Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 933 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

* ae ~My De ke L ye ee os i en fs % . nz. S * —_ Pe me ae ol Fs - x ¥ = a - < ‘ee a eat ¥ hee #6 ‘ wT -* 2, = = — ome a a a el aes oe OE A OR rer er’ ih em 8 ee eee = ok 6 sister-in-law of the philosophical indifference which had been recommended on Darrel Dare’s departure, and the ridicule and remonstrance which greeted her grief at their separation, she began to regain her spirits from the hour the orders arrived, It is a sad, but notorious fact, that in the troubles of others, poor, weak humanity finds consolation for its own sorrows, Now Emily was only buman, and assisted in the preparations for her brother’s departure quite cheerfully—heartlessly, Mrs, King said. Then Captain Adams was upon, as usual, to take up his residence in the King homestead during his nephew’s absence, and, as usual, the old sea-dog entered a vigorous pro- test against being ‘‘ thrown outof his regular course,” This included the “ blasting of his top-lights ” and the consigning of such holiday craft as ‘* petticoats” to eternal perdition—all except his niece, Emily. Having done this, the captain felf much better, and proceeded to the King homestead, arriving there in time to witness his nepbew’s ry rebtedy tout ten days afterward, Captain Adams, Mrs. King and Emily, attended a social gatber- ing at the house of their nearest neighbor—a Mrs. Diamond. It was one of those informal, really sociable pale pecly where people become acquainted in short order, Among those present was a Lieutenant Vernier, an elegantly-attired, rather bandsome, well-bred young man, who showered compli- ments and attentions upon Emily until Captain Adams growled that he had “‘ better sheer off a it. This Lieutenant Vernier had tact and wisdom enough to do without appearing to notice the captain’s wrath, but not until he had obtained permission to call on the Kings next day. He flattered Mrs. King by mistaking her for Emily’s sister, and the captain by his tion of the American*Navy, and bis anxiety to know more about it~—having been himself in the French Navy. ** Lieutenant Vernier—Vernier!—where have I heard that.name before?’ mused the captain, as he sat smoking bis pipe before ‘‘ turning in,” but he went to bed without being able to an- Lieutenant Vernier called next day, and it was plain to all that he was deeply smitten with Emily, but, unfortunately, it was not F ago plain thet be was a thorough-paced vil- in _ swer the question. For Lieutenant Vernier was none other than Matthew Grace, iS Leeper Tene of the frigate United States, ex-pirate, and (morally) murderer of his benefactor. He had adopted his father’s assumed name, and, with one hundred dollars given him by his benefactor, after the attempt to murder the lat- ter, fled to Jamaica, where he secured a great deal of his father’s blood-stained wealth. Out of this he purchased a small, but remark- ably fast and beautiful schooner, and sailed to Carthagena, where he secured still more of the dead pirate’s treasure, so that when he returned to New York, Grace, or rather Vernier, was enormously wealthy. © Vernier had many points in his favor. He was young, handsome, well-bred, wealthy, and last, but not least, from a feminine point of view, he was deeply in love with Emily King. When this last fact became so glaringly ap- parent that it could no longer be winked at ptain Adams called Emily to account, but quickly found that his fears for Dare’s happiness were groundless, _ This was demonstrated the following day, when Vernier called to offer his hand and for- tune to Emily. He was aware of her engagement to Darrel Dare from the very outset, but this did not ap- to discourage his attentions—in fact, it secretly spurred him on. : —_—— x =, Ser “a . his heart, Vernier acknowledged the justice of Emily’s words, and thus scored the first point in his yet unformed plan to prevent her marriage to Dare. For Emily was touched by the woebegone ex- pression of his countenance, and said he ‘** must not let this interfere with their family