Beadle's Dime Library No. 237 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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Long-Haired Max. 13 Don Ramon, appears on the list of suspected parties, and I should fali in my duty did I not use some precautions.” ‘These are Barstow’s words, not his,” thought Max, quickly. ‘‘ Mellough is not deep, but, for some reason, he is docile when Barstow touches the wire. Aba! what now?” Barstow had glided out of the room witha eatlike step, and, convinced that mischief was foot, the cavalier promptly followed and man- ged to conceal bimself behind a curtain, while he colonel hovered near the head of the stairs which led down to the patio. Perbaps five minutes passed,and then Mellough came out with his prisoner. Barstotv quickly mixed with the crowd, but Max, watching keenly, saw him whispering to Eduardo Castro, as he had done to the lic utenant. No stop was made, and Barstow went half- way down the broad stairway, talking iuces- santly. It was a singular proceeding, but Mellough took no notice of it. The latter was at the head of his force, with Alcalde Jones by his side, and, so fast did. the lieutenant talk, Jones neither noticed Barstow’s conduct nor the absence of Max. The latter, however, had crept near the stairs, and as the party went down he was well re- warded. Barstow pressed Castro’s hand in farewell, and the spy plainly heard him say: ‘* Have no fear; I will save you!” Then he turned back, reached the upper floor and hovered near the stairway. Max, who had retreated to the cover of the curtains again, was at once triumphant and uneasy; he had seen enough to prove that the colonel was play- ing a treacherous part, but what would be the result if he was found skulking in his cover? He had not been invited to remain, and he might be taken fora thief? True, he had be friended the family, and he could explain what be had seen, but would his word be believed against that of the rich and well-known Colonel Barstow? Despite all this, he kept his place with that determination which was a part of his nature. Whatever the result, he wished te know one thing more. Barstow, standing outside the room where Don Ramon, Inez and Lingard still were, looked anxiously and eagerly in that direction. If appearances were reliable, he wished to see one ohare: one. Which one of the three was it The question was answered as a look of joy flashed over the colonel’s face, and turning, Max saw that the governess had come out of the room. She took two steps forward, and then paused and grew pale at sight of Barstow. She was not surprised, for she had seen him in the room, but that same reason which had caused her to faint when first she saw him at Casa Victoria, now made her small amount of color recede, and brought a look of alarm into her eyes. His triumphant facestrangely in contrast with hers, Barstow hastened to advance, **] have been waiting for you,” he said, quickly. Miss Lingard drew herself up with a cold face. Max believed she tried to appear haugh- tily surprised, but the effort was a failure. ** For me, sir?” she said. ss Yes. »” **I beg your pardon, but I have not the honor of your acquaintance.” He laughed mockingly. “You knew me once very well, as I can prove to Don Ramon Victoria, if you wish. The price of my silence is simple; accompany me to the azotea where we can talk freely, and all will be well.” ‘‘In Heaven’s name, spare me!” she cried, clasping her hands, « Bashy” he said, imperiously. ‘ This is no place for stage antics. An unguarded word will bring out the don, and it would pain me to tell him just what sort of a woman he has taken in as his daughter’s companion.” Max Baldwin’s blood boiled at the words. The colonel spoke coarsely, contemptuously and overbearingly; and to an honest man there is something revolting in the idea of a man using his power to oppress a woman. Miss Lingard yielded to his will, Enough—enough!” shesaid hurriedly. ‘‘ Fol- low me.” She turned away; and well aware that their course was toward the azotea, Max stood in ir- resolution. He wished to know what they said, to know the secret of Barstow’s power over the governess, and to help her if he could; but it was not according to his nature to act the spy and listener. ‘ One moment he hesitated; but the refined, sad face of the governess seemed to arise as though urging him on, and with a sudden move- ment he left the cover of the curtains. Hig resolution was taken. CHAPTER XVII. LONG HAIRED MAX TAKES UP THE TRAIL, Wirt a light step the cavalier ascended the stairs which led to the azotea. He had allowed his predecessors time to gain the house-top safe- ly, and yet he used caution as he crept upward himself, Barely raising