Beadle's Dime Library No. 297 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

/ Te AEG NTN NI I | ARE 8 7 “yee 8? ae aes ale — . ( fe or eackle, but vou’ll find you’re sowin’ seed that'll bring ye death fura crop. No man kin bully me an’ live: Bill Buzzard is made o’ different stuff.” “IT don’t want to bully you. All I wantisa frank talk, and I take the only means to secure it. There is no reason why you should be chagrined, for this is a private matter. Hot- spur City don’t know I am here, and I shall never tell them of my visit.” ‘* Right ye be; you never ’ll see ther town agin. We'll dig yer grave right close ter this door.” ‘Don’t cook your hare till you catch him, Bill. But, this talk is foolish. Last night you nailed a proclamation to the door of Independ- ence Hall—and a most sanguinary document it was—and as we have no use for any such thing, I have come to Sugar-Loaf to return it.” So saying, Rube drew from his pocket the placard we have before mentioned, and, ad- vancing, laid it upon the table. ** Respectfully declined!” he quietly added. “Il thought ye didn’t spsak for Hotspur,” growled Bill. ‘*I do not, but 1 am the mayor's secretary, and I thought the best place for such a blood- thirsty proclamation was with the authors,” Bill Buzzard crumpled the paper and flung it toward Rube’s face, but it was warded olf by a careless motion. “That don’t count,” composedly observed the Strong Arm of Hotspur. ‘* Now, my business is about finished, and I will only delay long enough to say there is no reason for your hatred. You have never been deceived; the election matter was—” ‘*‘ Don’t go over that ground ag’in,” said Bill. **Thar has been enough palaver already. I reckon we are able ter run our own machine, without any o’ your advice or help. J say Hot- spur City shall be a graveyard. Put thatin yer pipe, but don't give me any more cheap talk. Pin lookin’ ter see you go,’ ** You shall be accommodated, but you must not get to thinking I sball allow you to seize pa revolvers the instant [ turn my back, and laze away at me as though I wasa target. Not by considerable, Bill. pous outside the door, but you will find them close at hand. It is growing dark, you see, and I shall place them where there will be sufficient delay to give me a fair chance.” He moved toward where the revolvers swung idly from the pegs, but Bill bounded to his feet. ‘** Let ’em alone!” he vociferated. “Pardon me, but I decline to leave them where you can open fire at will,” ‘T’ll hey them or yer life!” shouted the des- perado, He bounded forward, resolved to risk all, and Rube might easily have dropped him in his tracks, Instead, he thrust out one foot skillful- ly and, avoiding the rush, sent Bill rolling on the floor. / The remaining brothers had bounded to their feet, but Rube tossed the four belts across his left shoulder with as mary quick motions and faced them all. 1 shall take your wea- Colorado Rube. ly. Knowing his hot, passionate, revengeful nature as they did, they had some idea of the tempest of passion which was raging in his breast. It was five minutes before he stirred. Then he arose and went deliberately outside, but soon returned bearing the belts. Notso much as a revolver had been abstracted, and he laid them on the table quietly. This done, he spoke in a deep, rumbling voice: ‘* Death will be too good fur Rube Ralston ar- ter this. Ther revolver endsall a man’s troubles quickly, but ther blow that teches his heart, an’ does not kill, tars deep. Ther way ter strike Ralston is through his wife. She shall not be killed; I bave promised that, an’ now I don’t want ter; but we will abduct an’ hide her whar he can’t find her. That’s ther way ter make him writhe, an’ he shall find that when he trod on Bill Bazzard he raised a storm that ’ll only eend when he is crushed, heart-broken an’ dead. That shall now be our game!” CHAPTER XIV. DAVE BUZZARD MAKES A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. THERE is little to record in the progress of Mildred Fenton’s scheme against the Ralston’s, and yet the progress was steady. Of course, aiming to ruin their lives by insidious arts, she must first of all win a tolerably sure footing in the household, and this she proceeded to do, Without assuming excessive innocence, which would bave at once betrayed her to Rube, who knew a person of worldly experience at sight, she did assume an air of friendliness and good- natured frankness which worked far better. If the Ralstons suspected she was scheming and unscrupulous, there was nothing to show for it in their conduct toward her, and she be- lieved herself well established, Not the least canse for congratulation was the fact that Neal Bishop bad left Hotspur. The plotters held a secret over his head