Beadle's Dime Library No. 260: The Masked Mystery; or, The Black Crescent — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

4 ~ Vv oO ’ \ , ‘ Jnalfemothered ydice 2 — The Masked Mystery: OR, THE BLACK CRESCENT. A Romance of Baltimore, BY ANTHONY P. MORRIS, AUTHOR OF “*THE FIRE-FIENDS,” ‘‘ AZHORT, _ THE AXMAN,” “THE FRENCH ita. a SPY,” ETC., ETC. Pay. CHAPTER I. = We A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR. INTER—1871. How mournful the dull, of the wind as it coursed around the corners and through the streets of ‘the old Monumental! How peculiar the sound of business hum, and how dreary the darkness of advancing night, misted with thick-falling snow! It was very cold and cheerless: but the rich parlors of Harnden Forde, on Eutaw street, were ablazs.and warm, and no gloomy touch of the icy air without could enter there. - Eola Forde, a beautiful girl of twenty-two years—we say girl, for four of those years might have been stricken off without being missed—with rosy cheeks, sweet lips, deep- blue eyes, and bair like gilded silk, sat upon one of tbe rich sofas; and a dainty hand was elasped by a young man at her side, whose words, anon, brought a mantling crimson to the temples of his companion. At a glance we know them to be lovers, ‘* Speak, Eola; why are you so silent? You never acted in this way before! Ob! have you changed toward me? Have I lost the jewel I so dearly prized as my own? Surely—” * Austin, Austin,” she interrupted, at last, breaking the silence which had called forth the young man’s words; ‘‘I have not changed— indeed I have not. But—but—” ‘* But what? Ah! you'll tell me, now, why you have behaved so singularly all the even- ing?’ ea ‘She cast a quick glance around her to be sure that they were alone, and then, leaning close to him, whispered: “Dear Austin, could my own heart’s blood be shed to make you happy, I would give it! But listen; something has bappened—I don’t know what—to make me really afraid of father. He said that, if I married you, it would send him to bis grave, and J would be accursed forever! Stop!—listen; he said you were sent to fulfilla terrible prophecy !—to perform an awful mis- sion! He said I must not marry you, of ail ad ~ a ee pai stab myself at once! Now, ustin—oh! what can all this mean? You don’t know how frightened I am! What— what shall I do?” She had scarce ceased, when the folding- doors between the two parlors*were slowly, ‘noiselessly opened, and a man stood there, gaz- steadfastly at them. e sofa partially fronted the windows, and they did not see bim. He was a man of full sixty years, with spare locks of snowy white, and smooth-shaven face, His features were remarkably thin, like his body, arms and limbs, The eyes were deeply sun and a dark line marred the lower lid; vhile the countenance was ghastly pale and of ndefinable expression. It was Harnden Forde. - With one hand upon the door-knob—still and motionless he watched them. Austin Burns looked upon the fair.girl at his side in veriest astonishment. “In Heaven’s name, Eola!—what are you ae , ““ Just what father said to me this morning, Austin! WhatamItodo? Iam not only at f@ loss to understand what he meant, but I am also terribly uneasy. Have you seen him since you were here last?’ _ Then you can form no idea of the change that has come over him.” ak _ “TJ am amazed, Eola! Ob! can it be I am to lose you?’ and he clasped the little hand tighter, as if afraid it was to be snatched away there and then. “‘No—no—no, Austin; not that! But—we must wait—wait until—” “ ErERNITY!” interrupted a sepulchral voice. * Harnden Forde stood before them. + 4 With a cry, Eola started to her feet and — The Masked Mystery. —, re cell — clutched the back of the sofa for support, as | marry Austin Burns. Let him bid you adieu she shrupk before the strange light of her father’s eyes. “Mr. Forde; really you take us by sur- prise—” began Austin; but he stopped short, as the old gentleman fixed a steady, half-mean- ingless gaze upon him, He then saw in Harnden Forde a picture that, for a moment, chilled bis veins. So thin, pale, haggard; like a living. corpse; with ashen lips; speechless; terrible to con- template. Harnden Forde spoke not another word; but raising one hand, a long, white, skinny finger pointed toward the door, ‘‘Pather! Father!” burst from .Eola’s lips, as she made a movement forward; but her courage failed her. Obeying the silent command of that finger, governed by an uncontrollable awe, Austin arose, and siep by step, retreated from the room, Eola strove to speak. She stretched forth her bands to detain her lover; but they fell nerveless at her side, and her lips seemed glued together. The eyes of Harnden Forde followed Austin, till the latter had disappeared, and then, in a hollow voice, he bade bis daughter follow him, and returned to the back parlor. She was faint and dizzy, and tottered after him —feeling as though she would cast herself down and scream; but was forced to keep her feet by some nameless, irresistible power, ‘Father!’ sbe cried, falling on ber knees beside the chair where he had seated himself; “ father! oh! in Heaven’s name, tell me what ails you? You frighten me! Don’t look at me in that way!” ‘*My child—you have seen Austin Burns again, and I told you yesterday it was my wish that you should give him up forever,” were his slow-spoken words, as he fixed his dark, sunken eyes upon her, in an unsteady, wavering manner. -“ Yes, yes; but I told him we could not think of marriage at—at present.” ‘““You can never marry bim!” he declared, huskily, bending forward to lay a hand upon her shoulder. ‘6 “ Never,’ father?” ‘‘ Ay, never! Would you be cursed? Would you live on, with a most horrible prophecy being fulfilled, in which Heaven itself could not offer a boon of one hour’s peace? Would you send me to my grave?