Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

- \ \ 18 personification of honor. ’ exclaimed, huskily. -hand fallin Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. ' You shouldn’t leave it around so loosely just now,” said Lucas, forcing a laugh which he thought might reassure the confused naturalist. ‘If Brigham should chance to see the toy with its one empty chamber, he might get the idea that the missing cartridge was what ended the life of his soldier the other night.” He was carelessly polishing the nickel-plated barrel on his sleeve, and so he missed seeing the flush in his father’s face give way to a deadly pallor. ‘‘ Are you mad, Lucas?’ he asked, so huskily that the son looked up quickly. ‘*‘ What do I know of the murdered soldier? Do you take me for anassassin? Remember I am a Townsend!” Lucas went quickly to his side and laid one hand caressingly on his arm. ‘‘ My dear father,” he earnestly said, ‘‘ I hope ou do not think I meant anything of the kind. was only jesting, and I know you are the Pardon me, sir, if I spoke thoughtlessly.” ‘¢You have done no harm, my boy,” said the elder man, more lightly, but his face did not resume its usual placid expression. ‘‘ I was too nick, but—but— Well, what do men say of that tragedy?’ . “All is at present dark, but the two guides are working on the mystery.” _ **Why don’t they leave it to Brigham?” was the peevish inquiry. ‘He isa gentleman, but they will thrust their noses into every man’s private affairs.” ‘‘ We need not fear them.” “They annoy me; yes, they annoy me,” Townsend said, nervously. ‘“Yet, you would be glad to see the Black Masks rooted out.” ‘*T? Yes, yes; of course.” Lucas picked up the fallen spider and laid it on the table beside the revolver; then, with a little more conversation left the room. His father quickly locked the door behind im. ‘*Good heavens; what a narrow escape!” he ‘“Why was [ so careless as to leave that weapon out in sight? Can he sus- ect? And he spoke of the murder—I will hide he fatal thing before Marian enters.” CHAPTER XXIII. THE HANDSOME BOY. DARKNESS settled over Black Bend and si- lence and inactivity seemed to follow. The proud flag floated over the fort, but no one ex- cept the guards seemed astir. In the village, the orderly routine was observed, for though men might carouse at the Lower Bend, the blue-coats stood in the way ofsuch a thing at _the settlement proper. An hour after dark a young man left the hills at the south and glided rapidly in a direc- tion which seemed destined to bring him to the Townsend ranch. His movements, though rapid, were stealthy, and he seemed anxious to escape observation. e have called him a young man, but he was really a boy if size and outward appearance went for anything; a handsome boy, at that and one of a class seldom seen in the wild land of gold. Straight on he went until near the house, but not there did he go. Bearing a little to the right, he entered the very grove of mesquites from which, on a previous night, an assassin had come forth to shoot down the soldier, Wood- man. If he knew what tragic ground he was tread- ing he gave nosign, but in the old cautious, stealthy way, entered the mesquites like a shadow. Other shadows seemed abroad that night, and cautious as he had been, be bad not seen that _he was followed ata safe distance by one who moved as silently as he; but he had scarcely disappeared in the grove when the pursuer also entered and the pair of shadows were at close quarters. The handsome boy went straight to one of the largest trees and thrust bis hand into a crevice in the branches. It came out amoment later with something white in his grasp and a smile crossed his face, Then he pressed the prize to his lips, passion- ‘ately, but as it was lowered another hand glided over his shoulder and snatched away the note— for such it seemed to be, Instantly the handsome boy wheeled, his to the revolver in his belt, but he recoiled as he saw another weapon before bim, this one with the muzzle frowning in his very face and held by a man who curtly said: “Hold, there: keep your hands from your revolver or I will shoot!’ The handsome boy stood dismayed. He saw the note in the hand of the stranger and murder was in his own heart, but the revolver menaced and frightened him and he stood panting like a baffled and petulant woman. *“ Who—who are you?” he stammered. 