Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 241 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

you—menv who have sworn to hang you like a dog, if ever you cross their path again!” Bloodgood laughed shortly, almost mockingly as he said: ’ , , ‘‘T may be running a risk, but only if your friends hang before questioning. That risk I must incur, as my business with Mr. Debonay is of too great importance for'me to turu back now. Always supposing that be is the gentle- man whom Iam led to believe. You may be able to solve those doubts,” “ And if you discover you have made a mis- take, you will retrace your steps without an in- terview, of course?” “Not at all,” was the quick response. ‘‘ You forget that my brother has gone on ahead. Be- sides, were 1 to attempt a retreat, your sus- picions would be restored.” ** And I would take you to the ranch, whether or no,” was the frauk addition. “Exactly. But pardon me; will you not ride aways?” ‘‘Thanks; [am very well pleased, as it is.” ‘But Iam not,” laughed Bloodgood, alight- ing rather gingerly, turning the horse loose to follow of its own accord. ‘* As I hinted, Iam anything but a saddle expert, and I could cheerfully witness a monstrous barbecue of all the horses in the land, topped off with saddles for trimmings! Tll not be able to sit down in comfort for a moath to come!” ‘While Windy Jess was a rfect centaur,” with a keen side-glance. “I never met his superior for reckless, skillful horsemanship.” ‘The memory of that worthy seems to haunt ou to-day,” and as he spoke, there came into is eyes a look of curiosity. ‘ Thereby hangs a tale, of course. Have you any objections to spin it, as we walk on to the ranch?” ‘When we reach our destination, perhaps; not now,” gravely. ‘‘Few men are fond o re how they have been worsted, and I am one of the majority.” Bloodgood made no immediate observation, and for a few moments the twain walked leis- urely down the slope, the horse quietly follow- ing at a few paces in the rear, bending its head for an occasional mouthful of grass. **T understood Miss Debonay to say that you were foreman, or general manager of the estate. Am I right?’ ‘*T overlook the outdoor matters, ves; but always under the advice and instructions of the owner.” ‘Then you can doubtless tell me enough about him to set at rest all doubts as to whether or no he is the gentleman whom I have tray- eled so far to meet. Will you kindly do so?” ‘*If I can, without betraying any confidences —certainly,” “The name isthe same; Pierre Debonay. The gentleman I expect to find, is a Southerner.” ‘* Mr, Debonay came from Georgia, I believe.” ‘“From near the old Cherokee district?’ eagerly. ‘That I cannot say. He never told me, and IT had no occasion to question him. Doubtless he will tell you, if you ask.” ‘‘ Took here, Mr. Abbey,” and there was an entire change in the tones of thespeaker, though still polite enough. ‘‘Do you know, 1 have been puzzling my brain over one point, until I can stand it no longer. I like you—from the first glance when we met, back yonder, I took a strong fancy to your face and manner of speech; but—” ‘*A thousand thanks, as far as you have one,” retorted Guy, with a short, careless ugh. ‘‘ Pray continue. But—what?” ‘*I chanced to glance back as we reached the crest of the ridge, over yonder, and I saw— or was it eyed RE A raise your rifle, as though meaning to take a shot at one of us. Of course it could not have been at either of the ladies. That leaves only my brother and myself. At whieh one was you aiming? And why did you not fire?” ‘‘ A plain question deserves a plain answer, and here you have it. At you! If Miss De- bonay had. not passed between us, I should have risked the shot, though a long one.” “Thanks for your frankness,” with a mock- ing bow. ‘“ Pray add to the obligation by ex- plaining why and wherefore?” “IT have already told you, but if the words are pleasing, I am willing to repeat them; be- cause at that moment I remembered whom you reminded me of. I felt positive you were none other than that audacious scoundrel, Windy Jess. I bad sworn to kill or capture him, if we ever met again.” an that your only reason?” with a slight smile. ‘Was it not enough? You were riding away with two ladies, either and both of whom I am in duty bound to protect ‘ith my life, if needs be. I know that you—or, [should say,—Windy Jess, had sworn to haverevenge on Pierre De- bonay. [ believed you would try to abduct his daughters, as the surest method of wringing his heart-strings. I was too far off to foil you in any other manner. Is that sufficiently plain?” ‘Quite; and much more satisfactory than I anticipated.” “Tt is your turn to explain,” slowly uttered ‘Y: . ——— ae ~o oe -_ Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. 