—only to be driven from it, to stalk the toomby forests in unrest and despair? Would you—” ‘Stop! Stop! What horrible things are you saying? You will drive me distracted! Tell me—tell me—what is the matter?” “T cannot!” and with the answer he sunk back and closed his eyes, as if to shut out some unearthly vision which rose before him. Eola trembled. What could so work up her father to a pitch of mysterious despair and superstitious terror? In what way was this superstition connected with Austin Burns and herself? , It was more unaccountable, from the fact that, hitherto, Harnden Forde had always greeted the young man cordially, when the latter visited his betrothed, And the change in Forde’s demeanor was 48 sudden, as abrupt as the explosion of a cannon in bidden ambush. ‘‘Wather,” she said, more calmly, after a moment’s silence, ‘‘ you talk to me in riddles, You have always expressed a great liking for Austin. It was only yesterday you first men- tioned a change in your opinion. What has he done?” “ Nothing,” in a subdued, uneven tone, ‘‘Nothing! And while he has no fault, you would not have me marry bim? Father, I must resist this. Have you been dreaming?— had ugly nightmares?—which you give in ex- tenuation for this separation of two fond, devoted hearts? You must explain. I fear I have already lost Austin, by what has occurred this evening. I must seud a note and bring him back—” ‘‘No! no! The curse!—the prophecy!” he interrupted in.a hollow voice, and half-starting up. “<The curse!) What curse? What pro- phecy?’ Eola’s inquiry was one of unbounded as- tonish ment. ‘*‘ Nothing, nothing. Go to your room, my child- Ask meno more of this, But remem- ber—-woe! woe! to you, from the day you forever. Now go—go to your roo'n ” Reluctantly she left bim. He did not rise; and with a parting glance at her singularly- altered parent, as he sat like a statue, with eye- lids closed and arms hanging listlessly, she ascended to her room, her mind turbid with wondering and uneasy thoughts, Sbe bad scarce left him when the door-bell struck with a Jouder echo tban usual to its small brass gong. There was something in the clear sound as it broke the stillness of the house, which roused Harnden Forde with a start from bis random reverie; and he listened to the step of the servant who answered the summons. Presently the door of the back parlor opened. “There's a man in the vestibule to see you, sir,” ** Who—who is it?’ “That I don’t know, sir; for his face is hid by a broad-brim hat.” ‘Is there no card?—no name?’ *€ No, sir.” Harnden Forde thought a moment. It was already growing late. Who would call upon him at that hour? ‘Show him in,” he said, at last, The visitor was admitted. . A tall, broad-shouldered individnal, wrapped | in a heavy overcoat, with pants tucked in a + ee ——— ST Ee ........ aa pair of heavy cowhide boots, and a black, slouch hat pulled down over his brow. But, the servant. bad made a mistake in supposing that the rim of the hat concealed the face of the comer; it was a mask of brown silk and lace trimming. Upon his entrance, Forde arose, ‘* You wish to see me, sir?” “And is this, indeed, Harnden Forde?” returned a deep voice, questioniagly. “Te ig;” “ How changed, since last we met,” contin- | ued the other, regarding him closely, ‘‘ Remove your mask, that I may—” ‘“No, Here—read this,” producing a slip of paper as he spoke. » Thg voice—the mien of the masked visitor, had « marked effect upon Forde, who vainly endeavored to, pierce the other’s disguise, _ ** Who are be askad, without noticing the outstrescoed band, ‘No matter. Read that note, and—give me an answer !” Advancing with irfirm step, he took the note, and, unfolding it, began to read, But, be had no sooner glanced over the first lines, than he uttered a sharpcry, and, with face paler than ever, staggered back against the wall. ‘* Who—-who—who are you? Where did you get this?” he gasped, chokingly. ‘‘T bave said it matters not who I am. Give me an answer totbat note. Thereisa pencil—and paper,” saying which, the un- known produced the articles and laid them upon the table. Then he added, pointing tu them, and turning to the shrinking form of — Harnhden Forde: “ Come!” CHAPTER I. 4 BLOW IN THE DARK, AND THE WOMAN IN BLACK, Avr the moment we introduced Austin Burns and his betrothed to the reader, in the parlors of Harnden Forde, there was an individual standing on the opposite side of the street. obscured within the deep shadows of one of the high-railing steps which were prominent in that locality. In one hand he held a pair of powerful glasses, and through these he was intently watching the lovers. His brow knit with a frown, and his teeth gritted in half-smothered anger, as he marked their Agee : Wes ‘‘ Ah! see © muttere ntly; ‘* the folding doors open—Forde is jt sa now he advances—he stands before them—he points to the door! Good! Austin Burns is going—yes, Forde has obeyed me. Sce! Evla —she attempts to stay her lover—it is useless! Father and daughter are alone—they go to the back parlor! Iamobeyed! Ha! h—a! But, Burns is coming out! Now, will the boy exe- cute his errand? Yes—there—” - “ Eve-ning Bulle tin, second e-di tion. Bul- letin, sir? One cent.” “No,” and young Burns was _ hastening away; when the boy ran alongside of him, and continued: (E(©) JOOKS AAILCE COlr ee,