Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 812 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

— eo — —~ \ ——— — ED a Again did the poet’s doggerel foolishness tickle the throng, and even the bullwhacker had to smile, Just then, too,a new-comer upon the scene lent aid in restoring peace and saving the bad man of the camp further defeat and disgrace. The new-comer was Fly Fan. ‘‘ Hello!” she exclaimed in a cheery way, ‘‘what’s the trouble bere? Not ina pickle, are you, Poet? If so, one good turn deserves an- other, and [ll try to belp you out. What is it?” “Oh, it is nothing, fair lady,” assured the poet, bowing. ‘‘Just a little misunderstanding with this gentleman regarding a dance, that is all. Itisall over now, I trust, and I have just offered him the right hand of good-fellowship. Will you accept it, sir?” ‘‘Y reckon | moughtas well,” said the bull- whacker, sheepishly, ‘‘ Et would be a durn shame to killa poic, anybow. Till let upon ye this time, but see that ye don’t do et again,” He gave his hand, with that, and thus they nade up while the crowd renewed its laughter, The trouble ended, the music struck up, and the bullwhacker claiming bis turn with Slickery Sal, away they went in the dizzy whirl of a wab- bling waltz. “Do you dance, fair lady?” asked the poet of Fly Fan, . ‘‘T can fling my feet a little, you bet,” was the prompt response, ‘* And would you crush me with the weight of your scorn were I to ask you to dance with me?” ‘¢Of course not. I’m out for a little fun, and I’m going to have it, so just catch on if you want me to make your head swim,” The poet bowed his thanks, and they joined the dancers, The on-lookers could not but admire Fly Fan, whose every movement was full of grace, and the other women in the place looked upon her ith envy. “She was hardly of their kind, however. Her be was fresh and fair, with nothing of the ens of dissipation so common to the famale vabitue of such resorts in your Western camp, At the ending of the dance she and the poet parted company, the poet making her a bow that might have caused the shades of Chester- 31d to pale with envy. No sooner had they parted than no less a per- jgage than Onway Woodworth, the mine- .nager, was at the girl sport’s side, ‘*May I have the bonor of the next dance vith you?” he politely asked, The girl gave him a searching glance, , “Who are you?” she inquired. , ‘“ My name is Woodworth; ’'m manager of he Grub-stake Mine at this place,” ‘*A mine-manager, eb? ell, [ don’t mind; % you'll have to let me rest up a little, first.” ‘Certainly; let’s sit down here, Shall I call or wine?” ‘* Not for me, sir, I never touch it,” ‘* You are a queer one,” **T am a fly one,” *“‘T can’t understand you, though.” i Yes you can, too; I’ll make you understand 9, sir, * Well?” ‘Iam here for a little fling of innocent fun; sothing more and nothing less, That’s all there is to it.” “T must say again you are a queer one, I| take it you are something of a sport; am I right?” ‘Well, I am as fond of sport as the next one, lagree with you; that is, innocent sport. Now there was my dance with the poet; that was just fun alive for me.” “Say, though, was there anything in the charge that fellow made against you at the hotel?” ** What fellow?” “Why, Prestley, of the Minnie Mine,” ‘You mean the fellow who wanted to claim me as his wife?” ‘ Exactly: you know well enough.” ‘ All there wasin it was in bis mind, sir. I never saw hin before in my life, that I’m aware f, _ Yet he seemed positive about it.” “ Can’t help that, he was on the wrong track, sure, I’m not his lost Mary, by a long ways. I’m neither lost, strayed nor stolen.” “ Then do [ understand that you are a young ’ **Do I look to be an old one?” ‘*Oh, come, now, you know what I mean. ’ you a maid?” “Tow that’s my secret, sir,” laughing. ‘“ If I to tell you all about myself there would be . more mystery.” é; eo = ° +. Teas ‘ ; a4 » Lad a : iF wae fy Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-o ‘* Tell me, then, and let me know whether you are maid, wife or widow,” ‘*And how. would you know I had told you the truth? It’s just as well to say nothing, and let you settle it in your mind to suit yourself,” ‘** But, suppose I made a mistake?” Oh, that wouldn’t matter; I could stand it if you could, Just call me Fly Fan, and let it gO fe that. But, say, do you want to amuse me ‘Tm willing to try it, if you'll tell me how I can do it.” ** Kasy told. severed head that was found here to-day. you tell me all about that?” z With pleasure, far as there is anything to tell. ‘Then please do so, and you'll find me a good listener, I always take interest in anything that is horrible,” The mine-manager then gave her an account of the case as he knew it, ‘Well, that’s the queerest t.ing | ever heard of,” Fly Fan commented, when he had done, ‘i And who is this young lady wko recognize it? ; a have told you all there is to tell about er, ‘‘ And you have interested me in her, I be- lieve Vil drop around and see her to-morrow, and see if I can be of any use to her.” ‘* You will find her just what 1 have said of her, a pure and innocent little thing; one who works hard in a plain and homely way. I hard- ly know whether she will take kindly to you or not, “Why so?” ‘* She 1s careful of her company. None of the girls who frequent these places can come near her. She has made friends with some of the married women of the camp.” ‘*Good for her. Bat, she'll take to me fast enough, I'll bet on that, Virtue is quick to recognize virtue, you kuow.” This was said so bewitchingly that the hard- headed mine-manager scarcely knew how to take it, He was already more than captivated by the beautiful incognita, ‘‘T hope that will be the case,” he rejoined, ‘but if she hears yon bave spent the evening jn the Silver Saloon [ am afraid she will doubt ou,” ‘* Want to bet something on it?” ‘* No; [ hop? you are right,” ‘Thank you. But, what is this you tell me about a detective having teen sent for to ex- amine into the mystery? Who is the detective to be?” ‘““ He is callel Deadwood Dick, Junior.” “Ts it possible! Then I stand a chance of meeting him here if I remain,” ‘*T take it you desire to meet him,” ‘You are right, and I don’t denyit. I have heard a good deal about him, and I hope he won’t disappoint me,” ‘*T can tell you one important thing about him, if you do not know it.’ ‘* And what is that, pray ?” ** Ho is married,” ‘Oh, that is nothing to me. I suppose you are the same, yet 1 do not hesitate to passa pleasant moment in your society.” ‘** And maybe you are the same,” “ll leave you to guess that for yourself, sir. I’m ready for our dance, now, if you are.” The music had ju-t changed to an enticing air, and the mine-manager promptly led bis ne chance acquaintance out upon the oor. Woodworth was a man past tie prime of life, but he was a gay old buck, as cne man made remark, and could dance quite as well as a good many of the younger ones, and the dance went off nicely. When it was done he bad some further conver- sation with the girl sport, and when, finally, she spoke about returning to the hotel to retire, he insisted upon seeing her safely there; a privi- lege which she accorded him, If she had set out with the express purpose of captivating him she could not have succeeded better. I have heard something about a Will CHAPTER VIII. | A STRANGE INTERVIEW, _ ON the following morning the camp resumed its wonted every-day tenor. The holiday had been a success in every way, save for the one gloomy feature of the funeral, and everybody had enjoyed a good time, The mines opened for business as usual, though they were short-handed from the fact that a good many men were hardly in fit condition for \ * *~ ~ inet als white + — . ey Rex — Saw J We ripen, OE ‘ ; ) S27 r ff. 72 work, owing to their baving celebrated too largely. | it was pretty late in the forenoon when Fly Kan made “ber appearance. Having been up late cn the previous night, she bad evidently seized the opportunity for indulging in a late ** beauty ” sleep in the mcrning, When she appeared on the street she looked as fresh as a lark, and was as neat and tidy as she could be, And she set out for a little walk up the valley in the direction of the pass, alone, and on her return made inquiry for the sbanty occupied by Littl Maggie, She was shown to it, and knocked at the door, Tt was opened to her by the pale-faced little lady, whose eyes showed plainly the much weep- ing ste had done, ** Are you Little Maggie?” Fly Fan asked. ‘*Phat is what I am called,” was the answer, sadly. ‘* And you do sewing?” ‘Yes, when I can get it to do.” ‘Well, would you mend the lining of my jacket for me? Iecould do it myself, but have nothing to sew with,” ‘*T will mend it for you, certainly, Come in,” So, Fly Fan entered, closing the door after er, She then took off ber dainty jacket, the vest coming with it—being a part of the garment, Underneath was disclosed a perfect body waist to ber dress, and she looked all the more sweetly womanly without the coatand vest. The neat collar, tie and white bosom became her well, Tac j.cket, though new, showed a rip in one of the lining seams, and any one of a suspicious turn of mind might have thought it had been ripped on purpose, Perhaps it bad! “Sit down while I merd it,” the young girl invited, ‘It will not take me so very long.” ‘Yes, I'll sit down, Miss Meadway,” the girl sport assented, ‘*for I want to talk with you while you work,” ‘*'You knew tiny name?” ** Nothing strange about that, since it is known to everybody here.” ‘* No, of course not,” ‘* You look as though you have been weeping, l have heard of your sorrow of yesterday, and being & woman myself [ can sympathize with you, ‘* Tt was all a terrible shock to rae.” ‘* Yes, it must have been, But, are you sure it was your father’s head?” ‘'Oh, yes, there could be no mistake about that. [ would have known his face anywhere aud under any circumstance,” ** And what will you do now?” ‘*T have been trying to think whattodo, I will remain here till 1 have laid by some money, first of all,” , ‘ ‘You are making money, then?” | ** Yes, quite fast, for the men will insist upon paying me big prices for my work for them, whether or no,” ‘“Which is very good of them. And then, when you have gaved some money, what do “bP pi you will do? Have you thought it out el ‘*T think, but I am not sure, that I will go to Chicago, where I must have some relations liv- ing, if I can find them.” ‘* Your father’s people?” ‘*No; my mother’s,” ‘Then had your father no relations left?” ‘*Not one, I believe, He was the last of the family; or at any rate so I always understood,” ‘* And has he left you nothing?” ‘* No: be was very poor.” ‘* And he was out of his mind, I have heard,” ‘Yes; his business troubles turned his mind, Poor papa! He was once very rich indeed,” ‘* Ts that so?” ** Yes; but, somehow, it all got away from him, and I do not think he ever understood how it was,” ‘* Was his property in Chicago?” 6s Yes,” ‘Tell me about it, Miss Meadway, I am in- terested, and I may be able to befriend you in some way.” ‘** But, | do not know you,” ‘* Do I look like a person you could trust?” “You look to be good and true; I certainly hope you are,” ‘**T will tell you this, that I have never done anything yet that need cause an honorable wo- man a blush.” The eyes of the girl sport met those of the sew- ing girl frankly and fearlessly as she said this, — for a moment their gaze remained stead- ast, ‘*T am sure I want to believe that,” said the * - oe oS