Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 302 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

2 ag ee * le —— a " ——e ‘coolly re the . one night; I ‘“‘Tf there is a particle of manhood in your “omposition, leave me!” hoarsely uttered Mar- cus Tudor, rallying all his strength of mind and body. ‘“‘I am ill; you are taking a shame- ful advantage of an old man, whose strength bas been severely shaken by the peril of his only child. Go, and come witb your ridiculous tale of romance when I am better able to en- dure your idle babble.” A short, hard, contemptuous laugh broke from the lips of the giant sport. ‘You forget, my dear sir, that you are talk- ing to a professional gambler. It is a rule with our craft to never quit a winhing game while the one we’re bucking against has a card, or a ducat left to lose. I’d b;a pretty idiot, would- n’t I, to draw off my forces just when you are on the point of capitulating? No, no, daddy dear; there’s no time like the present.” For all he spoke in such a careless tone, Faro Saul was in deadly eurnest, and Marcus Tudor could see as much. And he rallied bis shakeu powers as well as he could to meet the ordeal which he well knew would be severe, indeed. “Then say what you have tosayin as few words as possible.+ It will take a week’s time and a whole drug-store to fumigate this room, as it is!” Faro Saul smiled at this little spiteful out- burst, but then his face grew grave, his deep voice earnest. ‘*You may not believe it, first off, Mr. Tudor, but your caer get] might do far worse than to marry me. I will abandon my present mode of life for ber sake, and settle down as a reputable and respectable member of society. My blood is at least equal to your own; and far away from here there will be none who can point the finger at either of us,” ‘‘Am I to understand this as a proposal for my daughter’s hand?” coldly asked the mine- owner. “If you please,” bowed the gambler. “Then I must respectfully but positively de- cline the honor of the alliance you offer. Good- afternoon, sir!” In spite of the hot flush which suffused his countenance, Saul broke into a low laugh, for there was something grimly comical in this ceremonious interchange of sentences after what had already passed between the twain. ‘‘Pardon me, my dear sir,” he said, with an elaborate bow. “I meant to have coughed in- stead of laughing, but my emotions got the better of me, and t made a slight mistake. As I was saying, promise me by all you hold sacred on earth or in Heaven, that you will bestow the band of t ba daughter Zurilla on me in mar- riage, and the whole past shall be buried so deep that not even the resurrection shall bring it to light again! I will destroy all the proofs of your past crime, ani from the bappy hour in which I shall have the legal right to call you father-in-law, the shadow of the scaffold shall pass away from your path in life forever. a bargain?” “‘T don’t understand, you, sir,” coldly uttered Tudor. ‘If you are neither drunk nor crazy, then you must have made a shameful blunder, taking me for another man.” ‘*You don’t say so?’ with a low, mocking laugh. ‘he enforced composure of the mine-owner gave way at this, and in hot anger he cried: ‘* Leave this bouse, you low, insulting cur, or pas. that lam an old man, and kick you ou ‘“Now I wouldn't, if I were you, really!” drawled the giant, as he leaned back in his chair and bit the tip off another cigar. “It mightn’t be healthy. IJ fear you would find ita severe strain on your muscles. Sitdown, you /” with a sudden change of voice as the mine- owner started from his seat. ‘“ You have tried those tactics often enough. The next time ]’ll lay you across my knee and awaken the memo- ries of your school-boy days after a fashion far from able!” ; “Tl have your life blood for this, you heart- less scoundrel !” “‘ Better wait until you have settled for the life-blood spilled across the sea my fine fellow!” “Tt is false—false as hell itself! “What I say I am amply prepared to prove,” nt sport. ‘I can prove that your name is not Marcus Tudor—that it is Waldo St, John—that you lived in London, where vou married a woman by the name of Althea Pennoyer—that you fled from London can give the precise date, when necessary; with your hands stained with blood! are you deny this?” | Already the feeble flash of angry independ- ence had vanished, and Marcus or cowered once more beneath those sharp, stern sentences, And as the gambler paused with that sneer- ing query, the stricken mine-owner muttered buskily: ‘**T was fully justified in—” ‘* Justified in butchering a woman? And that woman your lawfully wedded wife? What would the fair Zurilla say were she to learn of this charge and your whining plea?” There was po reply to this taunt. Marcus Tudor drooped his head still lower, his face ghastly and contorted, his bands trembling, his Is it —_— CO + - eee eee 