Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

a a a ee eed 20 u—— - _—~- ae * There are so many of them searching for the two patients,” he muttered, after complet- ing his survey, ‘‘that I don’t suppose I bave much chance of finding either,” . He waited awhile longer and then compressed his lips. “Viltry it anyway, but what’s the use of attempting to form any plan? There is no calculating what whim will take possession of a crezy person’s mind, only in this case, the particular lady which I want, isn’t crazy aft al'. But sheis with a violent one, who if she doves not kill her, will lead ber wheresoever sbe ehoores,” Finally his eye rested on the humb!e home of John Burrage not far away. ‘+ will be as thorough as I can and will be- gin there” He galloped to the large gate, dismounted and walked to the front door, where be knock- ed, without molestation from the dog. We have already given an account of the interview wlich be held with Mrs. Burrage and ber brother. He was bluffed cff in the most emphatic manner. But rascally Doctor Bell was anything but a atupid man. While holding the brief converse at the door, he used his eyes for all they were wortb. He observed that there were five plates on the table, while only three persons were vis- ible. His quick eye also detected a single kid glove lying on the floor of the sifting-room, Imperfect as was his view of it, he was able to decide that it was of too slight and delicate pattern to cover the brawny bands of Mrs, Burrage. The inquirer took all this in and drew his own conclusion. When Hannah Hablo resumed her place at the table, she roticed the same tell-tale tokens, Insane thougb she was, she did that which none of her sane companions did. She.decided that the visitor must have ob- served them and consequently learned that the fugitives from the asylum were being sheltered there, The cunning lady never gave a hint of her onvictions, but kept her own counsel, This will explain why she consented s0 readily to take the stroll with Jake Calkins. When she left the house, it was ber deter- mination not to retura, She believed some of the attendants would be there within the succeeding half-hour. Doctor Bell, as we have stated, satisfied himself that the Jadies for whom be was hunt- ing were in the house of the farmer where he first halted. But it was a fair conclusion that if they would deceive him, they would resist bis at- tempt to take them back to the asylum. ‘“It won’t do for me to undertake the busi- ness alone,” be concluded on bis way from the building; ‘‘they will make a fight and likely enough I will be bardly used.” But, if he sbould call in the assistance of others, he would be compelled to divide with them, and that was something to which the doctor was opposed on principle. He withdrew to a point from which be could hold the little building under surveillance, while he meditated on the best course to pur- sue. He was worried by the belief that if he waited long before taking the ladies, or at least one of them, some one elso would come along and scoop in the prize. While be was watching the building, he saw two persons emerge from the rear door. | _ A second glance saowed them to be a man and woman. At the distance it was impossible to identify them, but he became suspicious at once. * They have become alarmed,” he concluded; ‘‘they find the hunt is becuming too warm, and they’re going to remove Miss Langdon while they have a chance to do so.” As there were but two men in the house when the doctor made bis call, it was easy to decide which of the two was escorting the lady, inasmuch as there was a marked contrast be- tween the appearance of Jo.u Burrage and his brother-in-law. It was impossible to decide between the ladies, as he had never seen one of them and knew very little of the other. He wes quite convinced, however, that he was looking upon Miss Langdon and her friend, A Cool Head. Noticing the course taken by them, he chose a circuitous path with a view of heading them off. The doctor carried a pistol, but he had no thought of using it, except, possibly, to intimi- date some one. When he shou'd confront the escort, he did not think the fellow would dare disregard his command to surrender the lady. It required considerable time for the physi- cian to secure the point for which be was aim- | ing, and when he succeeded, the man and wo- man had been out of sight for fully twenty minutes. Dismounting and tying his horse, he began a more careful bunt for them, but was annoyed by his failure to obtain the least trace whither they had gone. As the woods were not of great extent, he was sure they bad not passed through them, but were in hiding at no distant point from | where he stood. Suddenly he fancied he detected the murmur of voices. Instantly he began picking bis way toward the point whence it came. He had nearly reached the spot, when he halted with a curious expression on his face. ‘‘What in the name of the Seven Wonders does that mean?” he asked himself. He took several more steps forward, and then halted more abruptly tban before, His face turned white and his hair fairly rose on end. “Great Heaven |” he gasped; “what shall 1 do ?” CHAPTER XLI. WHAT THE MATTER WAS WITH HANNAH, Mr. Jacosp CALKINS was certain that the | young lady whom he had taken out fora stroll was one of the most entertaining and attrac- tive of her sex. He exerted himself to the utmost to deepen | the interest he was