Beadle's Half Dime Library, Vol. XIV, No. 351 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

ee Ct EC — ‘‘ My child—my long-lost child!” the general cried, springing forward; but it was only to ause, when be saw a revolver muzzle staring him in the face. ‘* Stop!” Cathie cried. ‘‘ A step further, and I will send a bullet through your brain. What are you doing here?’ ot What? God only knows. Fate directed my footsteps hither—to find you. Bijou—oh! Heaven, can it be you have forgotten me, your own father?” ‘My father—you my father, Daniel Stafford? Oh! no! Once Il knew you as such, ’tis true, but I was young, then, and knew nothing of the st, when you tore me from my mother’s reast when I was but 2 babe!” “Tis false—false as—” “Stop! stop/ Isay. Do not dare to deny it, for it is useless. I am not your child, but your enemy to the death. Hear me, sir—the proud blood of the Parrimores courses through my veins—the vendetta blood of my fathers, I have sworn to avenge my young brother's death—there he lies—and, at the same time for- ever end the vendetta. Your coming has given me my chance, It shall not be the pleasure of my parent to kill the last Stafford, but mine |” With terrible earnestness she spoke, and her hand clutched the revolver with a fierce grip. Genera] Stafford comprehended all: Pierre Parrimore had poisoned her mind—had taught her that she was a Parrimore, and that it was her duty to take up the vendetta. It was a horrible realization to the proud old Southerner; the awful fact fairly stunned him, for the moment. Cathie continued, ere ke could speak: ‘There lies my brother—another example of the wolf’s ferocity, and you the wolf. You had one of your accomplices shoot him down who never did youa wrong. Iswore to avenge his death. I am going to do it, to-night, while I have the chance. You shall never leave this alive, Daniel Stafford!” _ “Child! child! for God’s sake listen, I am your father, and you are looking to the wrong man. Pierre Parrimore never was warried, and is but using you to secure the accomplish- ment of his evil designs. Ican prove this be- yond the shadow of adoubt. Your brother was my own son, andI had no knowledge of his death until just now, nor did my accomplices, as you term them,do aught toharm him. In the name of the Almighty, I swear that what I say is true, and you are my long-lost child, whom Pierre Parrimore stole from my home.” “I do not believe it. No protestations on our part can change my mind. You have run nto my power, and the vendetta shall be ended to-night. Coward and wretch that you are, you would persue your soul to save your own worthless life, but it will avail you nothing. I am Catbie Parrimore, and I will end the ven- detta! Tell me, sir, where are my husband and ebild!” “Your busband—your child?’ ‘Yes, my busband and my child—they whom our tools—Deadwood Dick and his outlaw nd—abducted and bore away into the moun- tains?” ’ **'No such a thing has occurred! I swear to it by the honor of a Stafford. Pierre Parri- more bas played bis cards well, but every word he has told you is a base—a damnable lie!” “Tell me, General Stafford, I command you -—is my husband and child alive?” “TI know nothing about them—never knew until now, that you were married. Believe me, er not, this is God’s own truth—I swear it!” ‘**It is useless—all your oaths would nob make me believe you. If they are dead, or alive, it eannot change my resolve in regard to you. With your death, the vendetta of years ends, and you die to-night!” “You reckon wrongly if you believe that,” be Sa ‘“‘My death does not end the mat- r ; “Bab! who else remains except your daugh- ter? She would faint ata pistol-shot!” ‘* Don’t believe anything of the kind. She at least is a Stafford, even if you are changed. Then, too, when I die, you will find that a worse enemy to the accursed Parrimore race still lives!” ‘ “Who?” _ * Deadwood Dick !” . His days, too, are numbered. But, stop! this delay is useless. You die tonight. I will give you the choice of two fates. Yonder is the - canyon cliff, If you prefer to leap into the _ abyss to being shot down where you stand, it is --your privilege. : you know I am a dead shot, for it was you who [ have the drop on you, and taught me, Decide! You have but two minutes in which to decide!” Her hand was outstretched, and wavered not as she leveled the revolver at his beart. Her purpose was fixed, and Stafford well reali that she would keep her word. Should he allow bis own child to shoot him down, and thus add an awful crime to her young, misguided soul? No—by Heaven, no! he inwardly vowed. He would take the risk of the leap; that would be his own deliberate act. He turned and walked deliberately toward the cliff. Cathie followed him, keeping him covered. He reached the edge of the canyon. Without looking backward he bounded out- ward; the fearful leap was made, CHAPTER XII. PARRIMORE 8S SCHEME, At the old hut in the ravine, after the depart- ture of Cathie, a temporary silence prevailed, as the men refilled and resumed their pipes. It was finally broken by Pierre Parrimore. ‘“ Well, another day is passed, and nothing ac- complished!” be growled. “If the gal had killed the accursed road-agent we would be largely ahead of the field. We must arouse into imme- diate action, for I’m tired of depending on the girl. Then, too, the boys are getting impatient because I don’t set them to work, and if I don’t look out there will directly be an open revoit among them. If lam not mistaken, there is a general regret, alteady, that they left Deadwood Dick’s employ and leadersbip,” “You can easily overcome that, by flinging out a little collat!” Black Bird suggested, sig- nificantly. ‘Perhaps; but that sort of thing don’t pay when MP he is out-go, and no income, I think, however, I shal! set ’em onto the stage to-morrow night, be tbe profits what they may. It will keep them a little better in spirit. And, now, Soaker, as there is no prospect that you and O’Gall will be needed, to-night, you can re- turn, and keep an eye on things at Nowhere. If anything of importance occurs, you will of course notify me. ‘“‘Kerect |” Soaker replied. “I po goin’ to give us a bracer afore we amble, “Cofffound it, you'll bankrupt me, with your appetite for drink. There’s the jug, yonder. Be sure and don’t swallow it!” With alacrity both bums made a dive for the jug, but Soaker won the first drink and swallow- ed a full half-pint of the burning “ tanglefoot.”’ O’Gall had to be content with what was left—for between the two of them, they managed to drain the jug! Then, with grins of satisfaction, they departed leaving Parrimore and Black Bird to themselves, **D’ye take much stock in them bums?’ the ee, growled, gazing dolefully at the empty ug; fi Only so much that they are useful in pee ing us news, from the town,” Pierre replied. They’re notsharp enough to be capable of any great villainy I fancy.” ‘I ain't so sure about that,” Bird protested. ‘We'd feel cheap if they’d spring a trap on us.” ‘* Pooh! no fearof that. Keep ’em in whisky, and they’re solid. Now, to business, It is time my agent got back, fromthe South. He is liable to arrive at avy minute, and we must be pre- pared to meet him.” ‘* Who is he?” ‘““A big galoot I found in Canaan. He was broke, and T coached kim up, and sent him South on the mission. He rejoices, up in these parts, in the name of Some Pumpkins.” “Ah! I’ve beard of bim.” ‘“‘No doubt. Most every one has. He's said to be some on the fight.” ‘‘ What did you send him South for?” “Pilexplain, This girl Cathie, as 1 have once hefore tol oe! is the daughter of my foe, Dan Stafford. you’re eh?’ rich relative on her mother’s side died, lately, and left a Jarge fortune to the girl, in spot cash, which was to be handed over to ber, on demand at any time after she reached her sixteenth birthday.” “Ab! what amount?” “A cool hundred thousand.” ** Indeed! She’s a prize, then.” “Of course. That is why I had her husband, and the kid, spirited away.” ‘‘Ab! 1 see. You propose to gobble up the tueey fon ala “Well, | should smile!” : “What did you send Some Pumpkins South, ‘‘'To look into the matter, and see what could be done aboutit. He wrote me back that every- thing was all O, K., and all there was to do was 10 Deadwood Dick Sentenced. a SSS a for me to produce the girl—I fixed up as her father—and the money would be paid to me as her rightful guardian.” “Then, what?’ “That didn’t suit me. In behalf of the girl, L wrote to the party holding the money, and pro- posed to him tbat he send a messenger back, with Pumpkins, fetching the money, and pay the stuff to the girl here, thereby saving her a tiresome journey.” ** This was agreed to, I ’spose.” ‘Yes. When Some Pumpkins arrives he will fetch the messenger and the swag with him,” nad? suppose you will give it right over to the gir “Do I look like a fool? I reckon not! We must interview this messenger, and obtain the money, and then, put him out of the way. If any blame or suspicion is attached to any one Dan Stafford and Some Pumpkins will get it. If the latter shows any signs of croaking, we'll spin his top, too.” ‘* How much do J get.” “Ob! be easy about that. Il not be stin with you, if you help me out. You will make more by working for me than for any one else,” ‘‘That’s what l’m dependin’ on!” Black Bird replied, pointedly. ‘“‘If you treat me wi’ a squar’ deal, I’m as good as a First National | Bank; ef ye don’t I’m as wicked as a mule in fly time,” ** You will have no occasion to be wicked,” Parrimore added, carelessly, although it was evident the words of the ruffian did not conduce to his perfect ease of mind. “ You can now go to ‘Nowhere, and see if the giant has arrived— for something seems to tell me that he bas!” ‘*T will save you that trouble,” a voice cried, and the door opened, and Some Pumpkins step- ped into the but, his face wearing its usual broad grin. CHAPTER XIII. ‘““THE VENDETTA IS NOT YET ENDED.” DEADWOOD DICK, as we have seen, was not followed by Catbie when he made bis escape from the mining-town; but he was followed, nevertheless. Of this fact he was not aware, for some time, as he did not look back. He was, in fact, nearly ‘a mile from Nowhere ere he made the dis- covery, Lhrough the distinct ‘sound of a cough reaching his hearing. He instantly wheeled about, his band grasp- A few feet away he saw, through the dim light, a woman advancing toward bim, A glance was sufficient to convince him that it was not the card-queen whom he bad just es- caped., Keeping his weapon ready in case of neces- sity, he allowed her to come still nearer, until she balted of her own accord. “Well,” he asked, dryly, ‘‘ what may be your object in dogging a eet ‘“* wish to speak to you, sir!” was the reply; and lifting her vail, she turned ber face toward bim, revealing herself to be Stella Ste«fford. “Do you know me?” ‘*] fancy I bave not that honor,” he replied more courteously, for he at once divined that she was a Jady of refinement, ‘t You area siran- ger around these parts, I take it.” “‘Tam; and some impulse I cannot account. for told me that by an interview with ycu I could learn something I am very anxious to know.” aot May I ask what it is and who you are ‘Tl am Stella Stafford, and Iam in search of: my father, Daniel Stafford. you know cf his whereabouts, or am I wrong in supposing you to be Deadwood Dick?” ‘You are wrong in neither case, my dear lady. I am Deadwood Dick, and I do know where tbe general is. We two have become allies for the purpose of ending the vendetta, and your father thought it best to keep you in ignorance of Lis whereabouts until a victory had., been achieved.” ; “It is very unkind of him, I bave been Peg distressed through not wee abie to earn anytbing concerning bim, I trust now that you will take me to bim.” ' - “T am very sorry, Miss Stafford, but TI a do so without first obtaining his permis- sion. aS ; ‘*But I say —_ must! ‘There is no possible way of your getting out of it!” = ; i do cP pee ~ : ‘ Everywhere you go, rite Any’ ms ‘*Yes, where you father. It’s an COM ict