Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 241 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

~ _ ee eo ee ee ee ee i the bnil never gave a sign of retreating. Shak- ing its long horns—very different from the short, thick, clumsy-looking weapons carried by his more civilized cousins—it made a vicious dash, only to be foiled by the active horse which instantly obeyed the slightest order of its gallant rider, though the rein lay untouched upon its neck, and a pressure of the young man’s knees alone guiding it, Swifter far than the buman eye could follow its movements, circled the snake-like lash, a little cloud of severed hair and spray of blood following each report, the young man laughing with an almost savage glee as he foiled the furious rushes of the nearly blinded animal. Perhaps it was because he felt that kindly eyes were watching his movements, that he showed no very great haste to finish his work. Perhaps he knew that in no situation does a man more plainly exhibit his qualities than in the sadela especially in a duel like this, where poor horsemanship or clumsiness would almost surely end in defeat, if not worse, A man from crown to sole, was Genteel Guy Abbey, foreman of all the Debonay estate. Not tall; barely above middle hight and by no means heavily built, his figure was graceful and athletic, his muscles like tempered steel, and placed just where they would prove of the most service. Never quarrelsome, he had neverthe- less more than one victory over much bigger men to his credit, unmarred by a single defeat as yet. Quiet, polite in manner and speech, he had been given the name of Genteel Guy soon after taking charge of the ranch, but since then more than one rough cowboy declared that a sad misnomer—Chain lightning would suit him far better. His light blonde hair was worn close cut. Only a pair of mustaches adorned his face, and they were kept neatly trimmed. His garb was suited to the position he held; stout,’plain and serviceable. He wore no jawelry. In the belt which encircled bis waist were knife and a brace of revolvers. At bis saidle-bow hung a coiled lasso. In bis hand the terrible whip. Genteel Guy was very young for the respon- sible positiod which he now held; under thirty. Yet it was common report that in all New Mexico there was not a better managed, nota more profitably conducted ranch than that be- longing to Pierre Debonay. And whenever the occasion arose, the ranchero freely gave ajl the credit to his foreman, Oncs more avoiding the mad rush of the bull, Genteel Guy reined in his horse, and calmly awaited the next onset, with a dexterous movement of the wrist, sending the long lash out behind him until it rested at full length on the plain. Yurning from its baffled charge, the bull, bleeding freely and dropping bloody foam from its nostrils, steadied itself fora moment, glaring at its nimble antagonist, then setils sharp horns and plunged forward with a sullen bellow. A faint cry escaped the lips of Lucille as she breatbless!y watched the action, for it seemed as though Genteel Guy intended to sacrifive him- self, so motionless did he sit his horse, but a little laugh came from Ora. “‘Never fear, pet. He knows what he is doing. See! didn’t I tell you so? Did you ever see a neater bit of work?” A slight movement of that steel-like wrist, and the snake-like lash rolled over the ground, through the air, past the horseman, straighten- ing out as it neared the oncoming bull, emitting @ report sharp and clear as that of arifle. Swift as thought the wrist turned backward, the lash following, then shot forward again almost ere the cracker came to the side of the horseman. Another crack that was blended with the mad routing of the bull, and a mocking leugh broke from the young man, who knew that neither eye nor arm bad failed him. Mingled blood and aqueous humor trickled from the severed eye-sockets, for the bull bad been blinded by those two dexterous strokes, Thoroughly cowed, the animal turned and fled in utter confusion, and with a word to his horse, Genteel Guy followed, ranging alongside, bending forward with knife in his baud. One deftly delivered stroke, and the bull pluoged forward upon its head, the spinal cord divided. Reining in his horse, Genteel Guy turned to- ward the motte and waved his hand, then made -< gesture toward the runaway horse with his S50, He knew how proud spirited Lucille was, and though that hasty-passionate speech had greatly encouraged bim, he felt that it would be best for bum to give her a little time to recover her composure before he rejoined her, More than a mile away, he could see the horse whict had escaped from Ora Ainsley, uneasily grazing, frequently lifting its head to look around in search of the wild cattle, and he rode briskly toward the animal, uncoiling his tangled * Jasso and making it ready for use. Tbe capture was not to be so easily made, for the creature was not yet thoroughly