2 Don't you recognize me?” | . oO. “ Recall the night of the fight in the pass; re- call the man you met on the road to the Bend, who called you Brenda and spoke of Houston county.” ‘ ““Ha! you are—” ** Jean Dupage, at your service. I donot hide my identity; am not a woman in boy’s clothing; 1 do not go about under false colors. Come, mylady, we know each other now, for you are Zina, of the Black Masks.” ‘* Man,” gasped the girl—for she was indeed the outlaw queen, disguised as a boy—and her composure seemed wholly gone, *‘ who are you that knows so much? life and you penetrate my present disguise, Are you a man or a devil?” ‘‘Tam your friend, girl,” answered Dupage, ‘‘and I would not do you an injury. More than that, [ would warn you in your hour of ing I can tell you all you know of yourself. fou are the queen of the Black Masks and you came here to-night to get this letter from him who is their king and leader... He is now in yonder house,” pointing to Townsend’s, ‘‘ and men would tear him limb from limb if they knew him as he is. Bah! he wears an innocent face and plays the gentleman, but he is a fiend at heart.’ ‘* Beware!” Zina cried. traduced.” Dupage made an impatient gesture. “Infatuated girl!” he somberly said. ‘* You are treading the path to ruin. I know that wretch better than you. I have known him longer, and know his heart to be of flint. I tell you ruin awaits you if you follow his lead.” ‘*Be silent!” was the imperious command: ‘TY know you not, but my affairs are not yours and I will suffer no further interference, Give me my letter.” Dupage hesitated. ‘* Perhaps I may as well. For my own part, I care not what is written by his hand. might take it to Brigham, in which case the Townsend family would soon be a broken one, but I have merey for Marian. I know all I care to know of them now. Youcan have the letter.” Zina snatched the paper he extended and put it away in her pocket, but he stood still and watched her. ‘Why do you look at me?’ she haughtily asked. “It is a pity, Brenda,” he said, more gently than usual. ‘If would not have your father’s daughter go down to ruin.” ‘* What is that to you?” ‘‘A great deal, for I remember you were once happy and innocent.” ‘‘ Am IL less of either now?’ she hotly asked. ‘You may be bappy, but it is a fool’s para- dise. The days of the Black Masks are about numbered. Men are on their trail who will enetrate their secrets. Ere many days their eader will be brought to justice and the band scattered. What, then, will become of you?” ‘*' You are a croaker.’ “T wish it was no worse, but I tell you there is ruin in the air. Pause while you can, or the queen will go down with the king.” Irritated beyond endurance, Zina snatched a revolver from her belt, but Dupage grasped her wrist and wrested it away. ‘Do not try my strength,” he coldly said. ‘*T was not born to die by a woman’s hand.” The girl stood silent, but her bosom heaved with pent-up anger and other emotions. ‘*‘] am going now,” Dupage placidly said, Mihewa ay not to do you harm. My lips will never betray you: see to it you do not ruin yourself. Your only hope is to abandon the wavering cause while you may; when the storm bursts, it may be too late. Perhaps we shall meet again before that fatal day, but, in any case, regard me as your firm and true friend.” “With these words he tossed her revolver into the bushes and glided away in an opposite direction. It was well he had not given her the weapon, for as soon as she found it she burried in pursuit. Monsieur Dupage. however, had disappeared. Zina paused with flashing eyes when con- vinced of the fact. Dupage had spoken fairly and kindly to her, but her hot nature was not one to brook advice and interference, and mur- der was in her heart at that moment. Dupage was a dangerous man. He knew too much of her past and of the present, and in that hour she doomed him to death. She soon remembered the note and retreated to the depths of the grove. There’she struck a match and read the few brief sentences it con- tained: ‘‘Meet me at the old place to-night. There is work to do at the cave. We have a traitor in your midst and he must be dispatched. Nothing new. The old place, at ten.” So ran the note, to which there was no sig- nature, but it was enough to send Zina away in haste. The hour was almost ten at that very time, and not for a good deal would she disap- point the writer. The journey must be swiftly made. CHAPTER XXIV. THE TIGER SHOWS HIS CLAWS. Two hours later, twenty-two persons assem- bled in a cave-chamber in the hills. They came in twos or threes, as a rule, though some had no ‘€T will not hear bim “— 7 \ company. The t was not far from where Cactus Jack and