Beadle's Dime Library No. 263 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

a — — FS Fl “ Se « - ——— 5 > > 4 a —__ _ ; ao ae —. _— -y — 18 oe —~—.— .; —— ~ “Have it. as you will,” he said. ‘I'll now look to our prostrate enemies.” Two of them were past the aid of a doctor’s skill. The man Rube had shot bad never known what hurt him, and Ben Bolter’s skull was crushed. ' He still lived, but his present insensi- bility would speedily end in death. Miss Templeton’s target was better off. He was losing a good deal of blood from a ragged wound on his scalp, and was insensible, but there was no reason why he should not live an- other twenty years so far as the wound was concerned, ‘““Well, what are we going to do now, Miss Templeton?” the doctor asked, anon. “‘1 ean’t answer for you; } am going on to Haverstraw.” “To Haverstraw?” cc Yes.” “It is twenty miles. see you safely there?” “Tf you choose to take that direction, I can- not prevent you.” Doctor Rube had learned her mood, and he was neither surprised nor mortified by this un- gracious reply. ‘*] have been taught to do all in my power to oblige and protect a lady,” he said, with em- basis, ‘I shall avail myself of your offer, and f you do not allow me to ride beside or near ou, I shall keep near enough to give my bum- le aid in case new danger menaces you.” Something—it may have been the straight- forward manliness of the reply—seemed to touch and confuse the girl. For a moment she was at a loss for an answer, and then she re- plied in a voice less cold than before: **You teach me my duty, sir. Tam a woman and alone in a strange and lawless place, and that alone should make me grateful for your offer, even if I had no cause to thank you for rescuing me. Let us forget our—our lack of friendship and go on.” **] will prepare the horses,” said Doctor Rube cheerfully, to> wise to press his slight victory. And so they moun and, taking the extra horses, left Ben Bolter and his companions where they lay. The doctor had looked again at Ben, finding him forever done with the world. The fellow inthe half-dug grave was the luckiest of the three, for the grave sometimes gives up its living, if not its dead. Doctor Rube and the girl rode on. Their position was a peculiar one, and for a time neither of them spoke, Enemies that they were, the faté which placed them so strangely seemed a bitter mockery. Rube felt that it would be audacity or*h‘s part to begin even an ordinary conversation, for, though this woman was an adventuress, she was a woman still. If be had thought less on this subject and more on the vital one of goingin a direct line toward the railroad track it would have been better for them. He finally halted abruptly. “Isn’t it about time we reached the track?” he asked, aloud. : sy he same question has jus: entered my own mind. He peered sharply ahead in the darkness. **Can it be that “f have wandered from the direct course?” ‘Let us ride on and see.” Ty went for ten minutes and then again pau The fact could no Jonger be disguised that they had gone much further than would diy been necessary had they gone in a direet e. Doctor Rube looked at the heavens; the en- tire sky was overcast. ‘1 must confess I don’t know one point of the compass rom another,” he said, with chagrin, ei or They looked at each other in silence for a mo- ‘ment. Neither knew aught of the country about them. It was of a generally level nature, but not a light was visible; so far as they knew * no settlement except Haverstraw was near, and in attempting to find that they were liable to go the wrong way. ‘* We must go on,” the girl finally said. *“You had better use your judgment this time,” he said, shrewdly. “ Please take the lead. . ‘*] should surely wander in a circle; it is use- less for me to try.” ‘Well, lacking a star or anything else to ide us, the only way my limited wisdom can iscern is to utilize the breeze. It is slight, it is true, but I believe it will enable us to keep a direct course, which is better than to wander in a circle.” , And so they went on side by side. It was a very silent ride. Miss Temrleton did not seem in ‘a mood for talking and the doctor would not press bis society upon her, He felt that she must hate him, but in spite of that and the fact that she was an adventuress, an . the fact that he bad vaguely wondered when coming up in the train if be had not better ask Esther Alton to be his wife—in spite of all, he felt that old, strong fascination. The silent ride was awkward, but perhaps it was as agreeable as that nightmare of society, forced conversation. Will you allow me to * = : — ym ei a eo ee —— et tt qe ge ree Eee "© . 2 2 ane es — —— _.