rela- tions,” which was the precise point Vernier was trying to gain. He was still on a.friendly footing, and Emily was not of the type to mention his ore As he was leaving Emily at the door, Vernier noticed a shabby-looking man on the opposite side of the road who was evidently watching for him, and he remembered having seen the man there at least once before, With good reason to feel suspicious of any one showing the slightest interest in himself or his movements, Vernier resolved to find out who the fellow was and why he was following him. Thrusting his hands carelessly into his pock- ets to assure himself that his pistols were handy, Vernier sauntered toward the river. He was soon aware tbat the shabby individual was following him, and, after leading him to the loneliest part of the lonely road, turned sudden- ly and demanded: ‘‘ Who are you? What d’ye want?’ The low, fierce tone frightened the man, and he shrunk back. ‘*T’ve only been watchin’ for a chance t’ t’? ye, Mr. Grace!” was his startling re- f Veesler started in turn. Here was one, at any rate, who was not deceived by the change which a heavy black mustache had wrought his appearance. ‘‘What d’ye mean by Mr. Grace?” he asked, ‘Well, don’t get mad about it. Ye see, twas me as did the job that put you in the way of a fortune when you were only a year old. M name is Smith. My wife was old Tudor’s house- keeper, ’n’I got her t’ change you for young Dare—but it seems he got some o’ the money after all,” “Yes—curse him!” said Vernier, bitterly, and then, remembering the presence of the other, asked, carelessly: ‘* Well, Smith, what is it you want?” He was perfectly cool again—as a thorough- paced villain should always be—and Smith, who was elated on seeing him stirred a moment be- fore, now looked rather sheepish. ‘* Well, sir, ye can see by m appearance how I’m fixed,” he said, henreatibg , an’, as I was your friend as well as your father’s, f thought mebbe you'd help me a little. rd | you’ve got a fine schooner. Mebbe ye could make some use o’ me there—l’m a pretty good sailor.” Vernier’s right hand came out of his pocket. There was nothing to fear from this fellow, and perhaps he could use him on the schooner in some way. . As this occurred to him, an idea flashed eye Vernier’s brain—one that startled him, a ‘ imily, accompanied by either Captain Adams or Mrs. King, bad gone sailing with him in his beautiful schooner several times, Why not get her to go again—and not come back ? He stopped there. It was a matter to be thought over—thought over carefully. Taking some mouey from his pocket, he hand- edit to Smith, saying: — ‘‘There’s more than enough for what you need. When you get the clothes, come down to the schooner. Perhaps I can make use of ou. ‘Thank ye! Thank ye! I’ll be there in an hour!” exclaimed Smith, astonished at the lib- erality of the gift. “Don’t hurry yourself,” said Vernier, quiet- ly, as he resumed his walk toward the river. ‘*The very man I want!” thought Vernier. ‘* He’s got plenty of money—I must stick to him,” muttered Smith. _ Smith stared for a moment, and Vernie tinued: | ‘It is likely a lady will accompany us. Do you know where to find a nice colored girl to attend her?” Smith’s eyes were fairly bulging with aston- ishment, but he answered promptly and confi- dently : ‘Yes, sir, I think I do.” ** Well, that’s one difficulty over. rest was as wf ** Anythin’ I could do, sir?” ** T don’t know,” Vernier did not speak again for several min- utes. Smith must know about the abduction soon, and he was thinking whether to intrust him with the secret now. Through Smith, one dif- ficulty had already disappeared—perhaps, with two heads at work, the others would do the I wish the same, Carelessly fingering a silver-mounted pistol, Vernier began: ‘* Smith, you have suggested that I should tell ou something, and I’ve decided to do so, but if ee have reason to suspect that you have repeated it, or are about to, I shall shoot you like a dog.” Then he told Smith of his intention to abduct Emily. * They are rich and powerful,” cautioned mith. ‘*Bah! Still, I don’t care to run any unneces- sary risks, and how to get her aboard without Adams or Mrs, King, I can’t see. ““Tf we went off without them and failed to return, the supposition would be that we had either run off together, or that the schooner had been sunk, which would save all further trouble.” ‘* Why not get some dy te act as an aunt, or a sister?” suggested Smith. ‘‘TDon’t be a fool! Where could you find a lady who would lend herself to such a scheme?” ‘*T think I know one.” “What? <A lady?” ; : ‘*Yes,alady. 