Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 245 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

re ec ———— ee - — Knew so little of the meaning of fear that he | did not suspect the cheat. ‘¢ Durn ther business when female imnercence has ther call. place, an’ Bob Lung kin set ’em up, as usual.” It was enough, and Barranca Bill had a pard While thinking thus, Horace managed to make a suitable reply, and as he took pains to speak like his brother, Vivian did not suspect Ill get Zeke Little ter ’tend ther } the mistake she was making; she did not sus- ect she was taking a step wherein her future appiness, her life, was cast like a baser article who would pull in time as long as the boat held | on a scale. together. ter that, preparations went on steadily for the night’s work. It was Bill’s idea to seek the Weeping Willows so thoroughly disguised that even the keen eyes of Hecate would not discover the truth, and there seek to learn something of Helen. How this was to be done he did not know, and he was sensible enough to confess to Gentle John that the plan was more romantic than promis- ing, but the love of adventure which he had kept under control for the last five years was again in the ascendant, and he resolved to try the ex- periment, , . He spent a considerable part of the day with his brother, but, thinking the latter had already enough on his mind, and fearing he, too, would volunteer to aid Helen, he said nothing of the intended venture, : A little after dark he left the house, and, being Joined outside by Gentle Jobn, they started at once for the Weeping Willows. Horace Lincoln, on being left alone, settled down in bis chair and trifled with Shakespeare. He showed no anxiety whatever for himself, and if he had been master of the house his manner would not have been easier. He was following Brutus and Caius Cassius through their immortal quarrel when the door suddenly opened, He did not raise his eyes, sup- posing the intruder to be Hans Vedder; but the souud of a quick, light footfall betrayed the resence of a person other than the unwieldy utchman, , Quickly, then, he looked up, and a most aston- ishing sight met his gaze. Before him stood a young lady of such beauty that he was momentarily dazzled, and he feltan absurd inclination to throw himself at her feet and worship as before a saint. Yet there was nothing spirit-like about the young lady; she was simply a lovely girl, with a plump, graceful form, a fine face and the man- ners of a lady. In brief, she was Vivian Brown. One moment Horace Lincoln adored, and then he suddenly remembered his own position. He was seen by one of the outer world: how long ~quid it be before the lynchers of Ramrod Bar would again be bowling at his heels? Vivian had paused in some embarrassment for a cign of recognition from one she did not doubt was Barranca Bill, for the resemblance deceived her like every one else, but as none came she spoke abruptly. ‘* Pardon me for intruding upon you, Mr, Lin- coln, but your Dutch servant was asleep at the door, and I thought I would not disturb him. Perhaps, however, you are iB The words were enough to show Horace that he had been mistaken for his brother, and realizing the importance of continuing the im- pression if possible, he promptly arose, “Busy? Not at all; £ was dozing over my book: I don’t believe 1 know a word I’ve read in the last ten minutes. Pray be seated.” Considerably mollified, Miss Brown complied. ‘ZT sup you did not expect me to return your visit so soon,” she said, smiling. “If I didn’t, you are none the less welcome,” said Horace, gallantly, once more dazzled by her beauty. “Oh! nonsense; I'll wager something you'll suffer from ennui all the while I stay.” ‘Now you wrong me,” declared Hoisive, un- certain how far gallantry would be permissible in She case, ‘‘ Possible? Well, never mind; I came on business, and I won’t lose any more time. Mr, Lincoln, I am in need of a friend, and in all Comet Camp I don’t know were to go unless I come to you. I want an adviser who is brave, wise, and shrewd. Youareallof those. May I ask for your aid?” +3 Horace Lincoln knew his duty then. Vivian’s words and manner presaged something of un- usual importance, and he knew it was his duty to make some excuse for deferring the statement; it certainly was not right that he should hear words intended for his brother’s ear alone; but he was under the spell of her beauty, and he weakly put honor aside, ‘s You overestimate my ability, but you can rely on my faithfulness,” he said. ay deny the former. ‘You are too well known in Comet Camp to escape your honors, Mr, Lincoln. Tbe sobriquet of “Barranca Bill” is in every one’s