Beadle's Dime Library, No. 139 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

; . uaa 2 more than a boy in years, and they had pledged —* _——— ——— Fire-Eye, the Sea Hyena. eternal love and devotion to each other. Hearing from her, when in the Indies, that her father wished to force hér into a union with a distinguished and wealthy personage, Brandt Greyhurst had determined to return home at once and make her his bride; but the reader knows how Captain Tudor Vashti thwart- ed that scheme, and his refising to aecept the resignation of the young sailor, the desertion from tbe ship, and being brought back in irons to England, Lador Vaslti had also learned of the intended marriage of the Lady Lois, and he knew well the intention of Brandt, for he had heard of their love affair, and aware, through the story of Enoch Shylock, that the maiden was secretly heiress to vast wealth, he had boldly, and with- out orders, determined to return home and win and wed her. But the wily Ross Vashtihad pushed matters rapidly, and ere the Lance touched English shores, poor Lady Lois was the girl-bride of the wealthy owner of Sealands. “What! I’ve hit you hard, lad, for I know or were sweet on the pretty lady yourself; ut I thought you knew she was married to the old sinner Vashti, for the i were full of it, and could talk of nothing else than the shameful mating of May and De- cember.” **You have hit me hard, MacGregor, but I have been used to hard blows of late,” said Brandt, in a low, constrained voice, while his face was livid, his lips hard drawn over his white teeth, and his eyes fairly blazing in their intensity of brightness. **My poor lad I can feel for you, for twenty barr ago a woman’s false vows to me, sent me the bad, and made me what now I am; yes, they were married some days ago, and are now at the and the gossips do say that she is heart-broken from some cause, but then her fa- ther forced her to it.” ‘* No woman can be forced into a marriage, MacGregor, if she set her heart against it; but it is useless to repine; | came here for one set pur , and that cannot now be done, but I shall not have made the journey fcr naught. You frequently leave this den, I believe?” ‘“‘T may as welladmit it, Master Brandt; there is a tunnel leads from here to the hill that over- locks the valley beyond, and my hut is there, built over the o are; and people call me the Valley Hermit, for I disguise myself as an old man, and go occasionally into the villages and towns, but allow no man to visit my abode, and thus keep my secret. ‘In this way I carry to the towns at night to our agents, the goods we smuggle in, an thus itis 1 get rid of considerable of the gossip that is cruising round.” ‘ ‘Then you are the very man to aid me, if you will.” 8 ‘* And I will, God knows, for I like you, lad.” ‘Then rigme up some kind of disguise to visit the villa in, for I wish to see both the Lady Lois and her husband.” ** Don’t be rash, lad.” ““T am not going to be; what Ido, shall be done with calmness, I. assure you MacGregor; now aid me all in your power, and upon my meeting with those two my future destiny ha or good or evil.” “tam your friend, lad; come with me,” and taking up a lantern, MacGregor, the Smuggler, led the way into a narrow, rocky corridor run- ning wines d inland, and with eager step Brandt Greyhurst followed him, muttering to himself, over and over again: ‘* She pees me her word to be true and wait, and she has broken it, broken it!” CHaPTER XIV. THE GIPSY. A SLENDER, graceful form, clad in a walking , cut short, and with a sun hat shading her h of gold-brown curls, ares for rest in a rustic arbor of Sealands Park, that command- ed an extensive inland view, and also a vast crpenne of water, dotted here and there with s. Her hands were filled with wild flowers, in her walk, and humble little speci- mens of the Floral’ Kingdom, compared with the choice exotics in the gardens of the villa; but then it would seem that hers was a nature to love the little blossoms hiding away in the woodland, The face of the fair pedestrian was youthful and lovely, and yet a sad look lingered in the dark blue eyes, and a certain compressing of the lips showed that she was struggling against sorrowful, perhaps bitter thoughts that welled up continually and would not be put down. As she tbrew herself languidly upon the rustic seat in the arbor, her eyes turned upon the mass of rocks that rose before her vision not far away, and which were known as old Castle Sealands, It was a grand structure, even crumbling to ruin as it was, and it held a weird look that made it seem the very place for hobgoblins and spooks to dwell, and no wonder was it, that the waeny folk were wont to