Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 197 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

~ — 12 ** Jest as I said, I dropped a thousan’ dollars on the game in yender—every grain I hed in the old sack, fer you don’t ketch old Wall-eye in no lie, ef he knows hisself—an’ I tuck a notion to see what sort o’ sand thar was in you fellers’ craw; which I found out ina hurry, too! You didn’t wait to feel in the old man’s other pocket fer another weasel-skin, did yer?’ and with a mocking laugh the giant on ed out another heavy sack and emptied a golden shower upon the bar, ‘Take your pay out o’ that, you sullen-eyed, red-nosed dog-fish, an’ take a dose of it to cure your nose-ache, ef you can stomach the medi- cine. An’’long with the rest, take this bit o’ good advice: don’t try to bounce another man afore you know jest what kind o’ sand he’s got in his craw, or you mought come off with a wuss loss then a few drops of nosebleed. An’ as fer the rest o’ you sweet-scented mud-cats, when you want another drink, jest call on old Wall-eye, an’ he'll shake ye up a ginuine Arizony cocktail, an’ make ye settle it with a simon-pure clog-dance—onderstand?” Mockingly his great blue eyes ran over the group of more or less embarrassed fellows whom he had so adroitly weighed and found wanting, but not one among them had an answer Deaf and turning on his heel, the Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak left the saloon, once more entering the gaming hall. Now, as when he left the room, Revolver Robinson was the center of attraction, the table at. which he was ‘‘fighting the tiger” being closely surrounded by an eager and attentive crowd, yet with a clear space left behind and on either side after a manner which spoke loud- er than words. Little fear that the noted desperado would lack ‘‘elbow-room” where he was so well known. To all appearance he was bent on making good his laughing threat to Dashing Della, for e was betting heavily and with remarkably good judgment. The pile of gold before him was steadily increasing, and though an occa- sional wager was raked over the board, this but afforded breathing spaces for those less dar- ing gamblers who longed to join in and follow his lead to fortune but dare not. It was significant evidence of the sinister repu- tation gained by Revolver Robinson that even those who were tnost deeply interested in the ame when he entered it, without exception, iow out as s90n as the bets which they had al- ready placed were decided in their favor or against them. They seemed afraid to follow his lead, and still more afraid to act upon their own judgment, or even to occupy space on cards with their bets which he might wish to back. Lonny pape. 9 this, and knowing the noted desperado as well as they did, a low mutter of surprise went around the circle as a stranger pressed his way through their ranks and took up a station close to the left of Revolver Robin- son, producing a goodly quantity of golden coins and boldly placing his bets. At this brisk not to say rude, intrusion, Re- rower Rob glanced around with a slight up- lifting of his dark eyebrows, scanning the stranger from head to foot with one swift glance and what he saw may be briefly summed up. Me saw a slender, trim-built form in full Mexican garb, richly ornamented with gold and silver lace, bearing a belt full of finely en- graved weapons. But little of his face was visible, thanks to the broad-brimmed sombrero which was worn low over his forehead, and the full beard which covered his cheeks, chin and mouth. Not even his hands furnished a clew by which he might be recognized, for they were incased in closely -fitting gauntlets. Contrary to the general expectation, Re- volver Robinson made no remark as he averted his gaze. Indeed, he seemed to be in an unusu- ally gentle mood for him, and from the fre- quent glances which be cast upon the placid countenance of the fair dealer opposite, to- gether with their nature, the reason was not very difficult to surmise. , Mars bad surrendered to Venus—Revolvér Robinson was over head and ears in love with Dashing Della. a _ Among those who saw this the most Clearly, “was the redoubtable Wall-eyed Pike o’ the Peak, who fairly snorted forth his indignation at this ‘‘ varnished-up gar fish,’ who had the audacity to be casting ‘‘sheep’s-eyes at his sweetness,” and in his wrath he might have made arash move, had he not been once more anticipated. | The excitement around the table, none the less intense from its being suppressed, was steadily pocreestng as the lookers-on saw that there was more than a simple desire to play actuating the stranger who was dividing tlie m ays with Revolver Robin brisk and darir. D g. True, the latter took the lead in placiurp ais bets, as well as in the magnitude of his wr.gers, but as often as he played a card to