Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 302 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

are | Y : | ' am i. Al gl a rr Faro, Saul; the Handsome Hercules. - proudly erect as she stared indignantly into the tace of the master who had always treated her with the utmost politeness, Then she turned ou ber beel aud majestically departed from the room, with: ‘** Well, I do declare!” ‘* Brandy—drink!” gasped Tudor. Unhesitatingly Zurilla obeyed this broken command, pouring out a full glass of the strong liquor, and gently supporting the head of the sorely-stricken man until he managed to swal- low the potion. Then, with eyes closed, his breathing growing a little more natural, the mine-owner leaned his head against her shoulder. Though so quiet in outward semblance, Mar- cus Tudor was fighting a desperate battle within. He was trying to divine how long Zurilla had been within earshot, to judge how much she had learned of that terrible secret which be had fondly believed was forever hid- den in the grave of the past. And in ignorapee of bow plainly his thoughts were imprinted upon his countenance, over the muscles of which his mind bad feng be, lost control, or hew keenly, breathlessly Zurilla was noting each subtle change, be strove to arrange a plausible fiction by means of which her curi- osity might be appeased without her peace of mind being seriously alarmed, ‘*T am better now,” he said, speaking slowly, fighting bard to keep control of his tongue, which felt so curiously thick and unruly. ‘ Call Matson, and 1’ll lie down for a bit.” ‘‘Tcan assist you, dear,” was the gentle re- sponse. ‘‘You know lamstrong. Oh, father!” and the maiden, unable to longer repress her strong emotions, sunk on her knees before him, ber tear-wet cheek resting upon bis trembling hands as she held them tight clasped between her own; ‘‘ tell me what this all means? What did that—that man mean? How dare he talk that way to you? What is his power over you?’ ‘‘He bas none—it is all a foul lie!” muttered Marcus Tudor, with a desperate effort to rall his shattered powers of body and mind, ‘‘ He’s a black-mailer, pet. Forget all you heard, and believe in your poor father.” ‘* 1 do; nothing can shake my perfeci trust in -your honor and mnocence, dear papa!” was the soothing reply. ‘‘ But I cannot forget those strange words, How dare that villain order you to send Milo away? to say that all must be at an end between us? He must have been mad, or drunken!” ‘‘ Mad—yes!” and Marcus Tudor caught at the suggestion much as a drowning man is said to grasp at a floating straw. ‘‘ He is a wander- ing lunatic, full of visionary tales of horror! Why, pet, would you believe it? The rascal actually demanded your band in marriage! And vat Bes I repulsed bim in seorn, he bad the sublime impudence to threaten me with the gallows! Me, Marcus Tudor—with the common bhangman-—ha! ha!” It was a ghastly attempt at a laugh, and Zurilla shuddered and turned a shade paler as she heard it, though she could bardly have ex- plained why she did so, Certain it is that she never once thought of there being a substantial foundation for that threat to rest upon, ‘* Never mind, dear,” she said, soothingly, pat- ting bis pale cheek, treating him much as she might an injured child, ‘ We will forget the mean fellow, and only remember how happy we will all be when Milo returns and is here to protect us both from such unmannerly in- truders. We will tell him all—” She paused, amazed and burt as the mine- owner, with an energy that was almost fury, caught her by the aim and shook it with vio- Jence, huskily muttering: “No, no, not a word! It would be utter ruin! No ore must know—it must rest a secret between you and I until I bave seen that blood- sucker again and bought bim off! Promise me, Zurilla—swear that you will say nothing about—” Dimly conscious that he had at least in part betrayed the dangerous secret of his past, Mar- cus Tudor cut his words short, staring almost fiercely into the startled face of his ag hter. then yohey | his eyes as he saw there full con- firmation of his fears. ‘‘ Father, you have said too much to pause now,” said Zurilla, gravely, ber clear eyes hold- ‘ing him as though spellbound. ‘* What does it all mean? What terrible power has that evil man over you! Whatdid he mean by making that preposterous demand, coupled with such a threat?” Marcus Tudor tried to turn his eyes away from that firm, bright gaze, but in vain. His shaken faculties were incapable of the task and slowly, like one from whom each word is ex- tracted by physical force, he replied: ‘‘He has me in his power. He can—can kill me, if be chooses, and I can do nothing to prevent him, unless—but better shameful death a thousand times over than submit to such an outrageous demand!” ‘That you sbould break off the match between me and Milo, you mean?” hesitatingly asked