recovered from its alarm, and for a time eluded the horse- man, but at !ength he came within proper cast- dug distance, and the noose settled around the Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. ee animal’s neck. The instant it felt the touch of the choking rope, the been 4 stood quiet, knowing from past experience that to struggle against it would only increase its punishment, and Genteel Guy was riding toward it, when he was startled by the rapid report of firearms coming from the direction of the timber island where he bad left the two women, Dropping the slack of the lasso, he turned, to bebold teverel tiny puffs of smoke dom, be goes the bushes at the exact point where he had parted from the maidens, Forgetful of all else, he plunged his spurs deeply into the flanks of his horse, dashing swiftly bac, only to feel a tremendous shock and be almost cast from the saddle as his steed fell to its knees, while the runaway horse was cast to the ground by the pluck of the lasso, With a grating curse, Genteel Guy drew his knife and cut the lasso, then dashed on, fearing the worst for his love. CHAPTER IV. RECOGNITION TOO LATE, Wrra a breathless interest which she did not seek to di guise in the least, Lucille Debonay leaned forward from her perch in the tree to watch the movements of Genteel Guy. Nof an action of either horse or rider escaped her, and in each motion of the young man’s lithe, grace- ful form she could see some fresh charm. [If naught else resulted from that day’s wild freak, it bad torn the scales forever from her eyes, showing her that this dashing rider was dearer to her than a!l else on earth. Never until now had she acknowledged this, even in herown heart. He had not spoken, save with bis eyes, and then only briefly, indis- tinctly. At times she almost hated him for his modesty in fearing to speak out Fira What if he was poor, while she was tlie heiress of Pierre Debonuy? Would not love make them equal? Love? Bah! It was hatred, contempt, which she felt for him, for herself! ~ That feverish indecision was past now, She knew that she did love Guy Abbey, and for the moment she felt tothe full as certain that he loved her in return, She could still see the pale, scared look upon his handsome face as he came thundering down to the rescue, and she felt a peculiar thrill of jo as she knew it was brought there by her peril, not thatof Ora. It was her whom he first as- sisted, Her at whom he looked. Shealone who felt that close, quivering, prssionate clasp of the strong arm; instinct alone told her this, And she? What had she said? The words came back to her, and she recalled the look with whicti she had rewarded him. A hot flush of maidenly shame came into her face, aud for the moment forgetting where she was, Lucille bowed her bead, covering her face with ber hands, murmuring: “Ho could not misunderstand—he knows all now, end—” **T? he don’t, I shell take particular ains to enlighten the stupid fellow!’ laughed Ora, ber yoice startling Lucille so that she almost fell from her pereh. Ora Janghed anew as Lucille goezed at her with a coufused and doubting air, unconscious that she had uttered her words aloud, and settling her dainty little form in a more comfortable position, she added: “fT mean just what I say, Lu. He's just splendid! e looked big and mighty as a mountain when he came dashing up to us, and scattered those cows as though they wera noth- ing more dangerous than rabbits, I could throw myself at his feet and worship bhim—if grim old Mark hadn’t a prior claim!” ‘‘ Nonsense, child—” ** Precisely what I’ve thought, timeand again, when watching you raise the poor fellow into the seventh heaven of delight, by a smile, a few soft words, only to cast him dowu to-—‘the other place—tbe next instant, by some exhibition of your abominable pride, “You can scowl and arch your eyebrows, my dear, J’m not afraid of you, if that silly fellow is. I know you wouldn’t strikea eripple —ouch |” _A grimace of pain accompanied the exclama- tion, and Lucille moved a little nearer, anxious sympatby in her eyes, * Your poor ankle! I forgot!” “So did Ll," laughing faintly. ‘It hurts most abominably, but I reckon it’s no more thana sprain.” ‘** Received for my sake—you darling!” and at the risk of both falling from their ‘precarious ereh, Lucille took Ora in her arms and hugged er fervently. “*T Jed you into the scrape: you hug and kiss me, Genteel Guy got us both out of it; L won- der what will be bis reward?’ muttered Ora, with mock solemnity. Flushing hotly, Lucille drew back and looked out upon the plain, where Guy Abbey was just blinding the bull. Ora also watched the excit- ing scene, but that did not still ber tongue. * Tt’s a shame that you’ve kept him at arm’s- length i Lu, and I feel as thoughI was about as guilty. A nobler, bandsomer gentle- man never drew the breath of life. He fairly worships the ground you tread upon, bg He looks upon you as an angel, too good for mortal food, Some day he will blow out bis brains, when you bave driven him to utter despair witb your icy looks—or would, if I permitted. But I won't! Vl open his eyes to the truth be- fore yonder sun sets. I'll tell him that you worship him—that be has only to stick—” ‘Stop, child!” cried Lucille, her eyes flash- ing, her face as pale as that of a corpse, her voice hoarse and unnatural. ‘If you dare—I’ll bury this knife in my heart before 11 meet his gaze, if you dare betray me!” She saw Genteel Guy deal the death-blow to the bull, then turn toward the motte and wave his hand, She seemed to fear that be would read the shameful truth in her face, even at that distance, and averting her head, she drop- ped to the earth, pacing slowly back and forth, struggling to subdue her powerful emotions ere the young man should return, Ora watched her friend with no little solici- tude, tinged though it was with a modicum of malicious pleasure, perfectly natural in an en- gaged young lady, who has often been lectured on the folly of allowing her heart to overrule her head. She was baving her revenge, now, and that is sweet to the best. A sudden switching of the undergrowth at- tracted ber attention, and acry of warning es- caped her lips as she beheld a trim deer like head aniidst the foliage, twin eyes of a peculiar reddish black staring out upon the unsuspect - ing maiden; but it was a head that bore lon;: horns of jet and ivory, instead of branchii,; antlers, “Ran, Lu!" she ‘A Maverick’s coming—” With asgullen bellow, the dun-colored cow plunged forward through the bushes, straigtrt at the startled maiden, with Lorns lowered in readiness for tossing, the very picture of devil- ish fury, for blood was dropping from. its gashed nostrils, showing thatit had been among those scattered by Genteel ee The charge was so sudden that Lugille had no time to climb the tree, and would have been fatal to a girl of less nerve and promptness of action. As it was, one of the sharp horns tore the skirt of her dress as she darted around the trunk of the tree, almost throwing her down before it gave way, ** Shoot it, Ora!’ she cried, as the maddened ° creature turned nimbly, and started in hot chase as the maiden doubled nimbly about the bole, ‘ Shoot—quick!” ‘‘T can’t—my pistol’s gone!” gasped Ora, pale and trembling, far more unnerved at the peril which threatened her friend than sbe would have been for herself in a similar situation, Round and round the tree ran Lucille, with the cow close at her heels, snorting, routing, its tail switching angrily, its sharp borns scatter- ing flakes of bark from the trunk as it made vicious thrusts at the fleeing maiden, For nearly a minute, Ora gazed spell-bound upon the scene, trembling so violently that she siebat fell from her slender reas na plat for it seemed impossible fcr Lucille to much longer elude those terrible horns. Then she looked out over the plain, where Genteel “9 3 was just casting his lasso, and a cry for he!p br her lips. Hs did not hear the appeal, but an answer camo from another quarter. With encourag- ing shouts, two horsemen dashed through the undergrowth from the side opposite that on which Genteel Guy was at work, and before the Maverick could fairly realize the altered condition of affairs, a brace of navy revolvers were busily pumping lead into its carcass. Bellowing savagely, it charged these new cried, agitatedly. ' oke from — foes, but fell in a lifeless heap ere half the in- | tervening distance was covered. Lucille sunk to the ground, panting, breath- less, as she saw that the peril was past, but as the foremost man leaped from the saddle and hastened toward her, she rose to her feet, and with a swift gesture, rejected his proffered aid though with a smile that robbed the acticn of its sting. “T am not hurt, though my gratitude for your services is none the less fervent,” she said, earnestly, her lustrous eyes meeting his curious gaze frankly. ‘“*A few moments more, and I riust have fallen a prey to that ugly brute!” ‘Spare your thanks, madam. Iam only too glad to have been of service,” said the stranger, with a low bow as he doffed his hat, then run- ning his fingers through his long cur!s, jetty bleck, save for an occasional thread of silver, He was almost superbly handsome in both face and form. Rising six feet in hight, straight and erect as ever mortal can be, his figure was a model of athletic strength and grace. His complexion was derk, almost Indian-like. His face was covered by a beard which nearly reached his waist as he stood erect, black as ebony, care- fully kept, evidently a source of no little pride on its owner’s part. His nose was straight and clean-cut, His eyes rather small, and placed a trifle too close together, but this defect was not noticed after the first glance, they were so bril- liant, so eloquent and fascinating. 4 His garb was that of a traveler from more. “ JOOKS ~~. - (E (0) (S m