Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

_ and assailed the wayfarer with gleaming 10 possession, all save those favored few were left sullen wall-flowers. With native cunning Yellow Tandy made bis arrangements. A woman was stationed close to each light, and these they were to extinguish ata signal agreed upon. alf a dozen of the stoutest negro men were ready to rush in and lend their aid when the ball fairly opened. Just as the second waltz came to an end, and the flushed whites led their partners up to the bar, a strangely deformed figure rushed into the room and shambled up to them. It wore the ragged dress of a woman. Head almost touched its knees, and a huge hump tow- ered above its shoulders. A flaming bandana ’kerchief was wound around its head, the free ends drooping over and obscuring the fea- tures, ** De good Lawd, gemmans!” came a cracked and wheezing tone from the nondescript as the whites glanced around at the sound of the thumping cans which aided the footsteps of the deformed crone. ‘‘Dar’s blood onde face ob de moon, an’ dar’s gwine fo’ to be weepin’ an’ wailin’ an’ gnashin’ ob teef in de houses ob dem what lub you-dem, ef de angel ob de good Lawd don’ stretch out be mighty han’ to sabe you 1n dis hour ob drefful need—’deed an’ double ’deed dar des ts !” ‘*The Witch of Endor!” laughed one of the young men, staring at the curious object with wine-bleared eyes. ** Kick the old idiot out of the room!” brutal- ly cried another, stepping forward as though about to suit bis action to his words. Instead, they all caught a glimpse of a tall figure rising out of that deformed bundle; then the lights went out. A wild, fierce yell rent the darkness, and then the young bloods were assailed by what seemed to be a steam-engine gone mad, so fierce and heavy came the blows, knocking them here and there, beating down their attempted guards and giving them no time or opportunity to draw a weapon to defend themselves. The women scattered with terrified shrieks, The stalwart negroes rushed in to complete the work so well begun by Moke Horner, and it seemed as though the young bloods would have to pay full price for their amusement before tie end came. Yellow Jack Tandy was peas. nervously before the door, when he was caught by Moke Horner, who was satisfied with the work al- ready done, and together the twain ran swiftly away through the night, knowing that the wild uproar wou'd soon bring the police down upon um Jinny’s place. As he ran, the Boss Roustabout tore off the rags with which he had so cunningly disguised himself, dropping them in the street, soon show- ing himself again. ** You fink de boys’ll let ’em go without kill- in’?’ panted Tandy, as his leader slackened bis pace, beginning to feel at a safe distauce from the scene of the disturbance, **Cuss em! who care?” savagely grated the negro, his eyes glowing redly through the dark- ness Of the narrow alley. ‘ What dey keer ef dey killus? Yit we freemen, you an’ me, boy. e free as dem white trash, in name, dat Is. What right dey got to come an’ kick us out when we "joyin ourselbes? What ae say you git, or go on stone pile? What right take way our fe like dat, eh? Debble burn ’em alibe say J!” ; “Don’t keer how many killed, only mebbe it git foun’ out you ’n’ me was dar. Dat hurt!” muttered Tandy. His arm was tightly gripped by Horner, whose keen eye bad caught ‘sight of human figures lurking at the mouth of the narrow alley through which they were making their way. ** Hist! somebody dar—mebbe de bobbies to ketch us!” he softly breathed, glaring keenly nhead in the effort to solve his doubts, for or against. Just beyond stood a dimly-buruing street lamp, and just at that juncture a tall figure came beneath it, moving down the street, and then two dark forms darted out of the alley weapons, 7 A startled cry of pain, then the tall figure reeled and fell to the ground, the assassins tum- bling over him. A short struggle, then came a sharp report and bright flash from a pistol, fired by one of the prostrate trio. All this occurred with lightning-like rapidity, and the man was down before the negroes could ery Out Or move a hand to save the assailed; but then, with a grating oath of generous rage, Moke Horner darted forward, striking out sav- azely at the uppermost figures with a heavy slung-shot which he, in common with most of his class at that time, carried, His blows failed to take complete effect, owing to the deceptive shadows and the rapid movements of the assassins, but it was sufficient to alarm them, and they rolled away and leaped to their feet with startled cries: “The bobbies—skin ont, mate!” grated one, darting away. Sure enough the police bad taken alarm at the cries and the pistol shot, and Moke was on the point of taking to his heels, lest he be arrested | A F ~e