tell strange stories about the old pile. ossips, some days skeet But the fair beholder of Castle Sealands, as it lay gloomy even in the morning sunlight, did not seem to feel dread of the place, for, her footste were wandering in that direction when she halted in the arbor for rest. As she gazed upon the massive ruin, her eyes filled with tears, and with a sigh and then im- patient exclamation and gesture, she turned 1er glance upon the distant villa, the lordly howe of Koss Vashti. But again the impatient exclamation arose to her lips, and she bent her gaze upon the sea, which was tinted with the sunlight, and beauti- ful in its quietude, fur only a light breeze ruf- fled its surface. As if calmed by its motionless bosom, she remained quietly gazing upon the sea, utter] oblivious of the present, it seemed, until sud- denly recalled to herself by hearing a_ step near her. Starting, sbe turned, and beheld the bent form of an old man, for bis beard and hair were white, and his dark face seemed furrowed with lines the passing years had made there. At first she was slightly startled, for the orders of the owner of Sealands were severe, regarding allowing any one other than those who held the right, in the grounds of the es- tate, and she had not expected to see any one during her walk, and, wishing to be alone, had bade her attendant to remain at the villa. But the white, bowed head reassured her, although the strange dress told her that she stood in the presence of one of the wandering children of the woodland—a Gipsy. ‘*My good man, if you are hungry and need food, or wish a few pieces of silver, if you will go to theevilla yonder, you'shal] be cared for,” she said, kindly. ‘Lady, I want not your gold, for I am not in need, and my heart only is ahungered,” was the calm reply. ; ‘‘Are your peoplé near?” she asked, with some show of anxiety, not liking the mannner and tone of the old man. ‘*No; I have no people; I am a wanderer alone over the green earth, and I am the last of my race,” was the sad reply, in a quivering voice, ‘Poor man; you are getting too old to wander about as you do, and should have some home, some shelter with kind friends to care for you: if you will go to the Country House, I will have my coachman take you there, and give you a letter that will gain you admission,” ‘‘IT am one who.neither asks, or receives favors, lady; I ama reader of the stars, of signs, faces and hearts, and can tell you the fu- ture, which to youis as a hidden book, but to me is as clear as crystal; would have me read thy fortune, lady?” ‘*Ah! my fortune is but misfortune; my fate is sealed forever,” she said, sadly,” ‘‘ Let me see thy fair hand, lady,” he asked, politely. ‘Withdrawing the thread glove she wore, she unhesitatingly extended her hand to him, and taking it in his own, which trembled slightly, e said: ‘*Ah, lady, I see the lines of joy, ambition and heartlessness strongly marked here,” She quickly withdrew her hand, while her face flushed, and he said pleadingly: **Do not be angry, lady, but listen, for I would trace out Ls ne ey A so that thou mayst ee which way thy tiny feet will tend through life. “Thank you, lady: now I see that thy earlier days held forth promise of happiness to thee, and love was thy mate from girlhood to woman- hood; but here, dark lines are traceable, and it seems as though pledges made were broken promises given were unfulfilled, and gold an ‘ ition won thy heart from one who loved ee, | ‘** You shall not talk thus to me, sir,” and the hand was drawn suddenly away. ‘* So it seemed, lady, to my reading, and there is an old saying that truth only offends; but I meant to read in thy small hand only the truth; wilt let me see thy hand again?” gf meget she held it forth, and he went on in the same low, quiveriug words in which he had before spoken: * There is a break here, I note; it is the broken pine e of which I spoke, and, as the lines of thy destiny run, better bad it been true love and a humble home, than gilded misery in a palace, for dark shadows creep in here, and the pledge broken turned the heart that loved thee to ; see, he’ becomes a wanderer, for here the lines branch off, and what evil he may do, he will lay at thy door.” ‘ This is cruel, and loving me he dare not do it, for he woultl know his charge against me to be unjust!” she said, quickly, and speaking more to’ herself, than to the Gipay. ” ‘‘The lines say that you broke the pledge, lady, and what sorrow it gives him, he:will lay at thy door; see, the future looks misty here on thy palm, but I can read no joy for thee in the future, and bere comes a crimson flush on the hand, that tells of dark deeds vet te come.” ‘‘T will bear no more, Gipsy, for