Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 172 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

- ~ . ‘The Black Pirate. “My dear St. Vale, 1am always glad to see ou, but Lord Caverly is my intended son-in- aw, and as he is to be Eve’s lord and master, he knows best who he desires for her acquain- tances.” | Leon St. Vale made no reply, but bowed low and turned toward the door, when Eve ad- vanced quickly toward him, and grasping his aund, said warmly: ‘Lieutenant St. Vale, neither my father nor Lord Caverly can command my heart, though they possess my band and fortune, and, owing you my life as I do, you will ever be remembered by me with respect and affection.” Leon St. Vale said softly, as he bent and kissed her hand: ‘‘T thank you, Eve.” The next instant he had gone; but the act was not allowed to rest without comment on the os of Sir Grey, who fanned the jealous spark in Lord Caverly’s bosom into a flame and by certain insinuations that St. Vale had better be looked to, so wrought up the youn noble, that he publicly insulted the young nava officer at the club that-night, and was promptly knocked down for it. Of course the matter could not end here between two such men, and rivals in love, besides the one ropeeeenng the army, the other the navy, and the result was a challengs from Lord Caverly, which was sent by Sir Grey*Alstone himself, for the baronet was most anxious to see the affair terminate according to his wishes, and was determined there should be no flaw in the preliminaries, while he muttered over and over again, as he drove to the lieuten- ant’s quarters to deliver the challenge: “I could forgive St. Vale for killing my intended son-in-law, and even grant my consent for him to marry Eve, after 1 had had my pickings of my dear brother Alvin’s fortune.” Nettled by old-conquering love in the heart of Eve, Leon St. Vale’s reply to the challenge was: ‘Tell Lord Caverly, Sir Grey, that I will afford him the Rerlainc tion he demands with heartfelt pleasure.” CHAPTER IV. SOWING THE WIND, AND REAPING THE WHIRL- WIND. LISTLESSLY the waves rolled upon the white sands, and breaking upon them, scattered foamy es in one unbroken line, like a white belt, along the beach. The sun was going down in the west, and its rosy rays illumined the faces of three persons standing upon the beach, almost beneath the shadow of Castle Curse, which rose bold and frowning + the rocks above. Coming in toward the spot where the little group of three stood, was a small man-of-war’s t, under a leg-of-mutton sail, which did not drive her swiftly along, under the light breeze then blowing. ‘‘ He is late on account of the dying out of the wind; but better late than never, my lord,” said Sir Grey Alston, who composed one of the trio on the beach, while the third, carefull ‘rubbing a surgical instrument he held in his hands, until it shone, like glass, was evidently the surgeon, brought my ted the oung noble in case his services should be needed. Lord Caverly almost looked disappointed, when he saw the boat round the point, and enter the barbor of Welcome Haven, as he had hoped that Leon St. Vale would not come, and he could therefore brand him as a coward, and refuse to meet bim again; but, recognizing his rival and his second in the stern-sheets, he knew that the duel must come off. ‘*He seems confident, my lord, for he has brought no surgeon wit m,” said Sir Grey, anxious to excite Lord Caverly all in his power. ‘Yes, there are but three in the boat and one of those is a common sailor,” answered Lord Caverly; ‘‘ but if he needs a surgeon’s aid, Doc- tor Fincastle will serve him doubtless,” replied the young noble. ‘Surgeon Fincastle does not expect to be called upon, if my Lord Caverly and Lieuten- ant St. Vale are in deadly earnest,” was the on at reply of the man of instruments, who was surgeon of Lord Caverly’s troop. ‘‘{ have heard that St. Vale is a dead shot, ° and a master of the art of fencing, and I hope you are also, my lord,” said Sir Grey. ‘Tam te in the use of both the pistol and sword,” was the reply, and Lord Caverly began to pace to and fro, a cloud creeping slowly over his broW. The next instant the bow of the boat ran upon the sandy beach, and springing out the seaman held it steady, while St. Vale and his second, a brother naval officer, sprung ashore. Both of the naval officers were in full uniform, and were smoking, while Leon St. Vale’s face was very pale, and a strange look haunted his eyes. Raising his hat politely he advanced toward Lord Caverly, and said in a low, but firm tone: “Lord Caverly, I regret to be half