Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 88 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

———— a ae a ee NE — A ee DE —_—_ money could be raised to pay off certain debts, and in a blind moment my father turned to this Lucas /.)yne, who was the minister of our parish, and re- quested a loan of money, as the minister was said to liave more money than he could conveniently use. ** Alyne at once consented to loan enough money to papa to square up all his debts, provided a mort- rage was given him upon Lionsfold, to be foreclosed in seven years, if the money was not returned with gix per cent. interest.” “ How much money did your father borrow of this money-lending minister, Miss Grey?” ‘Ten thousand dollars, sir; and ittook every cent to pay up the long-standing debts, with the excep- tion of barely enough to bring my father into the West, where he hoped in a few years to earn enough to redeem the mortgage held by Lucas Alyne against Lionsfo!d. Alas! how one’s hopes may be blasted! “In the meantime, we were to be left under the guardianship of the pegged Lucas Alyne—in saying we, I refer 3 my elder sister Pauline, and myself. Poor papa had every confidence in Mr. Alyne—in- deed, the whole parish believed him to be a moral and self-saer ficing Christian man, and therefore we were eft under his ice eg until papa should re- turn, or until we should become of age. Havin arranged all to his satisfaction, and believing tha liis children were in the best of care, poor papa set out for the West. ** And we have never heard from him since. Whe- ther he is alive and still peboring 2p theso Western mines, or whether he has been killed, is a problem we have never been able to solve. ‘““The first two years of our stay at Lionsfold, whi- ther Lucas Alyne had removed family, were en- durable because Paulie and I were much in school, and, too, Mrs. Alyne was alive. She was a kind, =; lady, and aliiough we obtained an insight in- her husband's nature, and that of her son, she did all in her power to screen their sinister acts fom our observation. Nevertheless, we both grew to regard the father and son with aversion, that deepened into pee hatred on the part of my sis- ter—although I cannot say that I ever really hated anybody, no matter Low deep my dislike may have been. “ At the end of the second year after my father’s departure—which, by the way, was three years ago this month—Mrs, Alyne died, and we, two young, inexperienced girls, were left alone to battle wit the two wolves in sheep’s clothing. For, though a preceptress or governess was provided to look af- ter us, she was literally our enemy, being in all the schemes of the minister and his son, and we re- ceived nearly as many insults as though she were not in the house. ‘Paulie was at this Juncture wt ag years of age, while I was but sixteen; but we were both plucky, to some extent, and fought our enemies like ‘oung rebels, But soon there came a change. aulie fellin love with a handsome young lawyer, and I believed that he returned her pure affection, until he absconded with a large amount of funds which had been intrusted to his keeping, and left her a coid, cruel letter, stating that he had but been trifling w ith her—that he had not the least spark of affection for her—bidding her seek another lover who would be mor» befitting to her station in life. Poor Paulie! It nearly broke her heart, for awhile, she loved him so; then she grew changed—was no longer herself, buf a wild, reckless, harum-scarum girl, Nor was I greatly surprised at the news that came to me one morning. “Tt cane in the shape of a note from Paulie, stat- ing that she still loved her deserting lover, Dick Tur- ner, and,in search of him, had gone out into the world. Strange to say, Mr. Mapleton, I did not worry about her welfare. I knew that she was capable of caring for herself, for she possessed an indomitable will, a.id could be as firm asarock. It is such women who can resist temptation, and fight their own batiles,. “The Alynes made every effort to recapture her, but all to no avail, and they therefore turned upon me. I shall not try to enumerate to you the miser- ies I have endured in the time which has elapsed since, wp to four months ago, when I gathered to- gether sufficient courage and a little money, to flee from a life that was one routine of slavery, insult, and torture. Thank God that] am at last tempor- arily out of the power of my enemies!” “The mortgage has not been foreclosed upon Lionsfold, yet, then?” ‘“‘No; nor can it be for several years yet. The roperty, being in close proximity to a growing city, ta in tue interval, greatly advanced in value, and consequently, the Alynes are desirous of retaining sossession of it, as it isindeed a princely heritage. n order to do this, ‘he reverend reprobate proposes to marry me to himself, and thus secureit. For neither the father nor the son will listen to anything else than that poor papa is dead.”’ ‘They may ship up on their calculation,’’ Rosebud Rob said, rising. “I thank you, Miss Jennie, for what you have told me, for it may perhaps enable me to serve you further in your trials. I must bid you good-morning now, hoping you may find your new home abundant with comforts which breed con- tentment.” ‘But, you nvust come and see me once in awhile,” she sai, offering her fair, shapely hand. “Am I not excusable if Tlong for younger companionship than that of dear, rood Aunt Priscilla and Mr. Ma- son?’ andasweet, expressive look took possession of | her eyes as she gazed into the deep, fathomless eyes of the Sport. “Surely you are to be pardoned, and if my occa- sional ‘ill in any way please you, very likely ow, how- ever, | must Lic 5 resence will shall be on hand when wanted. ‘ou adieu!” ~— Beadle’s HalfDime Library. — —— — — ee eee —$—$—$$ $$$ ee And, raising the pretty hand gallantly to his lips, he saluted, and then strode away, just as the dare- devil, Baltimore Bess, crossed the gulch at right- angles, not far away. That her sharp gaze had seen the P partons the Sport felt sure, and a peculiar flush dyed his cheek, as he approached the spot where she had halted, evidently waiting for him to come up. “So! so!” she exclaimed, in an attempted mer tone, which Rosebud Rob could see was feigned. ‘*The Romeo has found his Juliet, eh, in the waif of a romantic adventure?” “Why so, Bess? Cannot a fellow be gallant with- out his motives being misjudged, eh, old gal?’’ was parry. ‘Oh! it’s all right,” she replied, with a light laugh. **Tt’s none of my business, of course.” ‘* And why not, Bess? Of late we’ve been sort of pards, and got along first-rate, for our interests seemed mutual.” ‘You jest bet on it, they were, Sport! But that was before you tackled on to a new lode—that is to say, poe you took a new responsibility upon your ands.”’ ‘“What do you mean, Bess? What jealous freak is this, on your part?” “Oh, nothing! nothing!’’ she said, hastily, turning her face partly away that he might not see the moisture in her eyes. “I hear that you are going to undertake the capture of this man, Diablo?’’ ‘“Yes, and shall want you to help me,” he said. ‘*But I want you like yourself, Bess—I want the fearless dare-devil, instead of the woman you are now. No more of this jealousy then, if you are a ard of mine. Remember, in this hunt for Diablo here is money to be won—or death /” Her eyes glistened. She seemed firmer and more fitting to the strange character she sustained. “ en you want me—whistle!” she said; ‘* I will be ready.” ** Bess, why do cabin yonder? other woman in the mines, thing,”’ ‘*T haven't the least doubt of it,” she replied, a spice of sarcasm in her tone—‘‘leastwise, the fra- grant rosebud and the honey-bee are sometimes as- sociated together. Perhaps I shall visit the young lady soon.’ And with a smile, she walked away in a different direction than that taken by the Sport, as he wend- ed his steps toward his hote ou not call upon the girl, at the ou are nearer her age than any She is a sweet little All that day, the excitement was unprecedented in Cascade City. Men lay idle in order to participate in a tees 23 ous about the tragedy, and about the bloody- anded desperado, Diablo. A vindictive feeling was afloat, and a few of the bolder ones organized into a secret vigilance band, to be ready at the shortest notice. And reward- apers, offering five hundred dollars for the capture of the gang, were posted up in the gulch and on the rails During the day Rosebud Rob sauntered about, here and there, keeping his eye ‘‘ peeled,” to use a figurative expression, and Reatang as much as possi- ble without saying anything. It occurred to him that the dead cashier had made mention of Millicent Vere as being in the secret of the large amount of bullion in the bank. By careful inquiry he man- aged to ascertain the dwelling occupied wy the Veres. It was a sort of hut of logs which had been hastily thrown together—could scarcely be called a cabin, and was not inviting as a habitation, He lingered about in the neighborhood until some person issued therefrom, which proved to be a young woman, As near as he could learn, she was comely of face and form, but poorly dressed, More the Spotter Sport could not ascertain, as he did not care to be unduly hasty in making her cS pp ed accidentally upon During his rambles he stumb He was, in com- Jean, the YOUNROE of the Alynes. pany with a crowd of others, engaged in looking over a stock of photographs which Photograph Phil had spread upon a hastily-constructed counter, in under an awning or tent which he had erected as his place of business. ‘‘ Conservatory of Fine Arts,” read the sigu painted upon the canvas, The eyes of the younger Alyne and the cool ones of the Sport met ina steady gaze almost simultane- ously, and uttering a curse, the Kasterner drew a long knife from his belt and sprung forward, “Curse you!” he gasped, hoarse with sudden rage, which flamed all over his dark, swarthy counte- nance, ‘tell me where the girl is, or Pll knife you!” Rosebud Rob smiled in his peculiar way. ‘Then, making a sudden dart forward, knocked up the weapon of the young ruffian, and with the other hand struck him a blow between the eyes which dropped him. A commending nod of approval came from the os photographer, whose acquaintance Rosebud ad formally made during the fore part of the day. ‘** Good!” he said, as the Sport approached. ‘‘ You have saved me the trouble of serving the chap in the same manner. He was growing very troublesome.” ‘* And deserved worse than he got,” the other re- plied. ‘ Gentlemen, will some of you who are chari- tably disposed be kind enough to drag him, heels at to the entrance of his hotel, wherever that may e! No one seemed to be thus “ charitably disposed,” however. The bullying son of the Reverend Lucas Alyne had not made many friends since his debut in the *‘ social ” circles of Cascade City. “How are you making it?’ Rosebud Rob asked, glancing over some of the pictures, which had been $$$ —e Soa SSS a aa i SS —_———— well executed, digging gold?” ““T think so, yes, inasmuchasI had not a red left in my pocket this morning, while now I have something over ten dollars, as the result of my labors. itis a novelty, you see, in these out of the way places, and a good many stray bits come into my coffers, through such individuals as have a curiosity to know how they look upon a piece of tin-type. Have your pic- ture taken?” ‘No, thanks! I have no desire to add my negative to your already large rogues’ gallery.”’ “Ha! ha! Call around again!” *Do you find it as profitable as Promising to do so, the Sport went to the shanty hotel where he boarded, and took his eb tel after which he set out once more apon the gulch street. As the evening progressed, he dropped into one of the many saloons devoted to drinking, gambling and concerts. Not that the Sport had any desire or intention to gamble or drink, but he always found some new phase of character to study out. It happened that he was the person necessary to produce a first-class row, as usual, The Easterner, Jean Alyne, and his two compan- ions, Peanut Joe and Stumpy Sam, were ranged along the bar, among others, pouring down the vile decoctions served up under the name of whisky. _ The roughs took no notice of the ce Pen chy it was evident that they were aware of his presence. An ugly discoloring of the right eye probably accounted for Alyne’s non-desire to sample the: commodity in the shape of Rosebud Rob’s fists. The saloon was filled with the principal ruffians of’ the town, and although the Sport knew that there were none who were particularly in love with him,, he did not hesitate to remain, when he had a pair of: trusty revolvers in his belt. The entrance of the irrepressible Bully Ike, seem-— ed to be the starting-pin for a row. Tor his coming was with the usuai blustering swag- ger, and flow of gab. ‘““Hayr Lam, feller-citizens—Bully Ike, the bruiser, right frum ther 663rd Congreshional deestrict, you bet! Lookee out, now—a reg’lar old tarantula am I; a second cuzzin ter an ‘arthquake, an’ unkle ter a hurricane, an’a nephew ter an electric thun- derbolt. An’ the fac’ thet I’m jest in trim, ter-night,,. wi’ an ekal ballast on both sides, prompts me ter. make ther age oe an’ liberal wager thet I can; ut er wreath o’ crape o’er ther eye o er room, for ther drinks!” Few who knew the irrepressible bummer, would’ have thought of taking sides against him, for he was an expert in fisticular amusements albeit his ap- pearance was against him, But the two low-browed, sinister-faced compan- ions of Jean Alyne, were unaware of the bummer’s prowess, and accordingly stepped forward. Two more ruffianly-looking fellows probably never before came from the East. What nature had not done for them to make them hideous of feature, whisky and dissipation had, and they were fitting representatives of the dark side of° life in the low thoroughfares and precincts of many of our Eastern cities. : ‘Say, look heer,” Peanut Joe, grunted, ‘‘ did ye say” yek ck me fer ther drinks?” “T reckon them’s w’at I sed, an’I don’t nevyer chaw ther retrospective.”’ “Oh! ye don’t, eh? Mebbe ye don’t know what fer style o’ hair-pins we are—me an’ my pard, yon-- der? We're Bowery roughs, we ar’—Bowery roughs, right from ther city of New York, you heer me? ‘An’ you heer me/ Hayr’s old Bully Ike aiges. frum ther 663rd Congreeshional deestrict, as kin lick — hath thet evyer emigrated from severarial New York cities!” And to prove his assertion the apparently-stiffened old bummer was all lithe and active in an instant, and springing upon the New York ruffian, dealt him a terrible blow upon the end of his proboscis which caused the unlucky braggart to go sprawling upon the floor. And when Stumpy Sam and Jean Alyne sprung forward, they followed in the wake of Peanut Joe; whereupon there was an Ominous drawing of re-. volvers! CHAPTER VII. THE WOUNDED SPORT—BESS SOFTENS. Event it was that the life of the bummer was in danger, as there were savage looks among the roughs who thronged the saloon, and they grew more threatening as Jean Alyne rose to his feet, with a frightful oath, Kill the son of a sea-cook—knife him—fill his car- cass full of lead!’ he roared, staggering blindly about. ‘I'll give a hundred dollars to the one who'll fetch me the old cuss’s =, A dozen sprung forward toward the bummer! Knives and pistols were held Sgnticantly in hand. But there was something which caused them to 4 single shot, which brought one of the ruf- ans writhing to the floor, and then Roselud Rob stepped readily to the bummer’s side, a pair of handsomely-mounted six-shooters in hand: At the same instant the door opened, and Balti- more Bess and John Mason stepped inside. Com- rehending the situation at a glance, they unhesita- ingly joined sides with the Sport and the bummer, just as the former cried out: ; “Come on, you black-hearted cut-throats if you want to fight it out on this line! You'll find you aks quite run this town yet awhile, if I know my- self!’ This was what was wanted. %. The ruffians, after im bie large quantities of poor whisky, were stimulated up to the fighting OOO) ecoilm (C any galoot in, CS (El) i — S&S.