Beadle's Dime Library No. 109 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

a. He held forth his hand, and seizing the gold piece almost savagely she hurled it far out into the water, while she cried in angry tones: ‘*Give me not thy gold, boy, for I want none of it; but would you learn thy destiny, and hast thou the courage to hear it, come here by night, and come alone, and I will breathe into thy ear a tale that will chill even thy brave heart; wilt thou come?” Moved by the manner and words of the wo- man, he said firmly: “T will come; when shall it be?” “'To-night, one hour after sunset; [ will be at the watch tower, and await you " ‘‘T will be there, woman.’ ‘‘No, no, you ‘must not, you shall not,” cried both Kate and Grace together, and the witch gave a malicious laugh, while she said scornful- | « y: ‘‘Do you think even Kate of Castle Cor could make this boy break his word? If you do, you know him not as / do. * Ard strangely careful is the ay of Bel- mont and the Lady of Greyhurst of him, now that he wears the honored toggery of King Billy and is not, as he was a few weeks since, an hum- ble fisher lad.” “Woman, you are insulting; Kate of Castle Cor is not one to look down upon the meanest peasant,” said Lady Kate with spirit. “* Well said, my beauty, and forsooth it is the truth, as all who know you ean say; but I will not harm thy gallant, low-born friend, only tell to him a tale that will be as honey in his ears and, sweet ladies, sometime when old Zebel walks afar, and the sunshine banishes weird specters, she will stop at d old Castle Cor, and tell to thee the destiny thou two wouldst know.” ““We will listen, be thy star-reading for us good or bad,” said Kate, and she turned to go, ly Grace and Kenton Meee 7 slowly for. lowing, while the Witch called out in her cold, hard voice: ‘Remember thy promise, boy; this night, one hour after sunset, meet Zebel, the Witch, in Castle Death.” “‘T will come,” and in ten minutes more the three were galloping back toward Castle Cor, all of them impressed by their visit to the old ruin, and in each heart a secret dread of evil to follow it, and a wish that they had remained away. CHAPTER XV. THE INSULT. It was in vain that both Lady Kate and her cousin Grace urged Kenton Cavanaugh not to to the ruin as they rode back to Castle Cor; e was determined and would not yield even to the entreaties of the sweet Lady of Belmont. Arriving at the castle they found Lord Gerald had returned home, he ha been absent on a boar hunt for several days. Lord Gerald had never been a favorite with Kenton; but for his sister’s sake, and being the guest of his father, the young officer determined to be marked in his politeness toward him; but not so with the young noble, who said insolent- ly as the three rode wo ““Well, Kate, I see that you and Lady Grace have secured a new groom.” The face of Kenton Cavanaugh flushed crim- son at the insult, but, curbing his temper, he said, politely: “ft trust that Lord Gerald is not one to be- lieve that no manhood exists in one of humble ori ‘©T am one that does not believe in entertain- ing as a guest one who has been on a level with my father’s humblest servants,” was the haughty response. ‘* Brother! Lord Gerald, for shame! How dare you insult my escort, my friend!” cried Lady Kate, with intense scorn in voice and manner. ‘Ha! ha! ha! my sister defen a fisher lad: I sup , Lady Grace, you will 6 up the cudgel in his defense next?” laughed the young noble. ‘* Not against one who is so devoid of man- hood as yourself, Gerald Belmont,” was the oe tort. * t! this from you, sweet Grace?” he said, quickly changing his manner. “2 Ay, and more, for I will no longer be a guest beneath the roof where one I consider my iriend is insulted, and get I love your sweet sister and lady mother, and respect your father, the noble earl, I abhor you so much, [ shall within the hour depart for Greyhurst Castle.” ‘Oh Grace! Grace, you are too severe,” cried Kate earnestly, while the young sprig of nobili- ty, feeling that he had gone too far, drop on his knee before the angry maiden, and cried eagerly: “ Forgive me, araces and forget my words, for, if you say so, I even ask pardon of the tisher lad himself.” ‘‘ Lord Gerald, I ask no pardon from you, for vour very words prove it would not come from your heart; but, as I am a bone of contention, I will save all trouble, and instantly remove my- self from Castle