Beadle's Dime Library No. 27 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

— — —— OR ee ee es ete et s . I “Your letters!"’ Blackie betrayed utter astonish- ment. ‘I never received one.” “Never received one! Iwrote you five, if I wrote you one,” ‘And where did you direct them?” “To the place you * ld me in your letter—San An- tonio, Texas."’ ‘“Rosaline, as I hope for mércy heréafter, I de- clare to you that I with received a single line from ou. And the instant I dared to venture, I came to ashville after you, but no tracé could I find. You had disappeared.”’ She mi fami at ya for a st | her clear eyes, and he bore her gaze undaun ; “There is truth in your face,” she said, and then the proud spirit of the woman seemed to vanish, and all the love which she had ever had for Alex Blackie came back with redoubled force. A moment she looked at him with outstretched hands, and then, sinking on her knees before him, she seized one of his hands and covered it with M Only fora single second Blackie gazed at the kneel- ing form of the woman whom he had once loved so well, and then, springing papa rely to his feet, he raised her in his arms and folded her gently to his breast. And though he held the quive orm of the lovely girl within his arms, although he fancied that he could hear the beating of her heart against his own, yet in his face there was no flush of joy, but only a look of sad resignation. “Oh, Alex, you have made me so happy,” she murmured. **Made you happy?” “Yes; do I not feel the pressure of your arms around me—does not that tell me that once again you love me?” she said, slowly. ‘“Rosaline, I do love you,” he replied, in a voice hardly above a whisper, “‘ but not as you would be loved. Itis a brother's love, not a husband’s that I offer you.”’ With a wild expression in her eyes she looked up into his face, but she did not retreat from him, **Oh, I know all, Alex; you are going to sell your- self to Ernestine Van Tromp. For the sake of her money you will forget the woman who for your sake woul ve be every thing in the world,” she ex- claimed, im oitpe “ And Ay the girl of whom you speak I have pledged my word.’ ‘The word you gave to me was freely given years before you ever saw this girl!’’ she cried, imperious- fe **Oh, Alex, you make me ashamed of you when think that for the sake of a little money you will sell yourself to a woman for whom you do not care.”’ Blackie bit his lip, not because of the words which he had just heard, but for the words which now he was forced to speak. “You think that for the sake of this girl’s money I marry her?”’ “Yes; I know all the details of the plot,’’ she re- lied, quickly. ‘‘But I can save you from a share in ‘his disgraceful scheme. Ready money I have but little of, but my diamonds are worth ten thousand dollars, at the least, Any diamond broker on Broad- way will give you that for them, Take them freely. If each diamond wasa drop of my heart’s blood, I would not hesitate to make the gift!” pd ame gp Msc almost feverish heat—the ge snatched the glittering gems from their places in her ears, tore the cross from her bosom, and extended them in the hollow of her hand to Blackie, and he, with folded arms, and a sad smile upon his face, stood motionless, and looked upon the wondrously beautiful woman, ‘Take them!’’ she exclaimed, eeceingly “‘T cannot,” a pig te shaking his head. e . “Why not?” emanded, in wonder. “Tam very poor, Rosaline—a man, too, who is an outcast, and cannot pretend to the s of grace a gentleman; and yet, Rosaline, vagabond as I am, I should feel degraded in accepting any thing from you,”’ ‘““A man can not be disgraced by accepting aid from the woman who loves him!"’ cried Rosaline, im- pulsively. ‘Rosaline, you force me to s words which “4 e said, evidently must give you terrible agony,” deeply agitated. She looked for a moment into his face, and then, thrusting the diamonds carelessly into her et as if thes bad been common pebbles instead of precious stones, she advanced to and laid her head down upon his breast. ‘‘Put your arms around me,” she said, quietly; ‘I can bar cruel words better if I am safe locked in Satteets. oe) Again she clung to him with all the trust of loving oman. we Now speak,” she said: ‘‘remember that I, too, am like you—a child of the world og me now trick: ed out in the silks and laces of a fine a ** Rosaline, I would se tered | pe should think me the fickle, unce man am, rather than a vile one.’ Deep emotion was evident in his voice. ‘I have not sold myself for money. At first I looked pon the scheme more in the light of a frolic than nny thing else, but after I had been a week in the house with this girl, seeing her daily, almost hourly, despite myself I grew to love her.”’ The rounded form imprisoned within his arm shiv- ered just a little, and that was all. “And now, Rosaline,” he continued, “I admit m pledge to you, and, if oe claim the fulfillmen will do all in my power to crush the new love which has grown up in m sneer E aRe revive into live coals the dead embers of the old.” For fully five minutes the girl replied not; she re- mained motionless asa statue; but that Blackie could feel the convulsive movement of the breast pressed so closely - ue i he would have believed that the gi ‘ At last, with > sig she ype pie sige he = sin rs lo ngering loo of tenderness, ve-into Blackie's face, and then, freeing herself from his arms, she took his two hands in hers. ‘*And do you think that I could be happy with ou, knowing that the im of another your eart? Oh, no! I want all your heart or none. I will show you how true, how t my love is by giv- ing you back your pledge: ton are free— marry whom you like, Oh, Alex!” and a look of an- came over her fair and she pressed his ds violently. ‘You don’t w how hard itis a The Spotter-Detective. for me to give you up to another woman! But, now £0; good-by!”’ And then, with a sudden motion, she threw herself on his neck and imprinted a soft kiss upon his cheek. ‘Do not forget me too soon,” shé murmured; in a voice full of tremulous agony. Blackie felt that to spnosong the ag ey would be but to add to her suffe F- single kiss he pressed upon her full red lips, and then, seizing his overcoat and hat, he rushed from the room, CHAPTER XXV. | ROSALINE’S SECRET. _ Just about seven o'clock that evening O’Shane paid his promised visit to Rosaline. The Irishman had not seen Blackie since his inter- view with the girl, and he was anxious to learn the result, Upon entering the room he judged at once from the serious expression upon the girl’s face that something had occurred. ‘* Well, Rosie, dear, did ye have a wid the ae O’Shane asked, anaieg mself uncer- oe y in the rocking-chair and stretching out s long legs. ‘Oh, yes,” she replied, in a quiet, absent sort of way. ‘‘ And did ye part good friends?” There was quite an anxious tone in the Irishman’s voice as he put the question. The girl’s proud lips curled in contempt; her quick ear had caught the tone, and she} readily guessed the cause of O’Shane’s anxiety. ‘Yes, we parted good friends,” she replied. “ Do not be alarmed; he will m the heiress, and you leasant chat will get your hundred dollars. If by sim lifti uD a anger I could stop the marriage I Py id net O it. “Oh! to the divil I'd pitch the dirty money!” ex- claimed the Irishman, in supreme contempt. “I only axed for information, But, I say, Rosie, it’s changed your mind ye have. , ye said before that you wouldn't give Blackie up.” “Did 1?” said whe itl, absently. “Of course you did.” “I've changed my mind then.” ** And what's the reason?”’ ‘‘A woman never has any reason,’”’ was the half- contemptuous response. “ Haven’t Pa lived long enough in the world to know that? We are simply Ler Nig of impulse, and act on the spur of the mo- ment." ‘*Yis, Rosie; but you are not a woman, ye know; it’s an angel ye are,’ said the Irishman, gallantly. Rosaline’s only reply to the compliment was a 4 fa smile. She cared little for empty lip-ser- vice. “I’m glad, though, that yees have made up your mind not to stand in the way of the wild divil’s for- tune,”’ he said, reflectively. ‘‘ Maybe, after he’s married, he'll turn over a new lafe and become a da- cent eS TI hope so,’ she remarked, dryly. “Well, it’s glad I am, any way. But, I say, Rosie sure you've got another lover, and ye don’t n Blackie at all.’’ ‘*T suppose you mean Mr, Van Tromp?” ‘*Yis; it’s a foine young man he is now.” “Very rich, too, isn’t he?’ was asked, carelessly. The Irishman his glossy side-whiskers for & moment, apparently perplexed age question, ‘Sure, Rosie, I'll not deceive ye in the laste!’’ he blurted out suddenly, ‘‘Divil a rap is Van Tromp worth. It’s his cousin, the gurl that Blackie is to marry, that’s got all the money.”’ S a suspicion that he was not wealthy,’’ she said, quietly. ‘‘To do him justice, he has never openly spoke of his wealth, but he has spoken in such pa Fr to lead one not acquainted with his affairs to believe that he was very well off." ‘*‘And now, me jewel, see what a friend I am to yees!” exclaimed O’Shane, eeetoniys “for I’m going to tell you all about Mr. Van Tromp’s little game—in regard to you.” ‘Oh, he bas made you his confidant, then?’’ “Sure we're as ck as _ thieves!’’ protested O’Shane. ‘* As thieves?”’ and the girl laughed. ** Bad ‘cess to me tongue!” cried O’Shane, in mock rage; “sure, I never open me mouth but I make a under. ** But, go on; tell me about this Mr. Van Tromp.” “Vis; well, then, he has been told that you are a wealthy heiress wid loads of money, and idea is to marry you so as to help you take care of your for- tune,”’ girl smiled and gr to be meditating in the The over the information, but she did not seem least annoyed. ex um yoo ) ve married the delu villain, thinking that he had a gold-mine to the fore.’’ “Oh, no,”’ the girl rejoined, smilingly; ‘‘you are wrong there. I never had intention of ing wrettian Tea , even if I had known him to ies millionaire. You ought to know the reason well enough. eace man lives on this earth I cannot marry.”’ **I don’t see why that should xOee yé single,” the Irishman urged, thoughtfully. ‘Sure, he dasn't show his face openly. He couldn't anything ag’in’ it, for, if he 4 back he would go to where he was before. think that the law has freed you from his control intirely.” Z law may have done so, but my own heart hasn't,”’ the young woman replied. ‘*And would you care a rap whether he liked it or Shout eae re ** 'Yes,’’ she answ : ‘‘ Sure it’s a quare craytur’ ye are, I'll go bail for that!” O’Shane exclaimed, evidently astonished. “But, I say Rosie, it’s a riddle ye are, anyway. «iP esplain: ye was alex like fn your ex gy ; ye wasa ? - dienatentic “4 o, when, like the blunderhead that I am, I let out that Blackie was to the heiress. ye wanted to marry yo , and now ye say that while a certain b ‘ard lives ye won't and can’t mary any . That’s what I calla riddle now.’’ And the an | back in his chair, caressed his chin and smiled beamingly. “The explanation is easy,’ she replied, quietly. “For B e’s sake, the man whom I really’ and truly loved, I would have dared everything, open shame—the world’s contempt—all, I would have braved for him, He, like myself, has been a foot- ball for fortune; has oftener felt the world's blows than its caressés; has seen more cloiids than sun. shine: I would have told him all; and in the shelter of his arms forgotten the png that this unhappy man has cast ever op nh my life; but; with Elbert Van Tromp ste how d iterent the case would be! He comes of ait oll New York tatnily, and is as proud of his race and blood asa Spanish grandee. Think how he would have received the news that the loving and tender girl whom he had married was only—"’ “Don't, Rosie—don’t spake any more about it, me ewel!’’ cried O’Shane, we, interrupting her. *Faix! when I look at ye, hear ye say such terrible things, and see yer eyes blaze and yer cheek whiten, it makes the blood run cold in me veins. Why the divil is it that a girl like yees, that’s fit to be the wife of a prince or a king, maybe, should suffer the way ye have? Oh, Rosie, colleen, if I was only tin years Age Son and ye was tin years older, bedad, I'd make e Gorman O’Shane in a twinkling, provided hat it was agreeable to ye!" “* Be content to be my friend, for you cannot per pkg although I can grow older,” she said, ex- nding her hand, the charming smile, which was so winning in its eae upon her face, O’Shane took the slender white hand and kissed the fingers reverently. ‘“*And now, Rosie, will ye tell me one thing?’ he lead, in the persuasive, humble way so natural to m, gently stroking the slender fingers with his own tawny ones. iia Vhat is it?” she asked, “I must know that **Now don't be angry with me, but why is it, Rosie, dear, that ye let Blackie go?’ The girl remained silent for a few moments, oo ently considering the question. At last she lifted her gaze from the floor to O’Shane’s face and made reply: ‘Why should I spoil his brilliant match with this wealthy girl because some years ago he was ten- der and I was foolish?’ She spoke slowly but decidedly, and without a trace of agitation her manner, Little wonder that the keen-witted man of the world was deceived. Though an adventurer, whose motto was “‘Each for himself and Satan for us all,’’ yet he had seen in the course of his lifetime too many changes of fortune produced by love's strange caprices to doubt the existence of the pas- sion. She had not seen Blackie for years, and thought she still loved him; they met, and she discovered that the ES eek, was wanting, and so “Paix!” exclaimed O’Shane, in admiration, ‘*vou're one woman picked out of tin thousand! But, a Hie jewel, I must bid "ey g00d-by, for it's u town I'm going,’ and, as he spoke, ¢ rose toh feet. A sudden thought occurred to him. ‘Oh, by the way, Rosie, I forgot to ask ye,” and then he iow- ered voice mysteriously, ‘have ye seen an thing of that thafe of the world—ye know who mane?” The girl shook her head, . ‘I s’pose ye know that he escaped the other day ’"” ‘Yes; I read the particulars in the newspaper.” “P*haps he manes to keep ey and not bother you?” O’Shane su thoughtfully. “Oh, no,” the said, sadly and thoughtfully; “the moment he gets into trouble he will send for me to get him out of it,” sh will you do it?” the Irishman asked, curi- ou } we” was the frm reqponse *“T owe obedience, and while he lives I shall never forget nor neglect my duty,” she answered, ones 6 question, : “ Bedad, it will bring ye near the gallows one of bcs days!”’ Cg exclaimed. eal P e shadow of the rope ma upon me, an yet Ishall not shrink.” acura Then O’Shane departed, and Rosaline was left CHAPTER XXVI. AT LAST, O’SHANE proceeded down-stairs into the street in quite aha frame of mind. His step was lighter and more c than usual, and he switched the light cane in a very complacent manner against the : By the Soommraer lucky I am!” he ejaculated e@ powers, it’s: am!” he ejac . as lie amenred from the hotel and halted for a mo- ment upon the steps. “Sure, I feel as certain of that hundred dollars as if I held it now in me fist. It's nate and aisily earned, too. I thought that all the = was in the fire, though, when she sent for Black- e.”” As O’Shane walked on, htly and joyful, his hat set jauntily on one wide of his head, ae usual alone. his light cane tapping a tattoo.on the pavement, and not oe unpleasant thought in his mind, he happened lance carelessly at a jeweler’s window. he to £ turned his head for that purpose, his eyes, wander- ing a little to the rear, fell wpon the well-known fea- tures of the man in ere , Who was following him up the street, close at his heels. O'Shane turned his head about to the front again as if he had been shot, and involuntarily his quickened; his hand clenched the cane and the scar- let hue of rage and astonishment came over his face. e dirty blagg’ard!” O’Shane muttered, in an- ger; “it’s follerin’ me ag'in he is. Bedad, I'll lade im over the town, bad ‘cess to him!” The angry Irishman stretched out his Jong legs and went on at a pace wich considerable atten- tion from the passers-by. For about four blocks O’Shane proceeded at a rate which would have won the of a professional trainer of a champion walker; then he ventured to look behind him, and to his utter astonishment, dis- covered that the man in gray was nowhere to be seen. O’Shane sto short when he made this discov- ery, and t apes looked down the street, ex- pecting to see t e spy somewhere in the throng; but thes; h ‘disap- search was frui the man in gray had “It’s walked away from the thafe of the world I have!” he ated, in d t. “Faix! it wasn’t for nothing I was born wid two legs. A grayhound’s NIGDOOKS.CGO (E(o) (C