mouth, and the stories they tell of his honor, bravery, and sagacity are marvel- ous. Do not slander yourself. Horace felt a thrill of jealousy. His brother was very fortunate to be admired by this divine creature. For her, he would risk even his life— would Barranca Bill do more? What right had he to her admiration? He boasted of being a man of ice, while he—Horace—was & man of fir rhich had the better right to this gay young 1% NSS ee ‘‘- You, of course, believeeme to be the only child of Mr. Brown,” said the girl, abruptly. “Are you not?” asked Horace, assuming sur- rise. / “‘Thoat is just what I am asking myself. I have reason to suspect I shall soon be told that I am not.” The reply was so ambiguous that Horace gained no light whatever. **T don’t clearly see,” he said. ‘Naturally. Well, I will explain all. I am now nearly twenty years old, and until a few ‘phe ago I had supposed myself Mr. Brown’s only ehild,”’ ‘‘Something has occurred to change your views, I judge.” ‘Decidedly so. Now, I do not wish you to think me mercenary, but I am wise enough to know the value of money, and I do not forget that my father is a rich man, This is why lL am not prepared to bow tamely to the new order of things. Let me explain: The other day my father sent word that be wished to see me in his private room, I went, and he told me a singular story.” * And an unpleasant ene?” ‘You shall hear. He explained at great length that when he married my mother, the opposition of her parents compelled them to re- sort to secrecy, and for the same reason their first child was sent to an asylum, both agree- ing that it must be temporarily abandoned. Afterward, my mother’s. parents died and the marriage was made public, they lived together until the death of my mother, and I was the offspring of their union, ‘‘My father reproacbes himself bitterly for leaving his first-born so long to the care of strangers and the ar hy of her later life, and says he will now restore her to her rights. Of course you see what this means; an elder child, - See will be placed over me in the house- old. ‘* And there will be two heirs for the proper- ty,” added Horace, shrewdly. ‘‘T trust I am not mercenary enough to be influenced by that fact, in itself, but I a7vinflu- enced by a suspicion in my mind.” * And that is—” “That this Agatha, as he calls her, is not my sister and not his daughter,” said Miss Brown, emphatically. , ‘‘ What, then, is the game?” ‘Perhaps you will laugh at me, but I believe there is some secret in my father’s life, I have thought so for several years, but all has been vague and uncertain. Now, i have theskeleton of a theory.” “* And that?” ‘*Is that this Agatha is to be his wife, and not his daughter. Somehow, I believe Cephas:Brown fears some one, and that he dares not acknow- ledge his wife, so he will pass her off as. his daughter.” Horace felt himself wholly at fault, since he did not even know this scheming Mr. Brown by reputation, but he was vividly conscious: that a beauty and an heiress sat before him and he began to have vague ideas of a brilliant cam- aign, ‘IT love my father,” continued Vivian, ‘* but Tam not disposed to submit to injustice, even to please him, and I intend to know more of the mysterious Agatha. Feeling the need of an able adviser, 1 have come to you, Mr. Lincoln,” ** And I,” said Horace, putting out his hand, ‘swear to serve you to the death!” ae with crossed hands, the compact was sealed. CHAPTER XIV. ? WHAT WILL THK HARVEST BE} In taking this decisive step, Horace Lincoln ut behind him all the compunctions he had elt about robbing his brother of his rights. This revelation had not been intended. for his ears, and he knew it was his duty to avoid hear- ing it, but the beauty of Vivian Brown was too much for his sense of honor, and he had listened more to the music of her voice than to the story she told, Anon, however, a golden vision arose before his eyes. Besides being a beauty, she was an heiress, and he knew the value of money. There had been a brief inward struggle, and then he resolved to avail himself of the chance thrown at his feet. From that moment his efforts were directed, not to shielding himself from discovery, but to continuing the error of identity the girl had made, and to plans calcu- lated to keep both Vivian and Barranca Bill in the dark. ‘“‘I dare say you have some plans,” he said, after the compact was sealed. Wie ur ones only. I recognize the import- ance of learning just who and what this Agatha is, and has been. To do this skilled detectives must be employed, and [ can furnish the money to pay them, but I feel my lack of wisdom in ‘ Barranca Bill, the Revolver Champion. 