9 oe “Having no suspicion of your thinking me this wonderful Windy Jess—as how should I?— I believed you were actuated by jealousy. Nay, my dear sir,” with a careless wave of the hand, as Genteel Guy flushed botly and half- raised his hand. ‘‘I heard you through, with- out interruption, though your suspicions were anything but complimentary to me, as an hon- est man. It is no more than fair for you to hear me. I put it to you as a gentleman,’ Genteel Guy nodded, not caring to trust his voice, just then. Bloodgood seemed satisfied, and resumed, bis voice softer, more even than before. ‘‘You are young, handsome, graceful; Miss Debonay is even more so, as is but proper. Isolated as you both must be, from other society —leaving out the Windy Jess element, of course —what more natural than that you two should fall in love with each other?” ‘*In what does this concern you ?” ‘Very nearly, as you will be ready to admit if you will kindly listen to me a little longer.” **Go on!” muttered Guy, with an ominous glitter in his blue eyes as he added; * But guard your speech when you allude to Miss Debonay. give you this warning, as from one man to another, and you will be wise if you keep it well in mind.” “Which savors conten hy of a threat; but never mind. Lask youa blunt question: Are you and Miss Debonay engaged?” ‘*No,” tersely replied Genteel Guy. ** Good enough!” exclaimed Bloodgood, quick- ly adding as the young foreman flashed a hot glance into his face: ‘* Allow me toexplain. I took a prodigious fancy to Miss Debonay, the first moment I beheld her charming coun- tenance. As you see, I am getting along in ears, and at my age, if ever, a man should per to think seriously of settling down to home comforts. True, this reflection is of re- cent date—scarce an hour old—but it is none the less strong, none the less a wise one, which I firmly intend to carry out. ‘When I saw you with rifle leveled at me, the thought struck me that perhaps you had a prior claim on the affections of the young lady, and for that reason linvented an excuse for riding back to meet you, and solve those doubts. ‘You frankly admit that you have ro posi- tive claims, and now I give you fair warning that I mean to enter the lists of love, and to win the lady, if it lies in my power.” ‘You have said enough, sir,” uttered Genteel Guy, his face stern and hard-set. ‘I have let ‘da run to the end of your rope, though it was ard work, believing as Il now firmly do, that you are a scoundrel of the first water, even if you are not tdi’ Jess, as I first thought.” ** ‘You do not mince your words, Mr. Abbey!” ‘Why should If You have not been mealy- mvuthed. You have openly boasted of what 7 intended doing; you can hardly fault me or doing the same, for then we will meet ht 7d **Tf you are the man I believe, that beard and hair forms a most cunning disguise, and are both false, for you have not had time to grow them since I saw you last. You will bear me company to the ranch, If you prefer to keep the matter secret, until the question is fairly settled, I will take you to my own room, and there make the investigation. If | am wrong, [ll beg your pardon. If right, Vll hang you like a dog!” “‘Suppose I decline to accompany you on those terms?’ Quick as thought the rifle was cocked and covering bim. “You will go, dead or alive! Take your choice !” CHAPTER VII. THE LOTTERY OF LIFE OR DEATH. For a brief space the two men confronted each other, neither moving, neither speaking, the one holding his leveled rifle steady as the ex- tended finger of fate, the other staring into those stern y blazing blue eyes, his own orbs glowing with a dangerous fire. Though the muzzle of the weapon was barely beyond the sweep of bis strong right arm, bad he made an attempt to dash it aside, Fred Bloodgood showed rare nerve for a man whose very life bung on the faint pressure of another’s ie ot a muscle quivered, not the slightest symptom of fear could those blazing eyes de- tect, and it was with afar higher opinion of him than ever before, that Genteel Guy spoke: ‘‘Pledge me your word that you will make no attempt to escape before we reach the ranch, and ’ll drop my gun.” _Ashort, hard, ugly laugh parted the man’s Ss. ‘““T may be a tenderfoot, rnd therefore con- sidered fair game for desperadoes of your cali- ber, but there’s one thing you can’t do; make me beg!” sweet-scented tenderfoot, you are!” sneered Abbey. 