the maiden, ‘* What made bim ask such a thing as that?” ‘ He said be bad loved you ever since he first beheld you—-that he was resolved to marry you bimself.” ‘* That gambler?” cried Zurilla, then breaking off suddenly as her ear caught a well-known footstep on the gravel walk. She ran across the room to the open window, and called: ‘* Milo! welcome back!” The next moment she was half-led, half-carried back into the herp, then folded in strong arms, A bearded pair of lips fell upon hers, and for a moment or two, all perplexing thoughts and fears were banished to the four winds of heaven. When Milo Vincent had performed his loverly duties—ip this case most welcome ones—and re- cognized the figure reclining in the easy-chair, he advanced, one arm wound lovingly about the waist of his promised bride, the other hold- ing forth a flat package. ‘‘ Back again, my dear sir, and glad I am to hand you this little bundle.” ‘The money? You. had no difficulty in ob- taining it?’ asked Marcus Tudor, with a flush of bis usual self, as he accepted the package and started to break the seal. Milo Vincent had only waited long enough after leaving the stage to visit his room and wash his face and change his soiled and bloody garments. Trim and neat, in that semi-dark- ness, neither daughter or father had noticed the bruises he had received in bis heroic defense of his trust, but Marcus Tudor almost dropped the ee of money as he caught sight of the lood-stained cut which pierced its center. ‘“‘ There’s blood upon it! Take it away!” he gasped, dropping the bundle, shrinking back and staring wildly about him. ‘‘It’salie! My bands are clean! I never killed ber!” Though not a little astonished by these inco- herent words, Vincent caught the package, lau bing carelessly as he said: ‘‘ There’s nothing to be startled at, dear sir. Ratber, we should drink a toast to the money that saved the life of one who is more or less dear'to all of us!” ‘* Milo!” cried Zurilla, clinging to him, look- ing into his eyes as she caught and comprehend- ed the vein of earnestness which underlay his light speech. ‘‘ You have beenin danger! You are hurt! Oh, my love!” The warm pressure of his lips cut her excited cries short, and at the same time reassured her trembling heart. “It is all over now, pet, and we will laugh in- stead of sobbing over it, if you please, [ did have a little adventure, but your guardian angel carried me through in fine style, and if Don Bobtail Fandango don’t paintGood Enough In this wise was the ground broken for the a glaring red before he closes his eyes in sleep, | gambler, though Faro Saul little suspected such then I’ll never attempt a prophecy again!” athing. And thus weakened, when the terrible This was quite sufficient to give all there an | charge was brought against him, the shaken inkling of the truth, for they had had many a | brain of the mine-owner proved wholly unequal hearty laugh over the queer lamentations of | to tbe strain. If not insane, Marcus Tudor was the doughty little driver. but little short of it at that moment when he Marcus Tudor, realizing how nearly he had | crouched in his,chair, staring stealthily into the exposed his dangerous secret, rallied once more, | wondering countenance of his young foreman. and asked what it all meant. Vincent seated “Is the girl gouef’ hissed Marcus Tudor, himself, with Zurilla on a cushion close beside | never moving a muscle as be uttered the werds bim, and briefly but clearly gave an account of | barely loud enough for the astonisbed and be- the adventure with the masked road-agents. wildered foreman to catch them. ‘‘ Are you Every circumstance went so plainly to prove | sure she isn’t listening at the key-bole?” that the sole aim of the outlaws was to gain ‘What do you mean?” a little sharply de- peescanion of the valuable packet carried by | manded Milo, flushing at this mean imputation incent, that even the sorely sbaken faculties | against his love. “ Are you mad, Mr. Tudor, of Marcus Tudor could not avoid reaching that | that you say such things? conclusion, “She might—-she did before,” was the reply, ‘* ‘You must have been careless in your actions | in the same guarded tones. ‘She heard bing or your talk,” he said, with a trace of his old- | make those ridiculous threats about bangit time severity. ‘‘I repeatedly cautioned you to | me—me/ ba! ha! Did you ever hear of suc be very secret—to keep your mission from the | an utterly preposterous idea? Hang me/ ha! outside at all costs!” ” ‘‘{ neglected no precautions, sir,” was the Despite his strong nerves, Milo Vincent could quiet reply. ‘‘ The secret certainly leaked out, | not keep down the cold chill that crept along his some way, but it was not at my end of the | spinal cord as he listened to these words and road.” noted that insanely cunning look, Though he ‘* What do you mean by that?” did not pretend to