Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 886 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

py te. — } ’ oy ¢ ® the parent es ‘ . ty fe> ‘ Ps a 6 7 . ” : Slee ‘4 + ts J ri” rhe * 7) oe 4 »*¢ M rit ped by | ‘ Fs x | we "ti ; Old Disaster, the Border Nomad. + “ [ got suthin’ fer ye, lad—suthin’ what yer partners guv me ter took keer on, an’ forter- nately ther dirty pirates wi’ hidden faces did not diskiver. Hole yer han’; hyer she be!” And the old onder placed the leather bags containing Jackwood’s share of the gold which had been taken from the placer in Dis- mal Gorge into the young miner’s hands, Jackwood uttered an exclamation of pleas- ure, ‘* Thank you, Disaster, for bringing it to ”? vitihen a sudden change came into the young man’s voice, ashe added; ‘‘ The chances are that it will never dome any good, after all, for who knows if weshall escape alive from this diabolical hole?” ‘¢T reckon, lad, thet ther chances are ag’in’ us ef Stokes carries out his dirty schemes. But we mus’ fight fer our lives. W’en they cum ter lead us like lam’s ter ther slaughter, ther lam’s mus’ prove ter be wolves,” Then they set about laying a desperate plan forescape. __ The hours slipped by. Finally the sounds of shouts and songs came from the main chamber. Boisterous laughter resounded through the echoing arches. There were imprecations, yells, and a Babel of noises. ‘¢ What does that mean?” asked Jackwood. ‘‘Oh! they are problikely gittin’ reddy fer ther barbecue,” was the grim response, Then the two desperate men waited to be called forth to face their doom, Slowly the minutes slipped by. Half an hour passed. Gradually the sounds of shouts and songs diminished. Aftera timea dead si- lence reigned within the great rock chamber. The prisoners were puzzled. «é Hark )? The word was hissed from Jackwood’s lips. Soft footsteps were heard beyond the door. Stealthily the bar which held the door in place was removed, Some one was coming! ‘* Reddy !” gritted Old Disaster. In each hand the two men held a heavy stone, prepared to fight for their lives. The door swung open and both prisoners ut- taved exclamations of amazement. Before them, with a light in her h the bebeld a beautiful girl. She Sacksoned te thon saying softly: *s Follow me, if you would escape! Every man within this cave is asleep—drugged! We will all go from here forever,” Jackwood was dazed. That voice—that face! Mea had he heard the voice?—where seen the ace } But no time was to be lost. Silently they left the cell and followed their guide. ‘* Keerfull!” whispered Digaster to Jackwood. *“* This may be a trick!” Suddenly they were confronted b dark forms. Then came the click-clic pons, and a voice cried: “ Halt or die !” several of wea- —_—- >; _ CHAPTER XVIII. sees _ FINAL EVENTS. | ‘© BETRAYED!” | Disaster uttered the word as he crouched to Spring upon the seized bis arm. s ; ; ** Hold—f riends !” exclaimed the young miner. And so it proved. They were face to face with the two miners, Stone and Cobb, the strange bermit, Minos 8‘. Orme, and the young gold-hunter, Ethan Sherman! — ee a ut Maher 2 ki pckwood. ; n,” he said, ‘‘ don now ” af Father! father Thank God!” pe’ Their hands met; then, overcome otion, folded his wayward but still beloved Meanwhile Eben Stone was explaining to pis. aster the reason of that sudden appearance in ve. it to the little knot and reveg) ing that his Proper name was Frank St -Orm ‘the white-bearded man was his father, forms before them. Jackwood turn. ; her ml a" ; h ea. : 66 When ° return, that de card, Marshal Bay- soundly amid his lor, 8088 toc Ken Companions theman’s face, ‘ Pn is Gist Et Uf thet galoot had er ‘d t < JARS + ? a) \ t - ‘ i ‘ wine 4 ,*) * ae 3 * uA Foy}, < » ee - Roted 4 4 7 om 4 ‘ we, pis identity, stat- rman proposed that, as tho prisoners were hen Ojd Disaster saw | - Weise | . ” A ee ee Pa aA Ae Yh eee?» tele é mn) 1 ty titi Oa