Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 209 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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_ derful, and nothing is impossible. 22 “I did, indeed, and it was highly interesting to me. When the crisiscame I took a fit for the purpose of gaining time, as I wanted to think the matter over and prepare a plan to get you out of their clutches.” * Your fit was a great relief to me, Mr. Ryder, and I am deeply grateful to you.” **Oh, it was little that I did, and that sort of thing ismy business. At least, it is in my line. Perhaps I might have done something, if I had not received such unexpected aid. Now I would like to know, if this gentleman can tell me, where that aid came from, and bow he happen- ed to turn up there.” “You have heard us speak of the Green Guard,” said Pratt. ‘‘ They were out on busi- ness, and were searching for this lady. Her aunt, Mrs. Outram, had become alarmed by her absence, and sent. word to Death Gulch, to an influential person there. That caused the Green Guard to turn out. In the course of their search they met a man who had followed you from the Right Bower for the purpose, as I ess, of making a raid on your pockets. He ad witnessed your capture, and told them all about it. Then they went on, and happened to fall in with me.” “How was that?’ asked Ryder. ‘‘ How did you get clear of thcse men who took you out?” ‘*T hadn’t gotclear of them at all. They had taken me out and tied me toa tree. I can’t be sure whether they meant to kill me or not; but they had half stripped me, and had cut some sticks that made me shiver when I looked at them. However, the Green Guard came alon and put astop to that game, aud I was glad enough to pilot them to the old mine. As Vin- cente’s men had let their fire go down, and were keeping no sort of a guard, it was easy enough for jus to steal in unobserved, and there we were.” ‘* And here we are now,” said Rose, *‘ and we are thankful that we are here, and I hope to be able to prove my gratitude to both of you.” At the edge of Warneton Wesley Ryder took leave of his two companions. “You are safe now, and I will bid you good- night,” he said. ‘*[ would be glad to see more of you, Mr. Ryder,” said Rose. ‘You will find me at the Lincoln House in Warneton.” ‘You will be sure to hear from me, Miss Warren, and will probably see me soon.” Rose was most warmly welcomed by Mrs. Outram, who shed tears of joy, and declared that she could never, never trust her out of her auntie’s sight again, “But this is the last of my scrapes, auntie ag said Rose. ‘I will be safe enough after is." ‘* How can you say that, Rose? You cannot possibly be sure that you are safe.” But she felt sure of it the next morning, when Parmenas Pratt informed her that another man had been found banging from the solitary tree at the edge of Death Gulch; that the man was Manuel Vincente, and that on hls breast moe a paper with the inscription ‘‘ Number ree. ‘*Number Three!” exclaimed Rose. ‘* There is but one other, and I know who will be Num- ber Four. The ways of Providence are won- There was but one man who could have that knowledge, and there is but one man who has that power. Do not speak to me, Mr, Pratt, [am thinking. Through the darkness | see a great light, For some time it has been spreading and rowing: and I believe it will burst upon me at last, in a i its fullness and glory.” CHAPTER XXIX, ‘SURPRISES. Art the office of the Death Gulch Mining Com- ny appeared Wesley Ryder, and inquired for nito Rosalba, His clerical appearance drew attention to him at once, ‘*Take the gentleman up-stairs to Mr. Rosal- ba” said Buck Farley, and Ryder was ushered into the handsomely furnished room in which Benito sat alone. The young hunchback rose to receive him, and his greeting showed that Ryder wasa more than welcome visitor. ‘‘Here you are at last!” said Benito, “I have been here several days waiting for you; but I have learned that you were in fhe neigh- borhood.” “Indeed! How did you find that out?” “I heard of some of your performances yes- terday, and [ knew that you had been captured and taken to the abandoned New Ophir mine, to perform a marriage ceremony for my cousin, Manuel Vincente.” ‘*“Of course, then, you know that Manuel Vincente is dead.” “Yes, and his death does not grieve me. You know that I had no affection for him, and I know that he deserved the death he died. Let him pass, and tell me the nows. I suppose that you have been