Beadle's Dime Library, No. 139 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

2 Mine Benin tls 6 ie a Bk. - - ~ en ee eee -—- - ep ee a ee te 8 tie Vena ———— 2 hoped for your highness’s clemency and royal ‘ce me e 628 i se rg eee Oe 6 ee — —————_—— ————— waters or time; our audience is at an end, Cap- favor.” | tain Tudor Vashti.” ‘‘And wherein had. you the right to expect paeee favor at my hands, sir, when your wild | ife here, before your departure, almost caused me to regret having interested myself in your behaif?’ and the king looked straight into the nee of the young profligate; who boldly re- plied: ‘Tt is said, your majesty, that blood is thicker than water, andI sought to see if the words held true.” The king turned deadly pale, and sunk back in his velvet chair, his blue eyes fixed with a | strange look upon the daring man before him. | CHAPTER XXII. THE POWER OF A SECRET. FoR some moments a silence fell between the king and his daring subject, for, so stunning had been the effect of Tudor Vashti’s words, that his royal master seemed speechless. And yet how simple had been the utterance, ieangh there was them a significance that the king felt evidently, and while his very man- ner showed that the Jew’s story of the youn os sage birth was true, that persona ore his majesty, a quiet smile upon and triumph burning in his eyes. “IT do not exactly understand your words, sir,” said the king afcer an instant or two of silence that was growing painful. “T merely mid pone majesty, that I trusted face, - your kindness to me had a motive which I am cognizant of. ‘Sirrah! do you dare attribute motives to me to my ce?” Your ma ty is angry with me, because I have told him that | was aware of the great geodvem he ne ever shown me being prompted y feelings sprung from e ‘ rary Fon say that you know why I have you; bog has told you?’ and the ty for ling the secret cannot fall upon,” was the calm reply. ‘* What! do you mean that he is so in rank I dare not have the doom, of which you seem to know, carried out?’ and the king arose excitedly and his hand hovered overa upon the table, — “Your majesty, the one of whom I speak, even your power cannot harm.” ‘Hal what mean you?” “She is dead,” and Tudor Vashti having readily told the lie, or insinuation as to where he bad gotten the news of his birth, remained silent, while the king sunk back in his chair and buried his face in his hands, After a moment he raised his head, and said sadly: up know from whence came thy knowled of this seeret, and yet I deserved not that she should have told it, though it was but natural for her mother’s heart so to do, ** So let it. be, and let there be between us two the same wall there bas ever been, and not one tendril of affection, strive it ever so hard, to pa up to look over into the heart of the her, re “That past is dead, so let it rest and bury its dead,” and the royal, proud head again droo and even the selfish, heartless son bent his ace so that its emotions, if any flitted across it, re- mained hidden. - Suddenly oy, Meer eyes, the king said in bactek) commanding tones: ‘*Capcain Vashti, your favor is. ted, sir; ae —oo a meng at once be hauled & ower dock put in repair, arm fully and manned and equipped as you direct; but until she is ready for sea, remain in com- manne. of the Lanes, aud bold, yocmels in readi- news for a pleasure cruise with her majesty and ur— for the sum of twenty-five tho leaving him to believe it to be for the | Rtting Gat of yous vessel, but which I wish you eeming the pro ou have eer to a Jew, and w Dhow heard “Tudor Vashti’s face. flushed, asthe king epok, bul ae no reply, and his majesty rt : have gotten back your esta gon i are Ganda ru a no it ray as you have 5 hag possessed in the on | ‘] shall keep my royal eye u ou, Cap- ba op nlp so. oy hae w your actions deserve.” , if the king hastily to. use in to his table again, order upon Ross Vashti’s ng- twenty-five thousand nds, and handing it to the young captain said, sternly: “ Here, sir, is money With which to re- Pra Ree MANES sidestate; see that it is used or ‘“When your vessel is ready for sea I shall give you aroving commission, without limit of : | The ,youthful captain, with the triumph he had gained sparkling in his eyes, bent his head low before his king, and retired. Entering the carriage in waiting before the royal palace, he drove to a printing-office, and had the placard struck off that offered a re- ward for “Brandt Greyhurst, Deserter and Felon,” and then returning to his cab, bade the coachman drive to ‘‘ Enoch Shylock’s; a Jew, in Monmouth street.” ‘‘ Pll surprise old Enoch, I think, and then visit my respected father at Sealands.” So saying, he settled himself back on: the cushions, while a look of devilish delight came over his face. CHAPTER XXIII. THE KING’S DRAFT. “Ww my dear captain, your visit is so ee I fear to ask if there is trouble?” and Enoch Shylock looked up somewhat anx- loualy as Tudor Vashti entered his private office. ‘* No; L only called on a little matter of busi- ness, Jew, he the aera ene the mort- es you hold against my property. ee What matters it, Tudor Vashi, when you cannot take them up?” ‘* But I can, Jew.” Enoch Shylock elevated his eyes, and, yet, concealing instantly his astonishment, suid, casually: ‘** Ah! been successful for once at play.” ** Not at play, exactly, but at another game, Jew; now let me know amount due on mort- es and interest.” he Jew quietly turned to a large book, and running his eyes over several papers, said: ‘* Let me see, captain; the mortgages amount, with interest, to twelve thousand and ninety unds, Pe And last night I gave yea a note for twelve thousand dollars; I will e that up, too; so ive me the change out of this order for twenty- ve thousand pounds,” The Jew calmly took the paper, and again his eyebrows were raised in surprise, as he said: “It is an order on Vashti & Company, bank- et Yes.” “For twenty-five thousand dollars?” “Vos, as you see.” ‘They are good men?” “cc Yes. ” ** And the king is the drawer of the draft?’ ‘* Yes, as you see.” “‘ He banks with them I know.” 4c Yes. ”) ‘* His draft should be good.” “Should be good? it 7s good, as you know.” ** Yes, if he wrote it.” ‘*T do not understand, Jew.” “1¢ he wrote the draft.” ‘* He did, all of it.” ** And gave it to you?” «ec eg,’ * Strange.” . ‘What is strange?’ ‘* That he should give it to you.” ‘‘ Tt. is to fit out an American vessel I captured under a pirate flag, and sent home as a prize.” ‘* She is to be fitted out here?” “ Yes. ”? ‘* Where.” ' “In the Tower dock.” “Why does not the Admiralty’s Treasurer pay for it, and not the king out of his private account?” Tudor Vashti saw that the wily Jew had caught him in a trap; but he said, impatiently: ‘* This vessel goes on a service, Jew.” ** I don’t doubt it, ca “4 > ** Well, give me the of the draft due as Mo iad taking out for my mortgages and notes. ‘ Wha ” ‘ What?” tye 7 Em Are not got the rege aK? y rs) ve them ou last night. ‘f Yes, but I bt, them” te ** You were in a hurry, Jew.” *‘ That is the way I make my money, Captain Vashti.” ** Well, send your clerk to take them up.” ‘**Tt cannot be done.” 4 pe ! way r $ are out of my possession. “That you just said; so send to the man who * He will not give them up until the day they are due.” ‘* He must!” ‘“‘ He cannot.” “* He shall !” shouted the officer. “Don’t get excited, Captain Vashti, for it will do no ,” coldly said the Jew. ‘Then give me my notes.” ‘¢ Impossible; upon the day of maturity I will have them here for you. ‘**Curses on you, Jew Shylock! you wish to hold those signatures against me for some pur- pose of your own,” “T have the draft 1 got from your suicidal friend, captain, if I wished to use it.” ire-Kye, the Sea Hyena. “True; then deduct the mortgage money out of this draft, and hand me the balance,” “But how about the fitting out out of the American vessel?’ ‘* How?” a the king gave you this draft to pay for it?” ac es,’ “If you spend it for yourself, what will the king say?’ ‘* That is my look-out,” and the face of Tudor Vashti flushed at being again led into a snare by the cunning Israelite. *‘ That is my affair, not yours.” “It was my interest in you prompted the question, dear captain.” ‘* Curse your interest in me.” ‘‘You Christians plead humbly to the Jew when you need money, and curse bim in your p ity. ‘You deserve what you get, for you thrive on the vices and follies of other men; but cash that draft, as I asked you to do, and when the note comes due, I will take it up.” Enoch Shylock again looked carefully at the draft, and said: ‘**T cannot cash it, woe Tudor Vashti, un- til 1 know that it is Py ‘* Do you dare to doubt its genuineness?” “ Yes,” ‘*Ha! you dare—” ** Hold! no threats, no hostile demonstrations, Tudor Vashti, or te may not escape so easily as last night, and your life then hung bya thread.” The tone and manner of the Jew caused the young officer to sink back in his chair, for he remembered well the scene of the night before when he had been under the aim of the fair Jewess. ‘* You doubt the draft?” he said, hoarsely. . ** Yes, for but last night you executed before my aves a most skillful piece of forgery.” ‘Curse you, Jew! “ou insult me because you know I am in your power,” “You should not have so placed yourself, Tudor Vashti.” ** Don’t moralize to me; but teH me if you believe I have forged this draft on Ross Vashti, in the king’s name?” “T do not say that, captain; but I must be cautious,” “Then give the mortgages into the hands of yons clerk, and let him drive with me to the ank, and I will pay him the sum due and get them from him.” : ‘* Enough, so that my name does not go ona aper that might, mind you, I say might be orged.” ** Then call your clerk.” ‘‘No, my daughter shall go with you.” . Your daughter?” “Why should you send her?” ‘‘ I have my reasons.” “Tcare not if Satan goes, so I get the un- nye duty off my bands; bid her hurry, for t is nearly time for the bank to close,” ‘You will send her back?” “‘She certainly is not one of a race whom I would select to run off with,” was the insolent reply. r i am_ ready, father,” and Adina ste be- fore the two, looking roe y beaut and evidently having heard all passed between em, Tudor Vashti started and colored, and.would have stammered out some apology, for he was seldom rude to. a woman; but her smiling face caused him to hope she had not heard his re- mark, and he conducted her to the carriage in waiting, and fifteen minutes after he beld the morgane 0 his badge ane 3 bi sh ag i sand pounds in while na the Tenens was on her way back to her father. But Tudor Vashti was not yet wholly at his eage, for the note he had Hest tee Jew, with the forged indorsement of ashti, was not yet in possession, nor was the draft given before and until he held possession of these, he could not be contented, ; ‘To-morrow I will run up to Sealands; but ee for noosa the le ae — to try my uck once more, mut as he strolled in- to a fashionable club house on'the Strand. CHAPTER XXIV. ROSS VASHTI AT HOME. From the crowded marts of London, the busy bum of mercantile life, and the whirl] of pleasure, back to the sea-shore where the wash of the waves, the song of birds, and sighing of the winds mingle together in delightful har- mony, I would have my reader accompany me. Not to the old Castle of grand in its ruins, nor to the Wizard’s Well beneath its cavern-hollowed rocks, but to the villa of the estate, built by Ross Vashti, and made, — through the lavish use of rare beauty and comfo dens and grounds whi beauty. In the grand library, with its showv trim- gold, a mansion of surrounded by gar- were an Eden of com ElOoOOKS Cc (0)