Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 913 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

‘se -— ~ = ——_ —__ ——_ — - it Keith, the Revenue Spotte I > = v4 —_ ee assumed name. He wasalso married,and not: Guiding her nephew to the top of the cliff, only married, but hada grown-upson of your | Miggs there bade him adieu and returned to her ownage, Thisset me to thinking, and [had a | rock lodge, while Kit made his way to Sadie quiet investigation made, and found that Kyle | Sefton’s cottage, which he found in utter dark- Kenneth wasa bigamist at the date of. your birth. ‘*He had married my sister, Cassandra Col- ville,on the twelfth day of May, and on the twelfta day of September of the same year bad wedded Matilda Merchant, a rich Baliimore lady. This accounted for the singular nearness of your age and that of your step-brother, ‘‘ Well, after tracing out these discoveries I came to this place and assumed this character. i was not ready to strike, and wanted to remain incognito until | was ready. But one day I met Kyle Kenneth face to face, and he recognized | me; but, coward and craven that he was, he turned and fled from me as if he were pursued by Satan himself, ‘“‘Then, immediately afterward, came the news that he had mysterious!y disappeared, and that fears were entertained that he had met with foul play. At any rate, he bas never been seen since,” . “Do you think he is dead?’ ** Not 1! It is my belief that he is hiding from me, or else—” ** Else what?” ‘There may be such a thing that his wife and son are keeping him in the background in order to get the use of his money,” Mother Miggs—as we shall still continue to call her— said, significantly. ‘That may be,” Kit replied, thoughtfully. ‘* Tt bas been a great revelation you hava made to me, aunty, and now it is my hope thatI may he able to meet tais inhuman father face to face, You say he has been masquerading under an assumed name?” 7 ee,” ** What name?” ‘For the present I prefer to keep that a secret from you. [ have some plans to arrange for our mutual benefit, and until they are ar- ranged you had best be kept in ignorance.” Kit laughed quietly. ‘* What if I should tell you that 1 already know the name?” be said. ‘‘ That is impossible,” the woman replied, “‘ un- less you know more than I think you do.” “Oan’t a fellow guess? Now, if | hit the name first time, will you acknowledge it?” +“ Y es. ” **jtis Darrel!” ** Very true—Judge Darrel he is known as, But, how in the world did you know?” uF simply guessed,” **But bow did you come to guess? You must know something to give you a reason for uessing.” “* Well, I'll explain.” And the young detective proceeded to narrate the circumstances of his meeting with the rich lady in Washington, and his subsequent meeting with Bum Blinker, conciuding by mentioning Sadie Sefton’s reference to Judge Varrel’s disap- | rance. } ce see! I see!” Mother Miggs said, thought- ully. should know, But letme warn you of one im- portant thing—be sure to keep away from Dar- rel Manor.” ‘* Why so?” ‘¢ Because, if Matilda Darrel were to see you around these parts, she would spare no expense to have you suddenly turn up missing. She isa | bold, scheming woman. and I’ve more than once suspected that she isin sympathy with the moonshiners, If you are smart enough, how- ever, there is one thing you ought to do,” ‘“* What is that?” ‘‘Gain a nocturnal entrance into Darrel Mavor, and have a private look at Kyle Ken- neth’s private papers, If he is dead you are his legal heir, and entitled to everything as soon as We can arrange things,” F “Very well; perbaps I can work the thing. But cau you prove my parentage?” “Yes. | possess the certificates of the mar- riage and of your birtb,” * Good, We'llwork handin hand then. But I must be going now. When the storm abates I must get my boat out of these immediate wa- ters lest she be discovered.” ‘* You will return hereagain?” | ** Yes, but when I do, it will be in one of my numerous disguises,” ‘*Take care, lest you are suspicioned and at- tacked again. Both the coast rangers and cue moonshiners will beon the alert now !” . “T don’t think so, as they believe me dead, Put never fear; I'll look out for Num- ber One, aunty mine!” | whither, no one knew, except as already stated— ae ——e - a iio aids - i+ mo he > . ior hs. ae — » ae cra Vote = oO. .- ns Yd » ; z : < gt ; a ee, Ss eeaetets “Ga Mew | ness, | The door was closed and locked, ‘*She’s gone to bed, and I'll not disturb her,” he muttered, and continued on bis way. Had he but known! CHAPTER VIII. SADIE’S INHERITANCE, THE next day the storm had passed away and the sun shone brightly, but the beach was strewn | with débris, washed ashore by the waves. During the forenoon the report was circulated by Jarvis and his gang that Sadie Se!ton was missing, and had undoubtedly been | st, the theory being thatshe had wandered out on the beach in the storm, and had, in some mysterious manner, been caught in the surf and washed out to sea. One of the coast rangers went 80 far as to de- shore during the height «f the storm, and this seemed to confirm tbe theory advanced by the others. Tho news spread to the pretty village of S——, situated several miles inland from the coast, and there created great consternation and aux- iety, for Sadie was well known to the villagers, and universally admired and respected. The news caused a number of the citizens to clare that he bad seen her walking along the | hasten to the coast, to prosecute further in- | quiries, All they could learn, however, was that the cottage was found locked and Sadie gone— that one of Jack Jarvis’s Coast rungers claimed to have seen her walking aiony the beach, below her cottage, during the heig t of the storm, so the natural inference was that she had been overwhelmed by some buge wave, and washed out to sea by the tremendous under-tow., Sadie’s huge St. Bernard dog was nowhere to be found. Tue news in regard to the missing girl reached Darrel Manor, while Matilda Darrel and her son, Roger, were partaking of a Jate breakfast, The Manor was a large, old-fashioned, and rambling structure, two stories high, and singu- larly irregular with its several wings