an hour late, sir, but the wind, which was fresh at m departure, died down and detained me, and beg Nog consideration, and that of your friends,” * i is granted, sir,” coldly replied the young noble. ‘‘ And, Lord Aubrey Caverly,” resumed the naval officer. ‘‘I have come here, sir, to say that this meeting between you and myself can- not go further.” All present, even to the second of Lieutenant St. Vale, were astounded, and Sir Grey Alstone turned deadly pale, while Lord Caverly asked sternly: "; May I ask for an explanation of your words, sir? ‘“T decline to meet you, that is all,” was the calm reply. ‘‘ You refuse to give me satisfaction for the blow you gave me at the club?” le did but punish you for your insulting lan- age. ** And you shall answer for the blow, or hum- bly apologize,” and the young noble spoke hotly. ‘€T shall do neither, sir.” ‘“‘Then, by Heaven, I brand you as an in- famous coward, unworthy the uniform you wear.” Tbe words rung out sharp and stinging, and had Leon St. Vale been a corpse the hue of his face could not have been more deadly. For an instant he stood like a statue of bronze, and every eye was fixed upon him. Then his cheeks flushed, his face became brighter, and with a smile he said in the softest tones: ' ‘‘My dear Lord Caverly, as you seem so pressing im your determination to meet me, I cannot refuse. ‘“Mr. Dudley, will you kindly arrange with Sir Grey Alstone?” The sudden change again took all by surprise, for the lieutenant was certainly acting ina most mysterious way; but with a sigh of relief at the turn of the tide in the affair, Captain Rupert Dudley, the commander and second of Leon St. Vale, hastily advanced toward Sir Grey, whose delight shone in his face. ‘The weapons were to be pistols, with a fall back to swords, if not fatal,” said Sir Grey. “On the contrary, Sir Grey, they were to be swords, with a fall back to pistols if the affair went further than for one of the principals to be disarmed, or me yw wounded,” answered Captain Dudley, and the baronet acknowledged his mistake, but failed to say that he had been most anxious to end the affair at once, With the utmost coolness Leon St. Vale took his stand, his face no longer pale, and his man- ner indifferent, in strong contrast to whatit was when he had declined the meeting. : Stern and determined Lord Caverly received his sword, and at.a word the blades crossed and the duel was begun, the surgeon looking on with interest, the baronet with fiendish delight, and Captain Dudley with anxiety. A few s, and one blade flew into the air and fell into the sea, It was the weapon of Lord Aubrey Caverly, and Leon St. Vale said coldly, as he lowered his own sword point; ge Ly you your life, Lord Aubrey Caverly.” ‘This is no reparation to me, sir, for the blow, and I demand another meeting,” hotly said the noble. Again Leon St. Vale turned pale, seemed about to refuse, as he shook his head, when Lord Caverly, urged by Sir Grey in a low whis- per, asked with a sneer: ‘Do you fear to face me with weapons which will place us on more equal pam | as your superb swordsmanship is well known ‘T am in the hands of Captain Dudley, Lord Caverly, to refuse, or accept for me,” was the indifferent reply of the young sailor as he turned on bis heel. ‘‘Then of course, if my principal demands it Captain Dudley, Lieutenant St. Vale must meet him?’ said Sir Grey Alstone eagerly. “Merely through courtesy, sir, as Lieutenant St. Vale once saved Lord Caverly’s life, has now given it to him at this meeting, and certain! has a right to refuse, but as he leaves it wit me, and you and your principal seem anxious to press the matter, I will grant it, Sir Grey, with pistols at ten paces.” Sir Grey bowed low to hide the joy in his face, and a moment after the rivals once more faced each other. It was evident to all that Leon St. Vale meant no trifling, and Lord Caverly’s eyes drooped as he met the burning gaze of bis an- tagonist; but he remained calm, though ver ale, and in quick, distinct tones Captain Dud- ey spoke the fatal words, and the pistols flashed together. ut while Leon St. Vale remained standing cool and firm, Lord Aubrey Caverly leaped in-.. the air and fell almost at his feet a corpse, for the bullet of his rival had pierced his heart. CHAPTER V. FATHER AND DAUGHTER, TEN days have pases away since the fatal duel between Lord Caverly and Leon St. Vale, and the clubs and drawing-rooms of London were still excited over the result, which took from their midst the gaiane young captain, at the hands of his sailor rival. Of course the officers of the army sided with