Beadle's Dime Library No. 263 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

| ae ~ — ee er ee ex : ———- + we — — ~ a LRP POST Se ~ ——* t= o “ or liquor, finally deigned to add his own efforts to the bell. A little investigation convinced him that thé house was unoccupied, while meditation caused him to decide that he had no right to break in, but that it was bis duty to take the doctor to the station-house for an explanation. The latter did not object in the least. He had already made charges against Bolter, so he merely repeated them and stated that he had seen the man. * He did not see fit to mention St. Jerome's name. Alone in bis room once more, he went over the whole case from the time he was kidnapped at Snicker’s Gulch to .the present time, and in accordance with the. resolution formed he waited, the following day, upon J. Q. A, Smith, attorney-at-law, to inquire what the case looked like to a legal mind. Mr. Smith was an able lawyer, a man who rarely lost a case and one who stood high among his fellow-craftsmen, but from his san- guine manner and sledge-hammer style he had gained the sobriquet of ‘‘ Blacksmith.” To him Doctor Rube told the whole story, and without comment left it open to his opin- ion, J. Q. A. Smith was delighted. He saw a chance to make a sensation and an increased reputation for himself if Leyden’s charges could be proved, and he at once grasped at the chance, “Bring this Miss Alton here to-morrow,” he said, ‘‘and we will see if she is to be my client. If she is poor I’ll make no charges until the case is won.” Satisfied that he had secured an honorable man, Doctor Rube went at onee to the humble quarters cf the Altons, and as the elder lady chanced to be asleep he bluntly stated his er- rand to Esther. She listened with close attenfion, but frankly said she had no hope in the ease. She had never seen Leora Templeton, but she had never suspected the present user of the name to be an impostor, while if she was it was probable her position was fortified, as it were. “TI will acknowledge that for my mother’s sake I would like enough money to make us comfortable,” Esther added, ‘‘ but even if this fortune is rightfully ours, we shall enter upon a long and bivter lawsuit to obtain it,” “Suill, I do not think Mrs, Alton would de- cline it.” “Nor shall I. If this lawyer is willing to con- duct the suit on the terms he has mentioned, J, for one, am willing. Doubtless my mother will say thesame. I will now awake her.” bis was done and the case explained to the old lady. Doctor Rube had expected to see her grasp unreservedly at the chance, but she hesi- tated even longer than Esther. At first she could not credit that an impostor held pommention of the BrORerty and when Doc- tor Rube had assured her that only justice could triumph, she wavered for awhile at the publicity an then gave her consent. So, on the whole, his good opinion of both in- creased. They evidently had an honor which would not allow them to take any advantage, and they were certainly poor enough to deserve their ful hts, . Leavin pe he went again to the office of ad Q. A. Smith and placed the case unreservedly his hands ‘Pil go for it at once,” the lawyer said, rub- pee bis hands, “and it’ll be al the more inter- estiug because I shall lock horns with old Bee- singer. That man, sir, is an unscrupulous wine- bibber, and I shall be pleased to tear the mask from the face of his pet client. Justice, sir, will clap her hands with joy and the orphan shall have his rights—her rights, | mean.” Doctor Rube Jeft Mr. Smith indulging in these rose-colored pictures and went to his own office. A letter Jay upon his table, addressed to him- _ elf in a bold hand, and tearing it open he read as follows, ** A friend who wishes him well would say to Doc- tor Leyden that if he wishes to live his three-score- ei gn} years, hé had better devote his attention to the practice of medicine and let other people’s af- fairs alone. In San Francisco it to meddle. . Bear this in mind and let common-sense direct and save you.” To this note there was no signature, but Doc. tor Rube felt that none was needed. Once more he recognized the hand of Captain Dia- mond, and he ee that the affair was assuming more pronounced form. The conspirators were thoroughly alarmed and resolved to put him out of the way by some means. He sat beside the table staring at the warning for several minutes. Did the end in view justify him for risking his own life? Diamond, as he had seen, was very powerful. All that power would be turned against Rube now, and the fight would be an unequal one. et, the doctor, remermbering Esther Alton, resolved to press on and do his best. He felt able to care for bimself under ordinary circum- stances, and if Ben Bolter was arrested