his head above the level, he looked for the others, but they were invisible. By their voices, however, he knew they were at the further side of the azotea, In erecting bis house, Don Ramon had adhered to the good old custon of bis people, which con- verts the top of the house into the most pleasant part thereof, but baving no especial taste for flowers, he had not distributed many along the roof. In the very center of the space stood two or three tubs, which shot upward quite sturd plants, and Max at once saw that these, whic concealed Barstow and Miss Lingard from his view, would also serve as a cover for himself, Once more he felt a deep shame as he crept along on his hands and knees, but reaching the ylants, he forgot all else in an attempt to over- ear What was being said, Having gone to the extreme corner of the azotea the governess and her companion stood facing each other, enly a few feet apart, but with an attitude which told that they were far from occupying the position from motives of love or friendsbip. They were talking steadily, but Max was so far away that he could catch only now and then a word. Barstow seemed to be trying to prevail on her to enter some plot with biu, but she re- fused every offer, He was meek and indulged in pleading; she, evidently beset by horror, but firm in her opposition, Max heard the colonel refer to ‘‘ the old life,” he heard him offer to make the governess rich; and a gesture of utter loathing on ber part was called forth by bis assertion that he still loved her. Finding ber so firm, the man’s manner changed. ‘*By Heaven! we will see whether you yield!” he cried, raising his voice. ‘‘ Refuse to aid me and I will go to Don Ramon and tell him all!” ‘‘Do your worsi!” she answered, with a firm- ness which surprised Max. ‘* You ey crush me, but I will not turn upon those who have sheltered me when—” She paused suddenly. **When what?” Barstow demanded. ‘I have a good deal of curiosity to know what brought you to California and how you becamea mem- ber of this household.” ‘*T shall tell you nothing.” He caught her by the arm. ‘‘ By the gods! lam tempted to strangle you, woman!” he hissed. ‘How dare you defy me when I hold such a power over your head? How dare you be such a fool?” Greatly excited, Long-Haired Max gathered himself for a forward spring if Barstow went any further. He was moved to a strange de- gree by the scene. Somehow the voice of the pale-faced governess awakened a familiar some- thing, a chord of the past, in his own life, and yet he did not know that he had ever seen her. At any rate, hers was a gentle nature, and woe be to James Barstow if he went too far! The voice of the lady arose firmly. ‘You might as well threaten a rock,” she said. ‘‘I have reached that point where death has less terror for me than life.” He dropped his hand with a bitter curse. ‘You are beyond my comprehension,” he said, sullenly. ‘Once you were less brave.” “That was before | knew you—or rather, be- fore your life had thrown its shadow like a blight upon my own, Still, 1 am not brave now—I am indifferent.” “You are a fool, like all of your sex!” he brutally said, finding consolation in easing off his venom somehow. ‘‘ Had I been less of a fool and you less of a villain, we would not be here to-night. You sir, have ruined my life, and now, at the age of thirty, when I should be in my prime, [ am old, wora and hopeless. I often wonder why some people, without a sin charged against them, are made to suffer when the rogues go free. I can see no justice in such an order of fate.” ‘“‘T see you can preach as well as ever,” the colonel sneered; ‘‘ but you must allow me to amend some of your remarks. If you are not happy, it is because you have been so confound- ed scrupulous. I saw a chance to win a for- tune and asked for your aid. You refused, and I lost the prize. After that I swore revenge, and secured it.” Long-Haired Max was so excited he could scarcely keep his place. The cool villainy of the colonel brought to his mind the fact that this man was the murderer of his father, and he longed to throw himself upon him and avenge two wrongs at once. At this whiny the sound of voices indicated that some other persons were about to ascend to the azotea, and Barstow and Miss Lingard ceased speaking. No one came, however, and they resumed their conversation, but in so low a tone that Max heard no more. The colonel continued in an angry mood, and page to sg sie ng freely, but she remained m, and he fin turned away. “Tam going ae he said; ‘‘ but you shall see me again, I swear that I will humble you to the dust!” “Do your worst; I defy you!” She spoke bravely, but when Barstow had left the azetea sunk upon her knees and burst into