Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. 25 ling revelation in that line of business, I’ll play melodrama to your comedy. But, sit down, old man, sit down, I'll relinquish the cousinly aalute untii I have proved that I’m wortby of it. Sit down!” Ke+ilogg, himself, took a seat, but bis uncle remained standing, a nervous Ypres ee | per- ceptivle about bis bands and a lookof disgust anc something more on his face. He bad the courage to try to throw his visitor from the hvuse, but be remembered that he was his sister’s child and forced himself to practice for- bearance, Toe younger man had an insolent triumph about him that aroused all of Zora’s indigna- tion, while the fumes of liquor floated across the room to hercorner. She could no longer remain silent. ‘‘For shame, Horace Kellogg!” she said, quickly. “Is this the way you should talk to a man of father’s years?” ‘‘Never mind, my pretty Puritan; I'll get around to you anon, but soon enough for your Jiking.” **1'd like it better if you kept out of my sight altogether.” **No doubt, but you see, I won't,” “You did not talk so bravely as this when ‘you tried to force your company on Miss Law- rence and found a man there to talk to you.” ‘‘ Another county heard from! So Al BSter- ling bas gone about boasting of that affair. Let bim boast; Til get at him again, one of these duys.” “You had better not, without taking a sur- geon with you.” ‘‘Indeed, my beauty! Well, I know your long tongue, and won’t waste words with you; only let me say one thing; I’m coming to you directly, and when I do, you will think an ‘ourthquake bas struck. Uncle Nate, give your attention, for I have a word to say.” L «kyard sat down, *S.y it quickly then,” he replied. ‘On, slow and easy is well enough for me, and Pil put enough vim in what I say to make amends for slowness. Something like t'iis: Miss Z va, youtbiok you are the beiress of a fortune, You are vot, Neither are you Nate L ckyard’s daughter!” Tile » ords these seemed to Zora, but, much itty her surprise, her father gave a very percep- tible start. “Ana! the shot goes home!” chuckled the ‘you.g villain, ‘‘Uocle Nave feels it, for he koows it’s true. Zora, the Lord only knows v ho you are—perhaps your bistory isbetter left manteid and ushinted at—but you are not Lock- yard’. daugiiter!” Toe girl looked at the money-lender with ter- ror expressed oa her fac, and there she saw ep ui to briog her from her chair and to his ‘fee “Fiutber! father!” she cried, “say that this is notso! SayI am your child! For Heaven’s suk, don’t sav no!” There was a depth of feeling. a tragic earnest- ess in her voice which few people would have given her credit for, but K-llogg’s unfeeling Tuugb came in as a disagreeable and almost de- aoniac interpolation, But no one heeded him; perbaps no one heard him. Lockyard was thinking only of Zora, * You are my child—the cbild of my heart!” the cried. : ‘‘Law and hearts are two different things uncle Nate, You know that not one drop of vour blued runsin the veins of this girl, this vra— Zounds! whatishername? A child of the gutter, fatherless, motherless—” “Stop!” almost thundered the money-lender. “4 Not another word, sir. I cast the lie back in ‘your teeth. If God, in his infinite wisdom, has not seen proper to make ber my child in fact, he bas, at least, given her an ancestry as honorable as that of any one. No child of mys- tery is she, but ber'fatber and mother were m dearest friends in former days. even as she is my one great treasure now. For, come what will, l love my cbild and I will stand between her and all storms!” Lockyard spoke in an earnest and ringing voice, and bis mild face was full of a lofty and noble fervor. Zora lay in his arms, quivering pitifully, but ber face was hidden and she said no more, ‘All very well, and we’ll let that part pass,” said Horace, flippantly. ‘I don’t care whether sbe comes of hovel or palace; but one thing is cer ain, she is not your heiress. She is not your dauzbrer, and I am next of kin!” Kel ogg arose and stretched out one hand to- wari the girl. , Put me the impostor!” he added. “ Put her ovt and give me my rights! Iam your heir, and [ demand treatment due me as such!” Had the speaker been sober be would scarcely have made such a demand in a land where men are free to leave their property as they see fit. ** You will receive the treatmeht you deserve and none other!” Lockyard retorted. “1 demand my rights!” ‘‘ Peace!” said the money-lender more gently. “You have been