Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 982: "The Girl Storm-Pilot" — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

i 2. * 4 , n 4 Wi * - n ; ‘ rs S +o ee —_ hettbt ec Eos ee eel — Ts Sat oe + éot eon : . a Se. < . yl a Dae ee e's aX P* — »- lps vt y ~~ . 14 ‘Who shall it be?’ cried one, leaping to his feet. x Wildbell was about to speak, wien Morey with a fierce yell sprung toward Walt Ranger, the ‘knife gleaming in his band, The latter had expected the attack, and the sharp report of his pistol closely followed the madman’s wild cry. But the bullet flew wide of its mark! Mark Wildbell leaped forward to intercept the murderer’s blow, receiving the knife in his own bosom. As the blood gushed from the wound he reeled headlong against the amazed wretch, who was pitched head-first into the sea. Mark Wildbell dropped in the bottom of the boat. The fate of these two roused the fury of the others, who sprung like demons upon Walf Ran- ger. His weapons were not idle, The crisis had come, Fiends not men the half-dozen or more pressed upon, him, making the scene hideous with their wild yells and bitter imprecations, The combat was hand-to-hand, not a matter of victory to either it seemed, but a case of ex- termiuation. The wretches struck down each other in their blind fury. Walf Ranger was crowded back into the bow in spite of his desperate resistance, Then the talon-like fingers of one were fixed upon his throat. Dean Hammond sprung to the rescue of his companion, As he dropped the tiller the boat suddenly losing its control lurched to the leeward, threat- ening to capsize, He was knocked from his feet, barely saving himself from going overboard. The excited ruffians were less fortunate, for at the first plunge of the boat they were pitched en masse into the water. Dean soon sprung back to his post, and with his hand once more on the tiller the craft re- gained its usual course. A few faint cries came from the water, and as s0on as possible the boat lay to. The castaways, however, were too weak to swim any distance, and as the wind was blowing peer A t was impossible to save them, Walf and Dean with the wounded Mark Wildbell were only spared. ‘* Poor fellows!” exclaimed the last-named, starting up, ‘‘it is the best thing that could have hap ned to them.” ** Perhaps so,” replied Walf Ranger, who had esca th only slight scratches, ‘¢ But you are wounded, I hope not seriously, I owe my life to you,” Et the wretch has fixed me,” said the giant, his voice growing weaker, ‘‘I fear the wound has touched my vitals. If you can stop this flow of blood it may give me a few minutes more.” Walf needed no second request to do this, and as best he could in the starlight he bandaged the wound, He saw that it was ugly and deep. ‘‘ It’s no use,” declared Wildbell, as he sunk back with a groan. “I am growing weaker fast. I shall not live to see another day.” ‘* Have courage,’ said Ranger. ‘‘ A man with your strength does not succumb roery ai ‘* But the drain has been fatal this time. You ure very kind after all you have suffered at the hands of our gang.” **T cherish no malice toward my fellow-men in affliction,” ‘*T hope you and your friend mayescape, In the death of the rest of us I see the hand of retribution, It is justice,” Little more was said for some time. Walf Ranger silently lifted the lifeless forms of two of the outlaws from the boat to let them sink into the ocean graves, Then they drifted on in loneliness, while the atars grew more numerous and brighter, until the sea sparkled in their glimmer. At las Mark Wildbell roused himself from the lethargy stealing over him, ‘* My end is almost here,” he said, huskily. ** Dean Hammond, come nearer to me, Let our friend take the tiller. I have somethin mportant to say to you ere I die, and I fear have delayed it too long now.” Walf quickly relieved him of his duty, while Dean bent over the wounded man wondering what he had to say, ‘* Raise my head a little, so that I can talk better. There, that willdo. Many thanks, ‘* Do you wonder what Lam,zoing ‘osay? It will surprise you; but it is the '.ruth every word The Girl Storm-Pilot. ofit. Itis to free my mind that I am going to tell. If you escape,it will put you on your guard against enemies, sie ped he start now. But you will be more surprised when [ tell you that you have enemies in your own home, ‘* We were hired to kill you by your half- brother, Acton Marble! Yes; he wanted to get you out of the way so that he could get all of the property. ‘‘ He abducted Lena Riverton, though Nyda Whitehead was the one he intended to have taken away. He made a mistake somehow, but I do not know how it came about,” The wounded man had spoken hurriedly, with- out heeding the other’s look of amazement, A fit of coughing interrupted him for a mo- ment, ‘‘ T am telling you the truth,” resumed he, as soon as hecould. ‘ I think your mother favors the scheme of Marble. [have told you enough to put you on your guard. I must. speak of something else before my strength fails me. ‘‘Dean Hammond, it is too late to undo the wrong | did your father, but I shall die easier, knowing that I have told you all. Itis a short story. ‘‘ As you have supposed, I dare say, I am an Englishman by birth, and my younger years were passed on the coast of western England, My companion in those days was Leon Marble: a bold, unscrupulous youth. ‘‘Weknew your father, though he would not associate with us. He was all that was noble and manly. There was another, too, whom we often met, His name was Edgar Morland. ** Well, it so sen 5 Ta that your father, Leon Marble and Edgar Morland were rivals for the same girl, Evanan Noble. ‘‘Marble grew desperate and swore by all that was good and bad that he would thwart them, Of course he stood no chance with the beautiful Eva Noble, who was as much above him as it is possible for two in life to be. But if he could not marry her himself, he was. deter- mined that