the dead noble, their comrade, while those of the navy upheld St. Vale, though all wereata loss to understand the strange conduct of the sailor in first refusing to meet his rival, and then in killing him, after once sparing his life; yet all gave him credit for indomitable pluck, where he had at first seemed to be cowardly in wishing to avoid the meeting, for his secret mo- tive none knew. That Eve Alstone was at the bottom of the trouble, all knew, for romance as well as reality must have a woman in the case, and she became at once a heroine in the eyes of the world, which also considered ber as more beautiful and fascin- ating than ever from the fact that her intended husband had been killed at the hands of a lover, who by the act had caused her to inherit a vast fortune, for the terms of Alvin Alstone’s will had leaked out, as there never was a secret thor- ougbly kept. f course it was known that a curse went with the gold of the dead millionaire, but thet served only to add greater interest to the whole affair, and after nine days’ talk Eve Alstoneand Leon St. Vale were still the subjects of univer- sal conversation. As for the young sailor he kept religiously on board his vessel, which was soon to sail on a cruise to American waters, and Eve bad put on deep mourning for Lord righ A and whether refusing to be comforted, like Rachel, no one knew, as only her father and her maid had seen her since the night on which sie learned of the fatal meeting between the rivals. But, upon the afternoon of the tenth day Eve Alstone sat in her ‘Rearene room, watching the sun go down behind the hills, and now and then glancing at an open letter in her band. She was in deep mourning, and her face seemed almost as white as marble, and her eyes had a dreamy, far-away look. Starting, at a knock upon her door, she hastily thrust the letter into her bosom and said quickly: **Come in!” . It was Sir Grey Alstone, and the look of worry, almost habitual to him of late years, had faded from his face, which was now really joyous, Advancing, he kissed his daughter on the forehead, and taking a seat at the window be- side her, he said: “Why Eve, yen seem badly drooping of late, sol think lhave news for you that will bring back color to your cheeks.” ‘Is itstrange, father, when one I intended to marry should have fallen by the hand of one I loved?” she asked sadly. “Tut! tut! and he helped you to just fifty thousand a year, for I have gone over the en- tire papers with the lawyer.” “T am not mercenary, sir, andI would give all to have Lord pets d out of the dark tomb where he now lies, and his life not on the soul of Leon St. Vale.” = atin 5 was a fool to be jealous, Eve, and he brought it upon himself, for he forced St. Vale to meet him, after he had positively de- clined to do so.” ‘Father, is this the truth?” and Eve was upon her feet in an instant, her face flushed and eager. ‘ ‘ ¥es, Eve, but don’t get excited about it.” “Tell me of it, sir.” ‘* Well, St. Vale put in an appearance on the ground quite late, and then declined to fight, when Lord Caverly called him a coward, and said he was unworthy to wear the naval uni- form, and the duel followed.” Eve made no reply, but a strange look came over her face, and she even smiled, while sks said wey tb ; ** W hat is the good news you bring, father?” ‘‘Well, the king has given me a civil ap- pointment of importance in Canada, and I am ordered there at once, or that is within a month,” ‘“ Indeed, sirt It isa pity this did not come when you needed aid so much.” ‘‘ Ah! but I need the appointment now, Eve, for I cannot think of living on your income large asit is; but I shall have to borrow a small sum from you, to get my creditors to allow me ‘Oh, how fearfal it is to be aslave, as you are, father, to your creditors, and willingly I will advance you the money for your ransom from slavery.” ‘You put it devilish strong, Eve,” and Sir Grey winced. ‘* Because, sir, I have seen you cringe at the sight of a tradesman, as before a master. ‘But we will not refer to this, father, only tell me what [ am to do to aid you?” ‘You are a noble girl, Eve; well, it seems that the interest accumulated rapidly upon dear brother Alvin, who, economical old soul, could not spend it, and there is about ten thou- sand pounds, more or less, accumulated in the Threadneedle Bank, from this interest alone, and, as my debts can be cleared by that sum, and it is separate from the regular inheritance, you know, I thought I would borrow of you what may be there to your credit.” ‘*Cortainly, inter, and | hope it will square Ebooks | e€om co 4