Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 89 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

tas Sy eas at 5 , ' A ieee captive, he begged piteously for water, but did not offerto make a confession. The second time he was ne y obdurate, al- though he was told that freedom, and all that is conveyed in that blessed word, would be his if | he spoke out. At the third visit, however, his fortitude gave way. . ie “Send for the boss,” he exclaimed; “I will confess all,” He was instantly removed to the lower deck, and refreshments were provided for him, while the captain, as quickly as possible, telegraphed the welcome news to his employer. CHAPTER XI. JImM’S REFORMATION, Wuen Island Jim came to himself, he was lving on the grass of the cemetery, where he had fallen, when a tcees by the apparition. He was wet and chilled to the bone. Risin, he looked about him in a nervous man- ner, but could see no one. ‘The storm was over, and the moon rode serenely in the heavens. Hastily he made his way home and sought his bed. The next day was Sunday, and at breakfast Fanny importuned him to go to church, ‘Please come with me and Mercedita,” she pleaded. “Ts Mercedita going?” he asked. ‘Oh, yes; she always goes. Do come! It is so much nicer to be good than bad.”’ Thus pleaded the little maiden. “Well, sissy,” replied Jim, ‘‘Tll try it for once, and I’ll promise not to drink, or touch a card for a whole month.” ‘Fanny rose delightedly, and threw her arms round his neck, kissing him enthusiastically. “You don’t know how happy you have made me,” she exclaimed. ‘This is like old times, before youran away. You aiways did what / asked you; since then you have been so strange.” ‘Have I?” asked Jim, abstractedly. ‘Yes, indeed! You are not like the same boy.” He dressed himself very neatly and accom- panied the two girls to church, spending the rest of the day at Mr. Mandragon'’s. __ Mercedita was much interested in him, She had always liked Dick, and though she knew the Marquis Garcia wanted to marry her, she preferred the young scapegrace, — They were sitting in the drawing-room after dinner, turning over some views of the Holy oe aes had on her third left-hand finger a lain gold ring. ‘ “Do you remember that ring?’ she asked, casting her eyes down with a blush. Jim did not, and was at a loss what to say, when Fanny impulsively came to his rescue. ‘‘ T do!” she exclaimed. ‘‘ Hush!” said Mercedita, coloring again. ‘¢Why should I? Dick gave you that, before you went away to Cuba, and you agreed that it , . ” should be your engagement-ring. Jim tried to look fascinating. ‘Asif I ever could f rget it!” he exclaimed, with a loving glance at Mercedita. , “Ttave worn it ever since,” she replied. “Tf I thought you really could think as much of me as I do of you,” cried Jim, ‘I would give ou ten thousand dollars’ worth of diamonds.” “As [have accepted you, I will accept them. This is my engagement-ring, but vou must promise to be as good as you told Fanny you would be.” **T will, indeed!” “Tf not, uncle would never hear of our union. y can’t you go to college, and when you take your degree, we could be married?’ “Tl do it!” said Jim. idea! It will keep me out of mischief, and I shall havesomething to work for. But, make my mind easy on one point.” “ What is that? ‘Tell me you do not care for the Marquis Garcia.” ‘-7 value him as a friend, that is all; there is no warmer feeling on my part,” replied Merce- dita. ‘¢ But he loves you ‘¢T cannot help that. Youngas I am, it has been my fate to be loved by several men, whose advances 1 could not conscientiously encour- age.” } , Jim was entirely satisfied with this declara- tion, which gave him every hope. The next day he went to New York and bought ten thousand dollars’ worth of se diamonds, which he personally presented to Mercedita. 19 ‘“That’s a splendid | | to college. nn ccc ereriinnnnnnmsnnanneesmmenammaeee nee — Island Jim. She was delighted, as any young girl would | naturally be with such a magnificent Sag ale Mr. and Mrs. Mandragon admired the jewels /very much, and Jim was bold enough to tell them the story of the engagement-ring. They highly approved of his project of going Tale was decided on. He said he would be ready to start in a week, and they de- clared that, if his conduct was satisfactory dur- ing his three years’ stay, he might have their consent to become Mercedita’s husband. He was petted and praised by all. His reformation was believed in thoroughly. Fanny shed tears of joy. Hesat on the lounge en ee 11 Mr. Mandragon thought it incumbent on him to interpose. ‘‘Marquis,” he said, ‘‘I must beg you to re- tire; you are suffering from some unwonted ex- with Mercedita’s hand in his,while Mr, Mandra- | gon delivered a little homily on all the virtues. Itis probable that this might have been the turning point in Jim’s career. In time he would have become a respectable member of so- ciety, but fate was against him. In the moment of his triumph, while his heart was really feeling softened, the Marquis Manuel de Garcia was announced, ‘Ah! marquis!” said Mr. Mandragon, ‘ you have just come in time to congratulate our young friend here.” ‘On what?’ demanded the marquis. ‘* His going up to college, and he is engaged to Mercedita.” The marquis looked at Jim from under his dark bushy eyebrows. ‘“T think it is extremely probable,” he re- plied, ‘* that he will go toa very different place.” “What do you mean?’ a mean simply that he is an arrant impos- At this declaration every one turned pale and looked at the speaker for an explanation. ‘‘Take care, marquis!” said Mr, Mandragon; ‘such an accusation as this requires proof.” ‘* And I can produce it in overwhelming quan- tities. Why, sir, this: boy is not Dick Dimity; he is a low-born tramp, who personates iim, The real Dick Dimity is dead, and this fellow has talken advantage of a remarkable likeness between them to perpetrate this daring fraud upon all of us.” ‘‘Dick Dimity dead?’ repeated Mr. Mandra- gon. Jim felt utterly crushed. He wished that the floor would open: and swallow him up. Oh!” said Mercedita, tearfully, ‘‘this can- | not betrue! Speakand clear yourself from this imputation, Dick?’ She looked anxiously, even lovingly at Jim. As for Fanny, she seized his arm and cried: ‘*You have no right, sir, to say such things! This is my own dear, dear brother, and I will not have him attacked, because you are jealous of Mercedita.” This speech struck the keynote for Jim. “OF course,” he said, ** I can see how this charge originated, but I will cortent myself with asking this wife-murdering marquis to prove it.” ‘What did you say?” asked Mr. Mandragon. ‘‘He murdered his wife in Los Angeles, a few years ago, and he cannot deny it.” The marquis lowered his head, ‘Peace be with her!” he said, softly. ‘She was false to me and I shot her; but,” he added, “the proof of what I advance I have at hand, and I will utterly confound this upstart fraud, out of the mouth of his companion in crime, Belshazzar.” He advanced to the door, opened it, and beck- oned to some one without. The next moment, Belshazzar stepped into the room. He had made his confession, and the marquis had brought him to Mr. Mandragon’s, so that the exposure of Jim might be complete, over- whelming and final. ‘* Good-evening, ladies and gentlemen!” ex- claimed Belshazzar, blandly. He grasped Jim’s hand warmly. ‘* My dear boy!” he added, **I hope I see you well. Itis impossible to find words to express how much I have missed your society for the last two days, during which I have been to visit. my friends in Pennsylvania.” “Oh! pshaw!” said the marquis; ‘this is no timo for fooling; tell these people what you con- fessed to me,” “T confessed?” repeated Een, in surprise. ‘Yes, man alive, tell them all about this boy!” Belshazzar smiled. “You must be dreaming,” he replied. ‘‘I know nothing about him, except that he is a most promising pupil.” Jim began to breathe ogain. The marquis grew white with rage, and his eyes threatened to start out of his head. “Villain!” he cried, ‘you shall pay dearly | for this.” a —_— —$———— } citement, and I cannot have my house turned intoa besr garden.” ‘** But the infamous scoundrel confessed all to me!” he rejoined, ‘‘and I have brought him here to open your eyes.” , ‘I think you have opened our eyes. Oblige me by withdrawing. You have been dining out, Ipresume. Call againin the morning.” The marquis lost ail control over himself, and rushcd upon Pelshazzar, who was unarmed, an¢? bore him to the floor, clutching him danger: ously by the tLroat. . ‘‘Hfe-help!” he gurgled:? Mr. Mandragon rung the bell for the servants, but Jim drew his knife, and running to Belshaz- var’s assistance, stabbed the irate Spaniard ir the side, His grasp instantly relaxed. ‘‘Oh! God!” he cried; ‘‘ lam stabbed!” Now, the greatest excitement prevailed, The ladies screamed. Mr. Mandragon called for the police, and, amid the excitement Belshazzar re- gained his feet, and with Jim slipped out of the house. When they got outside they ran a consider- able distance to avoid pursuit, At length they stopped, and entering a saloon sat down at a table. ‘‘T guess the game's up now,” said Jim. ‘* Perhaps not; we must wait and see,” replied Belshazzar. ‘* Let us talk over what has hap- pened while I was away.” Jim told him of his father’s death, and the strange will; he informed him of the legacy which he had drawn from Mr. Mandragon, an spoke of his prospects with Mercedita. In return, Belshazzar related his adventures, and told how he had been compelled to make a confession, ‘*T tcok it all back though,” he added, ‘ and perhaps they won’t believe the marquis; they can’t find the real boy.” ‘ Maybe they can!” said Jim, Jim informed him of the young doctor’s re- markable case. ‘‘THiem!” said the Gipsy, ‘‘the prospect looks dark, How much have you got leit of your legacy?” ‘* Fifteen thousand.” ‘Give it to me. I will play to-night, and make a fortune with which we will go to Eu- rope. ‘Suppose you lose it ail?” ‘1 can’t; Lfeel my luck isin. Hand it over. We will cross the ferry at once; to-morrow we will inquire about the marquis’s injury and see whatis best to be Cone.” Reluctantly Jim gave him the residue of his fortune, and they quitted the saloon, crossing the ferry to New York. There was an uprtown gambling-house which Belshazzar was in the habit of frequenting, and to this place they made their way, Few people were in the room, as it was early when they arrived, but the dealer opened the game and Belshazzar sat down to try his luck. He played all the evening with varying suc- cess, sometimes Winning, sometimes losing. Jim watched the game with great solicitude, as he was as much interested as the player. All night long the game went on, and luck turned against the Gipsy, whose pile of green- backs gradually decrcased. CHAPIER XII. A SUICIDE’S REPRIEVE. GAMBLING is terribly seductive and fascinat- ine, More alluring than the charms of woman, more fatel than the wine-cup, it binds its vo- tary in edamantine chains he cannot break, At length the candles burned in the csndela- bras with a garish hue, and the gray dawn of morning stole in through the chinks of the shut- ters, But a few frequenters of the rooms remained. Some id'ers had dropped in to risk a few dollars, or for the sake of the tree sneer and the wine, which was spread out on tables, in true lavish Delmonico style. Others, overcome with excitement and drink, were asleep on lounges and in chairs, Belshazzar watched the cards fall, with a restless, lynx-like eye, and smothering a curse rose from the table—a beggvar. He had lost all and pauperized himself and Jim, whose fortune was completel y dissipated. Staggering to the table, he gasped ‘‘ Brandy,” oh the attendant negro pushed the bottle to m, O)OKe) GOMilG <SiGO