and gables, , Painted a duli lead color, and’ surrounded by tall silver poplar trees, atall times it had rather agrim appearance, Within, however, all was bright and cheery, for wealth characterized every appointment. The breakfast-room was a model of its kind, and the table-ware of the costliest description, Mrs. Darrel, as once before described by us, was a portly personage, some years past middle age, with a haughty expression of countenance, keen gray eyes, and bair quite liberally sprin- _kled with threads of silver, Roger was very like his mother, though at times he was free and open-bearted, and in- clined to be sociable. Still be possessed her “Well, perhaps it is as well that you | domineering disposition, and when angered, was not only cunuing and treacherous but danger- ous, After the servant had reported the news of Sadie’s disappearance, Mrs. Darrel glanced across the table at Roger, a peculiar glitter in her eves, “Well, said she, ‘you do not seem much | grieved over the loss, Roger?” | Fes particularly,” Koger replied, indiffer- ently. | ‘* Which proves that you still have some sense | left,” the mother declared with a commenda- tory nod, ‘It is better for the sake of our family name that the girl has disappeared, for | as long rs she remained at she cliff you were not ' your usual self.” ‘‘Family name be banged!” Roger retorted. ‘What does it amount tof You're not thought any the more Of becaus: of it, I am sure.” Mrs. Darrel shrugged her shoulders. ‘‘ There is where you err,” she returned. “It at least keeps me from the contaminating society of those who are my inferiors, If you had my | pride, you would be more locked up t» than you | are, Your associating with this Sefton girl has | already placed you On a common level, and I | can say [ am heartily glad she is gone, for now you may turn your attention to those who are more your social equals.” ‘““If you refer to May Melville, you can set your heart at rest on that score, she can never be aught to me!” Roger declared firmly. ‘‘ Be Sadie Sefton living or dead, I shall always re- main true to her!” . ‘ , a P. * ive: rr wa ~~ re . | really do not understand. Oe | | ‘‘Atthe pain of my displeasure, 1 suppose,” Mrs, Darrel suggested with a sneer. ““1f needs be, yes! You have no cause to be displeased. Il am over age, and perfectly able to choose for myself, and 1 propose to/do so. ‘* Do you know what your continued defiance of my wishes will entail, sir?” ** 1 donot know, and I care less. | have good reasons to believe that Sadie Sefton is not dead, and I shall not give her up,” ‘* What reasons have you for believing her not dead?” eying him with quick suspicion. ‘*[ matters not. Ihave reasons, and that is all I have tosay.” ‘* Then vou refuse to give her up?” ‘‘I do, most assuredly. I love the girl, poor though she is, and I shall yet make her my wife, if she still lives.” ‘*This deflauce is intolerable, Roger,” Mrs, Darrel said angrily, ‘‘and I will not tolerate it, I bave ever Leeu indulgent to you, and to have you now turn against me, in this unfeelin manner, is more than | can or will bear. sbali send for my lawyer this very day, and bavea new willmade. I will disinherit you.” toger paused lopg enough in hisrepast togive vent to a dry laugh. ‘**Disiniierit me, eh?” he repeated, ** Yes, li disinherit you!” **But, pray, mother, how are you to do that, when you have nothing to leave behind? I The bulk of father’s mouey liesin the bank at S——, and there it will remain, until the bank officials are satisfied that fatberis dead. Neither can this estate be sold without my consent, fur, since father left no will behind, lam as much of an heir as you. So I don't s: e bow you are going to particularly disiuh: rit me or kick me out of doors, when I have as much interest here as you have!” Mrs. Darrel bit her lip, and her eyes flashed in anger. ‘You shall see. You may not be aware that a will bas been found!” sbe rejoined, ‘Bab! 1+ on’t believe 11! Didn’t we make a a diligent search with: ut finding a trace of such a document? No, no, mother! That won't work, Tbere’s no earthly use of your trying to bulldoze me, for ’m bound to have my own way.” Mrs. Darre! was about to make a declarationof - war when the servant re-entered, bearing a silver card salver, upon which was a business card: A. COBURN, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR aT Law, Washington, D.C, Mrs, Darrel took the card and surveyed it thoughtfully. ‘*] wonder who hecan be, and what he can want here?” sbe mused. Then aloud: ‘Show the gentleman in bere, John,” and a gentleman of business bearing was soon ushered into the break fast-room and given a seat, He was some fifty years of age, well dressed, and sported an enormous pair of iron-gray side- whiskers. ‘* T believe I have the honor of meeting Mrs, Judson Darrel?” be said, when seated. ** Yes, sir, 1 an. Mrs, Darrel, You, I per. ceive by the card, are Mr. Coburn, from Wash- ington,” **Juséso, madam, I was directed to you by your Washington attorney, Mr. Black.” ‘“* Ab, yes, 1 see. Of what service can I be to you, sir?” ** Well, possibly you can assist me in finding a person i am in search of. Mr. Black said he presume! you might be able to. A large for- tune in money has been left to a young lady, who is supposed to be hving somewhere in this region, and I have been commissioned to look her up. . Fea see, the case is like this: There were two brothers, one considerably the senior of the ofher. The elder was very rich, while tie younger was a miserable scamp, confined in jazl for a Lurglary. ‘¢ The elder brother, being in failing health visited the youngerin prison, and offered not only to secure his liberation, but also w make his will in bis favof, providing the junior would promise thereafter to lead a better life, ‘This offer was recklessly refused; but the prisoner was thoughtful enough to suggest that the will be made in favor of his daugpter, to which the elder brother agreed, and took his de- re, “The elder brother kept his promise. He made bis willin favor of the prisoner’s daugh- ter, and 1 was appointed executor and adminis a ad o d io LAY ‘ < i> = x " | - , + > nd ely "“OOOKS | \ y NX /| \ — . A