Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 820 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Ns (nel ; ie io at, | da ey ik ” q x = —— = "2 os Se SSD > & ens ete oe * ys P é >» ee" ra ee IRE ee? Nobby N The man knew in a moment he was face to face with Git Thar Gert, the owner of Cross Bar Ranch. ‘¢Yours to command!” he said, making a military salute. ‘‘T wish you were,” she retorted. ‘* In that case, [ would command you to take down the fence you are having built across the Gap.” The old soldier hemmed a little. **T fear [should be unable to accommodate you, my dear young lady,” he finally re- torted. ‘‘ Much as I regret offending a charming young la—” “That will do, Major Blukes!” cut in Gertrude Grant, rather sharply. ‘‘ This is business. Compliments and flattery are at a discount, now, if permissible at any time.” The major drew himself up stiffly. ‘Very well; business it is,” he said. ‘Do you know how much you are injur- ing mé by putting up that fence?” ‘*T have not taken the trouble to investigate my neighbors’ affairs.” ‘In that case, I will tell you. You are cutting off my water supply in the dry season.” ‘That is no business of mine, ‘But it is mine,” and the violet eyes flashed. ‘‘I know you are at the head of a powerful organization—a company that cares nothing for any one but themselves, But, I do not propose to be crushed without a struggle. How much will it cost me to obtain the right of way to Clearwater Creek by Rocky Gap?” ‘‘T am not at liberty to sell such a right of way.” ‘You mean you w7ll not sell it. You can do so without in the least damaging your- self.” ‘‘ Tf the fence is not completed there, your cattle can cross the Creek and graze on the company’s land.” ‘That can be easily ‘* How?” “Run the fence across the Creek and along on the opposite side, then bring it back across the creek again, That will give my cattle a chance at the water.” The major shook his head decidedly. _ ‘*T have no authority to do such a thing. _ Git Thar Gert flushed a bit. ‘Then I am to be shut out from the creek?” ‘* It looks that way.” “That means war, major,” she said, and her white teeth came together, ‘*My dear young woman, let me advise you notto be foolish. You cannot do any- thing against the powerful United South- western American Cattle Co.”—He loved to roll the name of the syndicate off his tongue. “You will simply be butting, your head against a stone, so to speak.” , ‘Don’t you be so sure of that. T shall join forces with the nesters—I tell you so deakty: All they need is a good leader, and they will make it warm for your power- ful company.” “You propose to lead them?” “Tf you force me to it, I certainly do!” “‘In that case, you will make yourself an outlaw and a criminal,’ Gert smiled. ‘“What terrible words!” she scornfully ex- claimed! ‘* And the foreman of your com- pany is Mustang Harris, as big a ruffian and outlaw as ever cursed the country! You know that; but he is a fighter, and you have promised him protection from his old ene- mies if he will aid youin crushing the weak nesters. Then you talk to me of becoming a criminal!” : ‘Don't get excited,” urged the man. ‘‘There is no reason why you should be- come angry ” . There is a reason! I am not going to waste my time in talking with you, Major Blukes; but I will warn you again that the construction of a fence across Rocky Gap 3 »”» remedied.” 3? yh ¥ i} : o 4 ; ~ | oa * ; , P PD {~ _- vas ew ee Te S aes 4 % L b ¥- 2 +4 ASE ike eT v, cae) a : a ad hd i. », na . 4 So. + 1 - rs ne es . . . y; ib vin ae: Peale a VAR » | te 2 4 4 _ * iw = ys s4 ; ee © f> a; Na y-< a "vt hood we sa a a will produce trouble. Your men are build- ing it now, and I advise you to call a halt,” ‘« Instead of that,” responded the man, ‘‘ [ am going there for the purpose of instruct- ing them to put it up double.” ‘Very well. Whatever trouble and blood: shed follows, you will be responsible for. Good-day, sir.” A touch of the rein caused the black horse to turn slightly: then the girl passed the old soldier and rode away toward Cross Bar Ranch. ‘By Jove!” muttered the major, as_ he stared after her. ‘‘She is certainly ravish- ing! Hanged if I don’t admire her, Id rather like to leave her a runway to the water, but the company would fire me if I did. Itis their scheme to freeze these peo- ple out and thus get possession of their claims.”’ He rode down the Gap to where the men were at work on the fence, and gave orders to have it put up double. When he returned to the ranch-house, he had Mustang Harris select two men whiom he detached as guards to stand in Rocky Gap all the time, except when they were relieved by two others. They were instructed to shoot any one who attempted to tamper with the fence, ‘‘] mean business,” asserted the major, He soon discovered his enemies meant business, also, for the following morning the fence at Rocky Gap was found cut, and the men who had been postedas guards were bound hands and feet. They told how they had been surprised and overpowered in the night, after which the fence was destroyed by a party of masked men, Major Blukes fumed. ‘This is some of that girl’s work!” he de- clared. ‘‘Now, I