Beadle's Dime Library, Vol. III, No. 29 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

ae, PN get a leaden _ that will cure all his ills. Revolving in his mind plans for circumventing his enemy, Cecil found himself in River street. Just across the way was an illuminated sign, the letters formed of glass brilliants, as follows: * 149 THE JUNGLE, 149" While Cecil was reading it, a hand tapped him lightly on the shoulder. “You have an appointment with Tiger Dick?” asked a voice at his elbow. Cecil turned with a start. He had not heard the man’s approach, It was McFarland, 2 “What do you know about my appointments? demanded Cecil, with a frown. : : “Your grace is in an ill-humor this evening, McFarland, meaningly. . “Who are you? What do you mean?” asked Cecil, the arrogance of his tone giving place to a tremor of apprehension, The man smiled, “I’m a sport as gets my beer-money from Tiger Dick,” he replied, in his natural voice, ‘* My handle’s McFarland, at your service.” ** And he stationed you here?” “'To waliz you up to the captain's office, as quick as you chipped in.” “Did he expert any one’’’ asked Cecil, careful not to commit himself. ‘“‘He ‘peared sorter confident as you'd come to time,’’ replied McFarland, with a prin. ‘‘Show ine to him,” said Cecil, with desperate calmness. The confidence of Tiger Dick in his power weighed like a hand of iron on the quailing soul of his victim. McFarland turned upon bis heel, and conducted him by the side entrance into the presence of the Tiger. He was reading a paper, but threw it aside at Cecil’s entrance, and greeted him, with a smile that chilled him to the heart. Mes: Prince! let me commend your gracious romptness. Accept the homage of your most huna- le liege,” He Dashed forward a chair, and Cecil seated him- self. ‘Let us have no shilly-shally, but come to busi- ness. What do you want?” ‘“An old want with me—money, for one thing,” said the Tiger, smiling. ‘‘ But before we proceed to *said ] rant he'll find me a slippery customer, and he may | | | ! ; Tiger Dick, the Faro King. toothsome morsel. His victim writhed under his words, but every quiver, every contraction of the muscles, ca a thrill of elight to the human er. ‘Oh, what a pretty tale to tell to the magistrates,” he said, in conclusion. ‘I seem to see the denscly- packed court-room; the spectators gazing in horror at the prisoner, while the judge dons his black cap and sentences him to be hanged by the neck until he be dead—-dead—dlead! And then the gallows—the Ea | surging throng—the yells and jeers—the awful mo- | | that, I have a little story which I wish to recount— | some reminiscences, in fact, which I know you will be pleased to have recalled. And what so appropri- ate, when friends meet, as to go over old times?’ ‘‘T care nothing for your reminiscences,” replied Cecil, with a frown, yet he could scarcely repress a shudder. ‘ You did not summon me here to listen to chin-music. Come, make up your game, and we'll have a square deal.” The old life was cropping out in his Bpeeens reap- pearing in the oe of slang peculiar the class iger. ‘Now, m represented by the Ti dear Prince,” protested the Tiger, with undisturbed equanimity, ‘you know my methodical way. I’m something of a conservative, and there's nothing like time-honored customs. From time im- memorial, newly-united friends have found their chief enjoyment in recalling the pleasant scenes of the past—with the enchantment of distance, you know. What better can we do than to follow the beaten path? ‘**But,”’ he pursued, an undercurrent of deep sig- nificance flowing beneath his air of complaisance, ‘*the story has some exciting pasenged. See, I am willing to treat you with perfect fairness,’ he pushed across the table one of two pistols that lay before him, ‘Ido not even request you to lay aside your speetacles, though they kill the glances of those in- nocent eyes of yours." ‘Keep your weapon,” replied Cecil, pushing it back to him. “If you had intended to shoot me, I should never have been here,”’ “That’s so, sport, as sure’s as you are a living man!” There was an intensity of earnestness in Tiger Dick's voice