Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 294 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

oo. | ~~ ee ee ee ‘Let Colonel Sandbanks off first,” Alice said. “Why would he lie under the circumstances?” Broadcloth Burt, the Denver Dandy. “Will you post the notice, kernul?” suddenly asked one of the mob, breaking in upon certain “Because he’s mads the Denver dandy his | thoughts that were just. beginning to assume a pard,” ‘* Prove it.” Gs ‘*We warn’t ten minutes behind Broadcloth Burt; he’s been tracked to the Setemup, an’ by Heaven! girl, he’s thar yet.” pleasing character. ‘Give me time to decide.” ** We will—till mornin’ !” “ That'll do.” The discomfited crowd drew off, and Alice “Then,” with a smile, ‘‘why don’t you go | and Colonel Sandbanks found themselves alone. there and find him? Are you afraid to search a house which contains but one man as you say? Dare you go there, and give the colonel a chance | beaten mob, an to prove his words? No! you will throw a rope | over his bead, and, like a pack of cowards, pull him up because you say he has lied to you. thought you wore men, but I find you are a pack of ruffians.” The dark-faced roughs seemed to recoil from the girl’s withering utterances, “Yes, go and search the Setemup, if you dare!” she went on. ‘‘This man has not lied. He came here when Deadwood didn’t contain a single house, and has never left it. In all that time you have never caught him in a lie,” “Thet’s a hard, cold fact,” ejaculated the colonel himself. ‘I never thought you'd have ter say that fer me in Deadwood, girl.” “Pd say it for any one if ic was the truth,” was the quick answer. ‘‘ Yonder’s the man who should go to the cabin,” and the outstretch- ed hand covered Paradise Paul, who bung senseless on the arm of his supporter. ‘‘ Take him back to it and let this man go.” ‘*Not till we’ve made the old codger confess,” “To what?” ‘Ter his league with Broadcloth Burt. Don’t you know that he nearly killed a man at the Casino to-night?” ‘‘Nearly killed him?’ echoed the colonel with a start. ‘‘ Didn’t I entirely finish the tiger from Iron-Grip?” ‘‘ Not quite, kernul. Ther bloody pard walk- ed off, an’ is ready fer another tussle.” ‘* Je-hosaphat! The next time we meet thar’'ll be thunder ter pay!” “The next time?” laughed one-half the crowd, ** We've not let you off yet.” ‘But you are going to,” said Alice firmly. ** Mebbe not, girl, We'll take Paradise home by an’ by. Now, ernul, fer the solid truth: whar is the Denver sport! ‘*What have I told you already? I don’t know. I shall not speak again. If you want him, find him!” The colonel’s lips closed resolutely behind. the last word. “Thet means they’re pards! What d’ye say now, girl?” “Tt proves nothing against him.” ‘But enough for us. Tighten the lariat a little, just to show the old liar what’s comin’. We'll hang you first, kernul, an’ s’arch the Set- emup next.” At that moment the lariat that encircled the landlord’s neck did tighten, and he was jerked forward so suddenly that Alice was instantly left standing alone. “You shall not!” she exclaimed. é of Deadwood, you shall not commit this crime. Drop that rope or I will send some of you to eternity before your time!” The Deadwooders beheld ber confronting them with leveled revolver and a steady arm. ‘* Another step either way with Colonel Sand- banks and I will shoot!” she continued. ‘I will vouch for his words. Broadcloth Burt makes common cause with no man. If he were in the hotel he would speak for himself.” The mob stood amazed and nonplused before the daring girl. , Only ten feet separated them, and they seem- ed to see the balls that filled the steel ciiambers of Alice’s revolver. “Take yer pard!” suddenly exclaimed a ruf- fian, and the lariat flung madly forward fell at the feet of the girl. ‘‘ We'll give him a chance ter prove his words; but we ar’ not afeared oy yer six-shooter.” | The faintest smile of mingled contempt and cevinnen played with the girl’s finely-chiseled ‘‘Cowards ps. She knew that her action and the menacing revolver, not a“willingness on the mob’s part ed tee the ao had won the year i ‘Follier me e an’ searc e ranch!” said Sandbeahe ~—P ‘‘Now? We guess not when Denver Daisy’s had time ter sneak out an’ git away. Ob, no; we ar’ hard specimens oy humanity, but we’re not durned fools. Hedn’t you better notice, thet, owin’ to sarcumstances which you could not control, you bev concluded ter shut up the ranch an’ leave Deadwood? his climate might suddenly git ophealthy. Thar’s goin’ ter be either a pistol picnic or a hangin’ epidemic