died ras * - full beard, 'd say as how he war thet condensed rascal, Flavus Stokes!” A close scrutiny of every face failed to reveal Stokes among the others, Then both Old Disas- ter and Ethan Sherman decided that the beard- less Marshal Baylor must be the villain Stokes. His beard had probably been false. Leaving the rest of the drugged desperadoes where they lay, the party carried Baylor to the rope-ladder, Throwing the unconscious man over his shoulder, the powerful Minos St. Orme mounted the ladder and disappeared into the darkness. One by one, the others followed. Frank St, Orme and the beautiful girl who had released Disaster and himself from the cell were the last toleave, After the three had met the rescuing party, Frank found the girl weep- ing silently. He did his best to cheer her, in a tender, considerate way. His heart was pierced as he witnessed ber grief, and he asked the cause, ‘* Oh, sir!” she sobbed, ‘‘I have no friends. The man whom I thought my father is not, and I am alone and friendless.”’ ; Frank’s heart beat joyfully »s be esazed on her beautiful, tear-stainedface. Something prompt- ed him to whisper: ** You havea friend in me—a firm, true friend, who will stand by you always,” He knew not what made him do so, but he put special emphasis on that last word, She looked up, joyously, into his manly face, ‘Ob, thank you!” she murmured, softly. ‘You aresokind, I will trust you.” How those low-spoken words thrilled him! What a tremor of delight ran over him! What did itmean? Inlove? Nonsense! hehad known her less than twenty minutes! When all had left the cave save those two, Frank bound the lower end of the rope-ladder firmly about her waist. ‘* We will draw you up,” he said. ‘' Do not She smiled and held out her hand to him. ‘‘Hasten,”’ she urged. ‘‘I am in constant pres soe I shall not escape from this dreadful place. Tenderly bo pressed her fingers, Once more he was governed by an uncontrollable impulse, and, stooping swiftly, kissed her hand. Then he mounted the ladder, leaving her, blushing, trembling, joyous at the foot. | Vhen he reached the passage far above she was Crawn up safely, Frank unbound the rope from about her waist, and, growing rashly boid, aided her along the rough passage, supporting her with an arm about her waist, . Minos St. Orme led the way with a faint, flar- ing hght. The little cavern chamber was reached, and Amy St. Orme and Albion Junardo welcomed them back. Junardo’s eyes fell upon the face of the unconscious man whom St. Orme carried. ‘S Who is that?” he cried. ‘* Good heavens! Itis Braman Arely!” ‘¢ Braman Arcly!” echoed St. Orme. ‘ He is known to me as Marshal Baylor.” ‘“ An’ ther durned lyin’ varmint palmed his- self ontes: sum o’ us as Flavus Stokes,” put in Old Disaster. *‘ Fle is my deadly foe,” continued Junardo., My trae name is Ashley Conagan, Years ane that man and I were rivals for the hand of a beautiful young woman, I won ber. Arcly Swore vengeance and stole our only child—a tiny girl baby—from the cradle. The mother be frightened.” “c €d, and for years I have been hunting Braman ola Searching for some tidings of my stolen Out beneath the flaring light came Frank St. Orme and his companion. Ashley Conagan saw her and a shriek broke from his lips. Dora!” ° "a Then he added: ‘Great God! it cannot be! Child,come here! Who are you?” : The girl was frightened, but she answered: ‘‘[T do not know, 4 have always supposed “ey man my father, but I now know that he is not, 7 ‘Then you are my child!” declared the wound- ed man, in greatexcitement. ‘‘ The veryimage of your mother! There is no doubt!” an, ith a glad cry, she sunk on her knees beside She, too, had found a father! After a moment, Sherman said: ““f now understand why Flavus Stokes was my bitter enemy. Here Jies the cause,” He passed an arm around Amy St. Orme’s waist, ut, in an instant, she sprung away from him and flew toward her