drinking, Horace, and do not know what you say.” “Don’t If’ the fellow retorted. “I'll soon show you. Look ye, my worthy uncle, I’ve been wade a cut’s-paw by those who knew me better than I knuw myself, but [ am set right at last and I'll bave my rights. Open your money-drawers and give me your gold!” He put out bis hands and advanced a step. A dangerous light was in his eyes and he seemed scarcely conscious what he did. Lockyard shivered and wisbed for Sterling’s return, while Zora turned at the sound of his voice and turned paler yet. “Money! money!” the young villain re- peated, ‘‘Tll bave it or strangle you where you sit!” ‘* Stand back or I'll call for help!” Lockyard exclnimed. ‘*You won't call but once; you won’t call at all!” was the fierce reply. ‘‘Tll settle you at once!” With this cry he sprung forward. The older man tried to rise, but was forced back by stronger hands, and then, as Zora uttered a scream, the assassin hands closed over Nathan Lockyard’s throat. CHAPTER XXXTII. A STORY OF BURIED TREASURE, THAT evening Jack Bunker and Warfield met in one of the lowest saloons of the town by ap- pointment. Lines bad become so sharply drawn since Bennett was captured that they dared not meet in Warfield’s room, as usual. Bunker bad induced Kellogg to go to bed and hoped that he would remain there until bis overdose of liquor worked off—though the reader has seen he did ot. Warfield was the last to arrive at the saloon. He found Bunker at the further side, where the miners were scattered, and be sauntered over to him as though it was a chance meeting. ‘*So you’ve got along,” growled Jack, : oe Not so loud,” said Warfield, warn- ngly. ‘What're you afraid of?” ** Listeners are what I’m afraid of,” was the sharp reply. — Do you s’pose men kin hear supernatur- ally?” Warfield looked about, but only one man was near them. Daddy Clover was sprawled out over a chair and table, a favorite position of his, and breathing stertorously. A more inno- re looking object than he it would be bard to D ‘*Let us lose no more words, Bunker; I have come to talk business.” ‘* Blaze away!” ‘*Tam going to leave the Bend.” ‘* Ts that so?” te Yes.” ‘* Because I mean to keep oe precious skin out of trouble if I can, and it is clear our da with Lockyard is past. Matters have gone all wrong, and it is only a question of time when ou and | get roped in like Bennett if we stay ere. }] don’t meantostay. I’m going to get out of the Bend on the run.” ‘*TIn that case, you git no pay.” ** T don’t want any, and if I did I don't believe I should get it from you. You don’t look like a millionaire.” Warfield spoke lightly, but Bunker took offense at once. ** Don’t ye make no mistake, pard. A ragred coat don’t always kiver an empty pocket. Ez fur me, I kin buy you up, ten times over.” ‘*Got the money about you now?” “Tl tell ye whar ’tis, mister,” said Jack, bel- ligerently. ‘‘ Under my cabin thar is fifty thou- sand dollars buried, all mine an’ all good money. Kin you beat that? Mebhe, too, we think Ae kin get it on ther sly. Wal, let me say ther critter don’t Jive that kin take it away while Jack Bunker lives!” ‘Nonsense! Do you suppose I am fool enough to try? I know your way, gentle Jack, and don’t hungrr for a ae of lead. But do you intend to remain here alco aes not answer at once, **T sw’ar I don’t know what ter do,” he final- ly said, “I hev played fur a big stake an’ bate ter lose, but Ihev a due t fur ther law. I’ve about made up my mind terlevant; so near it, in fact, that I have let Hod Kellogg into a Jeetle secret o’ interestterbim. Zora Lockyard is no more than an adopted darter, an’ I’ve said ez much ter Kell an’ put him on ther track.’” ** Look here, Bunker, what sort of a wizard are you?’ How do you happen to know so much about Lockyard?”’ Jack chuckled grimly. ** Never you mind,” be replied. ‘‘ Mebbe I'll tell yesome day, but ef Ido you will be ’ston- ished. Wait till then!” : Murder was in Horace Kellogg’s heart and murder would soon have been upon bis bands, but there came a timely interruption. Zora’s cries had not been in vain, as a quick bie 0 proved, and as the young villain compres : rae Goel neck still tighter, he was suddenly se and flung backward so forcibly that he fell flat on the floor. And in a moment more a heavy foot was | sss sss lanted on his breast and the tall form of artholomew Blake stood over bim like the stern avenger he was. ** Vile wretch!” exclaimed the Deacon, * you have at last reached the point I have predicted for you, and tried to dye your hands im human blood, Woo be to Big Nugget Bend that such men live within her limits!’ ‘Let me up!’ hissed Horace, writhing like a wounded snake. ‘* Let me up, curse you! or I will have your blood!” ‘* You over-rate your power,” was the steady reply. ‘‘ Try to your utmost, if you wish, and see the result.” ‘* There’s another time abead.”, ** Not for you, sir, for you bave gone to the length of your rope. retched man, do you suppose your share in the late plot against this worthy gentleman could be kept secret? All is known, and Buoker, Warfield and yourself shall keep young Bennett company in his cell. Your trial and sentence to prison will follow in due time.” i Deacon Stonefist spoke in a voice which chill- ed Kellogg’s biood, The liquor cleared away from bis brain a little and lett bim the coward he really was. Dropping all pretense to firm- ness, he pleaded for mercy, nothing more. He swore that if they would release bim he would leave Big Nugget Bend and never again be seen by any of them, The sting of bis fingers was still on Lock- yard’s neck, but the old man remembered that ne was his dead sister’s child and would have told Blake to free bim at once bad not the latter prevented it by a sign. Instead, cords were brought and the fellow secured despite all his pleading. ' ‘** Later,” said Stonefist, ‘‘ you can use mercy if you will; that is not for me to say. Now, however, let justice proceed. 1 have under- taken to do the work confided to me by Lawyer Wisecraft and I sball abate no jot or tittle of righteous vigor. The men who have plotted against you must all be seized to-night and the majesty of law vindicated. I have tried to re- form Big Nugget Bend by gentle means, but I see the heavy hand of law is needed. One ex- ample may make the other misguided men see their sins, They did not argue with him, and when Allen Sterling returned he went away. Zora went to the money-lender with a pitiful look on ber face, her lips trembling perceptibly, ** W bat is it, child?” be kindly asked. ‘* Is it true that I am not your daughter?” | ‘‘It is true,” he said, caressing ber hair, ‘*We are of no kin by the tie of blood, but stronger than that is the tie of the beart. You are my adopted cbild and I love you as tender- ly asa father could.” ‘*And my own parents?” “They were frie: ds of mine, the truest I ever bad, Your fatber was my school-friend; your mother, a fair, loving and noble woman. eatb came to them when you were a mere babe, and in that hour I promised to care for you always, It wasnot a part of the agree- ment that you should be known as my own child, but I soon learned to love you so that I could not bear to be loved less in return than as a father.” ‘‘ And as such you shall always be loved,” she said, putting aside all regret for the gratt- tude she owed bim. ‘**One thing Ido not understand,” added the money-lender, frowning thoughtivily. ‘* How cia Horace know you were not my davughtert I did not suppose any one west of the sippi, except myself, possessed the secret.” ora suggested that they ask the prisoner, but when it was done they were not much the wiser, Jack Bunker bad told bim, he said, But who was Jack Bunker? A village des- ado, who was not Sipe to know any- hing beyond the acts of drinking, gambling und acting the desperado, Kellogg did not see fit to reveal all, and they were still left in ignorance of the fact that Bunker bad laid, and led, the plot to rob them. But resting knew little more about bis evil genius than did they, and the secret of Bunker's power was yet to be revealed. In the meanwhile, Blake had gone cut and mustered enough honest men to seize Bunker and Warfield. He bad taken up Old Ketcbum’s tug of war in earnest, but the miners would not follow bim until] some of them had interviewed the old Jawyer and received his assurance of apr in case of trouble. one honest man was made sberiff, and Bunker and Warfield were arrested. We need not pause to tell of their wrath and assumed indignation; enough that they were seized and confined where they could do no barm, neither escape from the just vengeance of law. mo Ay So this work done, Deacon Stonefist went to cabin of Ben Polleck, and as for Miss Lawrence, He found ber with Betty, as — 1, and the small girl looked at bim belliger- en . z Blake stated that he had come from Ol Ketchum, who wished to see her, and Althea qeickty uae on her hat and shaw! and aco m- Pdigoati . Betty was left t to her vast on. EONNIE OOOKS (E@)