understand bow it bad come “That at least three of our own men were | about, he knew that Marcus Tudor must have among the gang who attacked me,” was the | received a terrible shock toreduce him toastate quiet reply. like this. He felt it a duty he owed both father ‘* What! you don’t mean to say—” and daughter to get at the bottom facts, and ‘* That Jim Johnson, Frank Decker, and Free | with that object in view, he asked: Harpe were among the dead men brought to ‘* You are speaking of Faro Saul?” town on our stage. As you know, any or all of He saw the mive-owner give a shiver and cast tbem were deemed above _ suspicion — were | a glance around bim as though be expected the classed among our best and trustiest hands. | mention of that name to conjure up some dread- How the secret leaked out, I am, of course, un- | ed sight; but then Marcus Tudor, leaning far able even to guess. Yet I have my suspicions | forward and speaking in a startling whtebee, as to the prime mover in the plot. I beheve id: ; that the young woman who called herself Stella ‘*Milo Vincent, on your honor as a man, tell Timberlake is none other than the notorious | me: do you roelly and truly love Zurilla?’ ; woman known here as Queen Titania; and ifso,| ‘Better than life—better than all the world it is almost certain that she was acting under } and beaven besides!” was the grave, yet fervent the instructions of Faro Saul,” response, ‘Saul Oberlin? Curse bim from top to toe!” **] know it. I was an ass for asking sucha cried Marcus Tudor, bursting into a wild spasm | question. All love her—even the crawling re ofrage. ‘‘ He wants to rob me of my wealth, | tile who—” again he broke off abruptly, wi and then drag meto the gallows. It isa lie! I | that fearsome glance around the gloomy room. defy him! He has no grounds for his vile | ‘‘Sball I strike a light, Mr. Tudor?” asked charges! It is only a desperate blackmailing | Milo, rising. scheme! I never did it!” ‘*No, no! keep your seat! The darkness is In mute amazement Milo Vincent stared at | better for what 1 have tosay. That is—if you the half-mad mine-owner who buskily uttered | will keep a close watch on the window, to make — these disjointed sentences, then turned a won- | sure that infernal snake does not creep in while dering, inquiring look upon Zurilla, who, pale | my eyes are turned arother way, Fou'll do as death, hastily whispered in explanation: that, boy?” 13 “‘Tbat wretch has been here to-day making trouble. I don’t know just what he said, but it bas shaken poor father in—” “Stop!” cried Marcus Tudor, leaning forward in his chair and making a grasp at the arm of his daughter, as he seemed to Catcl the purport of ber hasty whispering. ‘‘ You shall not be- tray me! Utter nota word, or I'll disown you forever! Would you twist. the rope that is to choke the life out of your own father? Be si- lent!—be secret as the very grave!” ‘* But, father,” stammered the confused and terrified girl, ‘‘it is only Milo. Surely he may be trusted!” ““No one—they are all vile—all base and treacherous as the father of evi! himself. Go!— go to your room, and remain there until I call ou. Don’t dare come back before, and don’t et me catch you listening at the key-hole again!” Sobbing, shocked to the very core, Zurilla arose, and bending over the chair in which her parent sat, she kissed bim tenderly on the brow, then left the room. Amazed, almost stupefied, unable to account for the terrible change in the man whom he had left in the hight of bealth and spirits, Milo Vin- cent sat motionless, gazing at the mine-owner, who crouched back in bis chair, eying him covertly, gnawing his thumb-nail, looking like a ghost of his usual self. There was a dark and fearful secret in his past. For many long years he had hidden it deep down in bis beart, trying tosmother it out, but vainly. Outwardly so happy and prosper- ous, with all that the buman heart conld seem- ingly long for; with wealth steadily aeccumu- lating, with the respect and esteem of his fellow-men; in sober reality a man with more wretchedness hidden beneath a smiling mask never lived. Scarcely a night passed over his head but what eran and bloody phantoms visited his bed- side, if not in reality, iu his broken dreams. Outwardly he showed no signs of this, but in Lis calmer moments Marcus Tudor knew that the terrible, torturing strain was surely if slow- ly doing its work. He knew that those terrible phantoms visited him more fri quently and re- mained longer. Once or twice of late he bad caught himself shrinking away and on the point of screaming aloud at the sight of them in broad Cayligbt. He felt that his nerves were being shattered, that his strong brain was beginning to yield; and only for Zurilla, he Be 2 long since have blown his brains out rather than live on with the dread prospect of insanity staring him in the face, 900 COMUNE cS (E(0)