Beadle's Dime Library No. 297 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 man’s breast. His face was calm, but there was a light in bis eyes Bill Buzzard did not fail to read. The desperado doubled his fist, and then slow- ! ly unclosed it. The other band, too, fell away from Mrs. Ralston’s arm. ‘‘Take her away ez soon ez you please,” he said. ‘‘ I want nothin’ on ber.” **T will not go!” the brave little woman an- swered. ‘‘ My place is here.” But Colorado Rube whispered in her ear, and then with gentle force led her away. What he said no other person heard, but she obeyed his wishes. Bill Buzzard iooked after them, and once more drew the revolvers from his belt, but he made no motion to use them. Heonly watched to see that Ralston did not attempt flight. The lull was broken by the advance of another person, and Makepeace Mullin saluted Bill in military style. *“*Ef it won’t seem brash in me ter chip in,” he mildly said, ‘‘ 1 would like ter obsarve that "tis ter our common int’rest ter heal this fac- tional emeute. No good ever comes o’ quarrels, D’ye remember what Socrates, who was ther wisest man that ever lived, said? ‘ Let cats an’ dogs delight ter bite an’ scratch,’ says Socrates, ‘but human beings wa’n’t made ter cut an’ slay.’ I would respectfully submit ter yer kiud consideration—” Up to this time Bi!l Buzzard had stood like a statue, trying to frighten Makepeace with his tigerish look, but the alleged quotation from Socrates flowed serenely. Suddenly, bowever, Bill raised bis hand, and Mullin disappeared like a flash. He had not been struck, but he had retreated with a flying leap. Bill Buzzard threw up his revolver, cocking it as he did so. ‘*I'’m hyar fer revenge!” he shouted, ‘‘ an’ Tl wait no longer. Die, Colorado Rube; die like ther dog you are!” CHAPTER IV. THE GUESTS AT THE OLD RYE. THREE hours before the eitizens met at Inde- pendence Hall, the stage from Rattlesnake Run drew up in front of the Old Rye Hotel, and two wssengers alighted., One, a man, descended rom the driver’s seat, looked carelessly around _ oP gathering twilight, and entered the otel, The second, a lady, came from the interior of the vehicle, and also passed into the Old Rye. On the register their names were entered thus: ‘* Mildred Fenton, Lincoln, Nebraska.” ** John Broderick, Bumblebee, Arizona,” If the two felt any interest in each other, they did not show it by so much asa glance, and coming from eer so wide apart, it seem- ed very possible that not a word had ever pass- ed between them, Miss Fenton said she was very weary, and wold go to her room at once. She did so. Mr. Broderick said he thought he would take a stroll and look at thetown. He did so. Shortly after, a horseman arrived, stabled his horse and entered the office. He was a young man, less than twenty-five, and rather good- looking and attractive, but he bore an expres- sion half-gloomy and half-crabbed; and one old bummer who took the trouble to study him to see if he could be struck fora drink, obsery- ed to a neighbor that he looked as though he was in a mood for suicide. The young man. looked at the register, read the names last written, and frowned. He was turning away wben Landlord Cbhipp spoke. “T would like your name there, stranger.” The young man scowled. ‘* Why don’t youask for the earth?” he de- manded. ‘* Because I don’t want it—not even six feet of it,” genially answered Chipp. ‘‘ It is custom- ary, however, to have the names and residences of guests.” The young man took the pen, dashed off a name, hesitated, and then scrawled somethin; more in the space devoted to ‘‘residences.’ When he turned away the landlord read: ‘*NeAL BisHop, the Karth.” The entry was far from definite, but Mr. Chipp did not think of remonstrating. He had many curiosities in that register; facetious men, men with secrets to hide,and others had left their marks; and many who bad never been outside the United States claimed resideuce at London, Paris, Jerusalem, Ujiji, or wherever their eccentric fancy prompted them to write themselves as being from, Neal Bishop sat down and did not leave bis chair for an hour. Then John Broderick returned. The latter had seen over thirty years of life. He was a tall, ratber angular-looking man, with straight black hair and a black mustache, which drooped over his mouth, He had a long, crescent-shaped nose, which gave him a kind of hawk-like appearance, and, while he had the outward marks of a gentleman, his face was far from being a prepossessing one, As soon as Bishop saw