4 eeeeeeeeeeeEEeeeee ee ee = ———————— ——————_ rr —‘“— i eee whole attitude that of a guilty, unmanned wretch, **It rests with you, my dear sir,” added Saul, once more in his habitually smooth, even tones, ‘* whetber or no she ever learns the true history of your past crimes. Unless you oblige me to handle sharp weapons, your secret is safe in my keeping. “It is true, l am a gambler, and therefore one who bas but slight mercy on those who find themselves arrayed on the opposite side of the lay-out; but I never yet run a man down to bis last stake witbout giving him ample time to study out his best method of planting his for- lorn hope, I will not break my rule in dealing with you now. I will grant you two days in which to think over the matter, to weigh the situation, and decide on your course of action, During that time you shall be left free as air, save that should you attempt to take leg bail 9 give me the slip, you will be dropped on, eavy! “ At the expiration of the period of grace, I will return, expecting to receive your final de- cision. But to aid you in making up your mind, let me add this much: [ will bring with me ir- refragable proofs of all that I charge against you. I will have in readiness witnesses who can swear to your identity :s Waldo St, John; to the crime which startled all London; to your prime agency in that tragedy; in short, every- thing necessary to tear down the vail you have rag’ so careful in keeping closed over your past ife, ** Spare me—I am ill—I am not fit to—to—” Faintly, chokingly came the words, uttered by one who was hardly conscious of what be said. Just then Marcus Tudor looked so much like a dying man, that his tormentor sprung across the room to the open sideboard, an pouring out a full glass of brandy, returned, ifting the drooping head of his victim, gently me rmly forcing him to swallow the potent uor. t apparently effected its intended purpose, for with a strangling cough, Marcus Tudor pushed the gambler away, a little of the old fire glowing in his bloodshot eyes. **It’s all alie! I deny your foul assertions, sir! You shall hear from me, sir, after a fash- ion—will you begone?” It was evident that his brain was still nota little confused by what he had been called on to undergo during that long hour, but Saul drew e deep breath of relief as that sudden fear fled from his mind. The stake for which he wes playing was too large to be lost just when bis ngers were on the point of touching it; yet for afew moments he believed death had come to dash bis hopes to the ground, ** Yes, I will begone, as soon as I am satisfied that you fully understand the conditions,” he added, speaking very distinctly, so that the be- wilde mine-owner might the better follow his words. ‘‘ Look the situation over, end study out the wisest course for you to pursue. You can take your choice of two: one ends at the gallows, the other in a peaceful old age, sur- rounded by happy grandchildren. For two days I will leave youalone. At the end of that time I will come for your decision, prepared for either peace or war. You understand? * Anytbiag—just so you rid me of your teh oy presence now!” muttered the mine-owner buskily, - fl right: Vil apg a donning his hat and moving towar ed from ceiling to floor; but, as he gained this, holding the swinging sash in his hand, Saul par- tially turned to fling over his shoulder: “* By the way, I came near daa, one im- portant point. It may be just as well for you to put the kibosh on that proposed match be- tween Zurilla and your foreman.” *T don’t understand,” faltered Marcus Tudor, **Don’t lie,” was the brutal retort. ‘* Your wits are quite keen enougk when you care to exercise them. I mean that you want to break off all connection between my promised bride and that Milo Vincent, If not—well, the da they wed, or their engagement is announced, I'll twist the hangman’s noose around that pre- cious throttle of yours!” Even as the last words psrted bis lips, the door swung open, and Zurilla, pale, her eyes widely distended, filled with a wondering, bor- rifled light, entered the room! The ger blee turned pale as he saw that his brutal threat must have been overbeard by the maiden, but then bis native cay wus? | returned, and doffing his hat with a low bow, he uttered: “Sorry Iam too busy to explain, my dear, but if you wish to learn just what is on the docket, question your worthy papa, yonder. Until day after to-morrow, adios, my pretty bride!” With alow, mellow laugh, the giant sport stepped through the window and strode swiftly away toward town, leaving one greatly sur- rised and one utterly miserable soul behind im, Zurilla, scarce able to believe the evidence of ber own senses, turned toward her father for an explanation of the mystery, bnt as she noted bis ghastly face, a wild ery parted ber lips. Kneeling the window which extend- ide bim, she tried te lift his