Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 857 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

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Frank Anson listened with a look of pain on his plain face. He was built like an Apollo, but his features were anything but regular or handsome. His dress was plain and a close observer would have easily spotted him for a man who did heavy day labor in order to earn his living. In fact, he was a blacksmith by trade, and a good one. He had a fairly good education, was gentle- manly by nature, but, above all, was all the way through @ man. nee Jessie Braddock had thought Frank Anson the best fellow in the world, and he had almost worshiped her. That was be- fore her head was filled with foolish notions of the stage and she began to long for the fine clothes and jewels her father was unable to buy for her. Then she grew cold toward Frank, although she never fully cast him over until she ran away. ‘Then she wrote him a heartless letter, saying she would never see him again. For a little time, Frank seemed crushed by the blow, for Jessie had promised to be- come his wife. But he had a strong heart, and he went about his work resolutely, sevk- ing in that manner to gain forgétfulness. He continued a visitor at the home of the’ Braddocks, where he was always welcomed warmly, being a great favorite with Jessic’s mother. Frank had pride, and, despite his great love for Jessie, which her cruel letter had not entirely crushed, he would never have followed her but for Mrs. Braddock. After Bob’s going away in search of the lost one, the lonely mother grew still more lonely and desperate. It seemed that her daughter must be brought back to her arms before she died. Then she urged Frank to goto New York and aid Bob in the search. Frank came, but Bob moved about so much he could not trace the boy. Then he took up the search all alone, living in cheap rooms onthe West Side. Chance had brought the man and the boy together. CHAPTER VII. THE MAN WITHOUT A TONGUE. ‘You mean that she has not been upon the stage at all since coming to New York?” questioned Frank, Bob nodded. ‘Then how has she lived?” cried the star- tled blacksmith. ‘* Don’t ask me.”’ The boy’s eyes were on the pavement. All at once, Anson caught Bob by both shoulders, crying harshly: ‘Good God! You don’t mean that?” Again the young fakir did not speak. ce Pell me you don't mean it!’ panted Frank, his face pale. ‘‘Why—why, she’s your own sister!” ‘‘T don’t know what ye’re talkin’ about,” came sullenly from Bob’s lips. ‘‘I ain’t said that I meant anything. What’s eatin’ you, anyhow ?” he young blacksmith choked as his hand fell from the boy’s shoulder, for Bob had not answered the question. Instead, the lad had avoided it by this sudden glint of defi- ance, as if Anson were a foe who had no right to question, instead of a friend, ready to fight for Azs friends. ‘‘She must have lived somehow,” mur- mured Frank, as if speaking to himself. ‘“Of course ” ‘But how?” ‘** S’pose she’ll tell us when we find her.” ‘We may never find her,” “‘'Yep we will.” ‘You ate confident.” ‘* Have reasons.” ‘* How is that?” ‘‘T know a feller that'll take me to her.” ‘‘Then you have traced her?” ‘¢ Sure.” ‘* Where is she?” ‘*Can’t just tell yet, but [ll know pretty soon. Saw her riding in the Park t’other dav.” Then Bob paused and bit his lips, as if angry with himself for saying so much, As he feared, Anson caught it up: ‘* Riding in the Park?” ‘*'Yes.” ‘Who with?” The blacksmith’s voice was hoarse and un.- steady, as if he was trying to hold in check powerful emotions, Bob fully understood all the luckless lover was suffering. ‘With a friend.” ‘‘A friend!” groaned Anson. ‘' What friends can a lone girl make in a city like this! It is worse than I feared!” ‘* Now don’t go ter sloppin’ over!’’ was the boy’s promptadvice, ‘I didn’t say she was with a man friend. It was a mighty fine rig they had, an’ I s’pose likely Jess has gone to be the companion of some rich woman. That’s all right, though shed be so thunder- in’ proud she never’d let us know she'd slumped on the stage racket and had to play the maid. See how it is?” Frank Anson drew a, long breath, color and hope slowly coming back to his face. He grasped Bob’s hand, speaking brokenly: ‘‘Ror Heaven’s sake forget that I ever thought bad of Jessie! I didn't—I couldn't believe it! But you—your manner—” ‘*Can’t alwus size up a feller’s thinks by the look on his mug,” said Bob, who had not said he saw his sister riding with a woman in the Park, but was glad Frank took it that way. ‘'Mebbe I was tryin’ you—” “Tt isn’t like you, Bob?” ‘‘Well, I wasn't. Let it, drop, anyway, I owe you a heap for knockin’ out that tough an’ savin’ mea broken head. He had it in for me.” ‘“What for?” “Oh, I spoiled a little racket of his the other day—kept him from flinging a man off an Elevated train. Isocked him on the hash- trap, and it popped him right plump over, He didn't like it much, an’ so he was goin’ in bigger'n an elephant to git square ” ‘“Well, I gave him something he'll remem. ber awhile. Where are you stopping, Bob?” ‘‘Hangin’ out ata swell hotel on Broad. way. Oh, I’m one of the bloods, bet yer diamond stud! Right in the midst of bloods, It’s great!” ‘* W bat’s your object?” “Tm oat by the day. Just goin’ to see my boss when I run inter Budge Farrel an’ tried to shadow him to his coop. He got on. to my little game, an’ then he got onto me. Reckon I'll go report to my boss, Come along?” ‘‘No. This rig isn’t quite the thing fora swell hotel, and I’m too tired to walk far. Been tramping all day. Come to my room at nine inthe morning, will you? Here’s my address. I want to talk it all over with you. We ought to beable to work better together, I shall write your mother to-night that Ihave met you.” | A few minutes later they parted, each go- ing his way. Bob found Silent Dave alone in a room of the Tower House. The mysterious man was pacing up and down like a caged tiger, a terrible look on his face. He wheeled on Bob as a startled animal wheels on the hun- ter, but made a gesture of satisfaction when he saw who had entered thus unceremoni- ously. The boy had been unable to fathom his singular employer, for the moods of the Si- lent Man were many and shifting. The look on his face expressed his feelings as plainly as words could have done, and it was an easy rrr TL 7 : ® . 4 ‘ a pe Ay “a © ‘ hi 7 Ve 4 Pe a ‘ ‘ : , . % : + ; ee - A 4 r re 4}. ) - : ‘ . 7 . . - fy Sager : wn ' 5 ar eo. , | * . thing to tell when he was dangerous, as he certainly was occasionally. The boy spotter felt that Silent Dave had been greatly wronged at some past period of his life, but he knew it would not do to pry into the man’s secrets when he wasin any- thing but the most agreeable frame of mind. Even then, a reference to the past might arouse the slumbering devil within him. Immediately understanding Dave’s con- dition, Bob made no remark, simply greeting his employer with a nod, which was return- ed. Then the boy flung himself into a chair, as if very tired, which.was simulation on his part, For ten minutes, perhaps, the man who did not speak paced the room. Toward the last, he grew less excited, and he finall paused before his boy helper, pad and pencil in hand. He wrote: . ‘What luck?” . Bob shifted uneasily in his seat, but finally braced himself to say: ‘* What if I’ve found his hole?” Ina moment a clutch of iron was on his shoulder and two gleaming eyes glared into his own, An instant Silent Dave remained thus, as if trying to read the lad’s thoughts, then he straightened up to write: ‘‘He is mine—his life—his heart’s blood! Where is he?” ‘‘ Now, I didn’t say I Aad found his hole, s0-—” He was interrupted by an_ inarticulate sound—a sound that expressed both disap- pointment and anger. Dave made.a fierce gesture that plainly said: ‘* Don’t tamper with me!” ‘* Look here,” resolutely said Bob, ‘‘ [ was after this feller at the first start, though I didn't know it when I made the trade to aid you. All I want of him is to find my sister, an’ I believe he knows where she is. After Ihave found her, you are welcome to your man. If you get at him before that time, I may never find Jessie. See? You can wait a day or two—” ‘‘“And let him take the alarm! He'll escape me! Stand by your bargain!” “| mean to stand y my hkargain,” de- clared the boy, when he had read the hastily written words, ‘‘I never went back on my promise yet. But l want you to givemea little more time. If I do not find my sister within three days, I'll agree to point out your man. I don’t know what he ever did to you, but I reckon you've got a big score ag’in’ him.” The Silent Man’s face worked convulsive! and hé tore at the collar of his shirt, as if it were difficult for him to breathe. The boy was frightened, but he did not show it out- wardly, Seeming unable to conquer his emotions, Dave turned and walked the length of the room again. Bob Jounged in the chair and watched his mysterious companion, feeling cold chills traverse his spine, for there wis certainly something uneanny about this queer human being who never spoke a word though he were eating his heart out with fury. When Dave paused again he was appar- ently calm, ‘‘T had a sister,” he wrote, destroyed her life!” ‘* That’s his little game, ev’ry time,” < Cahn to save your sister?” ‘Ido, Promise to give me three days, and I willtake you to him. If you do not promise, I must throw up the whole busi- “This man ness right here, all for my own sister's sake.” ° Silent Dave fought a battle with himself. Once he turned to the boy and held out his hands imploringly, but Bob shook his head with firmness, ‘* At the end of three days, you will allow me this man?” was the question he wrote. “If you promise,” “You can do it?” ‘* Yea,” j / ; . P=) : : ; ‘ ‘ i ... COlr coDOoOOKS ¥, ® L 4 > me FT Vis cet Pano th Sey, edn A et eu, ~ yall . hu 2a fel - — oJ ; . > ag ak . . —_—~ ~~» * et ae ~<~ S's Be tee % at “~ a ma” e ae ° vo ~~