as uusuccessful in your search for my sister as I have been.” -*We will come to that directly. Do you know who the young lady was, to whom your cousin wished me to marry him?” ; Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince. ae “Yes. It was a speculating young lady, named Rosina, who owns the Little Ruby mine. I suppose he wanted to marry her for her money.” **He might well have wanted to marry her for her beauty, to say nothing of her other splendid points. Have you ever seen her, Mr. salba? ‘No. Ihave been here but a little while, ana I do not take much interest in young la- ies. ‘‘[ believe that you will take a lively interest in thisone. My friend, that speculating young lady, named Rosina, who owns the Little Ruby mine, and whom Manuel Vincente wanted to force into a marriage with him, is your step- sister, Rose Warren!” Benito jumped up, his face blazing with ex- citement. ** Impossible!” he exclaimed. “It is true, all the same. I have found her, and the search is at an end.” ** How can you know this, Mr. Ryder? You never saw my sister.” ** Not before yesterday; but I saw her then.” ** Are you sure?” | ** As sure as I am that I sit here. Your cousin said that her name was Rose Warren, and she did not deny it. I addressed her by that name when I took leave of her last night. Oh, there is no doubt of it. You have been blind. Could you not guess that it must be your sister whom Manuel Vincente was so anxious to marry? Now don’t get into a flurry,” continued Ryder, seeing that Benito was trembling with excite- ment. ‘‘Hold your horses, and go easy. She is safe in Warneton, and is not likely to run gs ‘You are right,” said Benito. ‘‘I must be calm for her sake, if not for my own. Iam crazy to see her, but must first te!l the news to those who have so kindly aided me in my search, Will you have the kindness to step down-stairs and request Mr. Farley to come up here?’ When the Bonanza Prince entered the room, he saw the young man pacing the floor ex- citedly, and knew that he had heard something of importance. ‘* What is the matter, Benito?” he asked. **Mr. Farley, it is wonderful. I hardly know how to tell you.” ‘**Be calm, my lad, and take your time for telling it.” “Were you not the leader of the Green Guard, sir, when Manuel Vincente was captured?” “Yes, and I recognize the man who came up here as one who did good service at that time.’ ** Do you know the Jady whom Vincente was trying to force into a marriage?” **I do not know her, but I know of her. She calls herself Rosina, and bas for some time been a speculator in mining_stocks and the like. Yes, I know of her, and I know nothing against “IT should hope that youdonot. You rescued her from those scoundrels last night; you rescued her from Pedro Rosalba’s gang when they pounced on the Little Ruby mine; you rescued her from the robbers who attacked the Warneton stage; you came to her assistance when she was swamped by the New Ophir speculation; you have been in her presence again and again; yet you did not know who she was. ‘‘How should I?” asked Farley. ‘‘She was always closely vailed. If she chose to conceal her identity, I ought to be too much of a gentle- man to try to uncover it.” “Mr. Farley, that lady is my sister, Rose Warren.” ** Benito |” The young man was astonished at the effect his words produced upon his benefactor. Buck Farley sunk into a chair, his frame quivering with excitement, his face flushed, and his breath coming in gasps. ‘* My dear sir!” exclaimed Benito, running to bim. ‘*‘ What is the matter? Are you going to be ill? Shall I call for rg a ‘*'No, my lad,” replied Farley, feebly at first, but regaining his strength as he spoke. ‘‘It is only a sort of spasm, and will be over presently. Give me a drop of brandy from the buffet there. Thank you, Benito. You are a good oung man, and you deserve the happiness that as been so long deferred. I am subject to these attacks. Excitement brings them on, and you had worked me up to a high pitch of ex- pectation,” “*T am sorry, Mr. Farley.” ; ** There is nothing to make you sorry, every- thing to make you glad. ‘Are you sure that the lady is your sister? y “Mr. Ryder, who was here just now, is ‘the man who was says that there can be no doubt of it.” **Tbank God for all His mercies! As I have told you, Benito, money cannot do everything. Here have I been for so long a time in reach of your sister, and have not known that it was she. Iwas sure that she could be found, but would never have thought