and look that made Cecil pale in spite of himself, ‘And now to my tale,” said the Tiger, recovering his bantering humor, It was a cruel story. All the wretched past was dragged into view, and its scenes of shame and in- iquity painted in such vivid colors, that it almost drove the listener distracted. Before it was half through, he sprung to his feet with livid lips and horror-distended eyes, and beads of agony glistening on his forehead, “Stop, you devil, he cried, thrusting his hand into the breast of his coat for his revolver. Not a musele of Tiger Dick's face moved, There was the smile of fiendish delight. Without an _ parent haste or perturbation, he took up one oO pistols, and with his elbow resting on the table, cov- ered Cecil Beaumont’s heart with the weapon. ani ie our rine Sate! Se ene my greeny 8. quietly, yet with a y purpose in eye. “Ww anova at want one of these here little bull- dogs, you can have your choice; but no mo this pit, if you please." : The cool tones of the Tiger, and the know 6 that nothing but a hair-trigger stood between and death, quieted Cecil's excitement, and he drew forth his hand and flung himself into his chair in desperation, Curse you! stow your gab and come to business. What do you want of me?” he asked, doggedly. * Softly, me noble juke!” said his vopeeere:, tor- mentingly. ‘ You interrupted me in the middle of my story. It has a denouement, which, I flatter my- self, is quite effective, and, withal, the most delight- ful part of the story.” Cecil shuddered. Mg ** And must I listen to you fiendish recital? The Tiger smiled his blandest smile, * Upon my soul, [see no way cut of it. “Go on,” growled Cecil, gnashing his teeth sav- agely. “ You hold trumps to-day; but, curse you! my turn will come, and you will find me equally merciful.” “That's right, Prince. 1 love to hear you talk in that way. It sounds like the good old days. Curse me! It makes me feel like a boy again! But to resume. Let me see, where did I leave off? Ohl’ He began azain, dwelling on each salient point, seeming to roll it under his tongue, like some A | , ment of breathless an! Spe ih then the drop and the distorted writhing of the doomed wretch!” **Stop! stop!’’ yelled Cecil, wrought to frenzy, With a swift motion he grasped one of the pistols @hich lay on the table, and at. the same time swept the other to the floor, The Tiger was taken com- pletely off his guard. Cecil’s head had been resting on his arms, and Tiger Dick did not look for sucha move as this. Cecil leaped to his feet, and covered the other with his weapon. “Ha! ha!” he cried, with exultation; “ what's trumps now?” Tiger Dick sat still; not a muscle relaxed; he re- garded the other with the same unchanged smile. “Curse you! why do you sit there, grinning like the fiend you are?’ demanded Cecil, surprised at the nonchalance of the other. Tiger Dick blew a curl of smoke from between his lips, and watched it with steady composure, as it ascended to the coiling. “Do you realize that only a feather’s weight bars your soul from perdition’’ asked Cecil, in greater wonder. “More than that,” answered Tiger Dick, with ap- parent unconcern. . ‘*More? What more?” The Tiger smiled, with a little shrug of the shoulders. He withdrew his cigar, blew another wreath of smoke into the air, and then, fixing his gaze upon Cecil with a magnetic intensity, said, simply: vs he gallows!”’ 4 All of the horrible scene that a moment before | had goaded him to ger stood out before his mind with blood-curdling viv dness. Shuddering, Cecil Beaumont sunk back into his seat, his arm falling to | his side as if struck wlth palsy, “Have some wine,” said the Tiger, pushing a de- | canter toward him; and Cecil accepted the invita- tion, the lip of the decanter clinking on the glass with the tremulousness of his hand, as he poured out the liquor, CHAPTER VL A DARK COMPACT. A SMILE of ipmpb curled Tiger Dick's lip as he noted the effect of his words. one see, Prince, we can’t afford to quarrel,’’ he said. ‘Will you come to the point, and tell me what you want of me? State your case and let me go.” Cecil strove hard to appear still master of