head. | It was nerveless, heavy as lead, and with a ter- rible fear tearing at her beart-strings, she shrieked aloud for help. But not a sound came from those ashen lips, even when ber warm ones were pressed fran- tically to them. CHAPTER IX. A BLUSHING HERO'S OVATION, But as he turned bis broad back to the house where be bad left one crushed and benumbed victim to his grip of s eel, the mocking smile fled from the face of Saul Oberlin, a dark frown of mingled chagrin and uneasiness taking its place, **Curse the luck! there must always be one crooked card in the deal! How !ong had that girl been listening at the keyhole before she popped in on us? I wanted to keep her in the dark as long as possible—forever, if that pig- headed fool would permit!” He turned the pointed ends of bis mustaches into bis mouth, gnawing at them savagely as he strode rapidly along, his otherwise handsome face being anything but a pleasant sight to gaze upon just at tha moment. The game he was playing, was one the Hand- some Hercules had carefully conned, noting each possible point and providing against one and all until his position seemed absolutely im- pregnable. And up to the instant when he caught that balf frightened, half-scornful look upon the face of Zurilla Tudor as she stood framed against the background of the darkened hall, be bad never fora moment allowed him- self to think of defeat. But now, he was not tearly so certain. ‘* There’s a bit of the devil in her cor position, for all she seems so meek and gentle, and if she once takes the bit in her teeth, she’ll care pre- cious little who goes to ruin in the general smash-up! If I knew bow long she had stood there listening!” That was the point that gave the big gambler the most uneasiness. If Zurilla had heard naught save his closing sentezice, it would matter but little, though he knew that bis original inten- tion of for a time, at least, playing tbe role of a proudly bumble suitor must be abandoned. But if she had caught even a portion of the out- line be gave of that basty flight from London and consequent change of name, he knew the nature of women well enough to feel sure Zuril- la would never give over until she had learned all ‘* And then the silly little er would be just mule enough to defy me and brace the old wan up to fight me tooth and toe-nail. I've got him foul, he can’t get his neck out of the noose, let him fight never so vigorously, but that ain’t whatI want. Booty and beauty—I’ve had a polite sufficiency of blood in my time!” Wholly preoccupied and filled with his evil schemes, the giant paid no particular attention to his footsteps, unconsciously taking a turn that led him to the left of the mining-camp, though its curving shape kept him at about the same dis- tance from the main portion of the town. And it was only when the sharp clatter of boofs and the rattle of rapidly revolving wheels on a par- ticnlarly rocky portion of ground on the distant hillside smote upon the ear, that Saul came back to the present. One glance showed him the outlines of the coach from Upper Ten through a cloud of dust, and turning on his heel, he swiftly strode away, taking a short cut to the main street. With a face that glowed as brightly as the setting sun, Don Bobtail Fandango tooled his ‘* hearse ”"—now really deserving that populer title—along, ‘‘ slinging on more style than a country stud-hoss,” as one of his envious rivals muttered, in disgusted tones, when the stage — ie first came in sight. The arrival of the stage, if only because their mail came by that conveyance, was always an event of decided interest to the average digger, and there wasalways a crowd to witness its arrival. Onthisday, the group was double the ordinary size, for Don Bob was full two hours late, and knowing as they did how proud the fat little driver was of keeping strictly schedule time, there were many who predicted an acci- dent of some sort had happened to detain the stage. Don Bobtail Fandango saw the crowd, and his great big heart swelled so that it fairly lifted — him off his seat in bis struggle to keep it from jumping clear out at bis mouth. Never lived — there a prouder mortal than he; never another man had so much trouble in choking a wild howl of triumph at this perfect realization of bis scoffed-at predictions; but Don Bob was m of no ordinary material, and proved hi equal to the occasion. ith his rotund figure drawn as erect as Fe [ nature would permit, with head thrown back from his squared shoulders and ruby red nose scornfully uplifted, with foot on brake and lines taut, the slender whip carefully crossed at right angles, down came the hearse at regulation speed, rounding to with a dexterous curve at the precise spot selected. But the usual cheers from the spectators did not greet this feat. Instead, they stood in mouthed astonishment, staring at the motionless } (G| 90 Ko) com eS 11 * oh *