thy art is feigned, and I believe not in thy predictions,” she said, angrily. , . _ J 43) ’ f . ay . tie thy if a fee Py og Vs = i Pp yey teh oo od 5 ** But the past, and the broken pledge, lady,” persisted ihe fortune-teller. ‘**L admit it not.” ‘‘Thou wilt not deny it, for here, on this fin- ger where now glitters a diamond, rested a ruby, a blood-red stone, and it has been cast aside, and—” “Hold! do you know me?” ** Thou art the lady of yonder lordly house I take it.” ‘Yes; and my name?” “Ts different from the one thy heart once chose to bear.” ‘* Enough! if you need food go to the villa; if you wish gold come, and I will give it you, for I have not my purse with me; but I will hear no more, old man, for thy croakings bave al- ready added to my sorrows; farewell,” ard Lady Lois Vashti turned away, and the old Gipsy was alone, We CHAPTER XV. - A REWARD. A MAN, attired in the dress of a regular coun- tryman, wearing heavy boots, and carrying a ‘stout cane was walking slcwly along tbe high- way that cut in two parts the vast landed es- tate of Sealands, a few hours after the inter- view between the Lady Lois Vashti and the old Gipsy fortune-teller. Presently he came to where a massive gate- way led to Castle Sealands, visib!e half a mile away, and into this he was turning, when his eyes caught sight of a placard fastened upon one of the stone posts, Instantly he stopped and read aloud, and in a voice one would not have suspected from one of his appearance: . “Jn THe Krna’s Name! “TAKE NOTICE ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS! ** Whereas, one of the officers of the Royal Navy, to wit, Midshipman Brandt Greyburst, formerly of Castle Sealands, has willfully deserted the service of his King, while on duty in foreign seas, is now a fugitive, having made his escape from the Tower, be it known that he is hereby denounced as A DESERTER AND Fron, deserving of death, and a reward of OnE THOUSAND PovuNpDs will be given for the return of the said Brandt Grey- hurst, dead or alive, to the King’s Yacht Lance, anchored off London Tower, * By order of His Majesty, the King. . *TupOR VASHTT, ‘Captain Royal Navy and Commander of the King’s Yacht Lance,”’ Thrice did the countryman read over the placard, and then, after glancing cautiously up and down the road, he tore it carefully down, folded it up, and walked rapidly on to the castle and, disappeared in one of its entrances. For a few moments he remained unseen, and then he reappeared in the sea -tower, and leaning against the turreted wall, carefully read ‘over again aloud the reward. ‘By Heaven! this is the’ work of Tudor Vashti,” he muttered, and after an instant of silence he continued: “This last stroke throws to the wind ail good resolves; a deserter and a felon, deserving death, and with a reward offered for his body, dead or alive, has no right to raise his bead among honorable men, and no power to prove his innocence of the charge against him. ia a se comes atl re nding his eyes upon the park, a long wa off he saw a man approaching, and, after “§ while he cried: ! ‘““By the cross!.it is Ress Vashti, and ho comes this way.” | Quickly he turned and descended from the tower, and taking a large hall leading from tle center of the castle, wended his way to the old ane overhanging the sea, and the Wizard’s ell, ‘ In the middle of a small stone chamber was an ancient altar, for the iy doug fae had been good Catholics, and upon this he lightly sprung. Instantly fhe altar moved slowly trom its place, rev iB an epening beneath, and stone stairs leading down into the depths below. Standing on the third, step, the altar began to slowly return to its place once more, and the secret opening was again securely closed, leay- ing ee rock chamber as before. alf an hour, perhaps, passed away, and once more the heavy stone altar turned on its hidden hinges, and in the open trap appeared a form that was certainly terrible to lock upon, for in the uncertain twilight, an unbeliever even would be pardoned for believing it to be Satan himself, And that same diabolical form the reader be- held in the opening scenes of this story, when Vashti met face to face in the tower, one who claimed to be Satan himself, and to whom he sold bis soul when after the lapse of years he should be called on to give it up, or that whicb should be demanded of him in its stead. When Ross Vashti fled from the ruin, and homeward, amid the rolling of thunder and flashes of vivid lightning, that broke from a storm sweeping suddenly up over land and sea, he who cal himself Satan, bad returred to the chapel wing, and once more disappeared in the dark depths beneath the stone altar. Ek ‘com he hs wt n 2 tal? Spd DEF 5