Beadle's Dime Library No. 27 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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-—_—__———____ CHAPTER XXXV. G00” EVEN IN THE WOLF. A perp sigh came from Mary’s lips as the door closed behind Chocolate. Slowly she turned the key in the lock, thus preventing any intrusion, and then opened the door of the dark bedroom. Les “You can come out; we are alone,’’ Mary said, in a low, sad voice. Then from the darkness of the little room into the ht of the kitchen came John Blaine. 1e old careless smile played around the corners of his handsome mouth and shone winningly in the depths of his great, lustrous gray-blue eyes. ind where in the confines of the little dark bed- room had the hunted felon found refuge from the keen eyes of the man-tracker, Campbell? A glance into the room and the mystery is solved. The bedstead occupied by the two girls was quite a wide one—a bargain picked up at a second-hand store by careful, skillful Chocolate—and the mattress was fully a foot narrower than the bedstead upon which it was placed. Blaine had pushed the mat- tress over from the side of the bed next to the wall to the front and laid himself down upon the slats of the bedstead in the vacant space; then the girl had drawn the bedeclothes over him and adjusted them carefully, and thus concealed him from sight, John Blaine crossed the room, drew the little rock- ing-chair from its place in the corner and sat down in it, and, as he stretched his legs out lazily on the floor, a long-drawn breath of relief came from his lips. Tho girl, motionless by the table, her head restin carelessly upon it, surveyed him, with a mournfu smile upon her fair features, ‘““A pretty narrow squeeze that time, my dear,” he said, with a knowing shake of the head. “If it had not been for the fortunate circumstance that our bed was a foot wider than the mattress, and that you had wit enough to think of that slight dif- ference in the very nick of time, your humble ser- vant would have had his wrists ornamented by an elegant pair of steel bracelets, and by this time would have been half-way to that celebrated specimen of Egyptian architecture popularly known as the Tombs, escorted by a guard of blue-coated gentle- men renowned for manly proportions, and equally eminently distinguished for putt ing in practical form the Scriptural injunction, ‘take the stranger in.’”’ And then John Blaine leaned back in the rocking- chair and laughed heartily, but quietly. Mary looked at him with her soft, sad eyes, an ex- pression of hopeless misery upon her face. And potting over his merriment, Blaine noticed the look. “Why, Mary, what’s the matter?’ he asked; ‘‘ your face looks as if you had lost every friend that you had in the world.”’ The girl sighed, then strove to smile; but the at- tempt was a sorry failure. ‘Don’t look downhearted; all is well now, dear and I am as safe from these human bloodhounds, at present, as though a thousand broad miles of ocean rolled between me and them,’ he said in his care- less, cheery Mg “‘T have always been a lucky fel- low, all my life, but this streak of luck to-night really astonishes me, Why, just think, Mary, my dear; I didn’t know—didn’t even dream that you were within a hundred miles of New York city, and when I dashed into this house it was by the merest accident in the world that I chose it rather than the one before or after it. The man-hunter was right on my track and I had to double upon him some way. I felt that it was neck or nothing. My idea was get onto the roof and cross over, and descend into some other house, You can judge of my horror, Mary, when I got up to the door w le to the roof and found that it was locked. For a moment I was like a manstunned by a heavy blow on the head, but I reeovered quickly, though. I didn’t have any time to sit down, fold my hands, and meditate upon my next movement, I suddenly remembered seeing a bright light in this room as I passed, and then a plan to baffle the bloodhounds flashed through my mind, I guessed that they would suspect my plan to escape by the roof and that they would follow me up there; so I descended, and pueck gee your door, walked right in. It was lucky for me, Mary, that the door happened to be unlocked. I had a couple of rings on my finger here, and I was going to pretend that I wished to sell them, and get the occupant or occupants of the room into conversation, and then, when I heard the hunters pass up he roof, I in- tended to slip out and escape down-s See how lucky it was that I stumbled upon you, for that plan of searching each room that these eager gentlemen yut in operation would have caught me sure; but, or the p of concealment that you thought of, Mary, I shall be eternally grateful.” “ What do you intend to do now?” the girl asked, see " ell, I do not exactly know,” he replied, reflec- tively. “I had a very secure hiding-place, but by some accident it was discovered. Do you know the danger that I am exposed to?” “Yes,” she answered: “I read the particulars of your escape in the newspaper.”’ “Mary, you are not very well-to-do in the world, are you?” and as Blaine asked the abrupt question his ‘eyes wandered round the scantily-furnish room. ‘No; Ihave had a very hard struggle,” she said, slowly. ‘I have been sick a great deal, and even when I am well, I am not strong enough to work hard.” : : “Do you know that there is a reward of five hun- dred dollars offered for my capture?” he asked, carelessly, but his keen eyes were bent searchingly on the girl's face as he spoke. ss “Yes; I read about it in the poe sj “ And, Mary, when that man entered yonderroom, all you would have had to do was to whisper a sin- gle word in his ear, or even point with your finger without speaking, and you would have got five hun- dred dollars—a fortune to you.” “Had the reward been five million instead of five hundred, neither lip nor —_ would have moved to betray you,” the girl sai |, firmly. Just a single instant, J ohn Blaine—heart of ice and head of iron—looked into the pale face of the girl, beautiful even now in its tearful anguish, and then a smile, which told plainly of conscious power, came face. ore Come here, Mary,” he said, extending his arms to ‘he Spotter-Detective. her. “TI believe that you speak the truth, and yet there’s mighty few humans in this world that money won't — : The girl, obedient to his request, came slowly over to him and knelt down by his side. Caressingly he passed his arm around her slender waist, and with the hand of the other pinched the soft white cheeks, Then he stroked her head and imprinted a kiss up- on the full ripe lips that lacked some of their wont- ed color, and yet were none the less sweet nor soft. ‘**You’re a dear little girl,’ he murmured, “and I’m a brute to have acted toward youas I have done, But I can’t help it. The leopard can’t change his spots at will, nor I my cruel, capricious nature. It was born in me and so must remain. You wouldn’t betray me, and I’m going to pay you for it.” The girl looked at him in wonder as he thrust his hand into a secret pocket inside his vest and drew out a roll of bills. Irom the roll he selected ten fifty- dollar bills. ‘There, Mary, there’s five hundred dollars for you,”’ and he put the bills into her hand; “don’t 1esitate to take it; I can spare it well enough, and I've not done one-tenth part as much for you in the pas as I ought to have done. This will purchase a ittle respite from toil for you, and you won't have to work those pretty little slender lady fingers to the bone.” “IT would rather not take it,” the girl said, slowly. **Don’t be alarmed, Mary, dear,’ Blaine said, reas- suringly; “‘there’s no blood upon the money.” The shrewd eyes of the escaped convict had de- tected the shudder which had thrilled through her form as he put the money into her hand, and he had guessed the reason. Then Blaine rubbed his cheek carelessly against the smooth forehead of the girl. ‘Don’t think too bad of me, Ma I’m _ bad enough, I know, but there are men in the world ten times worse than I am, and yet they hold their heads up in society and go to church every Sunday, and pray as if they were the best of Christians. You can take the money fearlessly; it was not ill-got, though the chances are that, if I keep it, it will be ill-gone. You may be sick, you know, and unable to work for a while, and if that should happen, why this little sum in the bank will keep the wolf from the door until you get well again.” “Tf you say that I must take it, I can not do else than obs you,” the girl replied, humbly. “Put it in your pocket then, right away,’’ he said, and she obeyed him even with the word. “That's right,” he exclaimed, patting her head. * Ah, Mary, if I had had a girl like you by my side when I first began my life-fight, I think that it would have made a different manof me. Andthat reminds me, my dear, there's something that I want to speak to you about.” CHAPTER XXXVI, ‘* MARRY HIM.”’ ‘* Yunus?” and Mary looked wp in his face, as if to ask what that something was. “That young girl that was here just now—”’ **Chocolate!"’ said Mary, as he paused, “Chocolate!” Is that her name?”’ ‘*No; her name is Mary, the same as my own; Mary Crofkin, but Chocolate is her nickname.” ‘* Ah, yes, I understand,”’ Blaine said. “You need not fear!’’ Mary exclaimed, hastily. ‘‘She gave me her promise before she went out that she would not tell anybody. She suspected there was some one concealed here,”’ ‘From what I overheard of the conversation be- tween you two, I judged she had no suspicion that the person whom she guessed was concealed here Mi the escaped convict that the police were in search ) “No; she did not suspect that.”’ * But she thought that the person was your lover?” “T thought so,’ and then John Blaine was silent for a few minutes, evidently ait ‘**Mary, I overheard some part of the conversation,”’ he said, suddenly; ‘and one sentence that the girl spoke I OO Aibar-wer thar?’ Mary:aaked, weMinr tena is zy was that?’ Mary va remember what Chocolate had said. “Tt was just after you got before the door and prevented her from coming in the bedroom. She reproached you with not acting the > with her, and then added that you bad not acted rightly with some one else either.”’ A crimson blush flooded the girl’s face, and in con- fusion she bent down her head. Blaine’s keen eyes instantly read there a confirmation of the suspicion which the outspoken declaration of Chocolate had created in his mind. ‘Ge | his hand under the girl’s chin, he lifted up her head so that he could look into her eyes, but the white lids, tightly closed, hid the gray-blue orbs from sight. “So, sol’? he ejaculated, meaningly; ‘‘my little girl has a lover, eh?’ and then he released his hold pee the chin, and the shapely head sunk down again. ‘*Come, Mary, tell the truth,’ he said, coaxingly; “though I know I hardly need to say that, for I am sure if you speak you'll tell nothing but the truth, I am not at all vexed about it; why should Ibe? You are human, right in the spring of life, and with the warm blood of youth leaping lightly in your veins. It would be a miracle, in if you should not find some one to love. I do not expect that the blight of my existence is to hang forever over your life. It would be better for you if gh would forget that the sa holds, or ever did hold, such a man as John ne,’ *T would rather not speak,” she said, slowly, her is es ape pe to the yhin e's "id replied tem = ear , you mus ,”’ he replie - ly. Tt is my risk: to know all the particulars of the affair. Who is the man—what’s his name?”’ ‘*Oarlile Stewart,’ she replied, in a voice but lit- tle above a whisper. ‘* And who is he? Is he rich or poor?” ‘*Very rich, Chocolate says.”’ ‘Aha! that’s good!” and John Blaine rubbed his hands together, gleefully. ‘ And he loves you, eh?” ‘* He says so,”’ she murmured, softly. ‘*And you love him?” ‘““Yes—I could not help it, and yet I struggled sO | vely. long against it,” she rejoined, Jow and plain 21 *n Why should you try to helpit?” Blaine demand- ed, ‘**T—I thought of you,’ she murmured. “You little goose!” he exclaimed; “John Blaine has been as one dead to you for sete but for this accidental meeting to-night, it is possible that we should never have encountered each other. But, to tae to your lover. Has he asked you to marry 1im ?"’ “ Yes. 9 ** And Ne accepted!’’ Blaine exclaimed, perfectly | satisfied that he had guessed the truth. “No; I told him that I could not marry him,” the girl said, slowly. “The deuce you did!” he cried, in astonishment; “and why did ‘eo make ‘hat answer?” “T knew that you were alive; and I had a presenti- ment that I should see you soon.” ‘My dear Mary, this is worse than childish folly!” he protested, impatiently; “I am nothing to you now, nor youto me, Forget the past, entirely; mar- ry this man; he will make you happy. T will never trouble you. Only two persons in the world know the relationship existing between us, and those two are M Martin and John Blaine. I shall never speak of it, and a surely are wise enough to keep your own counsel, Come, you'll marry this fellow, won't you?”’ he asked, coaxingly. The girl shook her head. “* And why not?’ ‘*T would not deceive the man who loves me,” she replied, firmly. ‘Nonsense!’’ he exclaimed, fretfully, and an ex- pression of vexation passed over his face; “you need not deceive him; all that you need to do is to hold your tongue, I will not speak, and no one else can beside yourself,” The girl shook her head, but did not reply. Blaine looked in the quiet face for a few minutes and what he read there plainly revealed to him that no words of his would be powerful enough to alter the determination of the girl. The escaped felon had had some little experience with womankind during his sojourn on earth, and had y learned, long years before, how fruitless it was to attempt, by argument, to a a& woman's will. “Thope that you w ll reconsider your determina- tion some oa ‘he said, quietly; “but, remember, whether you do or not, you have my free consent to noth the man that you love; and I promise you that I will never trouble you in any way.” ‘“While you live I shall never marry,’’ was the solemn rejoinder. **Don’t say that, my dear, or you'll be apt to make me think that you are waiting and wishing for my death.” He spoke lightly; not a bit of seriousness in hismanner. ‘And now, to come from the clouds of sentiment down to the earth of actual life, let me see how I must plan to avoid the hounds of the law, who have been so close at my heels. It will hardly do for me to venture abroad after this chase to-night, for every policeman in New York will be on the alert, and of course my present disguise is known, I think, my dear, that the best thing that I can possibly do is to stay here until the affair is par tially forgottem For two or three days the officers will be hot after me, but after that, discovering no fresh clew to my whereapouts, they will grow care- less, relax in lance, and then I can probably mena to slip out of the city. There is no danger of their searching for me here Do you think that you can e it so that I can remain here for five or six days?” “Yes, but I shall have to confide in Mary,” the girl replied though : *‘Mary—that’s Chocolate, that smart little thing, eo was in here a little while ago?”’ he said. ** Yes, *T can take possession of this room here,” and Blaine pointed to the inner apartment. ‘The door can be kept closed, and no one except your room- mate will t that thereis any one here. I suppose Chocolate occupies the rooms with you?” Mary nodded assent. ze | judged so from what I overheard of the conver- sation between he two. There is no need, you know, to tell the girl the exact truth about the matter,” he said, thoug : “She is not at home at all in the daytime,” Mary said; “she works down town away in the morning and does not get home till night.”’ “That is good. She thinks that I am your lover, I believe?” ae Yes. ” ** Well, let her keep in that idea,” Blaine remarked, reflectively; ‘‘I look too young to pass for your fa- ther, if by accident she should happen to catch a nae at me; and I am sure that she would not be- eve that Iam your brother. The only bother is the reagon for my remaining concealed here, for she is too sharp not to something unless you give her a reasonable explanation. I have an idea!’’ he exclaimed, after a moment’s thought; “ you can tell her IT was concerned in the disturbance down in New Orleans, and am afraid of an arrest by the milita authorities. That will not seem like a crime to her,’ And the escaped convict laughed as lightly as though a human bloodhound was not ng his steps with relentless hate. THE LAWYER'S ADVICE. ELBERT VAN TRoMP was not altogether pleased with the way that affairs had gone with his cousin Ernes- tine and the suitor that he had presented, Captain Blackie; or, to speak more correctly, he did not like to see the love affair stand still as it was now doing, making no pores toward mar He had qu had her described the situation. Ernestine had confessed that she loved him, but candidly said that ree — a reason why she could not marry him at esent. And what that reason was, Elbert Van Tromp could not ae The family secret, which the girl had alluded to in such a mysterious manner, was a complete puzzle to him. But then he reflected that before the past three years he had not been very in- timate with his cousin, and he rightly guessed that the circumstances which had given rise to the family secret that prevented Ernestine from marrying the mau she loved had occurred before that time. Klbert had pondered long over the matter, and finally had come to the conchusion to question his e. oned Blackie, ane that gentleman | (E(0) Eomicbooks