Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

———— f i } | ' | ' t a = = » es eS eer or —~— - - rw — li a i a me ee * ~ - ee cede en ee ~ eee o Ae tt a ee ee SS ‘“ = ——— — , So ee 3 te- a 8 —_—— oo a 9 ee ee ae ge 2 en. .0tee eee -_—— the curious, pat eieing eyes of her friends and neighbors. Mechanically she accepted the prof- fered hand, but the dance was broken up in a very few minutes by the appearance of Nell Larkin and her babes. Her dress was disordered, her black hair hun down past her waist, her eyes were red as with incessant weeping, the babe at her breast, the child clinging to her skirts, were both wailing. Her speech was passionate enough, but if re- procnesd here would lack the fire and pathos ent by her admirable acting. Even those who knew her best—who welt knew what a cateand- dog life the twain had led—were completely carried away by her appeal for vengeance upon the assassin of the father of her helpless hahen Never in her palmiest days had the actress achieve i such a complete triumpb. For a moment after her voice died away ina heart-rending wail, all was silence. Then a cry eet the yell for vengeance—the cry for 00 Like tho rest, Gerald Evans seemed electrified ata transformed. Leaping upon the railing, he addressed the excited crowd. An eye for an eye was his text, Wasa packed jury to be al- lowed to turn a blood-stained robber into their midst—to pronounce him their equalin honor and innocence? “Lynch him ef he ain’t more’n your ekil in ‘them two pints!” shouted Sweet William, press- ing. through the crowd, hese words, meant for frony, were unfor- tunate. The first two were caught up and re- ated by a score of sturdy throats, and ‘‘ Lynch him!” filled the air and still further inflamed the evil passions which had been awakened by the acting of Nell Larkin. ; Sweet William saw his mistake, and squaring his shoulders, forced his way to the edge of the crowd, then clapped a hand to his mouth and sounded his wild war-cry: ‘* Howgh—owgh—owgh—ow—gh |” At twenty different points the crowd was thrown into confusion at that thrilling yell, and from his elevated position Gerald Evans could see as many stout men fighting their way to- ward the giant trapper. recognized among them many of those who helped to break up the Mormon meeting on the evening before, and divining their purpose, he repeated the cry of vengeance, and leaped into the mass. No more was needed. Each faction had its leader, and the most intrepid would win the day. Repeating his rallying cry, Sweet William pressed toward the little log jail, snatching up a huge beam of wood as he passed by a newly r cabin. Here he was joined nearly one-half bis men, all who had su ed in ex- tricating themselves from the crowd before Evans led the furious ch . ‘‘Four o’ you fellers bu’st in the door,” cried the trapper. ‘ Rest o’ you do as I do. Don’t burn powder afore I shoot—then wade in fer all you’re wuth! Halt!” alf a score leveled rifles enforced the stern challenge, and even Evans, who saw that the giant trapper had singled him out in particular, came to a pause, “Ef you're white men, you'll give the ris’ner a show fer his life. No lynchin’—a fa’r ial an’ no favor! Ef he’s found guilty, Pll be the last to say let him go. But ontil that sen- tence is jestly passed onto him, I'll fight fer him tothe bitter eend. Now come on ef you want to smell brimstone!” ‘* He is breaking down the door to turn the murderer loose upon us to commit more crimes!” snarled Evans. ‘* A lie—an’ he knows it! The boy is innocent ontil he’s proved guilty, an’ he shain’t be mur- dered without a chaince to fight fer his life.” ‘*He is guilty!” and a man dashed up on horseback. “Here is the servant-girl—she swears that Leo Friend left the house at half- past eight o’clock, last night!” : ‘“Lynch him—lynch the murderer!” ‘“ A fair tria]J—let the Vigilantes settle it!” But the blood of the mob was fairly up, and they would not listen to reason. A shot was fired, none could tell by which party; but it was —_— : More like wild beasts than human beings the two factions closed in a death-grapple. Shots were , knives were hed, oaths and curses, yells and cries of agony rent the air. The beam was raised again, and hurled against the door. %t gave way—the building was filled with infuriated men, t for blood. A wild, strange cry came from the interior, CHAPTER IX, FRIEND OB FOE? WHEN Martha Foster beheld the desperate flight of» her father, when she heard the warn- ing cry of old Sweet William followed by the rapid firing of pistols and rifles, for one instant she lost the wonderful nerve which had sustain- ed her through the trying ordeal—for such it was—of blasting the good name of the man she loved so Madly. But only for one brief mo- ment. She too had caught the signal made by Gerald Sweet William, the More than that, he | pursuers plunged into the woods in had | after the