a con- fession might follow which would place Dia- mond behind the bars. not always safe | Iron-Armed Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer. t quire if Ben had been seen, but there was noth- | led to the cabin, but when half-way up he sud- ing new and it was clear the authorities did not yet know where to look for him. Returning, the doctor suddenly met Diamond face to face on the street. e instinctively paused, and then the other man advanced with a pleasant smile, . ‘Glad to see you, Doctor Leyden,” he said, extending his hand. ‘‘I was just thinking of you, among others whom I met at the ball.” DN ee ee ee ES See ee eee ti LLL LLL —_— a His coolness surprised Rube, but, resolved not to be outdone, he met the advance in kind. The time had not yet arrived for unmaskng his batteries fully, and they stood togethcr for several minutes and chatted with a lightness not to be expected from enemies. Meditation convinced Doctor Rube that this encounter had been premeditated on St. Jerome’s part and had been for tho purpose of learning if he was suspected in connection with Ben/ Bolter’s attack; but if he had expected a specific charge be was disappointed. . Doctor Rube kept his own counsel and met artifice with its own kind. “He is a sharp and unscrupulous villain, but he may yet find himself in the web,” thought the doctor, when once more in his room. Ho shall go to destruction—he and Leora Temple- ton. Strange tbat I feel pity for ber, even now. But, bah! she is a mere adventuress and I must shake off the spell!” CHAPTER XV. NOROLA MAKES NEW ACQUAINTANCES, Nerp BoxFrecp found himself placed in an un- comunfurtable position toward Mr. Jerome, simply because he could not clearly understand the lat- ter’s relations toward Miss Templeton. As her friend the pale gentleman was entitled to gdod usage, but Ned had such a strong suspicion that the man was also a suitor for her hand that be often felt like challenging him to a fight on the dueling field. Nevertheiess, they remained friends, and one day they might have been seen in a boat together and pursuing much the same course taken by Doctor Rube when he visited the Tuttle cabin. They weut at St. Jerome’s suggestion, and it was he who used the oars, There is something very fascinating about the water for those who like it and are dwellers on the land, and both men enjoyed the trip and acted like school-boys let loose, Noon found them in camp on the western shore of the water-arm, eating a cold lunch and washing it down with water with as much relish as though they had been handling the choicest of food and drinks. . They were thus occupied when the sound of oars drew their attention, and looking through the bushes which fringed the shore, they saw a boat round the point of land. In this there was nothing strange, yet both men suspended their eating and gazed stead- fastly at the little craft and its occupant. The latter furnished a good subj 'ct for interest, No grizzled or bronzed old sea-dog did they see, but a young woman of superior beauty, ‘A mermaid!” said St. Jerome, lightly. But Boxfield did not answer. He had an eye which was both artistic and human, and the grace and beauty of the girl touched bim and stilled his inclination to jest. No clownish woman was cry but one who seemed capable of doing herself honor in the highest places in San Fran- cisco. Rede however, affairs assumed a new aspect. She was looking to the rear, and for- etful of the fact that the water was very low, ound herself planted on a muddy bar before she suspected i mity. She used her oars but the craft hung tightly, and she was looking at the mud in deep distress when there was another sound of oars, and Box- field and St. Jerome came to her aid. Their exertions rescued her from her unpleas- ant position, but she did not seem inclined to dally for furtber acquaintance. They looked at her in a way she considered too bold and free and picking up her oars again she merely thanked them and rowed away. ‘* Let’s follow her,” said St. Jerome. Boxfield hesitated fora moment. The temp- tation to learn where the water Hebe lived was reste. ec he hada wre vein of honor under 7. volatile exterior and he resisted the tempta- ON. The girl receded from their view, they made their way back to San Francisco and she was mentioned no more, Yet, one, at least, of them did not forget her. A few days after—it was the one following the events of our last chapter—St. Jerome was rowing over the same water. This time he did not seem so listless as before, for though his course was erratic he watched both land and water closely and paid particular attention to ever ing boat. he dio !" he said at last, ‘‘bere’s another cabin looking like an egg-shell_on the ocean, or something of that