which had chained his tongue, but, as Mildred expressed it, ‘‘ there was no knowing when such a weak fool would tell all,” and she felt a good deal safer when he went away. She had learned enough of the Strong Arm of Hotspur so that she did not care to have him know she was a traitor in his home, Twice she had seen Broderick, but it was al- ways secretly, and no one suspected they had ever spoken. Between the two there was no bond except that of crime, and had she known he was trying to fascin \te Zetta Willis, the fact would have caused her no vexation. Broderick was fully in earnest, as we have seen, and though be was dimly conscious of the fact that it was not a good plan to have too many scbemes in operation at once, he was re- solved to win Zetta. Her beauty intoxicated him, and with the strange inconsistency of vice, he told himself she was greatly to be desired for her goodness, He had gained a foothold at Mumford’s by his device, and he congratulated bimself upon the fact, but be felt a little uneasiness when, on the following morning, he received a note sent by a Chinaman, in which the mayor asked ‘“‘ Halt!” be cried, sharply. ‘‘ lam done with | him to come at once to Independence Hall fooling. Keep away, or I’! shoot to kill!” and meet his secretary—‘‘a man well worth _ His voice rung out through the cabin with an | knowing.” inflection which told that he was in dead earn- Broderick gnawed his mustache. He did not est, and the rush they contemplated was checked | agree with the mayor; he very much preferred before it began. Giants and bravos though | not to meet Ralston, for he knew the man had they were, they had no desire to throw away | a sharp eye, and he was afraid he would see their lives, and they felt that Colorado Rube | through his mask, would keep his word. After due meditation he concluded to run the ‘ It is time we come to an understanding,” he | risk, however, and he put on his hat and walk- added. “I don’t want trouble with you, and | ed over to the ball. would be most reluctant to pull trigger on men The board of aldermen had not yet arrived, my wife owns as brothers, but I will not be | and the mayor and his clerk were seated alone butchered by you. Bear that in mind. If it | at the same table which had layed so import- comes to a question of your lives or mine, I | ant a part the night of Mr. Mumford’s inaugu- shall shoot. Now, I do not intend you any | ration. barm; I am only looking for a safe retreat; but Rube looked none the worse for the exciting I warn you not to stand in my way.” sccne through which he passed the previous Bill had slowly gained bis feet again, and he | night, and though he had told Mumford he was looked at the Strong Arm with a terrible glare. | going to take the Buzzards’ placard back to He had never bated him so much as at that mo- them, no one suspected he had been at the ment, but he realized that Rube “held the | Roost. drop,” and that any further attempt to worst The two younger men were introduced, and him would only add to their discomfiture and | then a general conversation ensued in regard to fill the cup of bitterness to overflowing. _ the branch road Broderick asserted the Denver ‘*Go!l” he hissed. “Git outer my sight ez Rio Grande intended to build to Hotspur. quick ez yer legs will take yer, but don’t go | In five minutes he clearly perceived that Ral- away laughin’ in yer sieeve. Bill Buzzard still | ston was not easily deceived. He knew a rail lives, an’ | sw’ar that I'll kill ye yet ez I would | road would not pay, atleast not for some time a wolf. Think o’ me by day, dream o’ me by | to come, if put through, and he could not see night, never forgit me; for Pll devote my hull | why so successful a corporation as that men- life ter killin’ ye, an’ when you least suspect it, | tioned wished to engage in the enterprise. ther hand o’ Bill Buzzard wiil be at yer throat. Broderick was on the defensive, and he talked Go!” as wellas he could; but he was all the while He stretched out one brawny arm, and Rube, | dreading some question which would unmask who realized the folly of further words, bowed | him. and simply answered: ‘**l am going!” He backed to the door, never taking his gaze from them, and then disappeared rom their view. Jack, Tom and Dave looked at their elder brother, but he tersely said: ‘Stay whar ye be!” Then he sat down and, leaning his head on bis bands, seemed to relapse into a statue. The other brothers looked at each other significant- h 5 & g y bh His knowledge of the affairs of the Denver & Rio Grande, even of the names of the officers, was limited, and a few well-directed shots would betray bim. He considered it a fortunate interruption when four men entered. Three of them were Hot- spur’s aldermen, the