hain’t going to stand this! T’ll give her a warning, and if it oc- curs again—” He shook his head ominously by way of finishing the sentence. Forthwith the old soldier wrote a scorch- ing letter, which he directed to ‘“‘ Miss Ger- trude Grant,” : ‘‘ Here, Kirk,” he said, addressing Nobby Nat, ‘‘ I want you to take this over to Cross Bar Ranch and deliver it to Miss Grant.” The Tenderfoot Detective hesitated. — “Why do you want me to do-this?” he asked. _ “It is about time you did something,” was the reply. ‘‘ That’s what you are hired for. I want you to get a look at this girl and some of her men, so you will know them again. We are going to have serious trouble, and you will have to help us fight the fence-cutters.” The young man made no further objec- tion, and one of the cowboys brought a sad- dled horse to the front of the house. When Nat came out, a knot of ecattlemen had gathered a short distance away, and they grinned as they saw the tendertoot carrying his cane. : Nat paused to button his gloves before he mounted the horse, and it was well he did. Ashe stood there, he detected a meaning grin on the face of the cowboy who had sad- dled the animal and was holding it. Then he glanced covertly around and detected the knot of cattlemen who were waiting developments. In a moment the detective “smelt a rat,” ' | In another moment ne was unbuckling the belly-band and removing the saddle, Beneath the saddle he found a thorn that had been placed in such a position that it would have been driven into the animal’s back the moment Nat mounted. Removing the thorn carefully, the tender- at, the Tenderfoot Detective. foot re-strapped the saddle, and then turned to the cowboy at the horse’s head, ‘Did you saddle this animal?” he calmly asked. 3 ‘‘ Yep, I did!” was the defiant reply. The men were scarcely a pace apart. Out shot Nobby Nat’s gloved fist, and he " “ if a4, 4 bs % i? £3 I _ eT ENS Del Se “ue see een tet oe ee ie ae Moh. £ ih Nhat (NK) pr Bet LP ORE pti spe Dib bos » > ¥ ye ‘ 4 A i En : = — . flung himself forward with the blow, adding the weight of his body. The cowboy was struck on the chin and fairly lifted off his feet, being hurled head- long to the hard ground, where he lay like one stunned. Without a second look at the man he had knocked down, the Tenderfoot Detective, who, it was now evident, was not so fresh. as he appeared, vaulted into the saddle and rode easily away. CHAPTER IIL. PARTED LOVERS. ‘‘ A GENTLEMAN to see you, Miss Gertie.” ** Show him in,” A moment later and Nathan Kirk stood before the owner of Cross Bar Ranch, who was seated in her cozy, little office, which she had caused to be arranged and furnished in the ranch-house. ‘‘T presume you come on business, sir?” she said, turning. ** Gertie /” Like a flash, she was on her feet. ‘* Nat!” The word burst from her lips. With outstretched hands, he started for- ward, but only to find himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver held in the small white hand of Gertrude Grant. ‘‘ Back, Carter Wayne!” she cried, her face pale as snow. ‘‘If you take another step, it shall cost you your life!” e halted, quite confused alarmed, The girl was in deadly earnest, and he knew it, ‘* How dare you come here?” she demand. ed, her voice shaking a bit. ‘‘ Didn't I tell you I never wished to look on your treach- erous lace again?” Nap did,” he confessed; ‘‘ but you were mad,”’ ‘‘ Not in the least. I had come to know you for what you are—a dastardly wretch! — Ll ought to have lodged a bullet in your brain, but something stayed my hand.” : ‘Gertrude, there is some mistake about—” | ‘‘PDon’t try that game!’’ came harshly from her lips. ‘‘ It will not work with me! There is no mistake, Carter Wayne!” | ‘“Why will you call me that name?” | ‘‘ Because that 7 your name—or one by which you have been known,” ‘You are mistaken. Inever heard the name until it came from the lips of your — sister.” | ‘Do you think you can make mé believe — that? You must think me foolish indeed! | Have you not worked wretchedness eHouennT Why should you follow us here?” “ ‘* Business brought me here.” ‘* Business?” M “Tt is true. I am in the employ of the — United Southwestern American Cattle Co.” | ‘‘For the first time you are openly my but not +, enemy, then. I am ‘glad you show your colors,” | ¥ “T am not your enemy. Gertrude, I love—” . : 4) ‘Stop! I shall be tempted to press the | trigger! Love! Your love is like that of a | serpent! Your love worked the ruin of my | oor trusting sister! She believed your ly- ing promises—she thought you a man, What is oe result? She is a broken-hearted in- | valid!” met ‘‘T swear I never saw your sister until the — day of our quarrel!” . A look of deepest\scorn swept over Ger- trude’s face. \ ‘You swear to anything; but, there was no mistake. Your double game was e 51 posed. To me you were known as Nathan Kirk; to her you were Carter Wayne. Iwas at school, while she was studying music, | We were separated, and that prevented our discovering the truth until after you had accomplished a part of your foul work. The q be of . ‘ pid rf maps Fe ‘ 4 i. haa né 7" y | , Z (Oo ef ™ <— > 7 I Ld ”y ’ re ‘od 0 Poe! 7 i