himself; but the cool sareasm of the other had cut clear through the armor of bravado in which he had in- cased himself; and while he stiJl preserved a hollow show of boldness in his words, the tremor in his voice betrayed his weakness. **Gently, me noble juke,’ expostulated the Tiger, coolly. ‘* You have told me nothing of yo : Do you know, I am burning with curiosity to learn what has peppenad to you since last we met—say, soe that little game of hide-and-seek in New ork, “What is my life to you? If you look to me for money, you will find yourself sucking * dry le- mon,” “Money! Now, Prince, you know I scorn the sor- did ou Believe me, my interest in you is purely unse a) do you want?” “But, me lord, why so precipitate? It is true that, now that we are restored to each other, we may be of mutual benefit—” ‘Well, i your trump. Of what benefit can I be to you?” “Softly! You know we must make our game I know nothing of your present circumstanc that you are cashier of a bank.”’ ‘That has nothing to do with the case in hand,” “My dear Prince, every thing! The whole game depends on what’s trumps, you know, sa —may I ask its amount?” ‘* Curse you) what has that to do with the case? I suppose ii is the gauge by which you propose to me.”’ ‘Me noble juke, when will you disabuse your mind of that prejudice? Indeed, you wound me sorely by imputing such unworthy motives, It is o ™m friandly interest, in your prosperity, I sted know that you will gratif " me. In his bantering tones hen was aring of iron de- termination. pringng his teeth at his helplessness, Cecil re- “T draw a sal warn you that that is no indication of the my account.” “My liege, lam grieved to hear you say so. But then you were never very provident, as I remember, In the good old days, you could flip a penny about as quick as any sport I ever set eyes on. But this bank —it is a private concern?” “It is owned b ld Carrington and his son-in- law, David Powell." ‘*Mr. Powell is the president, and this Mr, Carring- ton the ‘silent partner,’ or, in other words, the mo- ‘I don’t question your disinterestedness; but what somewhat according to the runof the cards. As yet, es—only You have a of two thousand a year; but I length of ee et 5 Sm a a + ee ee rrr s aed what do you make of all this?” he de- manded, ‘‘Me noble juke!"’ cried the Tiger, enthusiastically, passing over Cecil's words, ‘more than half a doz- en years ago lhad an inspiration. Isaw that you were @ genius, aud made very cordial overtures, as you will remember, to the effect that we should cast our fortunes together, You were blind, Prince, and didn’t see it. Your rash hand overthrew the whole scheme. I forgive you—egad, ldo; for it was will played, and came devilishly near being a ten-strike —and the Tiger ran his fingers through his hair until they touched the livid scar on the side of his head—- *“but it was a mistake, Prince, a mistake, by Jove! for we could have made our fortunes—two such lightsas youandI], But perheps you thought that ter raking the board, you could play it alone?” he added, smiling. To one conversant with the circumstances, his hu- mor was ghastly. Cecil shuddered. “Stow all that,” he said, “and return to the pres- ent, and to business, What am I] here for?" “All in good time, me noble juke; but a Hetle more about yourself, if you please. May I ask who was the young lady I saw in your company this at- ternoon?” ** What do you want to drag her in for?’ demand- | gd Cecil, angrily, | ‘I know that Sunday-school people would call it a sacrilege, that the name of a pues young women should be on the lips of such fellows as you and }” *—his words were pointed by a momentary flash vf ' the eye, that struggled with a sneer—" but "—and the old bantering tone returned—*‘ You know me ¢3 & FpaD of taste; and, really, she is a prize for a prince,” “Did you summon me here to discuss the persen- _ al appearance of women? If so, you are welcor: » to pitta ets you choose to entertain, and we can end this meeting without further words," “Your hot temper, Prince—your old impetuosity ! How such things cling to a fellow. You haven | told. me who she is.”’ “Will it do you any good to know that she is Mr. | Powell's daughter?” ® as only one?” ** And called—”" | ‘** May, curse you!” * Re lly, Prince, your humor is sadly cholerie, this evening.” | “Go on with your catechism, and don't stop to comment, if you please," “To be sure, there are what might be consider: 1 extenuating clreumstances—something to interru) © the unruffled current,” persisted the Tiger, as smii- ingly as ever; but Cecil, writhing beneath his cool insolence, cut him short, ‘Is there anything more that you want to know?” “Patience, my lord, patience! Let me see—her name is May Powell; she is daughter of a wealthy banker, and granddaughter of another old money- bags in his dotage. My dear Prince, your relatiors with this charming creature!—ave they confidential? ’ “This is ‘oD Of what importance to you are my relations with Miss Powell?’ ‘Of what importance to me? Not the slightest in the world—only as your friend—as one deeply inter- ested in your welfare, yon know, But to you, eve- | rything. Whatever your shortcomings, you never incurred even the suspicion of obtuseness where money was concerned, It will be needless for me to | point out her attractions. My soul! a father with | one hand all the time in the and a grandfather a | Croesus, and in years! Come, comes you have not, oa yor eyes to this. Tell me that she is your en be scan Se ae a ES | “T am on terms of intimacy with her, if thatis any gratification to pete. a “That is the begi zr. But, of course, you have fallen madly in love with her—her eyes, her hair, ber form! The devil! one might easily fall in love with _ ascare-crow, if it were made of gold, But she—she is an angel with a form like a fairy, eyes that shan « _ the blue of heaven, and hair as yellow as her grat c- | father’s guineas, You have told her of this passion | —this upheaval of your whole nature—this maste: - | chord that sways our existence?" | P “ Yes!” grow Cecil, since there was no help f+ r. “And she-—ah! with the Prince at her feet, wh: t woman could say no? Keno! you're not an ogre, by any ai they were always ge1.- and— t ** Deal on!" Cecil, impatiently, “ Ask for what yoo want, Don't volunteerinformation, Your opin- ee oe A : e, how ung r) could Moa find it in her heart t to say you ee ene ve he affections our , made you the arbiter of her fate. Is it nob 8o?”’ «she engagec an yen eaepell The gods al gel nee, I cor ; © were al- wa, od to you. When you lay o ie. Age Tornoe e you.” wien a ‘Stow yo comeratale ons and drive ahead. Let's Me Tate she envinie' wlestite woah 1 ha rents’ an | of kind friends gnd.ielgnioret hy need! I rt. saw her hand — yourarm, You are happy in your love. Whenisthe auspicious occasion—the red-letter day of your conjugal calendar?” “No : N Gay bas set. ‘Eh? oisatfault? Not the lady, I'll be sworn. _ The father?—ah, those fathers! What said the grim parent, when you urged the matter?" ., Nothing. I have never urged it.” . ‘ ’ Show your hand, pard. What — ks holding back?” n his ney-man, I presume?’ Tiger Dick dro his air of irony, “That is the case.” > and returned to his natural ce along with its “ Socially, you go cheek-by-jow] with these nabobs, slang. of course?” | “Her father knows no about our engage- ‘*Why not?’ demanded Cecil, with a frown. ' ment,” said in d on, sai bites not, to be sure?’ laughed Tiger Dick. * The devil!’ “Egad! you were always a gentleman, me noble | Tiger Dick stared across the table, utterly bewil- juke. And as to any little squeamishness touching how one comes by one’s monev, demmy if the raste. boards ain't as respectable as hullint and bearing on Wall street, and cornering grain in Chicaro! Tlllay my pile on you, for as fine a gent as they turn out of the shons.”” Ticer Dick gaze with unfeiened admiration on his companion. Cecil frowned with impatierce, dered, Cecil sat frowning, evidently with no inten- tion of coming to bis relief, ‘** May I venture to ask why her parent is left in the dark?” said the Tiger. ‘You may venture to do whatever you think fit,” replied Cecil, quietly, with a resolute setting of the ps, | There was something in his manner that warned* — GEomicbooks me, *