Beadle's New York Dime Library, Vol. XVIII, No. 232 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

They bad had too many hard knocks with for- tune to quarrel with their bread and butter. Therefors they were oltseonious and faitirful to the young lady, who was completely in their power. Tom Tit Tompkins rowed as though every second was worth a fortune, Riseup Bilkens sat solemn and glum a3 the stern of the boat staring at the young lady. . He could see that she occasionally looked at im. But though his face was turned toward ber, she could not tell in what direction he was gezing. His complexion was the favoring element which dec ded that matter. “Let her gape,” he thought to himself. ‘If she l'arns any t’ing more dan she knowed afore I hopes she'll telegraph me,” Meanwhile Tom Tit was using his oars for all they were wortb. eeling that he was master of the situation, 60 to speak, be headed for Barclay street. In a few minutes he reached tbe pier, and, without difficulty, helped the lady ashore. “Ts everything ready?’ she asked, as she licate foot on dry land, “Where's the carriage?” “It ain’t fur off. Foller me.” The boat wus left in charge of the African, while the two walked rapidly up the pier. As Tom Tit promised, a carriage was in wait- ing, the driver of which looked as if he was ex- peet ng them. The lady was helped in, the dwarf closed the door, said ‘*‘Good-night,” and the vehicle was driven rapidly off. CHAPTER V. THE CONSPIRATORS, WE must psuse at this point and bri fly make known sume facts necessary to a proper under- standing ot events which bave already been told besides those which are to follow. Wardand Cite! -ildreth were brothers, both being born in Eng. 1. Caleb Hildreth hoi a daughter named Eva, who, be it remembored, is the berviue of this atory. She was the affianced of Donald Marvin, a rising young lawyer. Never were two hearts more perfectly fi ted for each other. Caleb Hildreth came to America when a young map, married, and was the f wher uf two child: n, of waich Eva only survived. ' His wife died when Eva was a small cii.d, and he never remari ied. He devoted his attention and energies to amassing wealth and to bis beloved daughter. He became immensely wealthy, being worth fully a million of dollars when he died. was an honest, high-minded gentleman, universally respected wherever known. Werd Hildreth, his brother, two years youn- ger, was bis exact opposite in every respect, He wasa thorough villain and wretch from his Eyota, e was without a spark of gratitude or love for those who bad befriended him. He pretended an affection for bis brother Caleb, because it was his interest to profess such friendship. On the part of Caleb, he felt a genuine love for the wayward youth, whom be sought to re- strain by every means at his command, It was the terrible ‘‘ goings on” of Ward which caused the death of his mother, followed shortly by that of bis father. Ward was a gambler. blackleg, and every- thing that was disrepu'able. Caleb sent regular remittances to his brother in London, who as regularly gambled tie money away. occasicnally winning enough to help him tbrough his dimiculties, Two years berore the opening of our story he sudden:y appeared in Philadelphia with a oung lady whom he introduced as bis daughb- That was the first that his brother heard of his marriage. Ward ae that it was a ranaway match which was kept a secret. His wife had died some time before, leaving him their only child. Caleb Hildreth and Eva made the father and 2 oy daughter doubly welcome, ey did their utmost to make their visit in America pleasant, Ward and Cora remained a full year, during which the old gentleman formed the acquaint- ance of some of the worst villains who ever kept elear of the meshes of the law. « was concerned with Luff Swank and Hank Wagsnaff in “shoving the queer,” in burgiary, highway robbery. and even darker crime. hen they discovered that among the detec tives who were piping them was Orson Oxx, the Man of Iron. Swank and Wagnsaff skipped the town with- out delay. One went South, and the other West. It was agreed that they should meet three xsnonths later in St. Paul, Minnesota. Oo — — — Ve Then, if the outlook was encouraging, the pariners! ip would be renewed and continued. Ward Hildreth, with Cora, left