2 ‘** Tenderfoot or tough, I am a man, if you can comprehend what that term means. If not, 4 aos F ut down your gun and meet me on moreequal ooting, and I’}l take pleasure in teaching you!” os hot, angry flush crossed the young man’s cheek, ‘*T listened to an appeal like that from Windy Jess, once before, and the slippery rascal got the best of me by one of his devilish tricks, I don’t care to run the same risk now,” Fred Bloodgood flung out one band with an impatient gesture, and there was a trace of an- ger in his tones: ‘Why don’t you shoot, then? This is the second time you have bad me covered within the hour. The first time, the distance was too great, and a fair woman came between us. Neither is the case now. 1am not beyond range. Miss Debonay is not here to spoil sport, Sboot —or own up that youare too cowardly to strike at the heart of aman, even though he stands before you with empty bands!” For a few fleeting instants, the life of the bold speaker hung Toop a thread, frail as a filament of gossamer, and this he saw, plainly as though the doom had been written out in letters of fire by the finger of fate. But he flinched not, He stood before that frowning muzzle, bis massive chest squared, bis eyes filled with stern defiance, while a sneering smile curled his long mus- taches. Taken alone, his words sounded like boasting. Taken in connection with bis attitude and bear- ing, and they were the defiance of a man who knew no fear, though the odds were frightfully against bim. The brief temptation overcome, Genteel Guy stepped aside a pace and lowered bis rifle, drop- ping the barrel into the bollow of his left arm, and still keeping it at full cock, ‘I don’t want to shcot you, if I can possibly get around it,” be said slowly, ‘But all the same, you've got to go on with me tothe ranch, alive or as a corpse—that’s settled!” . Fred Bloodgood laughed softly, as he took a cigar case from his pocket and bit the end off of a weed, then striking a match, speaking slowly, as he sheltered the tiny flame from the gentle breeze: ‘My dear sir, if you only knew it, you are wasting a great deal of energy, to say nothing of time which might be employed to better ad- vantage.” _He ceased speaking long enough to ignite his cigar. ‘‘ With your rifle covering me, I could not, as a gentleman who respects himself, give you the pledge which you demanded. Now, it is differ- ent, and I don’t mind telling you that I mean to go to the Debonay ranch, even though you try to prevent me, I have traveled this far for the express purpose of visiting Pierre Debonay. I would be a fool to beat a retreat now; and the worst of my enemies never dare accuse me of being that.’ There was just the faintest suspicion of a sneer in the tone with which Genteel Guy made response: ‘*Give matters that turn, if it pleases you. Whether you go willingly, or whether you are forced to make the trip, matters little to me. But let the affair turn out as it may, you shall have no excuse for accusing me of deceiving you. ‘*T still believe you to be the man known as Windy Jess. It is barely possible that I could not swear to your identity even were you with- out a disguise, for I never met that accom- plished rascal but once, and then hardly long enough to take a very accurate photograph.” That should not give you much uneasiness,” was the cool retort. ‘‘ You can hang on gen- eral principles, and trust to luck for future identification. Seems to me I’ve heard of some- thing like that, connected with this region.” **T can do better than that,” quietly. ‘Iam expecting a friend to whom Windy Jess is per- fectly familiar, and whose eyes are keen enough to pierce any disguise that cunning rascal may assume, I mean Mark Boyd.” \ “Of the Rangers?” asked Bloodgood with in- terest. : waa Guy nodded, eying him keenly the while. ‘* And he will be at the ranch?” ‘‘Tf not when we arrive, soon afterward, He promised me to call to day, and he’s a man who nee broke pledge, whether given to friend or oe. ‘Or else he has changed greatly since he and I met last!” “You admit knowing him then?” ‘“Why not? I know bim as wellas I do my own brother.” ‘Yet I never heard bim mention the name of Fred Bloodgood; and we have very few secrets from each other.” “All that may be true enough, since it has been a little more than five years since Mark and I clasped hands for the last time,” with a stifled Spe. then adding, a little sharply: ‘** Pray have you concluded your catechism? it so, would it not be quite as well for us to pro- ceed on our way? I, for one, am both jaded and hungry, since we took saddle at day dawn, and have not broken fast since that hour.” ‘Promise me to go alony quietly and Vl make all the haste you can desire—” GEomicboo € S com = 7 — —- . ™ 2