fourth was Mekepeace Mullin. Of course, the conference was broken up, as Broderick made it a condition that only the two men to whom he had revealed the railroad - nal ms —_— ~—w ~~ * eee ‘ +4, of,’ * a il project should know anything about it; and after being introduced to the aldermen ina complimentary way, be soon excused himself and left the hall. Makepeace Mullin had been appointed janitor of the temple of justice, and as Broderick passed him, as he stood at the door, he favored the tall stranger with a prolonged stare. Broderick paid no attention to him and went out, but Mullin followed to the threshold and gazed after bim, as he walked down the street until be reached the Old Rye, Then the janitor returned to his place, but it was noticeable that his air was not so dignified as that he had worn since he became a public official, and he often rubbed his chin in a medi- tative way. When the forenoon’s business was done, he accosted Colorado Rube: ‘‘T say, Mr. Secretary, who was that buddin’ plant that went out with a big mustache on his lip?” The question was not so complicated but that Rube understood it, and he replied that he was a business man who thought of locating at Hotspur. ‘* Broderick!” muttered the janitor. ‘‘ Ther name is new ter me, but I’ve see’d ther man afore,” ‘* Where?” Ralston quickly asked. “Jest what I wanter know. Ez Socrates used fur ter obsarve: ‘What is it I see, but can’t ketch onter? I’ve see’d ther critter afore, but I can’t place his physicalognomy.” ‘Think again.” “T will, PU harrer up ther cornfield o’ memory till ev'ry bit o’ turf is ground ez fine ez snuff. I’m goin’ ter know whkar I’ve see’d him.” ** Are you favorably impressed?” **Favor’ble thunder! D’yes’pose I like ther looks o’ a thunder cloud that is done black, turned over an’ br’iled all ter nothin’? He looks like Cap’n Kidd, he does.” ‘** You'll do me a favor by placing the man, if you can. J] am not favorably impressed, either. He may be ail right, but be has a hang-dog face and— Well, try to recollect where you saw him: and when you do, report to me.” Ralston walked on, leaving Makepeace in a brown study. ** (Queer IL can’t recollect, but ‘ Where’s thar’s a will thar’s a way,’ ez Socrates used fer ter obsarve. I'll dig his face up outer ther grave o’ oblivion, ef I break a dozen spades in doin’ it.” Zetta Willis was rambling outside the vil- lage. To her, the open air wasa necessity, A great city would have been a prison; the foot- hills of the eternal mountains furnished a field for all her love of nature, and the uncontam- inated air of the true world, as she regarded it. That day she had wandered sufficiently near the wild peak known as Bull’s Head to strike the broken country which began as its base was neared, and she finally paused on the brink of a cleft in the earth, the bottom of which was vailed in intense darkness, She raised a small stone and let it drop in the chasm. There was a pause, and then a sullen splash far below. She started back with a little shiver, at the idea of falling over, and as she did so a voice sounded at her elbow. “Not a pleasant place ter jump inter!” She wheeled abruptly and stood facing a remarkable man. He stood within six feet of her, leaning on a rifle, but he towered above her likea veritable Goliath. He had a splendid form, and his face was bold and rather comely, but be bad a lawless air which she did not fail to read. She did not at first recognize him, and thought she had never seen him before, and though she was really alarmed, she faced him with a com- posure her courageous nature enabled her to retain, and which she deemed her wisest course under the circumstances, ‘**You come from ther town, I take it,” he resumed, as she did not at once answer. “ Yes, sir.” ** What be they doin’ thar?’ ‘** Nothing unusual, so far as J know.” x ig Hain’t see’d no signs 0’ military preparation, ey?’ ‘““Of what, sir?’ ts War.” ‘* 7 don’t understand.” ‘* Mebbe I kin make myself plain; I ginerally succeed in doin’ so when I try,” was the grim reply. ‘‘ Be they gettin’ ready to march ag’in’ ther Buzzhrd brothers?” — It was a simple inquiry, but it caused the color to recede from Zetta’s face with a swift rush. The mention of that name had been enough to reveal the questioner’s identity; the youngest of the Buzzard brothers stood before er. The girl recoiled as she would bave done from atiger. True, she knew and loved the sister of the apes but she bad never been able to real- ize that such a relationsbip existed, and she bad all the common fear of the owners of the Roost, A cold sneer crossed Dave’s face. ‘What's ther matter?’ he asked. ‘D’ye think | wanter eat yerup? Wal, you hev get a pooty face, a right pooty one, but, Lord! L - - i | ‘ : “ cS a Te “3a om