Beadle's Dime Library No. 1 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

——— eee ee —_ —— -—— « - 18 ‘Five minutes, I reckon.” ‘* And she came from up the street?” ‘‘ She didn’t. come from any where else.” The major disappeared like a flash. ‘‘ You-were not deceived!” he cried, bursti into his.friend’s. room. ‘‘ It was a woman, an she PeNeren, the mae at the side door, instead of ing in front of it. et What do you say?” cried the doctor, now all animation. ‘“‘It was Dauntless Jerry’s sister—the little nt fellow, you know, who helped us out of the Oc- cidental, that night.” The doctor’s face fell. ‘‘ His sister,” he repeated. The N close to her bosom, weepin shoulder. Perhaps she felt that the ordinary - Iman would bring but little enthusiasm to such a — — = Mad Kate made no reply, but hugged the girl hysteeleaiiy on Rae _? wild goose chase as that in which they were en- he her excitement subsided, her strength that the woman was really sick, Ha she ut her on the bed; and presently Mad Kate gan to mutter the incoherent thoughts that t across her shattered mind. swe With eager longing Iola caught every word that fell from her lips; but Mad Kate’s secret _ Was never more securely locked within her own ew York Library. | When Mrs. Burke asked the woman if I was her 'dence o | semblance whatever to the miniature. waned, and lola, saw, what. she had forgotten, | He handed Iola the — = oe child, she tried to answer, but death cut her off. ‘‘Mrs, Burke inferred that the woman was not my mother, since she was very time f appearing, while some of my clothes gave evi- wealth. Moreover, she bore no re- ‘*T have sometimes fancied that I could trace a resemblance between myself and the minia- ture, which would seem to confirm Mrs. Burke’s theory. Here is the picture. Let us see if your sharp eyes can detect a likeness.” which had so deeply affected Dr. Chillingworth. No sooner : like him, I presume?” @ ‘‘As much as two peas, light, while his is jet black.” ‘‘A chance ray aa said the doctor, turning again to the wall. | ‘“ They are twins, I should say,” replied the ae ooking a little surprised. doctor did not explain that the chance ‘‘And she looks | lola caught sight of. the gold setting, than breast than ny Hag seasons of insanity. | | she snatched it from his hand with a ery of Only her hair is | The burden of her was about her bows and | surprise. | she took a miniature from her bosom, and kissed | ‘Is this the picture—of your mother, do you it, and talked fo it. | say” | __ It was sundown before she was quiet, so that | ‘I have always hoped so, but why are you so Iola could leave her; and then she promised to _ excited?” return again that night, since Mad Katenow “Oh! is it ssible? Can it be?” cries the girl. demanded her care more than did her lover. not heeding his question, but gazing upon the resemblance was between Dauntless Jerry’s ‘IT must go and tell him that [ am with you, _ miniature with devouring intensity, then read- sister and the face that haunted his life. or he will worry at my absence,” she explained; ing every line of his face. ‘‘Oh! it must be | ‘You must see her, at any rate. Will you’ and her cheeks were red as roses at the thought | true! Itistrue! Oh my seating I will go with me to-morrow?” asked Major Gravesend. that she was now linked to another, and that you aname, andthe true one! Horace! Hor- Dr, Chillingworth was heart-sick with disap- henceforth the welfare of each must be the con- | ace! Dear, dear Horace!” pointment, and without turning his head, re- stant care of the other. How many maids or And witha joyous ripple of laughter and love, : matrons, benedicts or bachelors reflect on the | she cast herself upon his breast and clasped | responsibility incurred, when one human soul is _ him about the neck. invested with the power to a atleastina | ‘Iola, what in the world—” he began, in be- ything.” Meanwhile, Iola passed on to her isolated home, She was met at the door by a woman degree, the destinies of another human soul for | wilderment; but at that instant there was a whose face yet bore traces of early beauty. - all eternity! _ knock at the door. ‘*Oh, Io! how I have lo for you!” she’ When she reached the widow Robinson’s | yet radiant, Iola flew to n it. Blushing, cried, her eyes suffused with cabin, it was already dark, and the light within | Dr Chillingworth and Major Gravesend stood | ‘“ t is the matter, aunty? Are you sick?” asked the girl, with sudden anxiety. a) “ Sick ?