1 think I could persuade her— for a consideration,” ‘*For you, or her?” asked Vernier, sneeringly. ‘For me, She will not even know the part she is playin’ in your little game.” ‘Good! Smith, if Mg manage Ue mre you rich, ho isshe? What’s your an ‘‘ Just this, There’s a lady—no mistake about it either—over whom I can use considerable in- fluence, but I’ve been holdin’ off for a big stake, so you can be as liberal as you like. | ‘*She’s only a housekeeper now, but she was wealthy once, an’ Ill get ber t’ consent t’ be your aunt for a couple hours.” | ‘‘What’s her name?” asked Vernier, curious- ly. ‘‘ Mrs. Lawrence! She's a widow.” ** Well, go abead—see her!” ‘*Sball | make it for to-morrow afternoon— say about three? I mean for you t’ be intro-. duced, an’ then you can call for the other.” ‘‘ Better make it two,” said Vernier, adding = ‘‘Tf you are sure of what you say, Ill go ar- range for it now.” ‘‘Sure? Give mea hundred dollars—she may want t’ buy something t’ wear—an’ I'll bet my head against a rotten ta spt! | ‘* Very well, Smith, Here’s the money, but beware how you keep your promise!” “* Don’t feaar— Oh! Nomatter what questions you are asked, say you can’t answer until you’re on the schooner. | 5 ‘* And another thing. Don’t introduce her as af your aunt—just say . Lawrence,” The two villains parted, and, when the again in the evening, each reported en cess, ‘* And see to the stores at once!” said Vernier. ** All right, sir,” met, ‘And if you can geta half-dozen or more good — men for a voyage—say to the Bahamas—why bring em aboard to-night. You know the kind ts to du that I - suc- — ws - . . . . F *.«" = — wren % ‘ “4% = 4 , . “ ~ ° P f a ft a? y < ==> . » _ - sad mer “+ ~~ “ 7 -_ eo ee ee ee a _ - Po E . - —" > - - : eo J =_ ~ . # ly “s ~ i ‘’ ” ays s} ; ale elie 3 % | . e* ' : AY _ P| * 2 a > | What a glorious revenge it would be to steal | And thus the first stone in the foundation of | we want.” TRA: y oak the promised bride of the man he hated | the plot to abduct Emily King was laid, ‘Like myself,” said Smith, with a hideous But that was not to be accomplished—at least _ CHAPTER VIII. “ Exactly.” | ry not with Emily’s consent. | THE DASTARD DEED, At precisely three o’clock next day, Vernier, “Why, Mr. Vernier, you know I am en- VERNIER pondered ng and deeply over his | accompanied by a lady in deep mourning, | aged to Captain Dare!” she exclaimed, in in- | scheme to abduct Emily, but aside / ath seizing | entered theresidence of Captain King. _ 3 dignant surprise—‘‘ that we are to be marriedin | her in the presence of Captain Adams or Mrs.| Mrs, King had approved of Vernier’s proposi- | October!” bis: | King, could see no way of getting her aboard | tion to take Emily sailing with his newly arrived | ‘Never! I swear it!” _ | the yacht alone, aunt, and regretted that an engagement would : | Vernier did not say this aloud, but he was in| At the end of a week, he handed Smith a list | preyent her from accompanying the 2, wp late deadly earnest when he registered this mental | of miscellaneous articles and stores, mahi a Captain Adams, who shunned female society : vow to prevent the marriage. “Get those things on board as quickly and | in general, would not go, and kept out of the a resigned, hopeless way that betrayed | quietly as possible. We may sail at any mo- way when the callers were expected. | . _ Rothing of the bitter, desperate determination in | ment this week.” nes | hen Vernier called the previous day, stilt " | | fy is | ; ; . 4 ; | : nm ; ; van ty - — pe wh ice = « 5 7 «¢ > = — ~ *. - > <d J . ome a #2 pus ee — ea Sls * ae} AS - " lied > -_ 4 ae ies ‘3 + ae