byer afore Jong, an’ ye ar liable ter ketch ther throat-disease.” Behind his sealed lips, the landlord of the Setemup ground his teeth. | ; “Tt’s a burnin’ shame!” be said to bimself. “Shall I give up my ranch an’ quit Deadwood fur a lot ov human wolves like these? IfT go] sha’n’t go alone, What has happened to-night convinces me that Alice thinks something “of Simon Sandbanks. She’s saved my life an’ thar’s only one way to pay her back, ut up @ & eo 4 I colonel turning u The girl had noticed that Paradise Paul had been taken off prior to the withdrawal of the she could imagine the scene taking place at the cabin. ‘‘ Girl—Alice, I owe you life itself!” eried the n the gir). ‘*Never mind that,” she said, pushing gently aside the hands he extended. ‘1 would have done for almost any man what I did for you to- night.” **You would?” exclaimed Colonel Sandbanks, his eyes dilating with astonishment, ‘“‘Teame hitber to warn Broadcloth Burt,” continued the girl, with exasperating frank- 1e8s. ‘‘That wall ornament that got me into trou- ble to-night?” “The man from Denver?” ** Yes, the fashion plate. Iknowhim. What is that man to you, Alice?” ** Nothing, porhepes but the men of Deadwood were going to lynch him—for what?” “Til be hanged if I know. And failin’ ter find him they were goin’ ter elevate Simon Sandbanks.” ““Tbat was apparent when I came on the scene,” said Alice, with a smile, “* And they would have done it if you hadn’t trumped their hand with the best display of grit ever seen in Deadwood! Say, Alice, you at tie ter Broedcloth Burt, do you?” “* By Jehosaphat! that removes a weight from my heart! [I’m goin’ ter git out of this infernal town, not that I'm afraid of the mountain spawn thet’s just left, for 7 fear no man on earth, girl; but I've been thinkin’ for a long time of pullin’ “P stakes. I’ve got a pile laid by fer a day when it’llcome handy. I could be a money king in any city of the slope, an’, witha young wife of about your age, Alice, Simon Sandbanks would pass the remainder of his days in bloomin’ clover, an’ respected peace, Paradise Paul’s ward heard the landlord through with a twinkle in her pretty eyes. “I wish you success, colonel,” she said. ** You'll find that young wifein Frisco, I’ve no doubt of it, and rd hope she’ll prove worthy of ou. The colonel was staggered by the cunning girl’s reply. ‘*Confound it, Alice, you don’t seem to un- derstand me!” he cried. “I mean to say that I could live well in Frisco with the future Mrs. Sandbanks, not that I expect to find k*" thar, for I don’t.” ‘Then you have her in your mind’s eye, colonel?” ‘*] should say I hev. Alice, what’s the use of stayin’ byar under a cabin roof, when I can transplant you in a golden garden on the Pacific coast? You have rescued me from the lariat of a lot of demons. 1.owe you some- thing, Accept my hand—my undying love— y ‘*There!” interrupted the clear voice of the ruffian’s ward, “If I have led you to this point, forgive me. I expect I shall always re- main Alice of Deadwood. Those men want you to makeeup your mind before morning. Don’t decide hastily. Good-night, colonel!” and the girl was gone. The proprietor of the Setemup looked like a man dazed by a sudden catastrophe, and some moments elapsed before he collected his senses, “T feel as if I’ve been step on by an ele- phant!” he suddenly said. “ I’ve been dragged to a precipice by thet girl’s eyes, an’ then pitched over by her hands! She doesn’t take well to me; but faint heart never won fair lady. I guess that quotation’s about right. Always goin’ ter remain Alice ov Deadwood? [I'll see about thet. I’ve made up my mind already, roughs ov the monte tables. Thet girl’s deci- sion settled it forme. I stay where she is if every r in Deadwood is twisted fer my neck! ou’ll always find Simon Sandbanks at the Setemup ef you didn’t find the Denverite thar to-night. I hate you, Broadcloth Burt! I'd like ter hand you over to the Deadwood et Mebbe Di hev thet pleasure , before ong CHAPTER XIII. SPOILING A PISTOL GAME. SEATED at the one table that stood in one corner of bis sbanty was Paradise Paul one hour after bis sudden return to Deadwood with one hand missing. The last ruffian bad taken his departure from the place, and at bis command he had been left alone, as if be wanted to confront Alice by him- self upou her return. The wounded member bandaged by his pards rested on the table, and he | nd his yellow teeth whenever his dark eyes fell ingly “~. \ . 