Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

: — spoke, ‘Sweet William, the Trapper Detective. afore I take another step for’ard, you’ve got to | | spose?” added the giant, with a short, skeptical laugh. make the trail cl’ar an’ broad afore me.” ‘* What is it that so puzzles your keen wits?” “Two peints in petickler,” said Gladden, ignoring the sneering tones of Evans. ‘‘ Fust, we'll take what jest ha both on ye hunted Leo he was a p’izen wolf. "Iwas through your doin’s, more’n anythin’ else, that he was brung in guilty by the Vigilantys. They was a price set on his head, an’ you hinted that 1 could mebbe rake it in, by takin’ to the timber a’ter him. I didn’t do this, fer reasons which don’t matter to nobody but myself. I wouldn’t hunt fer him, but when I met him by chaince, I tuck him up, as I was in duty boun’, bein’ a law- abidin’ citizen. I sent word to you, which I knowed you held a reg’lar warrant fer his ar- rest. You come an’ ’tempted to arrest him, pulled a pistol onto him, which showed that you really meant to take him prisoner. ‘a’ done it, even a’ter that other feller tuck a hand in the game. What I want to know is, why didn’t you do it?” “You saw him make those signs? First Sweet William and then the other?” Gladden nodded, slowly. ‘Did you understand the meaning they con- veyed? Do you belong to any secret order?” ‘* No,” was the short response. ‘Well, I[—and these gentlemen also—do. Those signs claimed a protection that I could not refuse. ou were a Freemason, you would understand; since you are not, I can only say that if my bitterest enemy was to make that signal, even though his hands were at that moment dripping with the heart’s-blood of my father and mother, I could not refusé him the aid he demanded. Had you resisted, we would have joined them against you, even to death.” ‘You give up the hunt ag’in’ him—Leo— then?’ slowly uttered Gladden. “You will help him whenever he is in need, if it comes in your power? You’re bound toresk your life in defense o’ his’n?” ‘‘T am bound by a solemn oath to do all that, and more, if possible,” replied Evans. ‘* An’ yet I saw you shoot at him jest now— an’ shoot to ktil 2” sharply added the giant. ‘‘T fired the same as yon did—in the air, sim- ply to disarm suspicion—” ‘* Your weepon was aimed p’int blank at Leo Friend, an’ your lead struck him. I see him | ' yamap in the saddle when you pulled trigger. ned. You all three | riend down like as ef | You could | nn ——E a ‘* An’ another devil give me this black eye, I ‘Be thankful that you escaped so easily,” earnestly responded Rigdon. ‘‘I could tell you facts concerning unfortunate treasure-seekers that would cause your hair to stand on end—” ‘* You needn't mind,” the giant bluntly inter- is, I’ve hearn too p’izen much talk about mer- ricles, an all that you kin do. Ef it’s all the same to you Ill jest wait ontel you’ve brung some on ’em to pass afore I go any furder, Show me some 0’ the gold you’ve dug out o’ the airth by means o’ that wonderful stone an’ | posed. ‘I don’t keer about hearin’’em. Fact | not afore.” ‘*You will be sorry for this when you have had time for sober reflection, brother Gladden,” said Rigdon, in a meek tone of voice, but at the same time checking the Prophet’s passion once more. ‘*We will leave you now. When we meet again may the sinful scales have fallen from your eyes, and you be able to see the lamentable error into which you have fallen.” If the part the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon played in this interview seem inconsistent with their usually sharp, overbearing mode of pro- cedure, the reader must bear in mind that their cause was in a very critical state at thet junc- ture. The storm was then brewing that was to sweep theni and their pernicious doctrines from Missouri soil, and past experieuce had taught them to read aright the low but ominous mut- terings of the gathering tempest. The coun- tenance and aid of one man of influenee might turn the scale in their favor. They could not afford to lose the good will of Anderson Glad- den. Hence their unwonted humility. The giant settler watched the dite couple until they disappeared amid the shadows beyond the stile, then turned toward Gerald Evans, who stood in silence, his eyes bent moodily upon the ground’ ‘* Waal, why don’t you keep your two fri’nds comp’ny ?’ and there was a scarcely vailed sneer in the query. It was not this though, that gave birth to the strange, glowing light in Gerald’s eyes as they were raised to meet the settler’s gaze. There was far more of the master taan the dove in his demeanor and voice as he made reply: ‘Plain speaking seems to be the rule, to- night, and as you’ve had your turn at the one har—don’t make it blacker by denyin’ the | suppose you try a little sober listening while I truth. I kin trust my own eyes.” “If you are so anxious to quarrel with me—” **Cool an’ aA don’t kick afore you're pricked. When I make up my mind to quarrel with a man, he don’t need to ax the question. I’m jest tellin’ you this to let you all know that I’ve got my eyes open, an’ that I mean to play out the rest o’ the game with them open, too. You’ve led me by the nose long enough. We'll come to a fa’r an’ squar’ understandin’ this night, which ‘ll settle whether you three are honest men or cunnin’ rogues—” ‘‘You use hard words, brother Gladden,” hastily said Sidney Rigdon, checking by a firm grasp the anery explosion that rose to the lips of Joseph Smith. ‘“* You must justify yourself, if we are to remain friends and allies.” ‘“‘ Whar is the treasure you promised to show me? Whar is the gold and silver and precious stones, which he said he saw through that sacred stone o’ his'n? You made me kill the best ram of all my flock. You made me dig like a nigger in the dirt—an’ for what? To turn up a p’izen rattlesnake hid in a box—to be struck in the face by it, an’ escape a turrible death as by a merricle—to be knocked on the head an’ pounded out o’ my senses by them as you hid in the bushes to play ghosts an’ spooks onto me—” “Stop!” and the long arm of the Prophet was uplifted, his gaunt form rigidly erect, his deep, sunken eyes blazing with a somber fire as he “ You are uttering foul blaspbemy that will drag your soul to perdition if you do not repent your hasty judgment. You are—” goin Sidney Rigdon interposed. ‘‘] am the only one to blame, brother Glad- den. You cannot have forgotten the warnin given you—that utter silence must be preserve until the treasure was safely removed beyond the magic circle. I knew, like yourself, that the evil spirits of darkness would surround us and endeavor to cheat us of our prize; I knew that those strange voices and diabolical sounds were but devices to frighten us, that they pro- ceeded from bodiless shapes that could not in- jurc us as long as our courage bid them defiance. i was armed against all that—but when the rat- i ' talk?” "RH vyou’ve got anythin’ to say that’s wuth listenin’ to,” was the careless response,‘ How long’il it take you?” ‘* That depends in a great measure upon you. Only a few minutes, if you are reasonable; an hour, if $e prove as obstinate as heretofore.” ‘*’We’ll go to the house, then, an’ take it easy. ’'Tain’t al’ays I feel like runnin’ my own canoe, but this night is one+o’ them times. You’d do better to wait fer a day when the signs is more favor’ble. I say it as a fri’nd.” “You are very kind, but I have waited long enough, and prefer to speak out now, once for all.” Gladden made no reply, but turning, led the way to the log-cabin. Entering, he snuffed the tallow dip with his fingers, then, nodding to Gerald to be seated, set the example by draw- ing his chair up to the table, filling his pipe and lighting it by means of the flickering candle. ‘“Smoke?” he uttered, pushing a pipe and the box of home-made tobacco toward his com- nion. Gerald flung out his hand, impatiently, the fire burning more deeply in his eyes. The two men had apparently changed dispositions for the time being. Gladden was cool, even sar- castic, while Evans was-strangely restless, des- pite his evident attempt at composure. ‘‘ How much longer is this going to last?’ he exclaimed, Oe forward, his glowing eyes fixed upon the giant, who placidly rumbled, through the misty smoke wreath: “You want to shoot nearder the mark then that, if you expect a answer. I ain’t guessin’ riddles,’ “You can understand easily enough if you only wanted to; but so be it, then! If bs want plain talk—when am I to marry Belle?” . ‘‘ Whenever you an’ she makes it up an’ fixes on the day, I reckon,” but though the words set down were spoken quietly enough, the smoke- puffs came quicker and more dense. Gerald Evans laughed shortly, wickedly. ‘*Just what 1 expected of you, Anderson Gladden; but that won’t satisfy me. I ask you tlesnake sounded, though I knew that it was but | a plain question—and one that you knew must an empty sound—I could not command my nerves, and cried aloud with horror. That gave the enemy power over us. We were no longer roof against their arts, and knowing this, we ed, thinking that you were with us.’ ‘‘But the money,” persisted Gladden; whar did it go?” ‘The evil .spirit took possession of it, and coiled himself up in its place, assuming the guise of a serpent. Only pooe stout h was proof against fear he would have claimed you then and there, and dragged you down with him to the bottomless deptis of perdition.” come—and you've got to give me a plain an- swer. Ours was a re bargain, a purely business transaction. [I was to introduce you to Joseph Smith and get you into his good graces. In addition I was to insure you a share in his treasure-sceking. You were to aid me with the irl—to give her to me for a wife. I have faith- fully performed my part of the bargain, but how is it with you? I claim your promise. Give me Belle—” a a Many, Sela: interrupted Gladden, laying down his pipe and leaning over the table. ‘** You’re gettin’ ahead o’ your swath. Part you then I’ll b’lieve what you say about its powers; — 2+ so ‘or ao | : rc" + fe ‘46 say I own is correct; but whar is my share o’ the treasure? What better off am I then I was afore? A black eye, a snake-bite; no more!” ‘You got more than the rest of us, then. But all that has nothing to do with this business. I performed my part of the contract; and you’ve got to be as good.” ““ Ar’ ef you say I hain’t, I say you lie! Baht don’t brustle up Rey feathers at me. What I say I mean, an’ I kin prove every word. I said I'd putt in a good word fer you: an’so I hey. I’ve told Belle that you was my choice fer her, dn’ said I’d never agree she should marry any- body else.” ‘*But what have you done? Talk is cheap. What I ask—and what I will have—is action. Your tongue says do this; your face tells her to suit herself. That won’t satisfy me. You must compel her to obey, if she is obstinate—” “That’ll do,” said Gladden, sternly, as he arose from his chair. ‘“‘ You want an answer, once for all, an’ a answer you shall have.” Turning, he left the room, soon after making his appearance, leading the maiden by the hand. Pausing beside the table, his eyes fixed upon Gerald Evans, who had arisen from his chair when Belle entered, he spoke: ‘* Ef I make any mistake, you want to tell me whar I’m wrong. I told you I’d speak a good word fer you with my daughter, here. I said I'd tell her I'd ruther she would marry you than any other man livin’. I promised to keep you afore her mind, an’ never miss a chaince to show youupin a good light, an’ do allI could . to make her take you fer her husband. I think — is what I promised. Hev I forgotten any- thin’? Gerald Evans bowed; he did not dare trust his tongue to reply. This movement was so un- expected that, for the moment, he was wholly at a loss how to act. “Very good. Now, Belle, tell him whether I hain’t kept my word to the very letter. Hain’t I dinged at you ontel you couldn’t rest?’ ‘* Until I was sick of the very sound of his name—yes!” “Allright. What I-said at all them times, I say now. I hope you'll marry him—I think he’ll make a good husband; an’ the sooner all this p’izen nonsense is at an eend an’ done with, the better [ll be pleased! And now, Gerald Evans, putt the question to her yourself. Ax ber to set the day fer you twoto git married. You swore you’d hev your answer this night, an’ now I hope you'll git it!” ‘*T’ll save him that trouble, father,” and there was a faint suspicion of a smile upon the pale face of the maiden asshe spoke. ‘“‘If he was the last man upon earth, I would die before I would marry him. [have told him this, more than once, but common politeness is thrown away upon one who persists in a pursuit after being plainly told that it is unwelcome. In hopes that he will believe me this time, I add that I loathe and despise him beyond all earthly reptiles!’ erald Evans’s countenance was a study during this brief but cuttingly decisive speech. Confusion and even shame-were written thereon at first; but these faded away before hot rage that momentarily threatened an explosion. When the maiden ended, his face was pale as. death. His eyes were glowing like those of an irritated serpent, while his thin lip curled away from his white teeth in a sneering smile of devilish rage. His voice was low and strained as he spoke: ‘Many thanks for your candor, lady. lieve me, it is fully appreciated, and will be repaid in full, in good time. I accept this man’s per- mission. humbly acknowledge my love, and beg that you will marry me.” Si * And I, quite as humbly, refuse the honor,” laughed Be'le. ‘You will change your mind, I am sure. You: ae marry me within one week from to-night. not—” ~ ° ‘“*Tf not?’ haughtily echoed the maiden. ‘You will see your father hanging upon the eeWith ad Gladde for ith a deep, angry cry, Gladden sprung for- ward, and graspin Gera, flung him heeciion through the open stood awaiting the result. Evans, cat-like, regained his feet, brushing the dirt and blood from his eyes, but made no attempt to draw a weapon. ‘‘Remember!” he hissed. “[ know where your father is, and he shall die the death of a dog, upon the gallows!” Gladden ra his arm until the darkness swallowed up the rash speaker. ‘“‘ Better hev let me shoot the imp, girl,” mut- tered GJadden, closing and barring the door. ‘* He was so mad he saying. You have done nothing—the idea! Hang you" ‘He didn’t mean me, pet,” and # he spoke, the giant settler looked with loving wistfulness _ persisted Belle. | down into her face. ‘* But he—he said my father?’ “Yes, he said your father,” and the strong arm stdle around ber form and drew her close to his broad breast. ‘“ But, darling, I—I ain’t your true father!” =. €omicbhoo S) oorway, then, pistol in hand, ~ en raised his pistol, but Belle hung upon didn’t know what he was | ig 4 + € aa