Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 239 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

ee eee ee. —-— __ Te <a oe —————-+ ar a ee That he was a passionate man could be readily seen; and, to the gratification of the villainous watcher, he heard him speak sharply to his daughter, who looked up in amazement at a harshness that was unusual with him. His manifest displeasure caused the conver- sation between Lionel and Minnie to flag, and both to become more reserved. The young ranchero was pained aft having, as he judged, made himself too familiar on short acquaint- ance, to the extent of offending Captain War- rington. The host, who sat at the head of the table, the captain being seated next him, and Baldy being Lionel’s vis a-vis, had both noticed the growing familiarity between the young couple, and also the apparent displeasure of tbe cap- tain. This latter caused them to feel unpleas- antly, and consequently a depression of spirits was manifest at that end of the table. This so pleased Blackbird that he further masked his jealous rage, and engaged in bois- terous banter with his comrades; all the time, however, studying those in whom he was most interested. When the feast was over, Captain Warring- ton, without ceremony, took the arm of his daughter, and with a cold stare at Lionel, walked into the bouse. Baldy immediately took the somewhat dis- concerted young man under his own especial care, without once referring to his uncle's be- havior at table. Soon after, all congregated on and near the veranda to witness the shooting-match, Lionel, as usual, came off victor in this, as in several feats of horsemanship, None rejoiced, or man- ifested more pleasure at this, than Winnie Warrington. Blackbird, conscious that he could not excel, refrained entirely from joining in the sports. But the villain was not idle. He well knew that Lionel was ill at ease on account of the displeasure of Winnie’s father. He had noticed that the latter, who was ad- dicted to pipe-smok!ng, had, previous to the dinner, retired to the river-bottom for the pur- pose of indulging in the weed; and he was con- fijent that the captain would do so again, as soon. as the sports of the day were over. While meditating upon this, Blackbird re- called the fact that be had a drug in a small vial in his pocket that he kept for the purpose of adding to bis flask of liquor, when he wished to offer it to one whom he thought of fleecing at cards, This drug acted differently upon persons of different temperaments; some being made simply stupid by it, while others became reck- less and belligerent. Those who were affected in the latter way, he had noticed, were generally of an extreme. ly nervous temperament. Such was Captain Warrington, and Blackbird resolved to ‘‘doc- tor” a flask of brandy and offer the gallant officer a drink, if he could get the opportunity. With this fiendish plan to excite the cap- tain, Blackbird made his way to the bottom timber, and lay in wait for the father of the maiden, whom he had sworn to possess, by fair means or foul. And means most foul he was about to take to further his devilish plans; although he had not the remotest idea that his act would ter- minate in the manner it did—a proof that the Evil One favors bis own. Seated in a thicket, Blackbird soon caught sight of the approaching form of Captain Warrington, filling his pipe as he came. Springing to bis feet, the young ranchero sauntered toward the officer, pretending not to have observed him. Upon nearing the captain, he glanced up quickly in assumed surprise, and said: “Ah! Is that you, Captain Warrington? You startled me somewhat, for I had thought myself alone in these solitudes, I have just been to the creek to indulge in a drink of cognac and water, not wishing to display the liquor before the ladies. ‘* Will you imbibe, sir? I assure you it isa fine article; from sunny France, without doubt.” ‘Thanks, Mr. Blackwell. I don’t mind ‘taking a drink. I believe it may assist diges- tion, for I have eaten heartily. My regards, sir.” Drinking several swallows from the flask, the captain returned it, saying as he did so: “ You are right, Mr. Blackwell. I consider myself a good judge of liquor, as do most of us army men, and that is really a superior —— -- —— The Terrible Trio. brand. I am greatly obliged, and should you | had supposed he bad executed a most cunning visit San Antonio, I shall be pleased to return the compliment,” “Thanks, very much. I am extremely pleased to have formed your acquaintance; but excuse me, I have absented myself too long from my friends, I see you have come for a quiet smoke, and if you are anything like myself, you will not care to indulge in con- versation while thus engaged.” ‘‘You are very considerate,” returned the captain. ‘I confess that | do enjoy my pipe alone, I will not detain you from your friends, but will see you later.” The two parted, but Blackbird proceeded but a little way when he plunged into a thick- et, crawled to the opposite side, and sat watch- ing every movement and step of the captain. The crouching plotter soon had the satisfaction of seeing Captain Warrington walk with hasty stride back and forth, gesticulating wildly und talking to himself, as if insane. His actions and manner became more and more excited, his eyes flashed, and he beat the air with his clinched fists. That the captain knew nothing whatever in regard to Lionel, Blackbird felt assured, for he had overheard Baldy Brown say to his father that he was sorry his uncle bad not been in- forined of tbe standing of young Lacrosse, and of his noble character and sterling worth. Knowing this, Blackbird was confident that the intense rage born of the drugged brandy, or brought to the front by it, pointed toward Lionel, and he hoped, for once, that the latter had again sought the side of Winnie when her father had left her for his post-prandial smoke, Not long was Blackbird kept in suspense. Captain Warrington soon rushed past his covert, going toward the ranch, with flashing eyes and clinched fists, curbing his passion somewhat as he advanced, Blackbird followed close after, and climbed into a moss-draped tree on the edge