24, ‘ Ye 2s 7 upon the bloody cloths, reminders of the terri- ble fact that he was maimed for life. . ‘‘T wish I could forget that she did it!” he grated. ‘‘I never did like ter quarrel with one ov ther softer sex; but I’m in fer it now, After I sot ye adrift ye went straight ter Mormondom an’ became the eighth wife of Timothy Ten- wives, the infernal old adder I’ve just helped ter bang! It always looked to me like a put up job, an’it war. I put you out ov my cabin because I thought you warn’t squar’, an’ now you come back fer vengeance an’ send a bullet crashin’ through 4 wrist. Merciless Maud, I'll make you wish thet you didn’t fire yer bullet through my head! Thet stump will heal. I'll be out to- morrow, an’ the hand you’ve spared will bandle the revolver ter kill. oman, though once my wife, I’m a tiger to you from this hour! Keep yer distance, Come back to Deadwood an’ die, er stay away an’ let me hunt youdown. Take yer choice.” He ceased, and moved quickly to the door that stood slightly ajar. “No Alice yet,” he said, in disappointed tones. ‘*She made a fool ov herself to-night. Couldn’t I see that she came to the Setemup to help that Denver sport? That preference ov hers adds another enemy to my list. I’d givea thousand if thet stump war healed at this min- ute. I don’t ask fer a new hand. As it is, I will hate thet woman more, an’ | kin kill fast enough with the hand she foolishly left me. By Jove! thar she is at last!” This exclamation was called forth by the figure that came insight sudden enough to make the ruffian start. ‘‘P)l pertend ter hev cooled down, just ter find out what she’s after,” be muttered. “It won’t do fer me ter do what I did awhile : not that I’m afraid ov the Denverite comin back, but I’ve got ter play policy till my stump heals a little.” He drew back quickly from the door and re- sumed his seat on the three-legged stool at the table. The following minute, although be did not turn his head, he was conscious that some per- son was at the door. If it was Alice, why did she not. enter? Paradise Paul waited with much impatience and rage illy smothered. It was a contest for bim. ‘‘ Tl settle it one way or the other!” flashed through his mind. ‘‘ I’m master yet, and when she crosses me she treads on a tiger’s claws,” He turned bis bead and fixed his eyes on the door ajar. : ‘‘Come in, girl,” he said. ‘I’m no steel- trap.” The door opened a foot wider, and thern— Paradise Paul sprung erect with a startling cry! x Oh, it is you, is it, tigress ov Mormondom?” he exclaimed. ‘‘Do you think you’ve come hyer ter finish yer work?” A moment’s silence followed the question that was hissed forth by the maddened rvuffian. The woman at the door was not Alice; her gleaming eyes and bloodless bands, ber dress and belted revolvers proclaimed her identity, and named her—Merciless Maud! 5 ‘‘Call me what you please,” she said coolly fixing her eyes on the Deadwood tough. ‘ i am here for the work that best suits my pur- pose. If I ama tigress from Mormonland, you ought to know who gave me a right to thet title.” “IT do know. You bestowed it on yourself. But, see here,” and Paradise Paul held up the handless arm. ‘‘ You bave maimed me for life but fool that you ar’ you left me the best hand a man has—the right one!” Toere was triumph in the ruffian’s tones. ‘: My revenge is * An’ this wound is the first step, eh?” sas 3 ees gr “c f broke from you, I hear? I thought Timothy Tenwives abducted her an’ we banged bim for thet an’ other crimes—hanged yer second hus- band! what do you think ov thet?’ “Then you saved me a job,” the woman said, ‘‘ Yes, Alice did escape mo, but the next time | will not fail.” Tbe Deadwood ruffian shot her a fierce look, and the next moment a pair of arms encircled Maud's waist and she was lifted from her feet, ‘‘ ve crept the she-panther, cap’n!” cried the stalwart rough, wbo despite her struggles, ‘‘l thougbt she'd hear me, but she never beard a step, an’ I've got her foul. Isn’t she a beauty, Paradise? What do you say? Sba’n’tit beahandferahand!? | The arms of the Deadwooder held Merciless Maud’s bands harmless at her side, and she could only send mad looks over ber shoulder into a pair of eyes that fairly snapped with victory. It was a fact that she was at the mercy of the two ruffians. ‘‘A band fora hand? How does that strike you, Blushin’ Daisy ov the Mountain Top?” ene ulated Paradise Paul, as he approached the cap- tive, who had ceased to st le and now eyed him calmly. ‘* You took one hand to-night, an’ now | hev the same chance. Hold ber here, in (E Ss. degrees,” was the answer. ou are satisfied I shall be. The girl re Maud into the cabin, AN : \ (Elo) J00 ss =e