Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 104 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Montezuma, the Merciless. ‘These very gems, I could almost swear, or some strangely like, even to the dagger in your hair, madame, I have seen before.” - Indeed, Don Cosala, and where, pray?” ask- ed Mildred. “It is a story of interest, if I will be permit- ted to tell it.” “* Assuredly, Don Felipe; be seated, please,” and Montezuma motioned to all to sit down. “It is now many years ago, just before I was Governor of the Castle San Juan de Uloa, that I frequently played for high stakes, and one eve- ning met a young man who was sailing under false colors, { found out afterward, as he was none other than Merle the Mutineer.” **T have heard of him, Don; whatever became of him?’ asked Montezuma, while all present, excepting the Senora Cosala, started, and turn- ed e. The Don was coming painfully near home, yet did not seem to know it, and con- tinued: “T played a game with him for a large stake and he lost, and after an hour I had won all his money; then he placed that ring—no, lady, one like it—upon the table against what I had won, and he lost that, too; but, to my surprise, he then drew forth a necklace and ruby cross, the fac-simile of those you wear, . Sebastian, and against them [a to stake the ring and all I was worth, which was considerable. “To my horror, luck had changed, and the ar 3 man won. e next day I ascertained that he was / Merle, the Mutineer, and learned that he was ar- death tried as a buccaneer, and sentenced to ea Pad ““And was he executed?” asked Mildred, in tense tones. ‘“‘He was: I saw him die in the Castle San Juan de Uloa. Now tell Mrs, Sebastian, how you obtained those priceless jewels, for in- i we are all interested to know,” said Don e ’ 1“ The were sent to me by a friend—one whom I loved most dearly. I have had them many years, and the direst pove would never make me t with them,” and Mildred spoke with considerable feeling. “TI am sorry to hear you say so, Mrs. Se- bastian, for I was going to ask you to select m my casket any gems you are pleased to take in exchange for all you wear. In fact, I intended to offer double, ay, treble their value, for I like them,” said Montezuma. Mildred’s face flushed; but she answered, quietly, looking Montezuma straight in the yes; “*T regret, senor, that I cannot oblige you, but these I wear have more value in my eyes than your entire casket.” ; **T offer the casket and all it contains, Mrs. Sebastian, for the gems you wear,” was the cool aay 5 1 started in rise; there was a hundred times the value of Mildred’s gems in the casket; would she refuse? Wilber Sebastian was nearly crazy, though eae calm, fearing Mildred would refuse, and Don Felipe watched her with interest most tense, while his wife and Estelle were nervous almost to fainting. : , aa € only calm ones were Montezuma and Mil- ‘You seem to v most highly, senor,” said Mildred. cae ayer roe admire them immensely, lady; and, as you have had cause to know, when Qos yes home, I generally get that which I wish, dependent of what may be the price. Do you a my offer, lady?” am sorry to an ag es you, Senor Monte- zuma, but I decline, wit heartfelt thanks, your generous offer.” A groan came from the lips of Wilber Sebas- tian—he could not suppress it, and all bent for- ward with interest, while Montezuma smiled— one of those strangely sweet, fascinating smiles that made his face really beautiful and woman- y. “ Lady, I dislike to be foiled. Valik!” The slave appeared, and Montezuma spake to him a few words in his own language, and he walked away, as though sent on an errand. Senor Montezuma, where did you get that splendid slave? He reminds me of one I saw, years ago,” said Don Felipe. ‘I found bim on our coast, sir, and attached him to me, for, in my travels I had learned to speak his tongue. He was wrecked, he told me.” Ere more was said Valik returned, and placed before his master a casket of twice the size of the one he had just offered Mildred. “ Lady,” began Montezuma. in his even] modulated tones, “‘ here isa treasure that I think will tempt you. The shield I had at the Carni- val Ball is here, and many other rare gems some of them alone of more value than all you ear. As he spoke he threw up the lid, and all fell upon the interior of the velvet and silk-lined e ‘‘ Lady, I offer you this casket, and all it con- tains, for your gems.” “oA in I thank you, Senor Montezuma, and saline. eee ee a ——_ —_—— ——— —$———— — ‘ ** Both caskets, lady?’ ‘Again I decline. The gems I wear cannot be bought or exchanged.” A strange light came into the eyes of Monte- zuma, and he said in a deprecating tone: ‘*T am foiled; and, as it is a new sensation for me, permit me to offer you each one a souvenir of the occasion. Mrs. Sebastian, your hand, please?” Mildred’s face flushed and then paled; but she held forth her hand, and upon the first finger Montezuma slipped a ring containing a single ruby—a stone larger than the diamond she wore. Then, ere the others had time for surprise, the Senora Cosala and Estelle also received ru- bies wae “ riceless as the one given Mildred. or s Don Felipe Cosala and Wilber Sebastian were home, with ruby sleeve buttons worth a for- ne. ** Now we will return below stairs,” and Mon- tezuma again offered his arm to Estelle, and Jed the way to the refreshment salon, leaving Valik | to look after the caskets. When Montezuma retired to rest, after his guests had departed, he muttered four words: ** Foiled by a woman !” With that thought he sunk into a pleasant slumber. ) CHAPTER XXIV. “‘a BEGGAR ON HORSEBACK.” THE morning following his entertainment, Montezuma arose at his accustomed hour, took his perfumed bath, and ordered Mezrak to send Monsieur Ellis Monette to him. In a few moments that gentleman entered, and was waved toa seat by ontezuma. In the fine-looking, well-dressed young man who cropped down into an easy-chair, few, if any, could have recognized the poor beggar of the Cafe Bourse, who had caused the duel be- tween Lucien Bethune and Montezuma. ‘“‘ Mr. Monette, 1 believe you are now well and in good health?’ began Montezuma. “*T am, sir, and I owe all to you,” said the young man, earnestly. “Yes, and I shall expect you to serve me as I direct.” ‘“‘ In any way that I can, sir.” ““Now let us understand each other—your name is Ellis Monette, I believe?’ cho im, Gir.” get did you change your name, may I The pone, man started, and stammered out; ‘“*T d—d—do not—un—der—stand, sir.” “Then I shall explain; your true name is EI- lison Monette Greyson.” | you be forgotten, senors,” and | ) i ' | ' | | } | i | | | | | | | | ' / 21 poor, guilty wretch, but I cannot die on the ows as I deserve. No, no, let me live, and will serve you all in my power.” “Well, monsieur, I am confident of that. Now I wish you to buy a place upon the Lake shore: the Grenville estate is for sale, I hear.” ‘*Senor, 1 have only that which you gave me at the Cafe Bourse.” “*Valik!” The slave appeared and bowed low before his master. “Give this gentleman a quarter of a million dollars.” Valik handed the package of bank-notes to the amazed young man, who could only stare at Montezuma. ‘Mr. Monette, I wish you to first disguise yourself, as I told you. ‘Your hair must be dyed white, and a gray beard must cover your face; you must w with a gold-headed cane, affect to be a man of fifty—do you under- stand?” ‘“* Perfectly, sir.” ‘*Be aman of sixty even, but a hale old fel- low, fond of company, good dinners, horseback riding and yachting—in fact, a fine old English gentleman, for you must be an Englishman, who has come to America. to settle. ‘** After you have your disguise complete, and our trunks of clothing packed, ney up at the otel Saint Louis, re from England, and as Ellis Monette; then send for Abercrombie, Sebastian and Company, bankers, and deposit with them the money you have there, and give them to understand that you have much more to place in their hands, ‘** Also ask them to purchase for you a country place on the Lake shore, and be certain that you get the Grenville property—do you under- stand?” “Perfectly, sir.” ** Then e no expense in having your house and grounds fitted up, and after you have set- tled there make the acquaintance particularly of these people—make them your boon com- panions in fact; see, there are seven of them, and here are their names,” and Montezuma handed a piece of paper to the young man, upon which were seven names, “* And then, Senor Montezuma?” “*T will inform you when the time comes, El- lis Monette, and if you refuse to obey I shall have you hung as a felon; if dow obey I will leave in the hands of your bankers one million dollars to ease your conscience, and with it you can fly to Europe to live in TY but, mind you, make your guests drink all they will, bus ee eee i$ eC ee not one glass of wine shall you taste—do you Oh, God, senor! how did you know this?” | and the young man stretched