him he arose, and the - two men stood facing each other. Broderick had started, and a look of annoyance flitted over bis face, but it was gone in a moment. ‘*T want to see you,” said Bishop, abruptly. “T am going to my room at once, You can accompany me if you wish.” Broderick spoke calmly and turned away at the last word. He went up-stairs without look- ing around, and the younger man followed. Not a word was spoken. They entered a cham- ber, Broderick started a light, sat down, lita cigar, and then looked composedly at his com- panion, who had slowly taken a chair at the other side of the table, ‘*Did yousay you wanted to see me?” he care- lessly asked. ‘“Yes,” answered Bishop, vehemently. ‘‘I want to know what new villainy you are con- templating.” “» My dear sir--what is your name now?” ‘Neal Bishop.” ‘Bishop? Ha! ha! very good. Take ‘ Parson’ and ‘ Deacon’ next. Well Bishop, I don’t see as it is any of your business what my business is. *‘It is! So long as my sister follows your evil fortunes, it is my business, You drag her down, step by step—” ‘““By means of long argument, eh?” ‘Would to Heaven it were so. No; I confess she is unprincipled enough to aid in whatever you suggest, but there might be a hope for her if you were dead,” ‘* You possess a revolver.” **1 do, but I am no assassin.” *‘Ha! ha! No; you are a man of most im- maculate character; all who know you will testify to that. If 1 wanted a disciple of true honor I’d take you, Walters, Gray, Bishop— hang it! you have so many aliases I can’t al- ways get the true one.” Broderick had elevated one foot on the table and, nonchalantly puffing his cigar, he eyed Bishop with all the careless coolness imagin- able. The latter, on the contrary, was ner- vous, angry, and, plainly, wretched, and bis voice was husky from emotions he with difficulty repressed, John Broderick was bis master, and he was playing with him as the cat does with the mouse, ‘‘T am not here to speak of myself,” Bishop sullenly said. ‘‘ I want to know what new plot you have in your mind.” “Suppose I say I have none?” ‘It willdo no good. I am aware that you have come to Hotspur City with a fixed pur- pose. Mildred has come as your ally. ou propose to introduce her into the household of a man named Reuben Ralston, alias Colorado Rube. What your object is I don’t know, but I demand light on the subject.” ™ Do you imagine that I shall divulge—to ou? ‘*Mildred is my sister,” said Bishop, vehe- mently, ‘‘and it is my rigbt to know what devious game you are leading ber into. Whois this Ralston? Why is Mildred to be introduced to his household? What do you hope to gain by it? Is it money, revenge or—” ‘* For Heaven’s sake, get an encyclopedia and look up your conundrums. Iam not a riddle- guesser, nor a bureau of information. Why turn the crank when the hand-organ gives forth no music?” ‘You shall not play with me thus!” declared wag pia striking the table with his clinched fist. ‘“My dear Mr. Bishop, I shall do just as I please, and you can’t help yourself.” Broderick blew out a wreath of smoke, yawned pas & and then watched the younger man through half-closed eyes, ‘* You are a demon!” exclaimed Bishop. Thanks!” * And a villain!” Thanks!” Bishop uttered a groan. He was, in this man’s bands, like chaff in the wind, Overmatcbed in every way, he might beat against the rock but it would always be fruitlessly. ** Dare you call my sister?” he finally asked. ‘‘T do not intend to have it known in town that I am acquainted with her, but, to oblige you, I will,” Broderick replied, He went to the further side of the room and rapped against the wall. There was a brief de- lay, and then Miss Fenton opened the door and entered. She, too, started at sight of Bishop, and she turned her gaze ou Broderick with a startled air, but his calm indifference reassured her. ‘Your brother, my dear Mildred,” said he, with a wave of his band, ‘ Your long-lost, dearly-loved, worthy, prodigal brother, whom you have not seen for a month,” _There was a resemblance between brother and sister, but ber look was one of confidence, bold- ness, Sagacity and, unless ber expression belied her, unscrupulousness, Sbe was a handsome woman, however, and in any place would have found admirers. ‘*'You don’t seem glad to see the prodigal, yet he bas a word to say to you, I believe.” ‘*So IL have,” quickly answered Bishop. ‘* Mildred, I know something of the plans which have brought you to Hotspur City, You in- tend to enter the house of a man named Ral- ston by some trick, and that