Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 302 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

- to hurt, Miss Tudor,” the - elass, as yet proud, if the seeming paradox be admissible. ‘Only that I saw you were in personal peril, I should never have ventured to intrude myself upon your presence. The peril is past, and I will relieve you of all further annoyance.” e bowed low, and retreated a pace, but without turning around, for the girl, flushing vividly, made a restraining gesture with cne band as the other assisted her to arise. “Tt is I who should beg your pardon, sir,” she stammered, her conscience hurt by that proudly mournful tone. ‘‘I did not know—I was so confused—it was not my intention to injure your feelings, I assure you!” ‘*‘Gamblers bave—or should haye—no feelings iant sport quickly replied, a peculiar light flashing across his bandsome face. “J am one of that graceless you are aware, and consequently far below the consideration of alady. Believe me, T felt and appreciated all this, as keenly as even you can, when I dared to take you in my arms and carry you here. J méant to leave you as soen as your senses should return, lest you feel abased by coming in contact ‘with a moral leper like— ‘A little cry from her lips checked his rapid b. He bowed sligbtly, and stood motion- es, ravely listening to her hasty words; “You wrong yourself—you wrong me, most of all, Mr. Oberlin! You'have no right to use such language. Granted that you are the gam- Bb ee ou say, you preserved me from what creature was—” romised to be worse than death! That horrible Her voice grew husky, and she cast a shiver- ing | ce around her, a8 though expecting to once more behold that beast-like vi : He r inidi'e ou 6 is gone where he will neve n, Miss Tudor,” quickly interposed Faro ‘“ You did not—I remember hearing a shot— ‘Merciful heavens!” gasped Zurilla, c.vering her + ; et ey his crimsoning rags just a , ‘shall fear to leave you ‘never knew him to insult a lady before,” ‘ : . face with her hands and trembling violently as eb de hort came back to her. © | Agee she beheld that rage-convulsed face— yshe saw its beast-like fury turn to hor- agony as the hairy paw clutched s ge i- ve bis rt! ightly Saul Oberlin leaped forward and sup- ted per = eh his strong arm, black eyes filled with a wildly triumphant light, but bis voice sounded almost fatherly in solicitude, its respectful tenderness, ~ “ Forget it all, Miss Tudor, or if you cannot 2 Abe try to regard it only as an ugly dream, brave; try to conquer wrakness, or I one here, witbout a strong arm to rt you. Nay,” with a short, Plays 7augh, “if that will not suffice, think a shock it would give Madam Grundy to see you helped oat agambler!” — ith a desperate effort Zurilla choked down ae Pe ie Recent et sufficiently to drop her a lift her é¢yes to that smiling, handsome e. Tt was so unexpéected—so terrible! I never knew I was a coward before; but that terrible - man gave me such a shock.” ‘‘He has been a disgrace to humanity too long. When he had a few drinks of liquor ‘aboard he never knew when to stop, thou te ve declared Saul. ‘‘ It was fortunate that Te whced to pass near enough to see you and recognize ae I weuld have cried out to frighten him Only I feared for your safety should I do so - before being within striking distance of the However, it is all over now, and the sooner you forget—” “hat, I fear, will be impossible!” shuddered - ant fairl ' The trace of lightmess vanished from Saul’s - tones as he noted this. and he added, earnestly: . a “You are still suffering, Miss Tudor, You must return home as quickly as possible. Suffer ‘mé to help you to the level, then I will fall be- , 80 no one will sus that you have so wered yourself as to have aught to do with a of my class.” Tears dimmed the eyes of the sorely sbaken - ‘girl, and her voice trembled as ‘she spoke, re- “You are éryel in speaking thus, Mr. Oberlin, “You have no right to think me so basely un. ey Pacccoy you having stained your hands "Tt is just that, Miss Tudor,” swiftly inter- posed the bandsome athlete. ‘‘ My bands are ‘soiled. I am a gambler—an outcast, vile and rotten to the very core, as men will tell you— as even your proud father will declare! It would be a blot on your name to be seen in my company, even on such an occasion as this. e will talk.” “ them, then!” with a flash of her old spirit, her pale face flushing brightly for the ‘moment, ‘ Who are they to call me to ac- count for my actions? I ask you to escort me W trelodless, put because ToT par Teepe ilgar prejudices, bu —Iam ‘not strong as I could wish!” an 7 ‘yoice grew unsteady, and Saul made a Her tion as though he would lend her the sup; of tis erci: but with a faint'stnile she to to tod expression which swept over his face and glow- ! 