sobs which seemed to shake her slender frame as by a tempest. Max longed to go to her side and express his sympathy, but he felt that it would not do, and he had other work on hand. He wished to fol- low Barstow, and that too, if possible, without being seen by any of the inmates of the casa. He went to the rear of the house and looked down. Was it safe to leap from the azotea? The question was > ig Pagel it was not safe; but he resolved to risk if. Consequently, he stepped over the parapet and, balancing himself well, took the leap. He alighted with a painful shock, but without actual injury, and in a moment he was on his feet and burrying around the house, Greatly to his satisfaction, he saw the colonel just leaving, and as the latter walked away to- ward his own house, the cavalier settled upon his trail like a blocdhound. In the meanwhile, Miss Lingard had been in- terrupted on the azotea, She was still sobbing as before when a hand was laid gently on her head, but the touch was sufficient to cause her to »privg to her feet, Don Ramon Victoria stood before her. “Pardon me, Miss Lingard,” he said with his usual air of mingled dignity and gentleness, * I was very thoughtless, and—and perhaps 1 was presumptuous; but I saw you in tears and my sympathy carried me too far.” os tt is nothing, Don Ramon.” she answered, striving to regain her composure. “I am not frightened—now I know it is you. I am foolish, that is all.” ‘‘Tears are never folly,” he said, gravely. ‘By some they are deemed a mark of weakness; to me, they seem like the fountain that washes away folly, sinand pride To you, who know nothing of these things, my remarks may seem obscure. I fear that you have been overtaxed by the scene below, I besitated to call you asa witness, knowing your sensitive nature, but I thought you would know as little about that unhappy young man asthe rest of us. You had to tell your story and the effort hss been too severe.” **No! no!” she cried, touched by the grave kindness of his voice. ‘‘I am very glad that it was so; glad that I could explain asI did. As for my—my position here, it was childish.” ‘*l am pained to see you weep, Miss Lingard. Tell me, is there anything I can do for you?’ s Nothing, Don Ramon. I thank you most sincerely, but allis well—” She paused; she had not the strength to finish the reassuring assertion she bad begun, ‘You are a stranger in this Pacific land,” said he, slowly, ‘‘ but I wish you to feel that the friends you have made are true ones, Donna Inez has for you an almost'sisterly affection while on my own part, | wish to have you feel that Casa Victoria is your home in as much of a reality as though— pardon me—you were not a dependent.” The words needed no apology; the kind tone in which they were uttered removed all sus- picion that they were spoken to remind ber of the fact that she was the teacher of Donna Inez, * You are very kind, Don Ramon,” she said, gratefully. ; ‘** Ve sball now have a period of vexation,” he continued. ‘' Three soldiers have been left in the house, and I suppose there will be an at- tempt made to connect me with these alleged plotters. The attempt will fail. Iam as loyal to the United States government as the men who sit in the halls of Congress, at Washington, Whatever occurs, I hope hereafter to shield Inez and yourself,” ‘Every one about Nuevo Madrid will testify in your favor,” she said with interest, : “TI believe they will, but the trouble of that misguided young man, Eduardo Castro, will weigh against me, I will not express an opinion as to his guilt, but I will say to you that he has gisap me a great deal of trouble in the past. is mother was my sister and his father— well, bad he been less of a villain he would never have dared aspire to my sister’s hand. It was a secret marriage, and it resulted as most of such rash affairs do. * At the age of ten Eduardo wrs left an or- han. From that hour he was under my charge until bis multitude of little crimes obliged me to close my doors upon him, How much | bore before that decision was made, I may some time tell you, but not now. Enough of this, however; let us go below and join Inez.” And then, during the remainder of the time that they remained together that night, he en- deavored with his rare tact to make the two ladies forget all that had occurred that was unpleasant. CHAPTER XVIII. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSION. LonG HAIRED Max started on Barstow’s trail with a determination to follow him to some den or other. When he started it had been with a feeling that his enemy might visit some confed- erate, or, at_ the least, go to the village to see Lieutenant Mellough; but as he turned toward. - + MiIiGDOo (E(©) (C Ss (E(0) im