sort. I’l! call, though I've no doubt it will be like my previous efforts.” Securing his boat toa bush near the water’s Rube walked over to the police station to in ‘ edge he began the ascent of the rocky bill which o denly paused. Before him, seated at the foot of a large tree, was the heroine of his water encounter; a girl we need scarcely say was Norola, the daughter of Griff. St. Jerome removed his hat politely. ‘Upon my word, this is a pleasant surprise, ” he said, trying to force an agreeable smile to his face. ‘I did not expect to see you here.” Norola gave no sign of being pleased in turn. ‘*T expected you were in San Francisco,” she replied. : ‘* And why there? Do you know me?” ‘“‘No; but I would bave wagered something you came from the city the other day,” “ Judging by my appearance?” ii quired St. Jerome with rising vanity. ‘* Judging by your boat,’ was the calm reply. **T had seen it before that day.” ** You are observing, I see.” * One needs to be in this life.” * And pbilosophical, too. By the way, you haven't asked me to sit down.” ‘‘ Nor bave I bade you stand. I don’t claim the right to control your movements.” The rebuff was so pointed that be flushed 2 little in spite of that cold, white complexion wv bich was so slow to show emotion. Perhips Norola spoke more plainly than sbe intended, but she feared and disliked the man, Tue dia- mond which blazed at the front of his sbirt seemed to her like the eye of a serpent, and de- spite ber brave nature she felt hke making a precipitate flight. : ‘‘ Tt isn’t to be expected you will control my movements,” St. Jerome answered with a dis- agreeable smile. ‘t 1 never saw the person that could do that, and you” he added, pausing to shrug bis shoulders; ‘‘ well, you are neither a queen of fashion or wealth.” ‘‘ Quite true, sir. I realize that I am not a proper associate for you.” er calm indifference annoyed him, though he was one whom no man could stir from bis icy serenity. He grasped ber arm in no tender hold, ‘Listen to me, girl, and don't fly so high. I came here to-day as your friend. I am not blind, and I can see that you are pretty and in- telligent; in brief, that you’re an angel. Come, my dear, let us be friends.” The serpent’s eye blazed balefully, and the eyes of the man seemed to take the same pale, forbidding hue. Norola’s color retreated from her cheeks and, thoroughly frightened, she would have fled, but his hold tightened on her arm. : ‘* Not so fast, my lady. I want you to know no beggar can scorn me. I’ve bent many a proud head to my will, and you lack the prow- ess to mold me, potent one ce hand may be. Come, my angel, let us riends,” The cold calmness of the man seemed entirely gone. His whole manner was excited, brutal and insolent, and he threw his arm about her waist and drew hercloser to him while the ser-- pent’s eye glittered and glared in the rays of the sun. : He bent his head toward ber lips, but at that moment a sound like a chuckle stayed bis move- ments. Norola, too, who had been speechless with alarm, looked beyond them. The bushes bad been parted and a human face was framed in the opening—the wild, emaciated, unnaturai face of the deranged woman, The Wild, To Norola it was a familiar sigbt, tut to her surprise St. Jerome’s bands dropped to his side and he remained staring with affrighted eyes anda face even paler than usual, o wretch cowering at the gallows ever betrayed a more complete overthrowal of firmness, A brief, painful use followed and then the expression of The Wild Prteeg, “ One arm was stretched forward with the finger pointing at St. Jerome, and in a voice which was almost a shriek, she cried: ** Look! look! it is he!” And then she sprung through the bushes like a tigress, only to fall prostrate on the ground be- fore reaching bim, tearing at her gray bair and frothing at the mouth. Her fall seemed to arouse St. Jerome, and with a cry almost as startling as hers he bounded away. There was a crash as the bushes opened and closed before bis rush and then he was gone. Norola heard his footstepsin rapid retreat for & moment and then all was still. e Wild had ceased to exclaim, almost to move. She lay flat on her face, ber whole body quivering, and was the strengm pert of the strange scene No- rola had witnessed, The girl speedily recovered her composure and bent over the deranged woman, buf even when she raised her head she lay still and sbiv- ered as before. Norola was about to go for Griff, but think- ing of a simpler way brought water and bathed her face and hands. The remedy was effectual; The Wild soon opened her eyes and looke around with momentary calmness. " Then the old look entered her eyes. ** Where’s he—where has be gone?” she de- manded, “‘ He has run away,” Norola gently answered 1G¢boo —— te ) mete