hurriedly for | England. We may as well state at this point that the woman who went under the nama of Cora Hil- dreth, and who passed for his daughter, was no relation at all. She was an English adventuress, whom he had picked up in Paris, ani who was as bypo- ciitical a wreich as he dared be. If possible, she was more heartless and utter- ly devoid of principle, At the same time, she could acsume a garb of sanctity which would deceive the very elect. The two had | een in England less than a year when Mr, Caleb Hildreth and his lovely daugh- ter, Eva, sailed for that country. The kind-bearted brother purchased a com- fortable home for Ward and Cora, furnished it, and then sat down for a pleasant visic. A few days later, Caleb was taken sick and died, as we have alread, told the reader. We hasten to say that his death was in no wise due to anything done by his brother or al- leged niece. bat they might have done in that direction, under temptation, can only be conjectured, But for the credit of human nature, they were spared tbe temptation, Before tbe good Lrother died, he made known to the wicked one the fact that bis willbad been drawn by a legal gertieman in Philadelphia, Mr Gaffney G, Galnaith. His whole vast estate was willed to his daugh- ter, and in case she died bef re marriage, it was all to go to his brotber Ward, who was named the executor. It will thus Le seen that the only thing which stood between Mr. Ward Hildreth aid vast pee was the life of Eva Hildreth, his pnicce, 8» long as she lived, nota penny of it belonged by legal right to the surviving rother. Reilly Werd Hildreth and Cora were in no danger of:+uffering, for Eva was charitable and aff ctionate. She knew of the liberal gifts made by her father to his only brother. It would bave been ber pleasure to contioue and add to tiem. Her fatber had never told ber of the mis- doings of lis brother, and she never suspected his blackness of beart. As for Cora, ber supposed cousin, she was the persenification of a!] that was guod in the eyes of the unsuspecting Eva. W hen it became manifest that only the s'ngle life interposed between Ward and Cora and an enormous fortune, the adventuress proposed that (va should be put out of the way at once aad forever. (she did not hesitate to volunteer to do the terrible deed. Subtle poison should perform the work, But the old man could not be brcught to give his consent, Not because be was too scrupulous and con- scienti us, He was afraid of the consequences. ‘“*Tt won’s do,” be said witu a decisive eheke of the bead, “there is too much danger, R»- cent trials have shown that many luwyers ure as good toxicologists as the professiunal ex perts.” | ‘* But we would not be suspected.” Unit...W rately we vould be suspected at once, The legal cratemen would Lb» quick to find the motive, which is one of the firss things sought in such csses, and the post mortem would complete the rope which would bang us both, . No, my dear,” said the old wretch, pinching her cheek, “‘ we can fid jist as effec- tive a plan, without a fraction of the risk.” " at is this wonderful scheme of yours?” ‘*That you should take the place of Eva in oing to be at undiscovered country from whose rn, ete. ‘* Are you crazy?” asked the amazed adventu- ress, ‘* Here in New York, they have doubtless run men off to the lunatic asvium who are fully as sane as] am, and I am sure I am still all right in the upper story.” The scheme was completed and Cora entered heartily into it, As oonfas possible after landing in the metro- polis, Ward Hildreth put himself in communi- cation with Luff Swank and Hank Wagsneff, The plot was quickly perfected in all ita de- tails and put in execution. The thieves did not forget to make known to the old man the unwelcome fact that Orson Oxx, the Man of Iron was in New York at that very time. Therefore the greatest caution was necessary. Swank arranged for the important part taken hy the river pirates, Tom Tit Tompkins and Riseup Bilkens. Swank and Wagsnaff knew the nrecise time when the daring exploit of Cora Hildreth was to be attempted, and thev medesure of walking upon the same ferry-boat with Hildreth and the young woman, As it was necessary that due publicitv should be given te the pretended suicide of Eva Hil- Orson Oxx, the Man of Iron. — ea se eS -——™— tne -_—-— dreth, one of the requisites was that it sbould be- come known to the public press. Ward Hildreth agreed to go to the newspaper cffices with the account and to offtr a reward for the recovery of the body. Fortunately be was saved this necessity by the appearance of a news-gatherer at his elbow, immediately after the frigbtful leap of the wa- man from the New Brunswick. We bave already made kvown to the reader - the startling occurrence whica took plave on the f-rry-boat, together with the clew wh ch Orson Oxx followed with such clever ess and succ:ss. He di-covered the fact that a wost skillful and daring plot had been carried out by which it was made to appear that Eva Hildreth the beiress had committed suicide. Tne way now seemed «pen for Ward Hil- dreth to establish his legal tials to the immense versonal and real estate left by his deceased rother. But man proposes and God disposes. CHAPTER VL TWO YOUNG LADIES, On the night of the startling occurrence on the ferry-boat New Brunswick, a young ledy of enchanting presence was seated in the upper front room of Widow Mag Jchnsou’s residence in New York city. The apartment was tastefully furnished, and it was manifest to the most superficial observer that the widow was in anything Lut straiten- ed circumstances, The name of the young lady was Eva Hil dreth, Sbe was no more than eighteen years of age, and was wondertully attrective and besutilul. In many respects she bore a strong resem- blance to Cora Hildreth, the pretended suicide, She was amiable as she was beautiful and ac- complished. She wes attired in dee most tender atta-hment ler and her parent, She had been almost heart-broken, and it was weeks before she was able to undertake the re- turn voyage across the stormy Atlantic. How this voyage to Europe came to be made by Pig and parent hss already been told the reader. But there was a touching tie which made her long to set foot on her native land. mourning, for the ad existed between She was the betrothed of Donald Marvin, a | young and promising Jawver of Phila: elpbia, They had parted like true lovers and the cor- respondence between them was of the sweetest and most ardent nature. On ber safe arrival in London, she had sent him a message by cable, Altbough the loving barrister could hardly efford it, he telegraphed a warm message in re- turn, Touen he resolved to meke up for his Javish ex- travagance | y the most rigid econumy. Donald Marvin was a most worthy youn man, fully eee oe the beart of the beauti- ful heiress, whom he truly loved for herself alone, But it is with Eva Hildreth that we have to do jrst now, ‘‘Ever since dear father’s death,” she mur- mured, as sbe sat by the gas-ligbt. with an open l.tter lying in ber lep, *‘ matters seem to have go'.e wrong.” She brushed a tear aside and heaved a gentle sigh. x We left Liverpool so uvexprctedly that I hed no time to telegraph Donald to meet me. Perbaps it was well I did not send a message for him to come to New York. Although be is roud, yet I know he is very poor and be has is widowed mother to cherish and support. How I wish he would accept sometbing t ea money gift from me!” Again the fair Eva sighed. ‘But I gave uncle Ward a to him which he sent at once. Uncle is very kind, but I did fee) burt just a little when Donald sent his dispatch to bim ins ead of me, saying be was very sorry, but be had a case in court which he could not leave for several! days. “If he had directed the message to me, I would have been willing to excuse him. ‘‘ But I shall see bim soon.” She took up the letter last received from him and again read over the warm expressions of bis undying affection. The maiden’s heart fluttered as she realiz d that the whole wealth of this noble man’s love was entirely hers. “ Ah, if father could"have been spared to see Donald and me united! Dear father apprec:- ate’! his noble nature—” Just then the door-bell tinkled and a mivu'e later Cora Hildreth came tripping up-stairs. As she burst into the room, she threw off ber cloak and showed that her clothing was sain. rated with water. Her cousin gave a faint scream and threw up her hands. ‘*Mercy, Cora! what does this mean?” Cora laughed apparently with great merri- ment. ‘Don’t be alarmed; I will slip into my room Gomichbooks oi. 2 (E (0)! j -) i> —