a) ake he as the murderer, when he caught a glimpse of the pale, bloodstained face, and cried aioud: ‘*De good Lawd! it’s Marse Dingeon—killed dead!” . He flung the limp figure over bis shoulder and fled at top-speed through the alley, closely fol- lowed by Yellow Jack Tandy. CHAPTER VIII. FRIENDS MAY DOUBT, BUT TRUE LOVE NEVER. ‘* DRUSILLA, it is almost time! Once more I beg of you to retire with your mother, and leave me to face these men alone when they come, Do not oblige me to order you, child ba The night had passed, the day had crept along until the clock was almost ready to strike three, and in the shade-darkened library sat Horace Ward, Melicent, his wife, and their only child, Drusilla. All of them bore traces in their faces of the trouble which had so unexpectedly come upon them, but the wan, never very strong wife showed the effects most Singh! A true wife and loving mother, she lived only for her husband and her child; and though Hor- ace Ward, knowing how very feeble her health had grown, tried to keep the truth from her un- til all should be settled in one way or the other, she read his trouble in his uneasy eyes, and he felt obliged to tell her all. It came like a per- sonal blow, for she had grown zeny fond of the talented young lawyer since she knew the vir- gin heart of her dear child had gone out to meet his, and long before this fatal night she secretly looked upen Marcus Dingeon asason. It was with her knowledge and consent that he avowed his love that night, and it was ber motherly love for them both that lent her strength to assume all the weight and responsibility which rests on the hostess on such an occasion, leaving Drusilla perfectly free after the customary greetings were fairly over. Northern born and bred, Mrs. Ward had never grown accustomed to the enervating—to her constitution—airs of the South, and she was forced to spend each summer further North. She seemed more feeble than usual this spring, and in her case the blow had been almost more than she could bear. Yet sbe bravely insisted on bearing her daughter company and lending her support through what she feJt must prove a terrible ordeal for all concerned. Drusilla, with her flushed cheeks and spark- ling eyes, least of all showed the effects of the exciting scene of the past evening; but those who loved her best knew that she was feverish, her nerves strung almost to breaking. “Do not, father,” hastily replied Drusilla, with her red lips quivering alittle. ‘ For the first time in my life I would feel obliged to dis- obey an order from your lips. I must stay—I must be where I can hear and see all—where L can show my love and perfect faith in the very face of the cowardly plotters who are seeking to destroy your confidence in one who is high above them as Heaven is above Hades! Do not ask me—let me stay here until the end.” Horace Ward frowned a little at her impul- sive speech. is If Lhe story told by that man should prove true? **Father—true?_ I’d sooner believe the angels in heaven were false to their holiest vows!” “Yet that wretch told a terrible straight tale!” half-groaned the merchant, his hands working uneasily in each other as he glanced toward the clock. ‘‘There was no weak spot nor flaw in it, that I could detect—” **Save in his choosing such a pure and hon- orable mark for his poisoned shafts!” swiftl interposed the maiden, her eyes all aglow wit love and faith. “Yet it may be true. Remember that Mar- cus confessed that he knew nothing positive re- garding his life before he was adopted as the son of Judge Vingeon, and of that event he can only remember what the good man told him as he ey on his death-bed.. It may be true, though I would give half my fortune to be as- sured that it was false!” ‘There may bea particle of truth mixed in with the vile mountain of lies,” said Drusilla, a little more calmly. ‘‘ Marcus does not deny his being a foundling; what he does deny is having ever entered into a shameful compact with this degraded wretch to conceal the truth, I will never believe that he was guilty of such wrong, until his own lips condemn him!” “It is hard for me to believe it of him—but despite my wish to think him honorable, I can- not overlook the facts as presented by that de- graded wretch. : ; “ Threatened as that villain must have tbhreat- ened him, loving you as he did, even then, and knowing that such a shameful record of the past must forever place a gulf between you two, it would not be so strange that, without thinking at first where the deceit might lead him, he should yield and 4 to still the cruel tongue with gold. And after the first false step, others would follow as a matter of course,” oN . : _** With others, perhaps, but not/ with him!” was the impulsive reply of. the/ loyal-souled maiden, ‘Mather—” | | SS C—O