of the timber. He could hardly repress an exultant shout, when he perceived Lionel and and Winnie walking arm in arm on the Jawn, and the cap- tain striding mudly toward them. So interested were the youthful pair in each other that they did not observe the captain as the latter proceeded toward them at a rapid ace. ; All on the veranda, as well as the plotter in the tree, noticed the approach and extravagant actions of the young lady’s father, Buta very short space of time elapsed when Lionel and Winnie, hearing some one coming up behind them, stopped and turned about. No sooner did the young girl catch sight of her father’s face and attitude, than she gave a scream, At the same moment Captain Warrington, his features contorted with rage and fury, sprung forward, drew back his arm and struck the young man in the face. Lionel Lacrosse had not dreamed of an as- sault of this character, and consequently ‘did not attempt to ward off the blow. He reel-d backward, his face turning the pallor of death, and Winnie Warrington, with another piercing sbriek, sunk upon the grass and flowers, pale and senseless, “Sires CHAPTER IIL A DEMON DEED. FILLED with exultant joy at the success of his dastardly plot, Blackbird came down from bis perch. All now, he was confident, would be at an end between Lionel Lacrosse and Winnie War- rington. It was possible that Captain Warrington, after he bad recovered from the effects of the drugged brandy, and had been informed of his outrageous treatment of Lionel, might apologize. Indeed, this was probable; and, if 80, all his plans would come to naught. This had not occurred to him at the first. Should the captain fully realize the state of mind into which he had been thrown, and de- cide that his insane action must have originated from the liquor that he had drank, the tables would be turned, and he, the plotter, would be entangled in his own act. Captain Warrington was a soldier and would demand satisfaction at ten paces, with pistols, beyond a doubt; and then, all chance of gaining the hand of Winnie by fair means would be at an end. The more Blackbird thought the situation over, the more appalled he became. He realiz- ed that he had made a fool of himself, while he 1 , th? - LT ww plot, and one that in no way could be traced to himself, There was but slight room for any hope of carrying out his intentions if the captain should attribute his temporary madness to the brandy. He could call upon Mr. Brown, Baldy, and others to prove that the officer had shown much anger at the table; and that, when leaving it, he rudely took his daughter from her esccrt, without a word of apology, and not deigning to notice bim in the least, In addition to this, Blackbird would take his cath that he had seen the captain, while in the thicket, acting in an insane manner, Perhaps this would get him out of the scrape, Then, again, there was another chance, which would insure him egainst complicity in the difficulty. It was this. Possibly Lionel might at once demand satisfaction from bis insulter; but this seemed improbable, on account of the young planter’s enchant for Winnie, Then, too, people must have noticed that be himself had been greatly impressed by the blue-eyed beauty. They had also seen that he had been greatly infuriated at being parted from her by Baldy and Lionel. Blackbird now remembered that he had shown much indignation at that time; and, should the captain decide that he bad been drugged, this circumstance would go far to prove that he was engaged in some plot egainst them, in which the drugged brandy acted a part. His intention, on Jeaving the tree, was to gain the ranch by a circuitous route, and then join the now-excited crowd. He now hesi- tated, however, and again climbed to his old position. He gazed quickly out upon the lawn, and saw tbat Winvie, apparencly insensible, was being carried into tbe house. Lionel stood, with folded arms and pale face, his forehead swollen by the blow; ‘while, near at hand, Captain Warrington was struggling in an en deavor to aguin spring upon the young ranchero, This caused Blackbird much apprehension, for it proved that the drug was acting more than he had intended; in fact, to a noticeable degree, Those who held the captain, and those who stood about the spot, as well as Lionel himself, could not but decide that the unbappy man was not responsible for bis cowardly and un- called-for conduct, They would know tbat he was not himself, and would probabiy come to the conclusion that he was insane from drink. Then the question would arise—and would be put to the captain when he recovered— where did he get it? There could be no doubt that be would re- member it, and also that he had taken but ore drink, This revelation would cause all to decide that something besides brandy must have been in the flask, and his infatuation for Winnie and jealousy toward Lionel would be recalled as his object in drugging the father of the young lady. Take it all in all, Blackbird was forced to decide that be was in a tight place, from which there seemed, as far as he could deter- mine, no opening for escape, and retain at the same time any chance of gaining the love of Winnie. He felt that he could wade through blood to win her affections—that he could brave any danger, look death in the face; ay, and barter his very soul for her love, | But a sbort time elapsed when the watcher saw that Captain Warrington bad become more calm; and Baldy Brown left him with his father and some friends, taking the arm of Lionel, and walking with him slowly toward the house, where the greatest excitement pre- vailed among the female guests. Lionel waited outside, while Baldy went into the dwelling, apparently to gain intelli- gence of the condition of his fair cousin, He soon returned, seemingly much excited, as he gazed toward his father and the neighbors, who were approaching with the captain. Baldy appeared to be reasoning with Lionel, who soon walked toward his horse, and mount- ing the same, rode toward the creek, disap- pearing in the timber. About ths same time Captain Warrington and those who held him entered the house, fol- lowed by such of the guests as remained. » ‘comicbooks