‘Hush! I know all, and you should know your love is returned. Have I not proved it to you by forever turning my back on my past life, and proving false to the one to whom I was ledged—the noble man who loves me with all his heart? I know I have done wrong, and m conscience troubles me constantly, but it is all for you—all for you!” Her voice was low and soft—so low that any- one standing within four feet of the table could not have understuod her words. But in it there was a deep passion—a tender thrill of love that should have satisfied the most exacting lover, The look on Bayard Swift’s face changed. ‘“‘T cannot doubt you,” he whispered, all atremble with the intensity of bis emotions, ** You are mine, mine for all of the past! For- tune intended us for each other, but it came cruslly near placing a barrier between us, I wish to wrong no man, but I believe you right- fully belong to me, With such a faith, no hu- man being can take you from me, I do not think you have done wrong.” ‘*T am sure [ have, I should not have sur- rendered to my love for you till I saw him and told him all. He loves me, but I believe he would have given me upif he knew I loved an- other more than I did him. He would not want an unwilling wife, But I have made a bad step, and now I must abide by the consequences. I shall never dare face him and tell him the truth.” ** But J will.” ** He will kill you! You must not!” **T am able to take care of myself, and I am no robber of a man’s sweetheart and promised wife. If he demands satisfaction, we will meet man to man and settle the affair.” **Tt would be madness! He is an expert with any kind of a weapon.” **T am nota novice. You must confess that is the only honorable course for me to pursue.” The Vailed Mystery wes silent for several seconds, ‘*T suppose it is,” she finally confessed; ‘‘ but LE en Pt adhd “ ye 7 ve ety Mood = ; ; <aaeers e) a) © Ps vi ; eT Violet Vane’s Vow. t rey it seems a terrible thing to me, Oh, Frank, Frank! he will surely kill you!” ‘* Fortune may favor me,” ‘* And then he will be slain. Allon my ac- count! Great heavens! what have I done? Was there ever girl in such a position before? ‘“Many of them, It has been their fortune from time immemorial. Hundreds of men have fought and slain each other for the possession of some fair lady love,” ‘‘But I cannot bear the thought of any one being killed on my account. If you were slain, I should have nothing more, to live for; if he should fall, the memory would haunt me to my crave, Is thereno way by which such a calam- ity may be avoided?” ‘* Possibly; but 1 cansee no light now. If he finds us, the truth must be revealed. What will follow I cannot say. He is a man of strong passions, although usually as cool as ice, if all that I have heard of him istrue. There is little doubt but he will demand a meeting.” ‘* Then let’s go away from here at once—far away where he will never be able to find us.” *** And abandon our mission of vengeance?” She clasped her hands convulsively and bowed her head. For several seconds she remained thus, then she spoke coldly, firmly: ‘‘No. I forgot for an instant why we are here. The dead must be avenged, tte would not rest easy in his grave were we to allow his murderers to escape. Wemust stay whatever comes,” ‘*That is a sensible decision. Iam certain id one of the dastardly band is in Damascus, and I think I have them all spotted except their captain, If lam right, some one got ahead of us and ended the career of one of them to-day.” ‘* How was that?” “One of the men whom I suspected was shot dead in this very saloon to-day.” “Who did it?” ‘‘That is a mystery. The person who fired the shot was not seen by any one within the saloon, and no one seemed able to locate him,”’ ‘That was strange,” “‘Tt was, indeed,’ ‘*'Who was the man killed?” ** A Mexican called Pedro.” ‘There was a Mexican in the band,” ‘* But I bad almost forgotten you said you came here to meet somebody.” ‘‘T beg your pardon, but [ did not say so. I said I came here to look for somebody,” “Who?” ‘““The very person whose appearance we both dread,” ** Violet Vane™ ** Yes,” ‘*'You must have heard—” ‘*] have heard the rumor that heis in town, although no one seems to have seen him. He must be in disguise, but | do not think he can disguise himself so { would not know him. [ came here to watch the people, feeling sure he would visit the place if he bai reached Damas- cus, Swift was silent several moments, apparently thinking. Hesoon scemed to arrive.at a deci- sion, and he said fraakly: “T did not wish you to suspect the truth so soon, but as itis | will try to conceal nothing, I believe Violet Vane shot the Mexican, Pedro, In fact, a voice was heard declaring it was his first blow at the Serpent Six. Noone could tell from what point the voice came, but witL- out a doubt Violet Vane is in Damascus.” And seemingly from the empty air above the heads of Bayard Swift and the vailed lady fell these words: ‘* You are right, Frank Fenton; Violet Vane is in this very saloon!”’ CHAPTER VI, THE OWNER OF THE MULE, ScARCELY had Bayard Swift disappeared within the Sweet Buttercup Saloon when Royal Norman felt a touch upon his arm, and, whirl- ing swiftly, he was able to make out the figure of ** The People’s Poet.” J. Milton Mole, “T beg your graceif tf encroach, Don’t turn your face from my approach, If you will listen standing here, Tl speak a word into your ear,” chanted the rhymester, striking an attitude of appeal, “Go on with your say,” laughed Royal; “but for heaven’s sake do not give us too much of that sort of stuff. Ido not wish to flatter you, but your verse is really too valuable to waste in such a reckless manner,” ‘Thanks, many thanks,” bowed Mole, with his hand on his heart. ‘*Tbe Muse at times I would restrain, but find my efforts all in vain, There—there it is, sir! It will slip outin o nary conversation. 1 cavnot help the things say, and all because I’m built that way. Itis very mortifying, but I suspect it is because Iam nature's own poet. I’m often forced to talk in verse both good and bad—and sometimes worse, That’s the way it willcome. I am not really responsible,” ‘*] trust not, ; A But what did you wish to say o me “T hope with me you will go in To yonder gilded place of sin. I hate to go Alone, you know, So your consent I hope to win, ‘‘That is it concisely, put in ear-charming verse. It is your company I desire, for I am naturally averse toentering such a place alone.” Royal hesitated a moment, He had thought of following Swift into tbe saloon, and he finally decided to accompany the poet. When he was aware of this, Mole became quite profuse with his thanks, **T shall be under great obligations to you, sir,” he declared, ‘‘ Il am naturally of a timid cisposition, and [I know a man is liable to lose his scalp, figuratively speaking, in such a place, With some one whom | know to accompany me I feel much bolder, It puts considerable stiffen- gy fons my backbone,” ogether the two men entered the saloon, ‘* It’s seldom, sir, I do indulge, But now I am afraid At your request I’d be induced To take some lemonade,”’ ventured Mr. Mole, as they strolled past the bar, Royal laughed. ‘‘T am sorry,” he said, ‘* but if you do not drink anything stronger than lemonade, I fear you will have to remain thirsty, They do not keep so mild a beverage here. Whisky straight is pretty nearly the universal drink.” ‘*A drink so vile allures me not; | leave it for the wretched sot.”’ ‘That settles it, then, and Il am in the of adrink, I never take anything myself. ‘*T am glad to hear you say so, young man, Beware of the wine when it is red, for itis a de- ceiver that will play the Lest of them foul, But I would inquire if you have seen anything of my traveling companion, the Dutch gentle- man?” ‘*T have not set eyes on him since that mule carried him down the trail into town.” ‘* 1 am looking for him in vain. He seems to have vanished, Ah!” Mr. Mole stopped in his tracks and stood staring straight at Bayard Swift, who was talking with the vailed lady at one of the card- tables, ‘* What is it?’ inquired Royal. ‘‘That young man yonder. Perchance I have seen hiin before. At least, it seems thus to me. Who is he, ay I ask?” ‘‘ The one talking with the yvailed lady?” ‘* The same, sir.” ‘*That is Bayard Swift, Horatio Duke’s mine rintendent,” ‘Thank you. And another thing: How long has he been a resident of Damascus?” ‘* But a short time. Ido not think I can tell exactly how long at present,” ‘* And the lady with whom he is conversing?” a Appeared in town at about the same time he id, ' ** Who is she?” ‘*No one knows. She is called the Vailed Mystery.” ** Ha, ha! I think, perchance, I scent a strange romance, (That rhyme is pat!) Why should the lady there Her face conceal with care? Now tell me that.”’ ‘You have asked me too much,” confessed Royal. ‘‘ But perhaps she would tell you if you asked her in rhyme.” The poet looked startled. ‘*T would not dare,” he declared. ‘“‘Il am a very bashful man, sir.. But, if you choose, we will stroll past them so I may get a closer view of the young man’s face.” As Royal and Mole passed the place where the young miner superintendent and his vailed companion were sitting, the poet heard Swift declare that Violet Vane was in town, Nor- man and the rbymester passed on without wit- negsing the consternation of the couple at the card table as they -heard the strange voice in. the air. ‘*T am sure I have seen him before,” declar- ed J. Milton, when they were safely beyond, the point whére they might be overheard by price su » EAs ' 4 ot 3 a 4 oe See 1 ~' San : ‘An J in Paes at f d 7