—sick?” repeated the woman, with a sad shake of the head. ‘‘ Ay, I have been sick these thirty years—sick at heart!” ‘* But you are looking pale!” And the girl placed her carefully in a chair. The woman sat a moment with closed eyes, the tears oozing slowly between the lids, while on the threshold. ' CHAPTER XVIII. AFTER TWENTY YEARS. THE thin sickle of the moon had followed the sun beneath the western horizon, leaving the stars twinkling on a purple background which gradually deepened into the deepest blue. As showed through the white curtain that covered the window. Her heart was in her mouth, while she paused a moment on the doorstep, with her thumb on the latch. Another instant and she should see him—him! Vesterday it had meant the heaven of her dreams; to-day it was a reality whose sweet blessedness settled down about her like a warm tropical wind, freighted with the aroma of a thousand incense-breath- —~——_——. = —_— -_— - the young girl hung over her with affectionate ang pines! et the young city had not arrived at the gas- solicitude, Suddenly she opened her eyes, and vagy she heard the inner door close, It ht stage of development, nor was the be- drawing the girl’s head upon her bosom, said: was Mrs. Robinson either going from or enter- hted wayfarer lighted by the old-fashioned ‘‘fo, have you given up looking for my boy? Has that Stranger weaned your heart from me?” girl’s cheeks, and ing the room. Scarcely owning to herself the | sconce. The ess of wish that it was the former, she raised the latch and entered, What man cannot plot to secure his own hap- piness? The Stranger had heard Iola’s step, and sent the ting widow for some water, so that he milatit have all to himself the first nio- ment of the approach of his new-found love. He was sitting in an easy-chair awaiting her re- partially dispelled h d there b ‘the Rely ere and there by the which seugeiad through the dusty, fly-specked window of some corner grocery, or the equally gy, half-curtained window of some:saloon. y-lighted portal of the Peaein sss A swift flush suffused the she would have averted her face; but the woman took it between her hands, and held her so that she could gaze searchingly into her eyes. Then [ola’s native independence asserted ‘itself, and she paid her interrogator glance for glance. A ~ ew wwe e eS a hotel two men issue, arm in arm, and pick their way down 'the gloomy street. As they pause for a moment, {: the light from a | Sie = | moment thus, and the woman pushed her away | turn with a happy smile. window, the lower half of which is screened by angri y. . And now the girl stood with her back against | a red curtain, while the upper half bears the in- | | ‘"I see it!” she cried. ‘ You love him—this | the door she ha just entered, and her eyes fixed | scription, in fanciful letters: interloper! And this is my reward for years of love, when I might have hated you as of all my wretchedness!” ‘‘ 7 the cause of your wretchedness?” ‘“* Yes, ingrate—you and your mother! You are nothing to me; and yet I have given my inquiringly upon his face, her heart aflutter and her face a e with coy expectancy. She never moved until he held out his arms to her with his raresmi's, Then, like the swoop of a swallow, she glided across the room. to nestle in his embrace. OccIDENTAL SaLoon, we may observe them. In the Sig 4 man, of decided eT pert, we recognize Major Gravesend. He affords the | support of his arm to his companion, who bears ‘marked traces of recent illness in the pallor of | e Cause life to you—to cast me aside at the beck of the ‘“ Back again, my own Iola!” he whispered; | his face and in the lack of vigor in a frame evi- first fool who flatvers you with praises of your | “but not until I am almost famished for your | dently competent to great endurance when in a face!” presence !” state of health. But, what is more painful, we remark the | settled look of melancholy, betokening a great | life-sorrow, which is deeper, if possible, on | Dr. Chillingworth’s face than when we last | ' Passing over all the rest, that might have wounded her at another time, Iola sunk upon her knees beside the excited woman, and with hands cli ing to her arm, asked: ‘Aunty! Aunty! what about my mother? Did she ever injure you?” Something in those pleading, almost reproach- ‘Back again for an hour; and then must re- turn to Aunt Kate. She is quite unwell.” ‘** But, can’ J pear brother, Jerry, take care of her?” asked The Stranger, with a lover’s and an invalid’s selfishness. | fola flushed suddenly. For one instant her eyes fell, and then rose again, full of roguish —_—— eee ee ee ee saw him. Glancing in at the saloon window, he re- marks: ° o-— <—- < ful eyes, or in that quivering face, sent the blood laughter and defiance, “All traces of the struggle are repaired, back upon Mad Kate’s heart, leaving her fairly ‘‘A man!” she cried, with curling lips. ‘“‘ He’d | Gravesend.” ! ghastly. With a shriek she leaped from the | make a pretty nurse—wouldn’t he ‘Yes, doctor,” is the reply. ‘That is the a chair, and away with outstretched, Then, with her lips close to his ear she whis- way or the world. More than anywhere else, | 7 repelling hands, she cried: pered: in this Western'country to-day’s butch ig | | _* Don’t touch me! Oh, Heaven!”"