— Ome LF i And so they went on, hour after hour, never € secing a light or a human being; never seeing a iron-Arme a te et ee om mg Re A ent en a a enn o-minimal te Sivan See ee Ee d } ; Abe, the a ee eee star by which to guide their course, and with- out a change in their singular relation toward each other. ; A truce had been silently agread upon, but they were enemies still. Doctor Rube won. dered, in a stupid way, if Miss Templeton would not be glad to see him shot down by some skulking foe, but the skulking foe evidently had other business on his bands that night. But the ride had an eid, as all earthly rides must, and just as the girl had unconsciously breathed a deep sigh of weariness Doctor Rube started with a sincere pleasure and, poiuting abead, exclaimed: “A light, by Jupiter!” CHAPTER XXIII. THE PRAIRIE RANCH. THE discovery acted like magic on both the | riders, for both were anxious to see their exist- ing relation toward each other terminated, but Leora looked at the light with some doubt. ‘‘There is but one; can it be from a village?” she asked, ‘* At this hour a village wouldn’t show many, if. any at all; but I frankly admit that I have but little hope we are near one. I judge that this is a grazing district, and the light may pro- ceed from the house,” A nearer approach showed the latter view to be correct. A lone set of buildings was all that was to be seen. Still, they could undoubtedly obtain shelter for the night, and Leora showed a good deal of relief. Doctor Rube, having seen enough of Western life to be aware that many rough characters existed there, hoped they might prove to be near a village. e found a door near the window from which showed the light, and after repeated rapping it was opened by a sleepy-looking man in a red shirt and ragged pants. Beyond these, his at- tire was simple. a A brief conversation took place, and Doctor Rube learned that they were twelve miles from the nearest village—and double taat distance from Haverstraw. The man in the red shirt offered the shelter of the house, and Rube reluctantly accepted, For himself be bad no fear, since he had nothing to attract robbers, but the man of the Revise ed a rough, lawless and forbidding look, which aie him look like anything but a desirable ost. He said he had good quarters for the lady, however, and ra was anxious tostop. At this stage of affairs an old woman ap- ared beside the man, and the girl went with fer, while Rube and the man proceeded to stable the horses. The way in which the ani- mals were scanned by the unknown was not en- couraging, and reminded the doctor that gold and jewels were not the only thing to tempt sors hha hey re-entered the house, and Doctor Rube was shown to a room where the old woman was entertaining Leora. Man and wife made a most villainous-looking couple, and though they were outwardly anxious to do all in their power for their unexpected lodgers, Rube took the first opportunity to speak aside to Leora, and state his doubts, ‘*T see nothing suspicious,” she answered. ‘* Because they are rough it does not follow that they are wicked. They seem very kind.” ‘Your views may be correct; but if Iever saw a hang-dog face, itis Jake’s; while as for his wife, she looks like a particularly hideous Hecate.” “They are well enough for me,” she per- tersely answered. “Still,” he said, firmly, growing more fixed in his vague doubts as she grew stubborn in the opposite direction, “I would suggest that we don’t retire to-night. If we sit here I shall be able to save you from possible danger.” ‘“‘What nonsonse!” she exclaimed. ‘' You have the most absurd ideas of any person I ever saw; | have seen your fashion before now. Sit up? Most certainly not. J iatend to retire At once,” “ “Tf you think vou’re among congenial com- panions, do so,” be very ungallantly retorted; and then they went apart and maintained a sulky silence until Jake’s wife announced that ‘*the lady’s” room was randy The women went out, leaving Jake and the doctor alone. “My bired men are in ther next room,” said Jake, ‘‘ Mebbe you'd like ter step in an’ see ’em. They’re playin’ poker an’ sich games.” It was a chance to see the remainder of the household which was not declined, They went and found four men at a table, busy over cards, ipes and a black bottle. They were fit mates or Jake in outward appearance, but they wel- comed the stranger beartily and went on with their playing. Doctor Rube sat down and surveyed the scene. He had resolved not to do any sleeping. and as long as he could keep awake in company he felt safe. He was invited to play, but as he er ie five dollars in his pocket, prudently de- clined. An hour passed, but no one showed an inclin- sf on” 1 = —— i" =. = Hunchback Destroyer. Py ——- er gies ation to retire. The men continued to handle the cards and Jake dozed inacorner. Doctor Rube smoked and awaited the end of the night, Tae place would