6 Faro Saul, the Handsome Hercules. the tree which shaded the spring, leaning against its trunk, smiling faintly as she added: ‘‘This has shaken me more than I thought, I find. If you will give me a little water, and then aid me home, it will add immensely to the debt of gratitude | already owe you,” The Handsome Hercules turned away to luck a leaf from which to form a cup, and per- fans it was well that Zurilla failed to note the ed in bis dark eyes just atthat moment. But it was gone when be handed her the leafy cup of water. His face was grave and respectful, his eyes quiet and unfathomable. There were few more words spoken between them as Zurilla leaned upon his arm and they moved toward the ns It was near the middle of the afternoon, and few persons were stirring about town. Those few, however, paused to stare wonderingly at the twain as they walked slowly along toward | the house of Marcus Tudor, only ceasing when they caught an ominous glance from the black eyes of the giant gambler. lf Zurilla noticed the miniature sensation they were creating she said nothing one way or the other, not sige until the door of her home was reached, and Saul Oberlin gently dropped her hand from his arm, lifting bis with a polite bow as though taking his eave, ** Not yet, Mr. Oberlin,” said Zurilla, hur- Loch “You must oblige me still further by coming in and seeing father. He is within, and will wish to thank you for your kindness to his only child. You will not refuse me tbis favor?” ‘Not when put as such, Miss Tudor,” was the grave reply “You have only to command, and I will obey.” Zurilla smiled faintly at his ceremonious po- liteness, but without saying more, opened the door and led the way inside. Hat in hand the giant gambler followed, ‘using on the threshold of the room in which arcus Tudor sat—a cosey sort of office and library in one, ‘*Pather, this gentleman—saved me from a frightful peril, and I At Mg to—thank him— for my sake!” gasped Zurilla brokenly, as she flung hér arms around the neck of the old gen- tleman, who started to his feet at their abrupt entrance. . She covld say no more. Her overtasked nerves gave ich! and with a sobbing cry, she sunk seemingly ifeless upon his breast, drawing a startled cry from bis paling Jips, “She is not afared only frightened by a drunken rascal. Call your housekeeper to bel you, rapidly uttered Faro Saul as he struc he silver call-bell which stood on the table. alf-distracted, Marcus Tudor hardly glanced at the man, and as the housekeeper, a middle- aged woman, made her appearance, he said, mye * . “ He p me take her to ber room. Zurilla, my darling! speak to me—speak to your poor old father! Rg Languidly her eyes opened, and a faint smile played about her lips for an instant; but that was all. And with arent tears rolling down his cheeks, Marcus Tudor carried ber out of the oo leaving the Handsome Hercules standing one. This did not appear to tly trouble Faro Saul. The grave look vanished from his mus- tached face, and he laughed in low, exultant tones, like one who feels that he bas won the opening move in an all-important game. And, handsome though he undeniably was, just then the athletic sport was not a pleasant object to aze upon—the Lucifer looked out of those flash- ing eves. th a cat-like'step he crossed the room and made a swift examivation of the various papers with which the desk was littered, but as rapidly replacing each one in the precise position it oc- cupied before he meddled with it. He did not seem to be looking for any thing in particular, or, if so, be betrayed no impatience by failing in the search. It was rather as One gratifying a petty curiosity to know more about the per- sonal affairs of another. For all be was so busy, the gambler did not suffer himself to be caught napping, and when warned by the sound of footsteps, be retreated to a chair, sitting quiet and like one parently awaiting the pleasure of a dilatory hos He rose to his feet as Marcus Tudor re-entered the room, and bowed quietly as the mine-owner hesitated before bim. “T trust your daughter is better, Mr, Tudor?” ‘Sha is, though still weak and agitated,” was the reply, given with perceptible embarrass- ment, which Saul was at no loss to comprebend. ~-“T do not wonder at that, considering what _she has ange through, Fortunately Ic to note ble, and was lucky enough to re- lieve her, by putting a bullet through the crazy rascal n time. just “She said something—not much— not think it so serious as that!” exc cus Tudor, tur peg t “It was touch an Another minute