out his hands im- ploringly. “I will tell you more: your name of Ellison M. Greyson you ame to that of Ellis Mo- nette; you are from Louisville, Kentucky, and come of a pood family and a wealthy one. ‘Your father had you educated for the law; but you preferred to a orga and were found out; he would not hide your crime from the world, and you were sent to fill a felon’s cell, from which you escaped six months ago by killing the keeper.” ‘Spare me, oh spare me! Senor Montezuma,” expen’, pig Be unhappy man, n me, sir; you killed your kee and seins i but this was not the Pont of it, You needed gold, and with false keys entered your father’s home by night, opened his iron safe, and took from it a large amount of money. ‘‘ As you turned to leave, your father came upon you. A scuffle followed, and you drovea knife into his side, inflicting a wound from which he died, after making known who was his murderer.” +6 e me, for the love of God!” ‘‘Hear me, sir; ee succeeded in gettin away with your gold, and wandered about unti at last you came to this city, where, one night on the levee you were knocked down and robbed of all you had. “The blow made you ill, and you were taken care Ste an old negress, into whose house you stumbl ‘‘At last you were able to out, and you had to beg to keep from starving, so that the story you told in the cafe was a true one. ‘‘Tearning that Don Cosala was looking for ou, and that Bethune intended doing you in- ury, I sent Valik to look you up, and you are now like a different man; but you look so much like yourself, Mr, Monette, as I shall call you, that you need a disguise, or you will be recog- nized, for there is a large reward for your re- turn to Louisville.” } | | | ane fully sit d shall obe be . y, sir, and s re) you our or- ders what they may,” firmly said the young man **I believe you; I am never mistaken in read- ing a face, and knew you as a rascal the mo- ment I saw you, in spite of your rags: now go and seek your d ise, and let it be a good one, for your life depends upon it, and how you me idle, forged his name to serve Montezuma bowed pleasantly, and Ellis Mo- nette left the mansion. Three days after a wealthy English gentleman, stopping at the Ao- tel Saint Louis, purchased the Grenville man- sion and plantation on the Lake shore. The beggar of the Cafe Bourse had mounted upon horseback. CHAPTER XXV. THUNDERBOLTS. THE summer following the arrival of the great Montezuma in New Orleans, a select part of friends were invited for the season to his home on the Lake shore, for, as with his city mansion, he had made this retreat a very palace of beauty and luxury, and surrounded it with grounds that rivaled the Garden of Eden. Of course, in the time that had gone by since he had come to the Crescent City, he had great- _ly added to his fame in many ways, one of which was in endowin _ Padre Facon—whom he had met at riest, the e home of a Cuban Andrea Angelos, who had known the worth ee SSS father in Cuba—with a considerable sum wit which to establish a monastery of which he OT che tie this gifts had bee dl n charities bis gi a nmany and large and in a quiet way he had aided a number of deserving people, in Lusiness or otherwise, until he was looked upon as a general benefactor, while he paid most liberally for the work done for es and had employed thousands in that work. Some people feared that Montezuma, notwitb - standing his elegant city and country palaces, would not always remain with them, for ls ‘‘You do not intend to give meup then? Oh, | ship and barque, the Launcelot and Zulab, sti)l senor, I will be your slave, your very slave. | e at anchor in the river, their crews on But, tell me—how did you know this of me?” —__ board, and his yacht, a perfect model of beauty, “Tt is all true, is it not?” | furnished with every luxury, and as fleet as a ‘« Alas! yes, senor.” “T will tell you how I know it. A detective, | who has been on your track, followed you into this mansion a he Ri and I gave him treble : bird, lay in Lake Borgne, for he used it as a means of transportation between his country seat and New Orleans. Now this party of friends, invited to the Cha- the reward offered for your apprehension, sent teau d’Espagne, as Montezuma had nemed his him off happy, and kept you for me.” do some work lake estate, was most select indeed, consisting of Captain Arthur Grenville and wife, the ‘Senor Montesuma, God bless you; I am a Abercrombies, Don Felipe and the Senota Vic- EGOmiGcdooks (E()