have been perfectly quiet except for the conversation of tha card-players and one otber sound which was not so easily understood by Doctor Rube, It proceeded from the room directly over his head and puzzied him a good deal. It was not unlike the noise made by the sweep of a heavy silk dress, only louder; but as it was not likely the house bad ever seen a silk dress, or a dress with a trail, this possi- bility was not to be regarded, But all the while Doc or Rube sat there the same sound was to be heard. Sweep—sweep— sweep! What did it mean, and what occasioned it? He asked himself the qa again and again, but always vainly, Still the sound con- tinued regularly, and he sat and listened with peculiar interest. Somehow, it reminded him of a caged tiger pacing, time and again, the narrow limits of his place of confinement. He bad watcbed such an animal often in the past and always with a species of fascination. The dogged, unchang~ ing face, the wonderfully muscular body, the power of mischief pent up by the iron bars, the unwearying, monotonous pacing, back and forth, uncounted times—all this Doctor Rube had observed, and now this brushing, sweeping sound above reminded him of the striding tiger. He wondered what it was, but refrained from asking questions, and time crept on withou, an explanation. he doctor’s gaze had wandered over the room scores of times, He knew the position cf each chair and almost every other article. He knew, too, that the door had been closed, and when he saw it ajar his curiosity was aroused. He looked closely and saw a human face in the opening; the face of aman of middle age, and that, too, as unprepossessing as were Jake and his friends. This man was watching the card-players and the doctor had ample chance to observe him. He looked, accordingly, and in looking recog- nized him. Unless he was greatly mistaken, he was that one of Ben Bolter’s gang who bad escaped when the affray beside the grove went against Benja- min, ‘ The discovery was a startling one, but Doc- tor Rube’s nerves were too good for him to make any foolish start. Instead, he kept his place and, after that, observed bis neighbor through half-closed eyes, Yes, his first impression had been correct, the man was Bolter’s late companion. The doctor now had fresh food for thought. What was the fellow doing at the house? Plainly, he had not come in after his own ar- rival, and the fact that he bad come first and then seen fit to attempt to keep out of sight looked suspicious. Many otber questions the doctor asked him- self, and then he settled down to a decision. Tbe man was among friends and birds of a fea- ther; the house was a den of cut-tbroats and he | and Miss Templeton were fairly in their midst. The decision was not a pleasane one and he | would bave given a good deal to have her away. This was easier thought of than done, however, and be knew be must maintain an unrufiled composure, The man at the door kept his place, He was watching the card-players and believed himself. invisible. Jake still dozed in his corner. On the floor above, the sweep, sweep, sweep con- tinued, as though the grim-faced panther would never tire of bis game. And the night wore on. Anon, Jake aroused, yawned, arose, advanced to Rube’s side and intimated that if he wanted to retire he would show bim a bed; an offer Rube promptly accepted because he hoped it . would place him nearer Miss Templeton. They bad separated in increased ill-humor, but he felt. bound to protect ber until San Francisco, or some other place, was reached. So be followed Jake and was conducted to an unfinished, almost unfurnished, chamber where the wind circulated freely through a win- dow which contained no glass. Here Jake left him, but the change was not unpleasant. Jake’s face inspired visions of gal- lows, and the like, which were not wholesome. After.an investigation of his quarters which revealed nothing of interest, the doctor sat down to pass the night as best be could. The panther-like sounds bad ceased, silence reigned all around, so far as he could hear, and a dull watch became bis lot. Another hour passed. Doctor Rube had scarcely stirred for some time, but he suddenly showed signs of life and sniffed at the air like a war-horse. There was an odor which he did not like; it was too much like smoke to please le i te ee a ae eS im. He looked from his window, hut, seeing smoke ascending from the chimney, returned to his seat, Several minutes passed and then he again arose. The odor bad grown stronger and he was no longer willing to accept a natural ex- plenation. He laid hold of his door and tried to open it but bis efforts were resisted. Perceiving that it was fastened on the other side he brought hig ‘omicbooks:. co « 4 > | = 2 | ed il ~" saw Sea ‘1 ee ie 4 “ S Lae AS a