Cor. Lady Kate, to your no- ble parents kindly say that circumstances, over « bich I held no control, called me away ‘ In vain was it that the two maidens strove to detain him, and even Lord Gerald bade him re- main, adding that he was his father’s guest, not his; he was firm, and turned away from the door, and was soon wending his way down the pathway toward the ashes of his humble home. “ (trace, is that fellow to come between you and I?” asked the young oes, as Kenton Cav- oe disappeared from sigh ee es. ”» ‘‘Remember, you are my promised wife.” “Were I your wife should part us, Lord of Castle Cor.” ‘*But I will not release you, my haughty lad ly.” ‘*T ask it not of you; I sever all bonds my- self.” “Gr hear me, and do not bring sorrow to my heart,” he implored. “*T have spoken and you have heard, Lord of Castle Cor; this night I leave for Greyhurst Castile, and there you shall never come.” She turned away as she ke, and weeping bitterly, Kate Belmont followed her, while, with a bitter curse, Lord Gerald walked awa to the stables, sprung upon his horse, and e away like the wind,taking the bayside road lead- 5 Herts Castle Death, a place he had super- ously shunned before but which now, in the bitterness of his feelings, he sought. CHAPTER XVI. LORD GERALD’S VOW. ““My Lord of Castle Cor, whither dost thou ride?” The oe stepped from behind a rock, and her sudden a srancs startled both steed and rider, for Lord Gerald had kept on until within a stone’s throw of Castle Death, and Zebel the Witch had come like an apparition before him. **Curse you, thou hag of Satan, you nearly unhorsed me,” cried the young noble, savagely, for, as the reader knows, he was in no very envi- able humor. : ‘*Hal ha! ha! my haughty and savage sprig, you are free with your curses.” ‘ ‘‘Ha! do you dare address me thus insolent- ly?’ shouted the enraged Lord Gerald, raising his whip, as though to strike the woman. “Yes, I dare address even you, for what are you ?” she insultingly replied. ‘“* By the Cross! you shall find out who I am, and that Lord Gerald of Castle Cor has the power to burn thee at the stake as a witch!” “Lord Gerald of Castle Cor! bah! you are no lordling, boy.” There was something in the way the woman spoke that checked the temper of the young man, who, in reality, had a secret fear of her, as he had often heard stories of her wonderful powers of witchcraft, and reading destinies. In silence he sat on his horse gazing at her for @ moment, and again she said: * ‘* You are no lord, Gerald, of Castle Cor.” ‘In Satan’s name what mean you, woman? | am Lord Gerald, the son of the Earl of Bel- mont.” “T say you are not.” “Liar! fiend! witch! I will tear from pt throat thy false tongue,” and he sprung from horse and moved toward her. But she did not stir a step; only laughed mockingly, and he stopped ere he reached her, for there was rian ree yy Bom her eyes he feared. , Ps ey on, my lord Gerald,” she said sneer- ngly. R A noble lord should not fear an old woman; come, and carry thy threat into execution.” - Woman, thy sex aJone restrains me,” he said in an embarrassed way. “Let that not restrain you, boy; men have killed women before, ay, even innocent infants, and they will again; come on, I say.” st 0, I will leave thee; but cross not my path a ; ‘No threats to me, boy, for I hold you in my power, and again I say you are not Lord Ger- py Ep ES false throat,” ‘Anda say youlie in your ; he eee ahiioes “‘ Wouldst have me prove it?” “Thou canst not, Witch of Perdition.” ‘* And I say thow liest, for I cav.” He turned deadly pale, and stared her almost helplessly in the face. “Has thou courage to hear what I have to tell?” she asked with a sneer. Nettled by her words, he answered: ‘‘ Yes, I fear nothing, woman.” ‘““Except loss of title and the wealth of the Earl of Belmont—ay, and the estates of Grey- hurst Castle, which thou dost expect to get by marrying the sweet Lady Grace.’ The mention of the name of the maiden, who had just discarded him, again aroused his wild temper, and he stepped toward her, and, with his open palm aimed a blow at her face: but bis hand was clutched as though in a vise, and with a strength that showed him he was as a child in her grasp, she almost crushed the bones, causing him to cry out with pain: “Devil! Witch, release me,” She threw his hand from her with a bitter , And to BR en aaid: yuu and Lady (race, T hid farervell,” : old Witch has greater strength thas the - oe / : 4 , i Captain Kyd, the King of the Liack Fiag. our conduct this day | on, ee tted lordling of Castle Cor: but would you 1ear what I have to tell your” ‘*T have told you yes,” he answered, nursing his aching hand. ‘Thou wouldst know why I say that thou art not Lord Gerald of Castle Cor?” “Again | say yes.” ““T will tell thee, boy: dost remember one called Donald Cameron, a Scotchman?’ ** Yes, he was my father’s secretary.” “True: and his wife, dost thou remember er?” ‘* Yes; she was my mother’s cousin.” ‘* Well, Donald Cameron was thy father, and his wife, Agnes, was thy mother.” ‘* Now, indeed, I know that thou liest.” *T have not finished my story, boy: I have but told thee who were thy parents, and now 1 will prove it.” ‘Thou canst not, Witch.” ‘* Listen: bast thou heard that the very night that the Lady Lenore gave birth to a child, Agnes Cameron did also? ‘ Yes, her child, a little girl, was born dead.” ‘* There you are mistaken: the Lady Lenore’s child, a little girl, was born dead, and fearing for the health of the countess, and that he would have no heir to his proud name and wealth, and his brother Hurtel would become the Earl of Belmont in case of his death, the man you believe your father, exchanged his dead gir) for Donald Cameron’s live boy. ** This is false! false as perdition.” “Listen: you were that boy, and consequently you are not the real heir to Castle Cor and the title of Earl of Belmont.” ‘*Woman! Witch! or whatever you are, you have no proof of this.” ‘| have: Donald Cameron and his wife were bribed by your father to this act, and, with the vast sum he gave them, they sailed for America; but after long years’ stay in the New World, and remaining childless, they determined to return to Ireland, give up the bribe money, for they had been prosperous, and claim you, their boy. a And why have they not done so?” sneered the young man. ** Because they are dead.” ‘Dead! oh yes, [remember they went down at sea in crossing the ocean.” ‘They did not: they were captured by Hurtel of the Hand, and Donald was severely wounded, and died some days after, but not until he had made a written confession of what 1 have told “hae while his wife dying soon after of abroken heart, made the same statement upon her death-bed.” | ** How know you this, woman?” “T hold the two comfessions; and more, the nurse, who cared for the countess and es Cameron in tbeir illness, yet lives, and J have seen her.” ‘*Hal and she told—” “She told me only what a message to her caused her to divulge, for a fearful oath, and a olden bribe, with the thought that she was cing no great wrong, kept her tongue silent.” ** And you are that nurse?” ‘‘It matters not who, or what I am; I have the proof of what I say, and I can bring your proud head down in the dust, boy.” ** Does my mother know of this?” “Tf you mean by your mother, the Countess of Belmont, { will say no; she believes you her child, for she was unconscious when the ex- change was made by the nurse and your father, and with the consent of Donald and Agnes Cam- eron. ‘““And they, that is those who you say are my sane. are dead?” ‘ They are.” ** And the earl, the nurse and yourself—if you are not the nurse—alone know this secret?’ “That is all.” Dor geting his last attack upon her, the youth turned, and dropping his band fa his m half drew a dagger; but meeting her e he hesi- tated, and he said sneerin oi i ‘** Beware, boy, for I can I have told you the truth, and I IT would not betray you, if you thing.” ** And that is—?” you if so I will; ve proof; but do one ‘“‘T have told you that your father was killed by Hurtel of the Red Hand, and your mother died of a broken heart, so you have cause to ha their murderer.” “True, if what you have said is not false.” ““T too have cause to hate him, and the secret shall never find the light, and you may live and die as Earl of Belmont, if you will hunt down slay, and bring me proof of the death of Hurtei of the Red Hand.” ‘* But how can I, woman?” “Your father—that is the Earl of Belmont— has great influence with the king, and you were for years in the royal navy as a ¥Y, 80 shoulda have good sea knowledge.” ‘Well, what then?’ ‘* Get the earl to have King Billy commission you to hunt down pirates on all seas:_he will do it, and then cruise for Hurtel of the Red Hand, and ‘ ** By the Cross! but offer an enticé - dycement, woman, for r Mm in €O Thave ever been sorry I ee