Beadle's Dime Library No. 278 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

— ——... _ never forgets its cunnin’. ‘ ” a % . ad alia a ‘> - : a > . “ - : = «9 : on . : - ‘ . C “eS a % ae , “4h + * “ s Goldspur. figure of the little desperado. ‘I’m always on ‘fer a dozen bonanzas. What's thet girl ter you, hand, Lola, when I’m wanted. What’s up?’ — girl’s eyes lighted up at sight of the er. . ‘* Why doesn’t Ferd come?” “He will, when he realiz+s that Zoe is gone,” replied Pete. ‘‘ The news hit him like a ham- mer. | thought be wouldn’t give in that way. He says that he came too late an’ then talks about havin’ Hercules Goldspur’s blood. When he gits thet, Lola, it’ll be a cold day in You Bet —a sorter chilly wave.” “Why, Pete?’ ‘‘ Because ther giant’s no fool. He war upter snuff last night. Ther first trick hez been scooped in by ther Velvet Hand.” * And Ferd?’ ** Mad as a bull, he’ll foller.” Lola was silent for a moment, “I pity him,” she said, feelingly. ‘* Just when he expected to fold his child to his breast, Hercules Goldspur steps in between. kill that man!” The hands of the Mexican beauty clinched as | I could | she hisse! forth the sentence threatening The © Man of the Velvet Hand. “You kill him, Lola? Why, my little girl, thet velvet hand ov his could crush ye!” Instantly the girl’s eyes flashed. “*T will claimed. “ with him. I thanked him last night for saying ve bim an opportunity!” she ex- | e shall know m:; before we've done | Lola?” ‘* Nothing much; but sbe’s a good deal ter a certain man who came to You-Bet last night.” ‘* Workin’ fer another, eh¢—riskin’ yer throat fer some one else? Why, Hercules would as lief choke a woman—” ‘ Enough!” broke in the Mexican girl. ‘‘I shall not sbrink from that 4 tg hand he brags ov. I haveregistered an oathin Heaven. Lam oing to hunt him down. He shall give Zoe Gaal to her father. I, Lola, bave sworn that he shall! I, too, have a game to win!” | “Try iton, That’s my answer, not my ad- vice,” said Joe. ‘ But you'll rue the dav you started out ter hunt Ther Man o’ the Velvet Hand, Couldn’t Pigmy Pete do anything with 7” ‘* No,” laughed Lola, and before Joe could speak again, the girl spoke to her borse, and left him standing alone in front of bis ranch. After gazing after her for a moment, he walked back into the place and refreshed him- self with a glass of bis villainous decoction, “ Gone ter hunt Hercules, eh?’ be ejaculated, as he set the glass d.wn with a hearty emphasis. | Pll bet ten ter one that she gets scooped ther ou from Cold-Deck Carl’s grip—now I hate | im. He bas robbed Ferdinand Sutter of his daughter. He has run the girl off to keep her from bappiness and the old ranch in Arizona. ie give up his prize. I say so, I swear t! An impulsive stride carried her to the door, and she was about to rush from the hut when Pigmyv Pete wheeled upon her. ‘* Whar ar’ ye goin’?” he demanded. -“T shall strike the trail while it is hot!” ** Alone?” “Why not? Haven’t I told you that I am not afraid of that silken hand which cbarms people even while is chokes them? I know where my horse is.” A good-by glance followed the last word, and a bound on the girl’s part left Pigmy Pete the sole occupant of the cabin. ‘She'll go!” he aga “Stir that girl’s blood an’ you make a she wild-cat-ov her. I[ couldn’t keep ’er back. She’s got a head oy ber own, an’ she’s willin’ ter put it ag’in’ Goldspur’s. Confound her! let er go!” As for Lola she walked rapidly from the town to a thicket near by, which she penetrated ‘and found two horses, one of which she led away. ‘*Pigmy Pete may follow if he desires. I shall not ask him to help me,” she said. ‘““What! Lola afraid of Hercules Goldspur? The thought is ridiculous!” And a light, fear- less Iaugh rippled over the lips of the black-eyed In less than a minute afterward tle girl was mounted on the horse wuose head she turned to the north as if confident that Hercules Gold- spur had gone in that direction. By this time You-Bet was fully astir, and as she rode er the gambliug-den a man rushed out aud seized the brid.e of her steed. It was Joe, the proprietor of the shebang. ‘Goin’ away, en?” he exclaimed, looking up into Lola’s face. ‘* It looks like it, doesn’t it?’ “T should remark. You'd better not go, Thar ar’ Injuns in the neighborhood.” 4“ No?’ They war within a mile ov town last night, aa’ the Express nearly ran inter a gang ov ’em near ther Devil’s Gap. You'd bet- ter not go.” Lola laughed. “T was partly raised among Indians,” she said. ‘‘ You'll bave to frighten me some other way, Joseph.” ‘““By George, I will!” ae gn George, do you mean?” smiled the “Not by a long shot. If you're goin’ arter Hercules, et me advise you to stay byar.” Lola started slightly. ‘What do you know, Joseph?” 4 P That the Velvet Hand took a big trick last Wee pre boc Eck respoose, in a lowered one . ) oe awa n’ left ao. Se howe “This” was a bit of paper which Joe dis- played to Lola’s gaze as he finished, and the girl took-it eagerly from his hand, The next minute she had read: “To Wuom My Act DISPLEASES:— “Zoe an’ lare pards. Don't follow us. My hand t Pardon the boast. ** HERCULES UR,” From the brief message left behind, Lola looked down into the quizzical face of the saloonist of You-Bet. ‘* Don’t follow us!” she laughed. ‘“ And, ‘my hand never forgets its cunning.’ Those _ Words would stop you, Joseph?” pe revs fittang me ef they oughtn’t to check any one _ Who knows ther dandy clipper what writ ’em,” > Wes the answer, “I wouldn’t foller him now ——_—_—_—_—_—- - —_—_ —- — ee ————— I eS a Oe ee eee —eeyEeEeEeEeEe wee NR first game,” . “Pl take thet bet ef it lays me flat on my back,” Joe wheeled instantly at sound of the voice, and the speaker walked forward with a pair of sparkling eyes in his head. ‘‘ Why didn’t you stop ’er, Pigmy?” cried Joe, as he recognized his visitor. ‘* Stop that girl? stop Lola?’ exclaimed Pigwy Pete. *“* Kin ye stop a Northern Pacific Express by standin’ on ther track?” ‘Wal, parsiy, Pigmy?”’ ‘Then I couldn’t stop Lola, ter go.” The next instant Joe strode to where the dwarf stood, and his hand fell like a trip-hammer upon his shoulder. a ye married ter Lola?” he asked. : 0,’ “ That’s a blessed thing for yer feelin's, fer ef ye war, Vigmy, an’ she fools with Hercules Goldspur’s plans, ye’d be a bloomin’ widower, af’ vo mistake. She’s only yer pard, hey?’ * That's all,” ** Wal, my opinion is thet ye’ll soon hev ter look out fer another poker queen.” ‘Pil trust thet gal. Isaw her tackle a griz- zily once, an’ I guess Hercules is no worse.” ‘* Worse than twenty b’ars. It’s not ther fel- lar’s eyes ner his strength, but it’s that infer- nal hand, ez soft ez cotton, but sure as death itself,” Joseph, otherwise plain ‘‘Joe,” seemed to have a dread of the giant’s hand, and a shudder passed over bis frame as he went back to his usual station. , ‘* Changin’ ther subject, Pigmy,” he said. ‘I wonder what’s become ov ther Happy Rattler an’ his jong-eared pard? Kicked ther daylights out ;ov my b’ar last night, yer know, but a bundred paid all damages an’ gave me a decent rofit besides. He’s a jumper, be is, an’ eorge, his pard, talks business with his hind legs.’ At that moment the Happy Rattler and his donkey were not in the mos; comfortable of sit- uations, She war bound CHAPTER XI. ON HIS MUSCLE, HERCULES GOLDSPUR and Zoe had left You- Bet together. In the night, shortly after Ferdinand Sutter’s vow to take bis child back to the home in Ari- zona, the door leading to Zve’s little apartment Was opened without n ise, and the stalwart fig- ure of The Man of the Velvet Hand crossed,tbe room with the tread of a cat. His hand fell upon the white wrist of the sleeping girl. ‘‘ The time has come,” he said in reply to Zoe’s stare. ‘‘ We leave You-Bet,” ‘‘ Never to return?’ ‘* Circumstances must decide,” “You are taking me from those who seek me?” as Yes,” ‘*From mv father. ‘*That is true,” ' Zoe hesitated and drew back. ‘** We must go,” said Hercules in determined tones, bis soft hand tightening percepmbly around Zoe’s wrist. ‘‘I have said that they should not bave you without my consent. | cannot give it now.” ‘Why not?’ ‘* Because, to the words I heard to-night, I have said No. I prémised you, Zoe, that before long vou should decide between usall. I am The Man of the Velvet Hand. There are worse men than me in Idaho—in You-Bet, at this very moment. Mebbe I'll discard my nick-names one her a days. But I can’t talk here. Cone, Without further remonstrance Zoe left the room with the giant, his hand stil) at her wrist, and the two glided from the building across the os to two horses already caparisoned for a e, : ee. ere they finished bim. Taking the girl in his strong arms, Hercules Goldspur placed Zoe upon one of the steeds, and mounted the other himself. Triumph lighted up