cunning old fox. | + <—eeecemaaa C LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL L t Cn ss -_ _—_ -...e oe — +--+ _ nna ineanentiieesenntineeemeeene meet cee Tie ee Evans, and rightly interpreted its meaning, but she looked further ahead than he had. at confidence would be placed in the testimony of the maid-servant, if it was known that Hark Foster had seen her in time to give her the cue? The whole fabric which had n erected at such a cost, would be demolished with a breath, nw + - + ee ee —<———<- = = eee — reached the door, tapping smartly upon it with the handle of her whip. md ‘Who's thar, an’ what ye want?’ came a deep, impatient voice, in response. A faint smile curled her red lips as Martha _— a peculiar succession of raps, then bent er ear in listening. As a faint sound came if no worse consequence followed. And yet she | from the other side of the door, she struck two must be warned, for the true story would be even more injurious. These reflections flashed through her mind with wonderful rapidity, and ere the echoes of the fire-arms died away, she had decided upon her plans and was at work. In the confusion it was an easy matter for her to clear the crowd unnoticed, and putting her horse to its best speed, she left the village almost at right angles with the course followed by the chase. With whip and spur she urged ber noble animal on, and right gallantly he re- ae to her call. Like a white meteor he shed along the narrow, wood lined road, and the heart of his rider swelled with a proud ex- ultation as the main road was regained, and she heard the sound of hoofstrokes far behind her— none in front, The worst was over now. Only an unforeseen accident could baffle her now. She could reach the house, warn the servant, and disappear without her agency being suspected. If she could.only exchange one word with her father—if he could only understand how he was imperiling her cherished plans! It was worth the risk, and so deciding she drew rein at an abrupt curve in the road. ; She had not long to wait. Spurring on in furious haste Hark Foster came in view. His eye was too experienced not to catch that bright figure, and one moment’s signaling did the work. He waved his hand in token of com- prehension, and away darted the white horse with its daring rider. Hark Foster slackened his pace just enough to suffer his closest pursuer to come in sight, then plunged down a narrow, winding side-trail which, while considerably longer, still led to bis house. The bait was taken. One by one the ot chase Mattie had ample time to carry out her pur- pose. The servant was posted as to the evidence she was to give, and, after bringing her mis- tress a small bottle from the house, she caught up a basket and burried into the timber, while ttie took up her position where she could catch the eorliest glimpse of her father ere he could reach the house. A single motion was enough, then she dashed down the valley, fol- lowed by ber father. The pursuers halted at the hopse with a loud cheer, believing that the old fox had been so hard pressed he dare not pause to accomplish his Br mr ‘*Let them yell,” song attie, with a silvery laugh. ‘ Nancy knows what she is to do, and will not hear their calls ina hurry. Now—we must return to the village. I say must,” sbe re- peated, as Hark stared at her in utter amaze- ment, ‘Gerald Evans has used me as a puppet long enough. Both he and you lied tome. I can give you both to the Vigilantes by speaking one word, and true as there isa heaven above ay will do it, unless you help me in what I ask.”’ ‘ ‘* They’il lynch me ef I go back—” ‘They'll lynch you if you don’t—that’s flat. I will expose the whole plot. I will swear that Leo was in my room until hours after those men carried Don Larkin to the meeting. And, if that will not do, I’ll tell them the names of those who compose the Crimson Clan—” ‘‘Hush! they’d murder even you!’ gasped the old man.” ‘Unless Leo lives Iam willing to die. I tell you, father, he must and shall be saved, and you must aid me,” ““Ef you'd told the truth in the fust place!” ‘‘And so give him batk to that doll face, Belle Gladden—I would rather see him dead! No; I mean to save his life, but all others shall believe him guilty. He shall be branded as an outlawed assassin—an object of horror to her— and then I will teach him to forget.” * Unless he’s a fool he won’t go, though you open the door to him. He knows he didn’t do it—he don’t think it kin be proved onto him; he won’t go, I tell ye.” Mattie laughed and drew the phial from her bosom. ‘** He willgo. Now, swear that rien will not fail me; bah! you dare not. Go— ring Johnson’s cart as near the jail as you dare. ait for wy signal; then drive up and take what is given you. Haste! remember the stakes!” Knowing how useless it would be for him to attempt to reason further with his daughter in her present state of mind, Hank