of looking for her in that guise.” : ‘‘She has had brain gnd will enough, Mr. Farley, to make her way in the world.” | ‘ helping me search forher. He ** No doubt of that. "You must be anxious to see her, Benito, and I will not hinder you. Better ride over to Warneton at once. But I shall want to visit her also, and you may ex- pect me to be following you shortly.” **She will be glad to see you, sir, to thank you for all you have done for her.” “‘As for that, I have been working in my own interest. Tell your friend Ryder to make himself comfortable. He shall be well reward- ed for bis search and his discovery. Hurry off, Benito!” The young man had hardly ridden away from the office when Buck Farley sent a pressing message to his partner, who speedily quped him in the room which Benito had lately left. ‘** What is the matter, my son?’ he asked, ob- serving that Farley was pacing the floor, with his eyes fixed on the carpet. ‘I hope there is no more bad news.” ‘Nothing but good news, my dear friend, the best of news.” **T hope it is not about Pedro Rosalba, I am not vindictive, Farley—that is, 1 am no longer so. I don’t object to anything you have done orintend to do; but I would really rather not hear of the death of that man.” Buck Farley took tbe old man by both his hands, and looked him earnestly in the face. “It is not news of death that I am to fell you,” he said. ‘“‘Itis news of life. You know that we have been searching for Rose Warren.” ‘‘Tsit news of her? You say that it is news of life. She must be alive, then.” ‘* Yes: she is alive.” ** And you have found her?” “ce No.” John Warne’s face fell. ‘““How can you treat me so, Farley?’ he asked. ‘* You lift me up only to knock me down. What do you mean?” **T have not found her, old friend; but she is found, She is safe and well, andis bere. Not in this building, but near here. You have met her, but have not known her. It was she who was saved from the clutches of Manuel Viu- cente last night.” Be Ah! the scoundrel! He did deserve to ie, ‘She is Rosina, the owner of the Little Ruby mine, and she is now in Warneton. Can you bear to see her?” ‘Well, my boy, I have borne much sorrow in my time, and I believe I can stagger under a load of joy. Let us go at once.” CHAPTER XXX, A GREAT LIGHT. Rose WARREN sat at her window in the hotel at Warneton, looking out at the street, as if she were expecting some one.’ She wore no vail, and her countenance was unusually serene, ‘*What makes you so restless, Rose?” asked Mrs. Outram. ** Why, auntie, how can you ask such a ques- tion, when I am sittimg here as still as a statue, and you are hopping about the room as if the floor was hot?” ‘**T am worrying about you, my dear.” *“You need worry about me no more, Itisa long time since I have felt such a sense of peace aud safety as I now fee]. Auntie, you have often said that you would like to have that heavy vail of mine fora scarf. You may have it now. I shall never wear it again.” ‘* Are you sure of that, dear child?” “, Quite sure and very glad.” **Then you must be sure that you are safe, or that there are people about here who know who you really are. ‘TI am sure of both of those points, auntie. As Manuel Vincente is dead, my. as danger no longer threatens me. As Pedro Ro- salba knows who I am, it matters not who else knows it,” ‘** Does it not matter at all, Rose? That man, whose voice touched you so strangely—the leader of the Green Guard—did he see your face last night?” : *t No, auntie.” ‘* How was that?” “You know that it has got to be such a habit with me to keep my vail down, that it is almost a second nature, and I suppose I dropped it un- awares. And there was no reason why 1 should show my face to him or any other man.” * As the Green Guard has done so much for you, Rose, you might have been a little more iberal. Have you found out yet who he is?” ” No, auntie, I have not found out, but I know.’ “You have not found out, but you know? What a strange way you have of talking! Who is he, then?” “ Buek Farley, the Bonanza Prince,” ‘Why do you think so?” **] just put this and that together. "You sent word to Mr. Farley at Death Gulch, and the Green Guard came to my rescue. That is one reason, and I have others. But it is not worth while to argue the point, auntie. We shall know before long, as I have a presentiment that he will be here to-day.” ; ‘““A presentiment! Why, Rose, you are get- ting to be so queer.” “I am glad to have that kind of queerness. ’ ee | KS GoMmieboo (E(0) m