Beadle's Half Dime Library, Vol. XIV, No. 351 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

_— ee A crowd gathered about the table. * You can call me Lad yslipper, if you have occasion to call me anything!” the vailed wo- man said, producing a fresh pack of cards, “I presume you were joking about your limit being a hundred dollars,’ ‘‘ Not at all,” Fakir Fred replied, calmly. ‘* Did you mistake me for a peregrinating gold- mine? Ifso, you are not remarkable for your penetration,” ** Well, we will play for your hundred. I have an inordinate curiosity, to see how well you handle the pasteboards!” ‘* Your curiosity shall be gratified,” Fred said, dryly. ‘‘I will prove to you that [ am no adept at cards, even though 1 be a mesmerist and magician,” The money was staked, and the game begun and quickly it was plain to those who looked on, that Fakir Fred was in no wise particular whether he won, or not, as he plaved careless- ly, while on the other hand, the Vailed Lady played watchfully, cautiously. A grunt of surprise went around, when the Fakir ran the game out, and raked in the stakes, ‘* Humph!” Ladyslipper said, coolly. ‘‘I see you can play, but, although I am nota profes- sional, I came here, to-night for a purpose. Put up your two hundred dollarsand I will cover it. 1f you lose, you are toremove your wigand false beard !” Fakir Fred did not start. Outwardly he was calm; the words of the mysterious gambler did not affect him, ‘*- Indeed?” he said, quietly, “Tf you lose—” ‘*T remove my vail!’ ‘Even so; but what will that benefit me?” * You will know me, when you see me again, If you lose, it will benefit me, considerably, to know whether you are the person I think you are, or not!” ‘Who do you think I am?” “The man whom I have sworn to kill! I prefer not to mention names until after we play, as you might not be the one I suspect, and it might makes things unpleasant for you.” in, without a = a against mine—the winner to ‘ nel ke’ the yey Seomniaences me table!" murmur oO esca the audience while Fakir Fred picked up ite pandn and care- lessly shuffled them, “Then I can naturally look upon you as my enemy ?” “Yes, Will you play?” ‘‘Cert! Cut for deal,” Thicker and more dense grew the crowd around the table, proving that the interest was increasing. : The game began with Ladyslipper leading, but, play as carefully and judiciously as she could, it seemed as if it were fated she should not win—for tne Fakir won the game with com- parative ease. A revolver—a small but magnificent weapon —was in his hand, as he slapped dowu the last card upon the table. How it had got there, the lookers-on were un- able to say, unless it had slid down intw his hand from his sleeve. ‘** You are to remove your vail, are you not?” the Fakir asked, with quiet triumph. ‘I am somewhat anxious to get an unobstructed view of the apparition of loveliness who wants to con- vert me into a cadaver!” An exclamation of impatience escaped the Ladyslipper. ‘What can it benefit you to see my face?” she cried, gathering up the cards, ‘*Oh! not much; only I’ll know you the next time I meet you.” ** We shall not be likely to meet again, after we get through bere. But, look if you want to!’ Her white right hand lifted the vail, for an instant, and then let it fall again. But a brief glimpse it was that any one got of the fair girlish face. No, expression on the part of Fakir Fred, “went to show that he was in the least affected at what he saw. ‘IT never met you before to my knowledge,” tbe said, ‘‘and therefore am at loss to compre- hend why you should cherish ill-will. Might I ask zou to explain?” “T will explain mae pur- ose, and I mean to fulfill it. We will now play the deciding game. If I win, I am to bave the privilege of shooting you through the heart. If you win, you have a like oppor- I bave m t -a 4 : ‘ ; a 219 > ” al ! Deadwood Dick Sentenced. cy” f for satisfaction. Is this satisfactory to ou Fakir Fred uttered a peculiar chuckle. “Well, as you appear to be transacting all the business, I suppres Ishall have to acquiesce, or else show a white headlight. Produce a fresh deck, and we will pay. I assure you, however, beforehand, that I do not intend to lose this time, for i think it necessary that I should hang out here below for several fortnights yet to come.” “That remains to be seen,” was the terse an- swer, as Ladyslipper laid a jeweled six-shooter upon the table at ber right. : The cards were produced, and the game be- gan. Around the table a peculiar silence marked the moment; every one breathlessly awaited the result. Was it fate again? There was an exasperated cry directly; Fakir Fred had won again! ** Magician! devil! you have won, but you shall not triumph.” the defeated card-queen cried fiercely. ‘‘ Beheld! men, that man is Deadwood Dick!” She had, by an agile and unexpected move- ment, torn away a false beard from the fakir’s face even as she spoke, and— The handsome countenance of the road-agent Apollo was revealed! CHAPTER XL. CATHIE’S VENGEANCE. CLEAR and distinct the words of the card- queen rang out. For an instant a dead silence ensued. It seemed as if the rough crowd was, for the time being, electrified. Deadwood Dick was the first to speak, or move. He leaned over the table, his hand clutching his revolver, his eyes gleaming as they had never gleamed before. 