Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 255 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

7 ee ‘¢This certainly does not look like piratical “work.” Irving’s argument was a clincher, and he carried the majority with him. He was a boy of few words, but ever the genial young gentleman, and every one liked him, while in bis skill as a horseman, shot, sailor and swimmer he was acknowledged by men as their equal, if not their superior. Therefore, when he spoke all listened, and if was from knowing the boy as he did, that Barton Keys prevented Chester Granger angering bim, feeling that a split would come in the association of themselves and the Brandts. After breakfast Irving followed his sister to Aer room, and as soon as the door was closed Sehind them he cried: “Could anything be more delightful, sis?” ‘Tam certainly rejoiced, Irving, and it is ‘better as it is, don’t you think so?’ ‘* How do you mean?” ‘“‘That Mr. Carr has escaped without your «aid or mine.” “‘ Yes, it is better as it is; but I do not in- ‘tend any man shall paint him blacker than that jury painted him, and now say that he is -@ pirate.” “‘T was glad that you spoke as you did, Ir- ving, and your argument was a good one; but I think Mr. Granger is inclined to heap all the ignominy he can upon poor Carr.” “ He is not here to defend bimself, so I will do so. ‘‘They may call him a murderer, for the jury found him such to their satisfaction, but there Mr. Granger’s slurs shall end, or he an- swers to me, for Bradford Carr was my tutor, and is my friend.” * Don’t be rash, brother,” ‘‘Tam never rash, sis.” ‘‘ Well, it is over now, and let it pass, for I am happy that the shadow of the gallows no longer falls upon us, and the clouds that have so long been over us are disappearing.” CHAPTER XLII. THE SHADOWS DEEPENING. Some days had passed away after the mys- terious escape from prison of Bradford Carr. The day appointed for his execution had gone by, and Dick Dresden had not been called _ upon to tie the hangman’s knot. Nor had the jailer been able to find any clew to his missing prisoner. He bad ridden up and down the coast with his posse, and made inquiries of every indi- ‘vidual dweller along the shore, But not one could tell him anything to help ‘bim find his prisoner, The boat seen by Boss to leave the lugger ‘could also not be traced, and at last Dick Dresden was forced to give it up. The villagers wondered, but had to wonder ~on, for they could not solve the mystery, and the belief gradually gained ground that those who had aided Bradford Carr to escape had ' been none other than men who had been at the ~ em é ’ — " - a ae. i? trial, and believing the prisoner rather than the testimony, had decided to give him the benefit of a doubt, and hence had helped him to go free, all leaving in some chartered craft _ to throw suspicion off the scent. After the escape of Bradford Carr, Maud be- came more cheerful, and ber place as queen ~was resumed once more in the Blue Anchor circle, All knew that she had hardly known Soule | Ravelle, and that the match between them had been a parental-made affair, and of course she gould not be expected to show deep grief for the dead planter, while any feeling she had held for Bradford Carr she had kept pretty well - -@ secret. Colonel Brandt had been called over to New Orleans in regard to the will of Soule Ravelle, -and a sale of the young planter’s estates and slaves had been agreed upon, to hide the fact ‘that they were mortgaged. The sale had taken place, and the cash, over the debts, paid over to Colonel Brandt, who - had returned to the Blue Anchor to report to Maud the result. As Soule Ravelle was known to have inherit- -eda vast fortune, it was naturally supposed that a large sum had been placed to Maud’s eredit from the sale, as bis heiress, and ber | uitors became that more urgent to win her re- : for, with her own inberitance, and wbat was supposed her father would leave her, . @he would simply be immensely wealthy. But the world did not see behind the scenes, end know that Soule Ravelle had left her a The Pirate Priest bankrupt inheritanco almost, while as for her father, he had nothing, and Colonel Brandt was the last man on eargh to instruct the public as to the affairs of himself and family. Maud was rich, it was true, and Irving had a fine property, while Colonel Brandt, when Maud married, or not marrying, reached the age of twenty-one, could receive from her a snug little sum, ample to support bis declining years in luxury. But this Maud could not draw, except under such conditions, and her property was so placed that she could not aid her father, did she wish ever so much, beyond her income, unless it was by giving him the money received from the Ravelle sale. But the colonel was pledged to the amount of nearly fifty thousand dollars to Barton Keys for gambling-debts, and thus matters stood as the season at the Blue Anchor Inn was drawing to a close, and the guests were preparing to return to their homes. One pleasant evening, just after sunset, and between daylight and dark, Maud walked away from her companions, and strolled alone to the little arbor built on the end of the Blue Anchor dock. It was a favorite resort of hers, and she was wont to sit there by the hour looking out upon the blue waters, and listening to the waves wasbing against the piers. As she walked there she had not noticed a skiff dart under the dock near the end and not reappear, so, unconscious of the presence of | any one other than herself being near, she sat | down and gazed out upon the sea. Darkness was deepening around her, and | she was enjoying the scene, when she heard a step upon the wooden pier, and looking up saw | a form advancing. It was too late for Maud to recognize the intruder upon her solitude, but she said im- patiently: ‘‘T do wish I could be alone, without having to go to the privacy of my room, ““Now who is this, I wonder?’ As the form drew nearer she said. “Ah! it’s papa! Well, I am not to be bored, at least.” It was Colonel Brandt, and having seen his daughter go off alone, he had found an oppor- tunity he had been watching for, and at once pounced upon it. He had something to say to Maud, and it had to be said at once, for on the morrow they were to start in the yacht for home, though they would first go to New Orleans for a few days’ stay. The fact was that Colonel Brandt had had a chat with Barton Keys, and he was growing desperate as regarded bis pecuniary affairs. Maud had seen that somethiog worried him, and hoped that it was not that he had broken his pledge to her, for she could not believe that be would do that. ‘‘ Well, father, were you afraid to have me here alone at night?’ she asked pleasantly, as the colonel approached. “No, Maud, but I wished to have a talk with you, as we leave to-morrow.” ** And I will be glad to be alone once more in our own dear old Brandt Manor.” * And so will I,” heartily said the colonel. Then a silence fell between them for some minutes, and Maud broke it with: ‘‘Has Boss returned with the Lady Maud’s crew?” ‘‘ Yes, they arrived this afternoon, and Irving goes aboard to-night as captain.” ‘‘Dear, good Irving, what a noble fellow he is, father.” ‘* He is indeed. “But, Maud, it is of you that I wish to speak now,” and the colonel seemed nervous and distressed. “Of me, sir?’ é' 2 Yes,” ‘‘Have I done aught to deserve a scold- ing?’ “Oh, no.” “Then what is it, father?’ ‘** \..ud. you did not love Soule Ravelle?”’ «Nose “T half believed that you loved Bradford Carr.” “ Well, sir?’ ** Ravelle is dead,” os Yes,” ** And Carr is a fugitive from justice.” ** Yes, from injustice.” ** With a crime upon his soul.” I will not believe him guilty of unless he tells me that he is.” ‘Well, he was sentenced, was to die, has escaped in a mysterious manner, and must needs be a wanderer if not worse,” “How worse?’ ‘He may have herded with pirates as most men do when flying from justice.” ‘‘ Bradford Carr bas never done that, father, “ Tf guilty of killing Soule Ravelle, then he might have done so; but innocent, he never could descend so low in the grade of crime.” ** You defend him of course,” “He was my friend, and believing that be has done nothing t6 forfeit my friendship of course I defend him.” ** And so does Irving.” “ And I admire him for it.” ** Well, we will not discuss Bradford Carr, or Soule Ravelle.” ‘Yes, father, I wish to discuss the latter, for I intend to devote every dollar inherited from him to build up some charity in his name. ‘‘ First I intend that he shall have a monu- ment, for I owe that to his memory, and the balance, as I told you, I sball devote to char- ity. “‘T shall order his monument when in New Orleans, and also decide to what charitable object I shall devote the remainder realized from the sale of his property.” Colonel Brandt sat like a statue, as though sitting for the marble tomb which Maud spoke of erecting, and bis face was as white and hard, Twice he essayed to speak, but failed, and it was only after springing to his feet and pacing to and fro across the little arbor that be found words to say: ‘Maud, it will be time enough to talk of monuments and charities to the memory of Soule Ravelle, when we reach New Orleans: but now I wish to talk about yourself, and, had not that wild fellow been a profligate, he might bave left you a handsome fortune, in- stead of the leavings of a grand inheritance,” “Father! not one word from your | against Soule Ravelle. ‘* He is dead, so speak not ill of bim. “What he has left me, I am satisfied with, and shall devote to his memory,” and Maud’s angry mauner fairly cowed her father, who sunk back on the settee with a sigh, which his own guilty conscience wrung from bim., CHAPTER XLIIL. THE REFUSAL. Ir was some time before Colonel Brandt could bring himself to speak, after being re- buked as be bad by Maud, when he spoke slurringly of Soule Ravelle. As he remained silent, Maud, quick to re- pent of a harsh word, saw that she bad burt him, and said softly: “ Forgive me, father, but I was cut to feel that you was speaking ill of the man you wished me to marry, and who is in his grave.” ‘“‘T did not know him as his death revealed him.” ‘We are all liable to err, sir, and Mr. Ravelle sinned in the way that best suited him. “He was a spendthrift if you will, but his money was his own tospend, and now that he is dead let bis faults and his follies be forgot- ten by us, or at least not remembered in un- kindness.” ‘“* Well, Maud, you are ever charitable and forgiving; but now I must speak upon a matter that comes close to the heart of all of us,” ‘‘T am ready to hear, father.” “It is something I wish you not to speak hastily upon.” “ Well, sir.” “Tt isa matter I wish I could have put off speaking to you about for the present.” *‘ And what is this all-important matter, fa- ther?’ ‘‘ Barton Keys’ father arrived last night.” “T am aware of that, sir.” ‘‘ He is a really fine old gentleman.” ** He is indeed, sir, and 1 was most pleased with him. , “T wish his son was more like him,” ‘* He will be as he grows older,” ‘Repentance in old age is not generally lasting, father.” : The colonel shivered, but said: ‘* Well, Barton is not bad: he is young, not thirty yet, a trifle wild perhaps, and certainly a * Pardon me, but accused of a crime which | gentleman, coming of good stock, for the ‘ a Gomilcbootk Cc ‘S : - > - e >