Zeke Bozeman were once held prisoners by the Black Masks, and the fact that each of the assembled persons had their faces covered showed them to be of the band. All except one were men. The exception was Zina, and on this occasion her part was a rather unposing O..e, Evidently the occasion had importance in the You speak of my past | eyes of the robbers, for it seemed to be a state | meeting. Zina was gorgeously, if nos taste- fully clad in a robe of many colors, ord on her arms and neck were jewels in profusion. She sat on a stone platform which was not unlike a throne and by her side was a man who could be none other than the leader of the Masks. Such he was, but the black velvet robe and huge mask hid every clew to his identity. When all the men had come, he slowly arose and spoke in a deep voice which was plainly disguised. Many of the band had never seen his face, and knew not who he was in private life; they knew him only as ‘‘Captain.” Two lieutenants aided him to manage the band, but as a usual thing only Lieutenant A and Queen Zina were at the cave. ‘* Brothers of the League of Gold,” said the deep-voiced Captain, ‘‘I1 have called you to- gether to-night on important business. As I said before, | wanted all here, and I see all have arrived except the men on guard, Are there any reports to make?’ 0 one answered, but several shook their heads. ‘Lieutenant B, you are lately from Black Bend. Is all quiet there?” * Yes, Captain.” * Lieutenant A, bave you anything to say?” A tall, powerfully-built man arose. ‘‘There is nothing new since my last report, except that I am satisfied that our brother who was pushed from the cliff was murdered by some other person than the two guides we at first suspected. Ihave men on the scent, but, as yet, nothing has been learned.” The matter must be pressed and his death | avenged,” ‘* Certainly, Captain.” ‘‘Our vows as members demand it. When we formed our League of Gold, we swore to stand by each other and to be true to the League. Is it not so, Lieutenant A?” ** Yes, Captain.” ‘‘And have you been true to your vow?? sbarply demanded the masked leader. The lieutenant started and then promptly an- swered: ‘“T have,WCaptain, at all times.” ‘* Traitor, thou liest!” thundered the leader: and with the words he drew a revolver and covered A’s breast. ‘ See, your life is in my hands; one movement on your part and a bullet will pierce your heart!” - It was a thrilling tableau. Dead silence reigned in the room; the subordinates stood amazed and dumfounded, while at the front Lieutenant A cowered for a moment before the unswerving revolver, and Zina sat calmly on the throne, Then the accused man slowly fslded his hands across his broad breast. ‘* You wrong me, Captain,” he somberly said, ‘‘and I am ready for the evidence.” ‘*C and D, advance and cover him with your pistols,” the leader went on coldly. ‘‘ The cul- prit can have all the evidence he desires,” The designated men first relieved the lieuten- ant of his weapons and then covered him as di- rected. “K and L, advance and speak,” the chief con- tinued, The prisoner started. With K and L, he had plotted: to kill their leader and gain control of the band. He had thought the men trust- worthy, but he now realized that they had weakened and told all. They came forward and told their story, but it was in a craven way which showed that they despised their part. At the last, ry! had grown afraid of the Captain and told bim of the plot; but they could not hold their heads erect and doom A to death.: ‘‘You have heard, Brothers,” said Captain, when they were done. ‘‘ What say you, shall Lieutenant A live or die?’ ‘‘Let him die!” shouted the League of Gold, loudly. ‘“‘E, you will count fifteen. At the last word, the traitor dies like the dog bheis. Prepare for death, you who would have broken your oath.” The chief’s yoice was harsh and merciless, but it was no new revelation to his followers. They knew him of old and were aware that no deed of cruelty was too dark for his hand. A had been a bold and zealous brother, but he would die as had been said. He stood firm, hisarms still folded, and smiled behind his mask. He had plotted for an out- law’s crowns had played with fire, but it was not his nature to cringe at the result. “Go on,” he defiantly said. ‘‘ You shall see how I can die.” E counted firmly and steadily at first, but His was toward the end his voice grew husky. not a pleasant task. ' As he pronounced the thirteenth number, the ‘comiIchoo . A ‘ ' — Cro 7 la te ee oe — ——— — a —s = er a ——