foretells another disgraceful plot—for what? I do not know; it may be money, or revenge, or more. But, Mil- dred, let me entreat you, as the sister who was: a child with me, to turn your back on what you contemplate and live an honorable life.” Miss Fenton laughed musically. ‘* Mercy! bas the man turned parson?” she cried. ‘Only a ‘ Bishop,’ with a prefix of Neal,” said Broderick. ‘‘Thatis the most exquisite irony I ever heard. Neal Bishop, kneel down—notice the pun, Mildred—and tell us what you know about Red River Run—” Neal sprung to bis feet and drew his revolver with a jerk. “Stop!” be hissed. ‘Stop, or, by my life! I'll shoot you like the dog you are!” Broderick saw there was indeed danger, but he covered his knowledge under an easy retort.. ‘‘] shall never pun again. Talk with your sister!” ‘* It is wholly useless,” said Miss Fenton, quick- vy “‘T refuse to be dictated to, or lectured.. e have gone over this ground a good many times in the past, and you know you and I can never agree, Phil, Let us drop the conversa- tion, “And let you go on in your evil course? Never!” “You are a pretty exponent of honor?’ sneered the woman, ‘‘Never mind me. I am a miserable, un- done man, All I now hope for is to save you. Who is this Rube Ralston, whom you have de- signs upon? What has he done that his home— I dare say, a beppr spe orn be turned to @ scene Of mourning ¢—for where you two go you leave a serpentine trail.” ‘* Ts that an extract from a play?” careless] asked Broderick, as he sent out another wreath of smoke, Bishop strode forward and grasped his arm. ‘‘ Cold-blooded villain!” he said, huskily, ‘‘ let me warn you not to gotoo far. I have never shed human blood, but if you bring Mildred into the grasp of the law, I'll kill you as I would a wolf!” ‘* You only need a cage to bea menagerie. A while ago you aspired to kill me as you would a. dog. Now it’s a wolf; anon, it'll be—” * Asman to man!” finished Bishop, with a. burst of fire and power which actually cowed the elder man for a moment, He laughed uneasily. ‘* You ought to be on the stage.” “One word to you both, and then I'll go. To acertain degree I am powerless, for you can ruin me if you will, but, rather than see ae Zo too far, I'll risk alland accept ruin. If you betray me as a means Of safety, Pll betray you and your game at Hotspur City. Go on with it, if you will; take your false bearts and plot- ting brains into this Ralston’s house; put your lot in motion; but I, too, remain at Hotspur ity. Iremain, and I shall watch. When you think yourself unseen, I will be looking at you. I will knw your secret, and, if it be of a nature I too strongly condemn, I will expose you.” As he went, and unfolded his ultimatum, Broderick formed a conclusion. Bishop must die! He was the brother of bis female ally. and for that reason he might live if he would be quiet, but when he came around to interfere in their carefully-laid plots, it was bis requiem, “Just as ee say, my dear fellow,” he an- swered, aloud. ‘‘Oh! you're going, are you?” ‘‘T am. Ill leave you to digest what I’ve said, and I advise you to change your plans and let Ralston, whoever he is, alone. ou sbalt not hound an innocent man down. I swear it!” and with these words Bishop abruptly left the room. ‘‘And I,” thought Broderick, taking good’ eare Mildred did not read his expression, ‘‘swear that I will ‘hound’ Colorado Rube down, and if you interfere, my young idiot, it will be your death-warrant!” CHAPTER V. COLORADO RUBE DEFIES BILL BUZZARD. THERE was murder in Bill Buzzard’s heart when he threw up his revolver, but if he bad only known it, there was little chance for bim to execnte his purpose just then. Colorado Rube, who was a wonderful revolver-shot, bad a Smith & Wesson half-concealed by his sleeve and band, and in a second more he would: by @ snap-shot, have sent a bullet througb Bill Buz- gard’s arm—be would not bave injured bim seriously, for he was Mona’s brotber. But some one else was before bim. One of the foremost of the crowd, all of whom had seemed too cowed to raise a band, leaped forward, anda sharp blow sent the giant’s re- volver whirling across the platform. | look of amazement and terrible wrath crossed Bill Buzzard’s face; then he swung bis brawny fist around and the young man dissp- peared in the crowd. : He had received a blow which seemed capable of felling an ox. ‘‘That’s ther way I sarve all who cross my track!” shouted Buzzard. ‘“- You will not serve me!” The words were quietly spoken at his side, Cc “That's ther way—” 4