Foster plunged into the woods to carry out her commands. He knew that her threats were not uttered at ran- dom. She would, if driven to the wall, utter his death-sentence, though the same words cost her own life. Rapidly Mattie rode on to the town, dis- mounting and tying her horse in a clump of trees but a few s from the log jail. ere was no doubt expressed in her face or move- ments, and she seemed assured of success as she sharp, impatient blows upon the slabs. The effect was magical. The heav swung inward, and a huge, uncou barrier -looking fellow gave a sleepish bow as be stood aside to give her entrance. The prisoner who had arisen as the door opened, no sooner saw who the visitor was, than he frowned and resumed his seat. ‘** You are not pleased, Leo,” uttered the soft, almost caressing voice of the strange girl, as she glided to his side. ‘* And yet lam come to save your life.” “After having sworn it away—for what you said was false, false as sin itself !” ‘*IT was bound by my oath—I could only tell the real truth. You did Jeave me at the hour I stated, as Nancy, the servant-girl will testify. They have sent for Her now. She may be here atany moment. Let her tell her story, and you will hang ; the hand of Heaven itself could not save you! That is why lam bere—to save you. Come! flee for your life. It is only until the real criminals can be hunted down. Once free, you can soon prove your innocence ; but if you do not accept this chance, you will never see another sun rise in this world!” ‘** You forget him,” nodding toward the guard, who was eagerly listening to every word, won- der in his eyes. | ‘‘T do not. Whatever I say he will do. Am I ragnt, Jones?” A The guard nodded slowly, but scratched his head with a sorely perplexed air. He had not netrated the mystery as yet. Mattie saw his, and drawing him impatiently to the fur- thest corner of the room, spoke in quick, earnest whispers. The slowly succeeding changes in the fellow’s heavy countenance would have been amusing, at any other time, but now Mattie felt only irritation. ‘* You shall be held harmless, I swear it!” she cried, aloud. ‘There is no need, Miss Foster,” said Friend, coldly. ‘* Your pro 1 may be meant in all kindness, but I have learned from sad experi- ence the need of caution. I will not leave this place until I am called for trial. 1am innocent —you know that. Were I to run away now, an gm would deem me ~! ; and they would be right. Whatever fate here may be in store for me, I will face it like a man, not run from it like a guilty coward.” | ‘** And I swear to you that you will be lynched before another hour passes by, unless you flee. You will die, and your grave will be accursed. You will be remembered as a convicted mid- night assassin—” ‘ Better that than live as one. You may be a very good friend, Miss Foster, but you take a curious method of showing it. Once for all, I will pot accept your proposal. If you are wise, ou will go, now. You are a woman, and I would hate to use harsh words—go, I beg of you! As though offended, Mattie turned to the door, but after a quick giancée outside, she turned and glided close to Ene She looked up into his face and seemed about to speak ; but the veins in her neck began to swell, her lithe form quivered and she seemed about to faint. Instinctively Leo caught her in his arms; a fatal movement! Jones flung an arm around his throat, a ing bis other band over bis mouth, effectually checking all outery. With a low laugh, Mattie slipped out of his arms, and wetting her handkerchief from the vial, pressed the cleth firmly over Leo’s nostrils. A few faint struggles, then his limbs hung limp and nerveless. e€ was senseless.* Just then Hark Foster thrust bis head into the room. Mattie bade him enter, with a laugh. Then, by her directions, the two men bore the senseless body cut to the light wagon which Foster had borrowed for the occasion, This accomplished, Mattie spoke to Jones. ‘You will go back and close the door, your- self inside. Take this bottle and wet a rag with the stuff. Lay down and put the rag over your face. It will not burt you ; only put you to sleep for an hour or so. Before that time the escape will be discovered. AJ] you need say is this: The prisoner dru you, by thrusting the rag in your face. ben you fel), you saw the door ’open, and several men came inside, These men all had red marks over their faces. Then you lost your senses, and know nothing you understand?” » hey’ll lynch me—” © “No disy won’t—and remember your oath!” With a lugubrious’ groan, Jones retraced bis steps to the jail. Foster and daughter muffled their captive up in a blanket, then Mattie =e . critical reader may remember that chloro- d not come into use until after the date of this story, but a preparation of sulphuric ether was used in the same manner, though slower in taking effect.—AUTHOR. form JOO EO RMICE S | 2 im com