Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 292 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 Moke Horner, the Boss Roustabout. eame to the door, and bade him summon Mar- | Ward. The ser- | dreading the busy tongues of the little world in cus Dingeon to the library at once. The merchant, proud and sensitive, vant departed, and the merchant arose, say- | which he lived and moved, sprung between the ing: f Come! I do not care to have him see that I have been in your vile company long ae ae for ve to eat and swill. e will await the gentleman in another room.” “Bless you old cock, I’m not at all particu- Jar,” grinned the villain, arising and following his lead. They had notlong to wait. Little suspect- ing the terrible blow which was even then hanging over her devoted head, Drusilla, lean- ing on the arm of the one man in all the world to her, entered the library, blushing divine-y, the picture of happiness and contentment. But the eager. speech died away on her lips as she caught sight of that sbambling, disreputable- looking- wretch standing beside the table. “Mr. Dingeon, did you ever see this fellow before?’ demanded the merchant, his voice sounding barsh and stern as he strove to con- ceal the powerful emotions which racked his brain. ‘Never, to my knowledge, sir,” replied the surprised lawyer, after a swift glance at the face of Shaky Joe. **Of course you'd say so,” with a coarse laugh the ruffian retorted. “I swore l’d put a spider in your Sel ey my lad, and now I’ve kept my oath! Impudent as you are, I dare you to face me and deny that I am your father!” CHAPTER VI. TRUE. AS STEEL IS WOMAN’S LOVE, For an instant Marcus Dingeon seemed stag- gered by this bold assertion, and there was a troubled, bewildered vuxpression in the glance which he turned teward Horace Ward. A deep flush swept over his manly countenance as he saw how steadily and closely the merchant was regarding bim, Surely there was not suspicion in those earnest eyes! “Sir, who is this fellow?” he demanded, that disagreeable doubt of what he read in those eyes making his voice harder than he had any idea of at the time. ‘“‘If not drunk, surely be must be insane!” ‘*T would gladly forfeit a fortune to see you prove him either one or the other, Marcus!” im- pulsively cried Horace Ward, with an angry glance toward the craftily-smiling wretch, An ugly laugh broke from the lips of Shaky ve, “Tf you had been as generous with your offers in the first place, old cock, matters might never have gone this far. For a fortune, sure enough, in ready cash, J could have put my in- jured feelings in my pocket and bided my time for revenge. As itis, | can only repeat what I said before: yonder fine Jack-a-dandy is my lawful son, and—” Boldly as he 5 Shaky Joe was on the keen watch for breakers, and as he saw that deadly pallor chase the color from the cheeks of the young lawyer, and noted the red light flam- ing up in his eyes, he ostentatiously hitched the butt of a pistol around his waist until it showed paaly through the rags close to his quivering f Marcus Dingeon saw either the action or the weapon, neither frightened him in his hot anger then. With firm bands be endeavored to pu Drusilla away from him, but she clung to ner Jove all the more tenaciously. “You lie, you drunken cur!” grated Dingeon, hoarsely, for the instant forgetting bimself and his surroundings. But it was only for an instant. With a powerful effort he strangled his choking emo- tions, turning toward Horace Ward with an humble bow, as he said: “T humbly craye your pardon, Mr. Ward. For the moment I forgot myself, and what is your due, in the supreme insolence of that wretch.” The merchant could not entirely suppress a faint smile at this grave politeness under diffi- culties. i . “you were justified, if ever man was, dear sir. ‘‘Then—may I venture still further? Will you give me permission to save your servants a Sie grees dle task, by pitching that infamous villain out of the window?” “For my sake, Marcus!” sobbed Drusilla, be- wildered y the stormy scene and angry speeches, ‘He is armed—he will murder you —father, help!” Shaky Joe turned pale despite the coating of grime that covered his features, for there was death in the blazing eyes of. the young lawyer as he gently but firmly put Drusilla to one side. ou as thought out flashed his pistol, a broad- libered derringer ‘or that was before the many-tongued Colt cu.ne into common use. **Keep your distance, boy!” he muttered, sternly. “I don’t want to kill you at a single stroke, for that would be all too merciful for such a base traitor, but I’ll bore you through the moment you attempt to lay the weight of your band on me!” wiftly as he spoke, Shaky Joe would never ne gh crea time to uttera speach as long as , only