ee Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. The striking of the clock checked her words, and the warm flush died out of her cheeks and one. hand went to ber breast as though each one of those silvery chimes was a bitter blow that found the center of her heart. The same cold, crushing spell fell upon them all, Mrs. Ward was taken with a shivering fit, and though she strove with all her feeble powers to conquer the feeling, she sunk back in her chair with a low, gasping moan, white as a corpse. Greatly agitated, Horace Ward leaped for- ward and caught her in his arms. She had fainted outright, and he carried her out of the room, Drusilla following. A servant was dispatched in hot baste for the doctor, and as he left the house, he met a policeman in private clothes, accompanying a man whose form shook and quivered like one sorely afflicted with the ague, James admitted them to the house and con- ducted them into the library, stiffly standing guard just within the door, as though he sus- pected them of being bent on theft or some more heinous crime. Shortly afterward the doctor came, and when satisfied that his wife was in no immedi- ate danger, Horace Ward went down to the library, accompanied, though much against his will, by Drusilla, Shaky Joe rose from his seat with a bow so deep that it savored strongly of mockery, but neither father nor daughter recognized it by word or look, seating themselves in silence, Shaky Joe, looking much cleaner and less di- lapidated than on his former visit, smiled until his teeth were visible, and took his revenge ina characteristic fashion. ‘The rogue is here, your honor, on time, but the honorable gentleman—where is he? The hour was three, if 1 mistake not. It is now half an hour late, unless your clock is fast.” The policeman scowled menacingly at the audacious rascal and muttered sternly: “You hold your hush until the gent says speak!” Shaky Joe turned on him with a savage snarl. ** You have done your share of the job in see- ing that 1 kept the appointment of last night. There is no charge laid against me, that I know of. Keep still, you /” ‘* There will be—a charge of attempted black- mail—unless you can fully substantiate the vile tale you told me last night!” sternly exclaimed the merchant. Shaky Joe {mmediately cooled down, his voice smooth and respectful as he made reply: ‘‘IT do not blame you for speaking harsbly, for | would do the same in your place and un- der the same circumstances. Last night I- was half drunk, and hardly accountable for my words or actions—” **Then you come to beg pardon—to take back the charge you brought against Mr. Dingeon?” eagerly cried Drusilla, her glorious eyes all aglow as she leaned forward in ber ardor, Shaky Joe gazed intently into the lovel for a moment or two, then shook his hea slowly replied: “No, miss—and for your sake I am sorry that I can’t give you a different answer.” ‘* Drusilla, be quiet! And you, fellow, ad- dress yourself to me alone!” sharply cried Horace Ward. “All right—that suits me better,” laughed the ruffian as all traces of compassion vanished from his voice and face, ‘‘lcan talk straight enough to a man, where the face of a woman sort of hampers my tongue. Willi you have my story now? ‘* Mr, Dingeon has not yet arrived.” Sbaky Jve arched bis shaggy eyebrows, “Then you really expect him to call?” ‘*Of course I do!” snapped the merchant, ir- ritably. ‘‘He pledged kis word of honor to meet you here,” ‘* At three o’clock, and it is now almost four,” coolly drawled the shaking man. ‘Of course, if you insist on waiting for his coming before you examine my proofs, all right. Time is not particularly precious to me, and I can spare a week or two just as well as not!” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘* Just what I said last night—that my dutiful son will not stick bis head into the trap, now he knows bow snugly it is set for him. in other words, he’s off for pastures new !” ‘‘Then vou bave murdered him!” cried Dru- silla, her face growing pale as thay of a corpse at the mere thought, ‘If-alive, be will be here to prove you a base calumniator!” Not a muscle of Shaky Joe’s face showed that he beard her words, He gazed steadily into the face of the merchant, awaiting his decision, Horace Ward hesitated, glancing up at the clock, Fervently as he wished the young law- yer would clear himself, of the damaging charges brought against bim, he could not help seeing that matters looked very dark and un- promicings even without this. unaccountable de- ay in keeping his appointment. Then the man who accused him seemed so wholly at ease! Surely, unless he had truth at bis back, he would be less bold, more cautious? ag Until the clock struck the hour of four, silence face as he cComicboo e . y O : ia Sire 5 2 i 4 ile: oye. ke ee) oe Pe a2 a \) % ‘com