brother, at whom she d been staring for several moments, : da pialte Wycke 4 : iy sda th, D adi “4 pees rT ry * a ; + « > 4 “. ¥ ts ye Geb". d ’ — & nek... , nk 1 “Frank! Frank!” shecried. ‘‘ Is this you? Where did you come from? [I could scarcely believe my eyes!” She clung about his neck, sobbing and weep- ing for joy; she covered his face with kisses and then nearly swooned dead away. What a joyful reunion it was! They remained in the cave .or more than a week, When Flavus Stokes—for it was he—regained consciousness he found himself in the bands of his relentless foes, Great was his amazement and terror, and he was finally made to confess his crimes, His punishment was then seriously considered and discussed, Finally Minos St.Orme declared that be should be delivered into the hands of the red-skins, to whom he bad been a traitor. How this could be accomplished puzzled some of them, but, one day, St. Orme and Stokes left the cave. The latter came back alone, and Stokes was never afterward seen by a white man, | Ashley Conagan improved rapidly, and soon announced that he was ready to start with the party for Custer City. Frank St. Orme improved every 2 gainer yd to be with Fannie Conagan, whe, tothe rise of every one, proved to be the supposed boy rider of the white horse, and who bad been known as ‘ Little Scarlet Sash.” Stokes had forced her to dress thus and to ride the white horse through the ravine nights, hoping in that way to frighten away tho miners, who were un- pleasantly near. Ere they left the cave, Frank St. Orme told the maid of the cavern of the shadow which rested above bis head, Of course she did not 15 believe him guilty, and promised that, when his | innocence was made clear, she would become his wife. Before going away, some of the party took a peep into the great cave, Jt seemed deserted. The rope Jadder was let down and they de- segnded only to find that it was in truth de- serted. The Jevers and pulleys which worked the huge bowlder at the entrance beneath the fall were broken and the rock could not be moved. , When they left the cavern, Minos St, Orme showed them a fuse with one end buried iu the solid rock near the secret door. After all were out, ke lighted this fuse and followed. Soon! after a terrific explosion was heard, that fairly made the earth tremble. ‘* That seals the great cave forever!” said St, Orme, His words were true, for, to this day, no man has rediscovered and again entered the wonder- ful place. Stone and Cobb accompanied the party to Custer, which was reached in safety, The two miners, securing provisions and supplies, re- turned to Dismal Gorge, but Frank Bt. Orme did not accompany them, Doyce Bradon, the bank-robber, died in prison, but in his last moments cleared away every suspicion of guilt that hung over Frank St. Orme’s head, by revealing the names of his 7 accomplices, and making a sworn statement | that Frank was in no way connected with the affair. Then, of course, Frank and Fannie were mar- ried. It was a double wedding, for Ethan and Amy joined hands at the same time, Old Disaster was present and danced jubilant- ly during the festivities which followed. De- | spite his age and the “‘ terrible disasters” through which he had passed, the old man was remark- ably spry and ‘‘light on ther hoof,” as he ex- pressed it. : Minos St, Orme and Ashley Conagan went into business together, St. Orme’s strange wild spells vanished, never to return, and in a few years both he and Conagan laid by enough to retire from business and enjoy life. Ai he ” er ar ies otge’ pt! ; af" * wy . > Eben Stone is dead. He never succeeded in securing a fourth fortune; but Jabez Cobb — Old Disaster is still living, and declares that he is goodforalongtimeto come, = * , ‘a - ee ; hs r 4 é ; ; bs i Be - 4 > 4 “y wa : { - Hin eH 4 a 'y Ty : ay, Pa P made a lucky strike, and is now taking life ae “ ‘ es , sm ty ” - ‘ . tw