for the prompt interference of Horace | | ae ee two men. “No violence—I beg uttered in strongly-agitated tones. gone too far to be settled by blows. disprove his claim—” “Mather!” cried Drusilla, her eyes glowing and ber cheeks flushing warmly. ‘‘Surely you are not listering to that base slanderer! You do not—you cannot—believe there is even the ghost of truth in bis preposterous claims!” Marcus Dingeon, maddened though he was, instantly yielded to the plea of the man whom he had fondly hoped would soon become his father-in-law. Shaky Joe kept his ground, but the muzzle of his weapon was lowered. Horace Ward flinched a little before the burn- ing indignation of his daughter’s words, but there was only one course for him to follow now, and bravely he entered upon it. “1 must be careful for your sake, darling,” be said, buskily, one trembling hand gently touching the golden-crowned head; then he turned abruptly to the young lawyer: ‘I bave always found you a gentleman, Marcus Din- geon, I believed you noble and true. That is amply proven by my receiving you here and encouraging your visits, to say nothing of—you understand,” be hastily added, with a shiver of disgust as he cast a side-glance toward the grin- ning wretch near by. ‘I cannot speak more plainly before that cur.” “Oh, never mind me, my dear fellow,” laughed Shaky Joe, as he sunk back into a chair. “‘It’s all in the family, one might say, and an old codger like me don’t count anway.” ‘Silence, you devil!” grated the merchant, turning upon him. “ Reserve your insolence for those of your own class, or I'll trample you to a mummy beneath my feet!” ** You'd like to, most dearly, no doubt!” sneered the ruffian, with a lazy wave of his shaking hand. ‘‘But goon. I’m both deaf and dumb uoftil it is my turn ids tile again,” [It was very bitter, but Horace Ward knew that be must bearit for a time, or svffer still worse. He turned to the young lawyer once more, speaking rapidly: ‘“You remember our last conversation to- gether, of course? I trust it is still a secret be- tween you and [?” Vaguely as he phrased it, Drusilla compre- hended his meaning, and proudly clung to the strong arm of her accepted lover as sbe turned her glorious eyes full upon her a face. Horace Ward frowned and bit his lip. He could not mistake the epee 8s that action. Plainer than words it told of acknowledged love and perfect trust. ‘‘lam sorry—I had hoped you had not yet spoken,” be stammered, adding more coberent- ly: ‘You must see that this can go no further until matters are fully cleared up—until you can fully disprove the claim of yonder wretch, you must cease visiting this house, I deeply re- gret the necessity, but even you canuot blame me for taking such a stand.” ‘Father, how can you speak so barshly?” Gently but firmly Marcus Dingeon disengaged her clinging hands, stepping to one side, his voice grave and firm: “Tt is his right, Drusilla, To do or say less would be a wrong to you, bis only child. But Mr. Ward, I solemnly swear to you that until this hour I never so much as laid eyes on that wretch. Idonot know him. I believe eve word he has uttered to be lies false as thoug coined by the arch-fiend himself!” “All the same, young fellow, ’m your father!” : “What do you mean? proofs?” “Bah!” with a malicious laugh of scorn that was sharply emphasized by bis curling lip and glittering eyes. ‘“‘The game is up and the fat all in the fire, lad. I’ve given away the whole story, and you might as well come down from your bigh horse first as last.” Again Horace Ward stepped between the two men, for the young lawyer seemed on the point of leaping at the throat of the insolent rascal, ‘*Can you explain the meaning of all this?’ Marcus asked, almost in despair. ‘‘ What does that fellow mean? What has he told you? What claim is this he bas made on me?” “Tell bim, old man, since be prefers your tongue to that of his natura]-born dad,” laughed Shaky Joe, ‘He swears that you are his son—that you were deserted when you were a child, but that a year or more ago he tracked you out and found you as the adopted son of Judge Roderic Dingeon. He vows that he presented his claims and satisfied you that be was as he rep- resented—your lawful father. More, he declares that you bribed him heavily to keep the secret from spreading, and that he would have done so io the end of his days, had not you basely en- deavored to get him out of the way by casting him into prison on a false charge.” “True as gospel writ, every word of it!” chimed in Shaky Joe, laughing viciously at the utter consternation which was expressed in the pale face of the young man. ‘‘ You cut your of you, Dingeon!” he “This has You must Where are your ' i ’ ? ; = - : ; ‘ . “ = >. : . * Fee Fees: - wey ts, ; ~ nagtion Sh GAS Se, es