sure he had already excited in her, He talked so continuously and glibly that he paid no heed whither he conducted ber. But she looked after that important matter herself, and permitted him to talk to his heart’s content, ** T think you told me you lived in the Pines,” said she, glancing slyly at him, while she kept a sharp watcb for any otber parties who might eppear in the neighborhood, ““T do a part of the time,” he said. ‘ I have to spend a few weeks here each season to look after my farms,” ‘* Have you more than one?” ‘‘T have seven and have been trying to buy four more,” ‘« Are they very large?” ‘‘Each contains more than a_ thousand acres.” ‘“ Why you must be quite wealthy.” “‘ Jewhilakens! that’s nothing; didn’t you ever hear about my summer residence along the Hudson?” ‘Why, no; bave you one?” “T’ve got a ripper; the greenhouse cost me fifty thousand dollars alone.” Miss Hablo looked upon the speaker as though she was unuble to give expression to ber feelings. “ Yes; ther I’ve got a city residence in New York and Poiladelphia. When I git married I’m going to let my wife take her choice; that’s th3 kind of hair-pin I am.” ‘‘ Jt seems to me that if you are so wealthy, you would do something for your brother-in- law,” ‘“ That’s jes’ what I came here for!” ex- claimed Jake enthusiastically; ‘‘I was arrang- ing with Jubn to take a farm over in Pennsyl- vania; there’s n thing mean about me; I allers go the whole hog—” Just then Jake caught his toe in a twisted root and went sprawling forward on his hands and knees, The lady laughed outright at the rid'culous figure be made, and he hastily scrambled to his feet, very red in the face. ‘‘ Gosh hang that blamed root!” he growled, brushing the dirt from the knees of his trowsers, ‘‘ I never swear, but I feel all-firedly like it now.” ‘ Here’s a rustic seat; suppose we sit down awbile.” “The ijee exactly,” said the delighted Jake, hastening to place himself beside the interest- ing lady, She now looked squarely in his face and said: ** Tell me, Mr. Calkins—” * Oh don’t,” he interrupted, ‘‘ call me Jake, or better Jakey.” “Well, Jakey, answer me truly; did you ever tell a falsehood?” ‘‘ NEVER!” Not the slightest blush darkened his counte- nance as be made this prompt response. “But you said at the house that you bore the reputation of being the greatest falsifier in your part of the country.” “That was only a jest, of course; I thought you understood that.” “Suppose they should come to carry me back to the asylum by force, what would you | do?” | ae only beg the chance to show ’em; that's | all! | As Jake Calkins uttered these boastful | words, he reached out to take the band of the i | lady. She allowed him to do so, but when his palm _ touched hers, he jerked it back with an excla- | mation of pain. | “What in thunder is that?’ he demanded, | looking at his finger, which felt as if a needle | had been thrust half-way through it. | Hannah Hablo smiled sweetly but did not | permit him to see the stiletto-like wire she had | concealed in her sleeve and the palm of her band. | “Jakey, do you know who I am?’ ‘You're the sweetest, smartest, purtiest | woman in the whole creation,” was the chivul- | rous response, | ‘*That is all true, but I have a title; have | you ever heard it?” | * No,” he replied wonderingly. | “It is the Queen of the Cannibal Islands.” | “That’s a darned funny title,” remarked Jake Calkins, a little puzzled to understand what she meant, ‘*'You shouldn’t speak so disrespectfully of a queen,” said she, in a voice of unmistakable displeasure, ‘*How long have you been Queen of the Carn«veral! Islands?’ ‘‘Two hundred years,” was the amazing re- ‘And you want to be king, don’t you?" ‘‘“T wouldn’t mind, if the wages was good,” said Jake, grinning over what he thought was a pretty fair joke. **But you sha’n’t be king.” “Why not?” ‘For then you wouldn’t be willing for me to rule.” From your style I should say it wouldn't make much difference whether I waa willin’ or not.” ‘‘There isn’t room for a king and queen in the same kingdom,” ‘‘Then one of us would have to get out, wouldn’t he?” Up to this time Jake Calkins bad not enter- tained a thought of the true condition of affairs, But now a faint suspicion entered his mind. His companion was not acting as hereto- fore. There was an intensity—so to speak—in her manner which arrested his notice. Again, when be caught her eyes, he observed a strange glitter in them, which caused him to ask bimself the question: ‘‘ Is it pessible that this lady is the one who bas lost her mind? T'll be hanged if it doesn’t be- gin to look that way.” He wished that he was back in the house of bis brother in-Jaw, or what was better, with his good wife, down in the Jersey Pines. ‘< JT think we hed better returp,” he remarked, rising from the rustic seat. “ Sit down !” she commanded, so imperiously that he dropped back again as though some one | had knocked his feet from under him. “ Do you know I am Queen of the Cannibal Islands?” ‘Certainly; I’ve always knowed it,” replied Jake, unable to resist his propensity to misre- present matters, ‘And you are my subject?” “OF course, of course.”’ ‘Then get down on your knees before me!” * Bot I would—” ‘“ Get down, I say!” ‘« But it will dirty my pints, and my wife—" ‘6 Down ! do you hear ?” And she raised her needle-like stiletto aloft, ready to plunge it into his body. sponse. *T thought you was younger than that.” f / Gomichoo > ‘ - fp mah,