—with a | ‘You innocent! I’ve got a secret for you; | followed by to-morrow’s renewal of the revélry, | shudder. Then stag ring against the wall, | but not now!” 3 ; A duel here, by which one or both of the par- | with her face cove y her hands: “Oh God! | And at the sound of Mrs. Robinson’s return- | ties are killed, causes little more excitement this is my retribution!” Still on her knees, Iola looked on in mute be- wilderment, She had never seen such an out- burst before. But before she could do or sa | pa ym , the mood of her companion change and sud than a dog-fight in an Eastern city.” | ‘How is The Stranger’s wound?” | ‘*Healed nicely. He is almost as smart ag | yourself. He has been up and out of doors two | or three times.” ing step, she slipped fram him and commenced taking off her things. ‘* Im glad you’ve come, Iola,” said the excel- lent widow. ‘ Now I can get my ironing out of | the way. Our sick boy wouldn't let me from a a : _— wr = es mm - enly sinking upon her sand clasp- | his side a minute, after he waked up.” | And, major, you have never yet learned hig ing the sorely perplexed girl in her arms, Mad | And with a pleasant smile she left them. name?” j | Kate continued: | ** And now for the story,” said The Stranger. ‘“No. He is as close as an oyster in that mat- | | | ‘To! Io! my darling! you have been the one | comfort of my desolate life. I wronged you when I ace you of ingratitude; for I know vou love me far better than I deserve; and it is but natural that your young heart should ac- kaowWledge the grandest law in God’s great economy, wooed by so noble a man as he who iis Won it, But im my selfishness I had dedi- c vtad you to tho search for my boy; and it cut | 11) to the heart to think that your life had now | ‘, .13W purpose.” ' *' Aunty! mother!—for “To — with, the name by which you have thus far known me—‘ The Stranger ’—is as like- ly to be my true name as any Iever had, within my recollection. My infancy and early child- hood were spent in the care of an Irish woman, who always treated me with kindness, after her way of looking at things. Thet is to say, while she was by no means slow to wrath, she was never y cruel. But her husband was a brute, and she could not in t me from his drunken fury. These Pp ed me Patsy. | They never pretended to confer upon me their ‘ .other Lever knew—” | surname, which was Burke, nor did they make “ For God’s sake! don’t call me mother!”.cried | any secret of the fact that I was inno way re- . tax woman, wincing as if stabbed. lated to them, and the name Patsy wasoneof ‘There is something very remarkable about lola gazed at her in tearful perplexity a mo- | their own selecting. . | this man,” pursued Dr. Chillingworth, reflec- ment, and then resumed the thread of herre-| ‘Who my real arents were, they knew no | tively. ‘I cannot help being prepossessed in marks. : _ more than did I, ile I. was yet_a baby, a | his favor; and yet there are ressions of his ‘After all we have been to each other, do. strange woman had been found by Tom Burke | face that make me shrink from him with some- — think that I would desert you now? N 0; in a snow-drift, and brought into his shanty. thing like loathing—I don’t know whether it is | from parting us, he will help us... Oh! if _ She lived long enough to. tell. Mrs. Burke that | di or hatred.” , you could have but seen the look in his eyes, she was. from the South, and to charge her | ‘‘His frown, isn’t the mildest spectacle in the when he told me that he loved me! You would | to preserve the miniature which hung ’round the | world, I grant you,” replied the major, with a believe that he would do anything for my sake,” | neck of the baby she carried in her arms. | shrug. JOOKS ter. He has never volunteered any informa- | tion; and no one has presumed to question him. But, what’s in a name? You would know no more of him if he were to tell you his namo was John Smith or William Jones. They recognize that fact a 1 emeotablo conmiry, wnere no: body flaunts his lineage, and every one chooses a Fem a Chilling- Coo oe -< dle’ to suit himself. As worth, you almost unnoticed; but c age ety Mississi sip, Matt, and you would soon a local celebrity.” | ‘Not a very desirable notoriety, I fancy,” | r, with some disgust. | _- > ——_- you are the only | —— "Tastes differ the laughing response . er: was the laughing i ka ~~ i. er ~ - “om : -~——_— (E te fore’... «, pa a ee ee i ee €om (Co) 3 a — — . —— em ee em ee eet etree owe a a Senee ee