win, the stranger at once backed it to lose, and vice versa, Once or twice this might have happened, Revolve —__<— — without any especial significance being attached to it or comment being made, but not so time after time, deal following deal, as really was the case now. That could only be the result of deliberate design, and a more deadly insult can- not be offered to a professional gambler. Notb- ing if not superstitious, im their unwritten code this means a deliberate attempt to ‘‘ hoodoo” the one thus treated: in other words to cast an evil spell over him and his, Dashing Della was one of the first to notice this fact, and for the first time since the foul in- sult which had been offéred her by Paul Chap- rioneer and wiped oufin’ blood by Revolver Robinson, the soft flush died out from ber cheeks and an anxious lovuk came into the deep blue eyes. She stole a quick glance at the face of the handsome desperado from beneath her long eye- lashes, and though she saw that Revolver Rob had not as yet taken notice of the fact, a subtle instinct told her that there was serious trouble brewing which boded evil to her secret plans. Unconsciously she precipitated the catas- trophe, for Revolver Robinson was too deeply in love to miss a single change of his idol’s coun- tenance, and so the anxious look which Dashing Della cast upon the Mexican set him to think- ing, and it was not long before he saw what was in the wind. Fully conscious of his own prowess, and knowing how wide-spread was his dangerous reputation, Revorver Robinson could not at first bring himself to believe that this marked opposition was anything more than an acciden- tal occurrence. To settle all doubt, however, he at once made a radical change in his former line of play. Scarcely had he done so, when the Mexican shifted his bets to correspond, still going in di- rect antagonism to the line marked out by his rival, and with his last doubt dissipated, Re- volver Robinson, an angry flush coming into his face, half-turned toward the audacious layer—but the hot words which rose to his ips were checked by an appealing look and basty signal from Dashing Della. Unfortunately other eyes than his saw the signal, and with a venomous light in his eyes the Mexican cried: “Foul play! ‘This man is in collusion with yonder painted wanton, and she is guiding his play by secret signals!” CHAPTER IX. . THE CHAMPION OF THE FAIR SEX. BEFORE the charge had fairly left his lips, the hand of Revolver Robinson fell upon his shoul- der, those slender white fingers closing until they seemed to fairly meet in the flesh. He felt the Mexican cringe and shiver beneath his Rrasp, and there was a trace of contempt ming- ng with the stern anger of his tone as he said: ‘* You are insolent, sir! Down on your knees and apologize to this lady, or—” With a snarling, choking cry, the Mexican drew along dagger from his bosom, and made a swift stroke full at the heart of the despera- do, but Revolver Robinson was not one to be easily taken unawares, and with a single sweep of his left arm the glittering blade was dashed aside, and then his right hand, swift as light and heavy as the stroke of a smith’s hammer, shot out and knocked the would-be assassin headlong from his chair and half-way across the room. A cry of mingled wonder and horror burst from the scattering spectators, for at first glance it seemed as though that lightning blow had shattered the head of the Mexican into several parts, but almost as quickly they real- ized their mistake. His hat flew there, his false wig and beard also sepsrated from his head and each other, leaving his face bare and smooth as that of a woman. Revolver Robinson had leaped to his feet as though to follow up the attack, but as his eyes fell upon that fair face, no longer hidden and disguised, he turned pale as death, while a look of horror quenched the angry glitter in his eyes. ‘* My God!” broke he shrunk back, ‘“ Isolina —and thus!” It was true. The pretended Mexican ran- chero was a woman, A woman, too, whom Revolver Robinsow appeared to know well, were one to judge from that horrified look and exclamation. Beyond all doubt there was a mystery here, and more than ever feeling that there was risk in mixing up in the matter, the spectators fell still further away, leaving only the despera- do and Dashing Della near the fallen woman. As those startled words left the lips of Re- ry .ver Rob, revealing the sex of the being vhom his heavy hand had just stricken down, Dashing Della, with only the least perceptible hesitation, arose and swiftly made her way to the side of the quivering form, kneeling on the floor and raising the bléeding head to ber lap. As she wiped away the crimson stain with her handkerchief, Revolver Rob uttered in a husky voice: : ‘* As Heaven ismy judge, I knew not that she aspingly from his lips, as