the giant’s eyes, and they flashed with pride as he regarded tbe girl at his side, ' Away went the two horses side by side, and their Loofs sounded over the mountain trail as they left You-Bet behind, Suddenly Hercules burst into a laugh. ‘‘ Zoe,” be said, turning upon his companion as it ended, ‘‘ you ought to bave seen me give the red-skins a feast to-night!” ‘‘ The Indians?” exclaimed Zoe, come back to You-Bet?” ‘* Yes. 1 caught a victim, dragged bim to the red devils, and flung him headiong into their midst. Ha! ha! how he must bave cursed me He’s the chap who war goin’ ter draw a blood-line round this district. He'll never do thet, Zoe—never!” The girl beard the giant through in silence, but with ber gaze riveted on his face. She seemed to understand, yet his tones seem- ed to convey a mystery to her ears. ‘- Zoe,” he went on, ‘‘the manI served thus wanted you.” ‘* Not my father?” No ‘* Cold Deck Car]?” ‘“That’s the fellar. He pitched headlong among ther red-skins when I gave him a gentle tors, Whar is he now?- He'll never play ag’in’ Lola’s diamonds any more.” For somé miles further on neither spoke a word, and the first sound of a human Voice was the slight one with which Hercules stopped both steeds. : ‘* Thar’s suthin’ ahead,” he said, with a glance at Zoe as he dismounted, and then she saw bim enter the bush-fringed pass at whose mouth they had halted. Although Zoe watched him intently she soon saw him disappear, With a revolver in his left hand, Hercules Goldspur glided down the guich,making no noise whatever with his feet, which seemed to choose the owe over which they advanced. — - an at once he halted and then put up his pistol. ‘* Pshaw! two hands ar’ worth a dozen revol- vers in a place like this,” he murmured, ‘‘Z e an’ I ar’ not the only people out ter-night. Hyar come some sneaks whose wind will be choked off before they know I’m around.” His keen ears had heard the sligbt noise made by the two creeping figures that were advanc- ing up the ravine, and a moment later bis watcbful eyes detected them. oir" ‘‘Red-skins!” be almost hissed. “I hevn’t felt an Injun’s wind pipe fera year, butI hevn’t lost my grip. Come on, my red chegubs, [Pm hyar with the usual compliments ov Hercules os Goldspur.” ‘a Nearer and nearer came the gliding red-skin now plainly seen by the man whose figure couk not be seen for the bushes among which be crouched. , dekh. Dre _A faint smile played with the white man’s — ips. . He watched the Indians, confident of victory. _ At last the two red skins were opposite his station, and all at once be darted atthem, with a Jow crv which brought them upon their feet. | * Oo, i'’s me, reddies!” fell from bislips. At the same moment a band shot at each a b the Indians’ throats, and closed on them with a wonderful ve vei fingers ashe smotetheir beads _ together with the ease of a Samson. itt > “I'm in my element row!” be ejaculated,as thwack! thwack! went the skulls of the red- De i; skins together, with @ noise that wasterribly suggestive of broken heads, *: va e handled the bucks as he con'd ‘eve han- | ES dled a pair of beliigerent childre., » .u the wt - @ most ease, and without seeming to txbisgreat strength, Mere “I guess ye’r presentable now,” he said at lust starting toward the spot where he had left Zoe, dragging the Indians on either . moved over the ground. : He reappeared to Zoe with fire in his e nap ov my friends, Zoe!” he laugt ing the unconscious Indians for her i tion. * Tuey’re the adaresbe dia Poor en > lhe thet ain’t a mile away. It’s ther scan end’ ft what trimmed Cold-D. ck down., Gcin’ back to You-Bet. See! I’ve bumped ’em together till they’ve gone ter sleep.” | £ Retae he sight of two half-naked and unconscious Indians with bleeding heads was not a plea: yen one for Zoe, and she turned away with shud- od 4 Lot ear ‘** Have they “/- pare side ashe 8 hold- > oe. er.. ‘* We'll leave ’em hyar.” said Hercules. — ‘‘Mebbe we'll bev a tussle with the others butl won’t seek it. Thar waratime,Zoe—” = He stopped. The noise that called forth baa also ski gy Pra ears. | +e e turned in time to see the flittiz, g« Ser that came from the direction from 5 Are. a ‘ had dragged his victims. ae. aa the girl’s “Hark!” ‘a The next instant the ravine run vee *: ‘* Down on yer ho Zoe!” c , Cx “Turn an’ ride fer life, but stop at r Nas rs creek we crossed,” eee IO0O <€om (E ww - _ “4 = S y SS @ } f