the others should not. ‘*He told me. his plans and asked for my assistance, which I gave willingly. ‘* Whenever we met either of the others, we told him some abusive story we pretended to have heard from his rival, until a feeling of en- mity was engendered between them, ‘*In spite of all we could say, however, your father won the fair Eva and she became his wife —your mother, ‘Even then Marble would not give up, but swore that he would have revenge. ‘* Accordingly we circula more stories about them, and even pretended to onnry a message from Morland to your father, At last our object was accomplished. ‘* Your father’s anger was aroused, and when he met Morland again, hot words passed be- tween them. ‘* From words they came to blows, and in his passion your father struck down— Forgive me, I should have spared you that part of “ story. Pardon me, I might have omitted t. Dean Hammond was terribly agitated, though he half-believed the speaker was wandering in his mind, “Go on!” said Walf Ranger, huskily. Un- noticed by them he had been an attentive listen- er. ‘‘Itis time he knew.” Mark Wildbell did not seem to heed the inter- ruption, and he continued: . ‘I was a witness to that fatal meeting, and when your father came away I accused him of murder,” A t poco came from Walf Ranger. + ‘‘ He turned pale and denied it,” the narrator ‘We had a stormy discussion, and in the midst of it I felled him at my feet. ‘¢ He did not move, and when [ bent over him, to my horror I saw that I had killed him! ‘*T fled the spot leaving his body there, ‘‘When I told Marble what I had done he chuckled with glee. ‘** It’s a good day’s work,’ he said, ‘ Here, take this money and leave the country,’ ‘**T dared not do otherwise. ‘* [ came to America—to St. Julian, ‘*Resolving to live @ different life I entered the Church, and possessing good language and easy speech [ soon became a leader. How I guc- ceeded you may know, for 1 am Woland !” Again the speaker paused, a violent fit of coughing checking his speech. Dean fee listened to the strange recita] like one in a dream, ‘* You must know the story of the downfall of Woland,” he continued, ‘‘ After that fatal night I left St. Julian, and did not return for many went on. bd ~ , P a i eo ~ c ~ ‘ es 4 s2. £, . Ty ae” 4s *- ef ry wo A *, 7 ——— ml years, I was then so changed that no one recog- nized me. ‘* You may judge of my surprise when I found at the old ruins, the leader of a band of wreck- ers, my old associate in crime, Leon Marble, ‘* He now bore the name of Gilroy! ‘*T gladly joined my fortunes with his, I need not tell you more, I have lived a dark career, but itis over at last. God have mercy upon my Cain-marked soul. ‘*T could not—not die, Dean Hammond, with— without telling the bitter secret I locked in my heart so many years ago. ‘‘It has been a terrible burden to me, It crushed from my life the last spark of manhood I pos—sess—ed. I—am—go—ing! Oh—Wal— «3 Ham—mond, 1—I—did — not — mean — to kill— While the words trembled upon his pallid lips Walf Ranger had secured the tiller, and spring- ing forward knelt by his side. ‘Wilton Saxe,” he cried; ‘‘you did not kill Walter Hammond!” The dying man opened his eyes with wonder, ** Not iil **No—no | mond |” he lives. J am Walter Ham- CHAPTER XVI, STARTLING SURPRISES. ‘“WaLTER HAMMOND!” repeated he whom we have known as Mark Wildbell. ‘‘ Yes,” replied the other, ‘‘ You do not recognize me, but I am he, I did not dream you were Wilton Saxe, whom I knew so long ago. ‘‘ Walter Hammond!” repeated the dying man a second time, and he lifted feebly his hand, ‘‘I am dreaming now.” ‘*No—no! Iam he,” The other aroused himself enough to af ‘* Let me see your face, please, I ought to re- member that.” Walf Ranger pulled aside the cape and turned his countenance so the starlight shone directly upon it, ‘** You would recognize me quicker were this beard removed.” ‘*T see—the eyes—the sain hui Sab Po the same! I can die easier now. Oh, Walter, say tbat you forgive me!” ‘* Ags I hope for forgiveness in my or wrong- doing, so do I freely pardon you, Wilton Saxe. We have both sinned and suffered, I know, But Iam glad we have met at last, though we must s0 scon part. I must soon follow you,” ‘¢ You may be saved, I hope so,” The other shook his head. Then he turned to Dean, who had been a wondering spectator, ‘‘My son,” he said, in a husky tone, ‘can you take the hand of your father, stained as it is with the blood of a fellow-man? I had intended to keep the dis from—” Dean stop to hear no more, With a glad cry he fell into the other’s arms, murmuring: ry ee father! you have come as one from the grave ‘*So I have, my son, for to you and the world I have been dead these many years. I could not stay away longer, so I came to Cliffwood to watch over you. id not disclose my identity, for you must remember that [ am an outlaw.” ‘‘You were not to blame for the death of Edgar Morland,” now spoke Wilton Saxe, who had seemed to gain new strength, ‘‘ Leon Marble and myself drove you and him todo as you did. In the sight of Heaven I believe you are innocent,” , ge Hammond shook his head sorrow- ully. A minute later Wilton Saxe threw up his arms wildly, while he cried out: ‘‘Stand back there, boys! Let the old bell have full sway. Hark! how joyfully its tones ring out, The sea grows wilder! I see a specter on the surf! No—it is—I cannot make it out!” ‘‘ His mind wanders,” whispered Walter Ham- mond. ‘t Again he is back to St. Julian on that stormy night when the bell of Woland lured the good ship Aschope to herdoom. Hark! reascn returns once more.” ‘Forgive me, Walter Hammond. I did not mean to do it. Oh, the night is so dark—sgo dark |! His lips continued to move, but they gave forth no sound, : Then they became set and his countenance rigid. Tie is dead,” said Walter Hammond in’a low tone. ‘*God have mercy upon his soul, , Pe ee eee 7 Ae Se ee —— Pee od Pe c ~ ’ ae 7 d ‘ : “ vr ~ pis vo om; —— v". : 4 1 ee Q%