4 ‘** This is one Il owe you!” he hissed, so fiercely that it caused her to step back. %You area woman, or I’d kill you where you stand!” Then with Ee leap he landed upon the table; then a flying leap carried him over the EG arias Then, when it was too late, a vengeful yell followed, and an outpouring of the citizens into the street ensued. Curses and howls of disappointed rage made the night hideous, but they were uttered in vain; for Deadwood Dick had effectually dis- appeared ere a search had fairly got started, And when they came to look for the Lady- slipper, she, too, had vanished! hether or not she had gone in search of Deadwood Dick no one could say. Ladyslipper had not gone in pursuit of the ex- road-prince, although she lost no time in hurry- ing out of town after Dick’s Pel brisk walk down the gulch brought ber to a dark transverse ravine, which she entered fearlessly, and followed until she came toan i a which had no appearance of being ten- anted. When she rapped on the door, however, it was opened, and she was admitted to a dimly-light- ed room, whose furnishings were of the most primitive order. A cheery fire was burning in the fire-place, and within the glow of the light four men were seated. One was Pierre Parrimore, another was Black Bird, and the other individuals were no less ne than Sis Soaker and _ his friend, Gall. The quartette were actively engaged in smok- ing, when the young card-queen entered, but paused long enough to remove the pipes, and give her an inquiring stare. She threw aside the vail and hat she had worn and came into the light—not Ladyslipper, now, but Cathie! Pierre Parrimore gave vent to a grunt, as he pushed forward a stool. “Well?” be demanded gruffly, ‘How did you make out?” _ “Allin vain!” Cathie replied, her eyes flash- ing. ‘‘Didn’t I warn you that would be the way of it?’ ** Did you find the tiger, then?’ ‘Yes, He was masquerading as Fakir Fred, a magician. I drew him into a game of cards, and lost the money you gave me. I then staked my. life against his, and—” ‘ Won!” eagerly—almost phere eS _“ By no means. He won, and held my life in his bands, Seeing no better plan, I tore the i / - 9 beard from his face and betrayed his identity, expecting the crowd would pounce upon him, and prevent bis escape. Instead of that, he leaped clear over their heads, and was gone, ere an effort could be made to stop him!” ‘**Ten thousand devils! Why did ye let him a curse ye?” **T could not help it. He had me covered, until he made that astonishing leap. It took me so by surprise that I could notact ere he was gone. ** Just about as I thought. Did yo" see any one that looked like Daniel Stafford?” ‘No. Iam satisfied he is not in the town, If in the vicinity, he is undoubtedly hiding, like yourselves,” im): Parrimore was silent for several minutes, his face dark and scowling. ““T see that I’ve got to take the matter more thoroughly in oe own hands if I want to suc- ceed in ending the accursed vendetta. What did you learn in regard to Stafford’s girl?” ‘*Very little, She bas been to the town sev- eral times, making quiet inquiries for her fa- ot, but learning nothing of him, goes away ain, ac ” zi Sd a ‘She undoubtedly hangs out in some of the adjoining camps. If we could get possession of her, we would stand some better show of get- ting your baby and Ford free,” “* Would to ‘Weaken there were some way of liberating them, if they still live. I have but little hopes that they do,” “It may be that they don’t; but it is not always best to give up hope too soon, You had better return to the other place now, for it is etting late. You can come down in the morn- ing, and perhaps I shall have succeeded in ar- ranging some new plan of action. You are not afraid to goalone? If you ars, I will send Bird with you.” “You needn’t trouble yourself!” the girl re- sponded, beusbilly. **T do not need an escort.” She quitted the hut hastily, evidently fearing that Black Bird would attempt to follow her. An hour later, she stood beside a mound, but ed yard of cently made, ia the little ar- t Fmountalh . sits i ome, tBplowere bad been ‘plented » of aa Joe. Cathie’ plonyot agen ite are them there. ‘She knelt beside the mound now, and buried ber face in her hands, while her figure trembled with the emotion she tried to restrain, “Oh! why am I not dead, too?” she moaned, piteously. ‘* Why did I not die when I was a ee pg save all this misery—this hiving death ’ Further words she did not utter just then, but wept quietly to herself, unaware that she was watched. A man had stepped from around one corner of the cabin, and stood gazing at her intently— a man, roughly dressed, and from whose face a heavy beard had reeentl y been cropped, leaving a rough, grizzled stubble, which was anything but becoming to the otherwise good-looking, in- telligent face, In short, it was General Stafford, but se changed that few would have recognized him in his present appearance, as the stately gen- tleman who had a few weeks before arrived im Nowhere Camp, in company with Governor Snelling. His expression was grave and sad, as he stoo@ watching Cathie, but from his eyes emanated a wild gleam, that could belong only to the eyes of a man whose mind was greatly perturbed. He appeared to be listening as well as watch- ing, as if expecting to hear the mourning girl speak; nor was he destined to be disappointed. ‘“'Yes!” she suddenly cried, fiercely, “he is dead, and no grief of mine can recall bim te life. I live—must live, for the Bible teaches that it is a sin to commit swcide; but I shall live for vengeance, Oh, Pierre P rrimore, you are a coward, but your cbild is not! I will end the vendetta, and that, too, ere many suns more have set, Joe shall be avenged—I swear it by all I hold sacred!” General Stafford started, eagerly words reached his hearing. He forward. , e “Great Heaven! it is true—I ¢annot be mis- taken!” he gasped, his breath commg quick and fast. ‘‘ Bijou! Bijou!”. With wonderful alacrity, Cathie sprung te her feet, and faced him, her face white, her eyes fairly blazing. ; ‘‘Ha! who are you?” she cried, fiercely; then, she reeled back a pace, and glared wildly at hi m, as if eCOMMICHOO SAGOm as the took a step