eee own throat that time, and bave only yourself to blame for this little matinee. I swore to get even with you, and I reckon I’ve kept my word to the very letter!” ‘Father, you do not believe this?” indignant- ly cried the maiden, once more taking the arm of ber lover. ‘‘ You, who have known and re- spected him so long—now to listen to such vile and preposterous lies?” “Tf you knew all, nvy dear—” ‘‘T do know all! He told me his story to- night, before be avowed the love that has made me happier than the angels in heaven! But even if he had not, | would believe him against all the world, much less an utterly vile wretch like that!” For the first time since that stormy interview ope.ed, Shaky Joe seemed stung by those scornful tones. His little eyes glittered venom- ously as he retorted sbarply: ‘Vile as I am, young lady, I’m an honester man than the ungrateful scoundrel to whose arm you are clinging so fondly. It is your prospective fortune be is working for, and bad you been a poor girl, be sure his love speeches would never—” Like lightning the strong right arm of the young lawyer shot out as he leaped toward the foul-mouthed rascal, and stricken full betwe the eyes before he could lift a hand to eitb guard against the blow or draw a weapon, Shaky Joe was knocked clear off his feet and half-way across the room. Fortunately for his neck, as well as the pride of the merchant, he fell upon a cushioned couch, thus breaking his fall and pre- venting the shock from alarming the dancers beyond, Horace Ward caught bis arm, but Marcus Dingeon made no attempt to follow up jhis attack. And Shaky Joe, brushing the trickling drops of blood from his face, smiled evilly as he slowly recovered his footing, speaking quietly: ‘‘That’s put down in the bill against you, too, my dutiful son! But there’s room for no more items, so let’s cut it short as we can, I have told my story and made my charge—” ‘‘ Which I have denied!” quickly interjected Marcus. ‘*As was to be expected. You wouldn’t be the son of your father if you gave up such a big game without playing it out to the very last ecard. You see, | give you the credit you de- ror at with a sneering smile that revealed his teeth. ** And I believe you, Marcus, as I would an angel just come down from heaven!” fervently uttered Drusilla, “So does not your honored father, lady,” laughed the villain. ‘Iam sorry for you, but I’m going to seit this little affair out.if it ruins the hopes of a thousand, instead of two! See bere, Mr. Ward. We have wasted enough talk. Make that young fellow promise to come bere at three o’clock, to-morrow afternoon, prepared to meet me and my charge. If he fails to show up, you can draw your own conclusions as to bis guilt. If he does face the music, I will present the proofs on which my charge is based, and if I fail to prove every word | have uttered this night, you have my leave to prosecute me in any fashion you deem best. Can J make a fairer offer?” * And you—now that you have sowed the oison seeds of doubt and suspicion—what secur- ty bave we that you will ever return to face the man you accuse?” It was an ugly laugh that preceded the next words of Shaky Joe, but they came promptly enough: “Of course I can’t expect you to take the simple parole of a degraded wretch like me, even though I am saving you from becomin the dupes of a graceless rascal. Send one 0 your flunkies out after a bobby. Give mein his charge, to be fred ees here at three o’clock to- morrow. Bid bim treat me white, and give me a chance to get the papers I need to prove my claims, and I'll be satisfied.” For a brief space Horace Ward hesitated, but i then bis dubiety was put to flight by the earnest — words of Dingeon; | “Take him at his offer, Mr. Ward. I only ask to have a fair and thorough investigation. That he may be my father, is barely possible since I was found a homeless child; but ‘hat I ever entered into a plot with him as vilo: and monstrous as that at which he has hinted, is false as the father of lies!” With his own band Marcus Dingeon struck the bell, and as it was promptly answered by James, Horace Ward briefly bade him seek out © a gem ee and hasten back with him. , t was a painful silence which nia a the brief period of the servant’s absence. Joe was qoreay sopping u trickled trom the knuckle-prints between bis eyes, content with the way matters were going. Drusilla still clung trustingly to the arm of the blood that antl : her lover, glorying in this exhibition of her — trustful love. James must have found a policeman directly outside the door, for he was gone less than five - minutes. Horace Ward motioned bim to de- part, then drew the uniformed ace aside, whispering rap a el ardian of the | here was a passage of money from one hand % com cboo <S§COl ‘ é