would have made all the rence between life and ‘death, for her. But I didn’t come here to make t I did Mar- —_ = my brags, I would not have come at all, only Miss Tudor urged me, and I feared she was not. strong enough to make the trip alone.” ‘““You were very kind, and I thank you, not only for that, but for— Who was i:? And you killed him?” Marcus Tudor was s0 agitated at the thoughts of his only child's peril that he scarcely knew what he was saying. “Thad to. There was no other way to save her. You may have heard of Toby Tinker? No? Well, it don’t matter much, now. He'll work no more mischief, drunk or sober.” Marcus Tudor turned to the sideboard ancw poured out a glass of liquor with a hand that trembled until the glass and decanter clicked together like castanets. Swallowing this at a gulp, he once more, and with more coherency, thanked the giant gambler for tbe service he had rendered, With a quiet smile Faro Saul stood and lis- tened, uttering no word of approval or dis- aragement, Tt was embarrassing, particular- y as Marcus Tudor was a small man in size, and forced to look upward to face the giant athlete, “Ts that all?’ slowly uttered Faro Saul, as the mine-owner ceased speaking, fairly frozen out by that cool, steady gaze and enigmatical smile. ‘*‘ Have you nothing more to offer!” “| am so agitated, that I fear I have ex- pressed _my gratitude but imperfectly.” stam- mered Tudor, flushing. ‘‘She is my only child —all I have on earth to love or live for. With- out ber, life would be a bitter, dreary desert indeed! Knowing this you can guess how very, very | ades' Lam to rer for rescuing her from that devilish scoundrel!” | Still Faro Saul smiled, but saying nothing. ‘**Of course—ahem!—if I can do anything—if you should ever want any—er—” The word stuck in bis throat, and Marcus. Tudor could not mention money to Faro Saul, Serccdag though he was.. He paused, flushing otly and feeling very umcomfortable; nor was he set at. ease by the low, mellow laugh which came from the gambler. ‘‘My dear sir,” drawled the gambler, drop- ping: into a chair and grossing his kgs careless- ly. ‘“* You are very stupid! Here I take the trouble to rescue a charming young lady from danger, and you pay me in empty thanks! Is that business?” “If money can—” ‘*But money can’t—this time! I want the conventionalreward. Give me the young lady, and we'll call it square!” , “Give you—what do you mean?” gasped Tu- or, “That I expect the hand of your daughter in marriage.” CHAPTER V. . THE LITTLE JOKER TURNS UP, SHARP and clear rung out the yoice of the fair young pilgrim as she sprung forward and made an ineffectual grasp atthe weapon which the masked chief bad thrust almost into the pale face of the undaunted foreman. With a cross between a snarl] and a curse, he foiled her attempt, his eyes flashing through the holes in his mask as they turned upon her, his voice harsh and suspicious, “What's the matter with you? If you want to get through with your feathers unruffled, m dainty bird, you'll bold your bush until it comes your turn tochirp. Fa}l back!” * Not until you promise to give over your murderous designs!” was the bold retort, the little woman facing the desperado, bristling all over, like a mother hen defending her downy ry ‘‘ Spare his life, and I’ll tell you where t— ‘‘ Hold!” cried Milo Vincent, for the first time showing signs of losing his nerve, his handsome face convu with strong emotions, his blue eyes flashing brightly, yet imploringly as he hell his hands out toward the little woman. ‘As you are a lady, 1 beg of you to keep my secret!” A grating oath broke from the lips of the masked chief as he heard this, and leaning for- ward in the saddle, he thrust his revolver out and down so savagely that the muzzle cut tbe lips of the foreman as be pulled the trigger. “You will have it, then?” The hammer fell, but only the dull, metallic click followed. The cartridge failed to explode, and before the dastardly act could be repeated, Stella Timberlake sprung forward and knocked the weapon aside with her bare hand, crying sharply: “* Harm him, and you lose the money forever! Tle Vine t taggered by th i ncent was stagge y the force with which the pistol had been thrust against bis oy but now, with a low grating cry of desperation, be lea n the masked rid | is. ba. Jeaped Ag er, clutching his both hands, tearing him from the saddle fe ae he were nothing more than @ child, They fell to the ground together, the out-. law growling, cursing, vainly tearing at those. sinewy ny oes with one hand, while with the nor he strove to grasp a weapon from his. Had it been only man to man, there could, EOMMIEl OOO KS 1} - 1 1 ‘| : : :