1% that direction. A clearer mind than my own must direct them, and some person other than myself must confer with them and near their reports. It is best that I should remain wholly in the background, and then, if my suspicions are absurd, | shall not have incurred the dis- pleasure of a father I truly love.” Her voice trembled a little, but Horace was too much in earnest to see that sympathy would be well received at that point, ‘“‘T shall be glad to aid you,” he promptly said, ‘‘and nothing shall be left undone to learn the truth. This Agatha shall be traced to the day, .oF her birth. Tell me what you know of er. Vivian complied, but as the statistics were oud and vague, they need not be recorded ere, ‘‘T will. place detectives on the track,” re- sumed Horace, ‘‘ and as you have a short period of grace before this Agatha arrives, I hope to have all made clear before that day. At any rate, the matter shall be pushed, our resolu- tion to remain in the background is very wise, and I would also suggest that we take pains to blind people to the fact that we are Jeagued to- gether. Hum! how often do we usually see each other?” He was feeling his way carefully. ‘‘ We were introduced two months ago,” said Vivian, laughing, ‘‘Since then, we have seen each other to bow about once a week, but we have not spoken until today. Oh! no one even places stress on the fact that we are ac- quaintances.” . Horace shaded his eyes with his hand to hide the eager light he felt sure was there. ‘‘So much the better for us,” he said, * and the fact shapes our future course, We must lead a double life during our league and carr it out to the letter. Before the world we will remain as we have been, mere acquaintances, If we meet, whether in the eyes of others or alone, we shall be cold and distant. You must not inquire how I am'succeeding, and I will not mention it in any way. The thicker the mask, the better.” , “But how am I to know what progress yo are making?” Vivian asked, in bewilderment. ‘*T am. coming to that,” said the schemer. ‘‘Tsaid we would lead a double life, Well, every other night. we must meet at some given point in the suburbs of the village, and I will make my report. I say by night, for it would be very rash to meet. by day.” Vivian looked a little startled. She was not in the habit.of indulging in such meetings, and, besides, Comet Camp was hardly a safe place for Jadies to be abroad after dark. Remembering her great object, and the high reputation of Barranca Bill, her resolution was soon made, however. ‘Very well; I agree to the plan,” she said, but where can we meet?” Luckily, Horace was able to answer the uestion clearly, Once, during his residence at od Bar as Paul Pindar, he had visited Comet Camp at night, and circumstances had drawn bis attention toa place he believed well suited for the purpose in view, “You remember the deserted cabin in the wild ravine west of the camp?” ‘*Graveyard Gulch?” ** Yes,” be answered, at a venture. ‘Certainly, and I suppose it will answer as well.as any place, though it is terribly gloomy and forbidding.” “ Hastern young ladies would call it awfully romantic,” he laughed, - ‘(I’m not an Eastern young lady, nor have la desire to be one, but let that pass; that shall be the place of meeting.” ‘And you will be there—at nine o’clock, say —Wednesday night?” A wave of sometbing more. than reluctance— it was, perhaps, the shadow of coming events— passed over the girl. She shivered slightly and ielded to a deep depression which impelled her renounce the whole affair; but she remem- bered what was at stake, and faintly answered in the affirmative. Some further and clearer conversation ensued, and then Miss Brown prepared to depart. Hor- ace followed her to the door, where Hans Ved- der still slumbered peacefully, and then, with a simple good Wight she went her way, and Horace retreated to the sitting-room. Once there, be flung himself into a chair and began to think rapidly. He had allowed bim- self to go with the current, scarcely caring to what fate he drifted so long as the bright con-light of Vivian’s eyes was in sight; but he had taken a step which now demanded careful consideration. : For a long time he scarcely stirred, but, at last, his plans were laid and the future settled so far as he could control it. ‘* Miss Brown is a beauty and an heiress; just the kind of a woman I have long aspired to win for my wife. My inheritance is gone, I can’t count up over two hundred dollars of on own; and if se is as rich as she says, lo! I will make her Mrs. Horace Lincoln. It will be to my in- terest to baffle this new heiress, and if there is 2 flaw I will find it. ‘What is Cephas Brown’s game? Vivian be- i com Ebooks.G