lanillas—you here r Rob, the Red-Handed. a -_—_- — — was other than she seemed. You saw her dis- guise—it was perfect—so perfect that I could have sworn she was a man—” While he was speaking, Dashing Della was closely examining the luckless woman, and ina cane of great relief she now lifted her eyes and said: “There is no great damage done—she is not seriously injured, and a little rest will fully restore her—” Even asthe words left her lips, the strange woman opened her eyes, and recognizing who it was whose arms were supporting ber, a gasping cry of unspeakable hatred broke from her lips, and with an energy lent by that hatred, sbe dashed her clinched hand into the fair face, tore herself free and staggered to her feet. Her face was that of a beautiful fiend—rarely beautiful despite the discolored spot on her cheek where the fistof Revolver Robinson had fallen, not squarely, thanks to her womanly flinching when she saw that a blow was inevita- ble, else she would almost surely have been killed, as the desperado feared when he dis- covered for the first time that he was dealing with a woman, not a man as he supposed—des- ite the venomous hatred with which her blaz- ing black eyes were filled, despite the blood- tinged froth which discolored her lips. As she moved, one foot struck against the dagger which had been knocked from her band by the swift parry of Revolver Rob, and stoop- ing she snatched it up, then leaped back to where Dashing Della stood, the glittering weapon raised high above her head, threaten- ing the fair gambler with instant death. A gasping cry of horror broke from the pale lips of the unnerved desperado, but ere he could make a move to guard the woman whom he loved far better than his own life, Dashing Della gave proof that she was quite capable of taking care of herself. Even as the gleaming weapon was descend- ing, she caught the wrist of the Spanish wo- man, and without seeming effort on her part, Dashing Della held the armed hand motionless, ics the frantic efforts of the raving crea- ure, | ** Devil—beautiful fiend!” she screamed, her face convulsed with fury, the great eyes almost bursting from their sockets as ske struggled in vain to free her hand, ‘**I will kill you! I will drain your false heart of its last drop of blood in payment for trampling mine in the mire—” he choked, and her strength seemed to fail her all at once. Dashing Della released her wrist, but stepped back a pace, still on guard. But the precaution appeared to be needless, for the half-distracted woman paid no further attention to her, turning instead upon Revolver Robinson. ‘False, perjured traitor—lying dog!” she cried, her powers returning as if by magic, the quivering dagger emphasizing her bitter words, ‘** you won and wore me, then cast me aside as a worthless thing for which you bad no further use, I suspected that such was your secret in- tention, and I gave you solemn warning that if such ever came to pass I would follow and find you even though you fled to the end of the world. You lulled my doubts then by soft words and ardent kisses, even while you were planning my betrayal. You robbed me and fled—hid your identity under another name, and sought out fresh victims; but I did not for- get my vow, and at lust I have found you— villainous traitor, take your reward!” Up rose the glittering weapon in the hand of the beautiful fury, hanging over the broad bosom of the desperado, but never a muscle quivered, never the slightest shade of fear crept over his white, hard-set face, while his a and lustrous eyes calmly met her fiery glare. for one moment his life hung trembling in the balance, and the agitated spectators fairly held their breath as they looked for the gleam- ing weapon to descend in search of the heart of Revolver Robinson. ” Strike, Isolina—strike home and keep your vow!’ Soft and meMow sounded the words, with not a trace of fear or even emotion in them; but their effect was far more sure and sudden than would have been the meekest pleading or angriest denunciation. or a brief space she hesitated, then with a wild, sa pang cry she flung the dagger over her shoulder, its keen point sinking deep into the furtber wall. ** Devil—cunning demon! Why do you not defend yourself—why not rage and curse at me instead of disarming me by this cunning as- sumption of meekness which is as foreign to your real nature as it is to that of a hungry wolf? But with all your cunning you shall not escape mein the end! I will sacredly keep my oath—but not now! I will first rend and tram- ple on your heart as you crushed mine beneath your feet!” Swiftly she turned and confronted Dashing Della. ** First you, then him! Think not that I am blind. Not a glance, not a sign crossed that. table but what I noted it and read its meaning. He fancies himself in love with you, while you <S7GOoO Ehoo e€om