Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

a eee Aen Mam F —— — ee on ee Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. and she determined to watch and see if any new developments occurred in the case, All passed quietly that night, and if there were dark doings about the house she heard nothing of them. But she had not seen the Jast of the burglar episode. The following morning she entered the store- room for a more careful search, taking care to do so when Joseph was busy in the office, Her search was not in vain. Upon the rough surface of the boards and timbers, at the point where she had beard the strange stirring, she found small particles of woolen goods; sure evidence, she argued, that a mau had been there, just as she had claimed. Nor was this all, In removing some of these particles she noticed dark spots on the boards, and when she had obtained a light she saw that they were of a bright-red bue. ‘Blood !” she whispered, a frightened look appearing on her face. t was not strange she was moved. There is et by something affecting about a blood-stain which has not been accounted for in a matter- of-fact way, and for a while she felt unnerved. Dark suspicions, strong though vague, floated through her mind, and she feared the mysteri- ous disappearance of the man under the floor was accounted for in a way in which she would not have even a burglar vanish from sight. After a short time, however, she caught at a more agreeable theory. The man might have scratebed himself on some nail; ber vague sus- picions might bave no ground. She replaced the boards, and, resuming her work, tried to be content with her last theory, but her mind would not be af ease, Somewhat later she relieved Joseph in the office, but she said nothing about her dis- ned Na Perhaps half an hour had passed when David Bond entered the office. 1t was their first meeting since the night when he rescued her from Mose Devlin, and asshe did not undervalue that service, she greeted him with kind words and a look which told that they were wholly sincere, There was something about the giant which pleased her—his massive build; strong, but irregular, features; and the steady light of his = eyes. He had appeared to her asa hero, and he certainly seemed able to sustain his reputation. et he was so little accustomed to ladies’ society that a flush arose to his face as she warmly thanked him, and his motions and speech were awkward as he answered, Conversation dwelt for a while on the late adventure, and Dave expressed surprise that Joseph had considered it best to let Devylin’s offense go unpunished, but as it had become war to the knife between the pugilist and him- self, he felt that it would seem like cowardice to urge prosecution, himself, He had, however, come on business, and he proceeded to explain it. ‘‘Have you see’d anything o’ Silver-Plated Sol?’ he asked, op saw bim yesterday, with Joseph, but not since, “Wal, I’'d like ter know whar he has been sence. e said he was goin’ ter call on Mr. Danforth, and that he'd see me last night, but he, ain’t showed up, an’ be ain't heen at ther Flowing Bowl Hotel sence yesterday mornin’, It is sorter curious.” “T do not think he called atthe house. I saw pie Par the door of the office with my brother, but Joseph did not mention that he went ip and he certainly was not there when I closed the office,” *Tcan’t pena gine whar he’s gone,” said Dave, 8 o out an’ look furder.” went and Ettala was left alone, and then for the first time, a suspicion flashed upon the irl, . The disappearance of Silver-Plated Sol, after having been with Joseph, had been immediately followed by the events connected with the man under the floor, It was a startling recollection, and events wheeled into line to make it suspicious, She remembered the locked door of. the store-room, and bow Joseph sat in front of it and, for awhile, laughingly refused to move; and an- other peculiar incident came to her mind. She remembered the talk she overheard between Joseph and Luke Burbank, in which they spoke of 4 which the gambler was to furnish. Le heavens!” she thought, ‘‘ can it be this er eee Sol was dru and then—and n— Can it be he was the man under tbe floor; that it was his life-blood I saw; that Bur- bank and my brother combined against bim, and that he is dead ?” CHAPTER XIX. Ogu! “wHO IS HAMED?” Tt has before been remarked that the Magi- cian of Madrock Ledge had seldom, or never, n seen abroad since he first occupied the on the rock, puss besa f t would ad the peo- have been somewhat of a surprise | hr rE —“_O s 8 le in general seen him slowly: descend the edge, on the afternoon of the day of which we last wrote, and move toward the village. But, as chance would have it, there was no one who observed him, and be made his way unnoticed and unmolested to a small house at the south side of the place. lt was owned by a man named Shaw, who was superintendent of a mine, and, besides him- self, the household consisted of bis wife, sister and Lois Orme. Ever since the latter came to Bowlder Bar she had boarded with the family, and they bad proved good, though humble friends, On this afternoon Lois was alone in the house, Shaw was at his work, and the women were visiting, and Lois was sewing in the sitting- room, alone, and, as she supposed, not likely to be disturbed. Hamed, however, went straight to the house, opened the door and walked in without cere- mony. If he was not personally acquainted with the interior of the place, the ‘‘stars” must have given him substantial aid, for be made his way at once to the room where she was sitting. As the door opened she looked up carelessly, and then sat amazed at sight of the Magician. Naturally of a courageous nature, she did not feel alarmed, but she would as soon have ex- pected to see the President. He noticed her 4S hie and smiled slightly. “Have no fear,” he said, reassuringly. “I have come as a man, not asa magician, and only to have a friendly talk, In other words, I am Bel r your visit.” ‘Perhaps you want me to tell your fortune now?” she suggested, rallying. “‘Scarcely, for I haye come to speak wholly of you.” * Of me?” “ Yes.” **T do not see what needs to be said concern- ing me,” she answered, coldly. ‘There is more than you think, or I should not be here. Your career is a somewhat remark- able one, and can not be too fully discussed.” . me, but I do not agree with you.” ) ‘*No, sir. I do not see any necessity..for dis- cussing my affairs at all, sir.” ‘Yet, ldo not think you will refuse my re- uest.”” “I do; Imust. Do not presume upon my visit to you to continue our acquaintance, That was merely in a professional line, and youshould have no personal interest in it, and no desire to speak of it further. I must ask you to drop the subject.” Lois spoke firmly, but Hamed _at once answer- ed, in a disagreeable tone: ‘* Do you command it?” The girl hesitated. ‘You can hardly afford to do that, situated as am are. I know that the heirs of Abram Selden, possessed of new evidence—evidence which seems to show that you were really con- cerned in the piesa tance of Selden’s money —are anxious to find Bertha Wardner, and I know you are she.” The color had retreated somewhat from Lois’s face, and it was plain that she felt her position, but her pature was not of the cowering kind and there was a defiant gleam in her eyes. ‘* Do you mean to say you would betray me?” ‘Suppose I answer affirmatively?” ‘It would. be acowardly thing to do!” she cried, passionately. ‘*Now, you talk with reason. You really ad- mit my power; conaeanently, you will not refuse to talk rationally. Do so, and you will find I am by no means yourenemy, I wish to say, right at the beginning, that I am fully informed in regard to this case—” ; ao ry, the ‘stars? ” she sarcastically asked. “ That part is immaterial. Enough that you are Bertha Wardner, and that you are living bere under an assumed name to avoid the heirs of Abram Selden. I could also tell something about Charles Winter and Roger Hillard, whom they are anxious to find, but we will drop that part of it, Now, I'll tell you why I am inter- ested.” * Well?” “When you visited me at Madrock Ledge mention was made of your father, who left you and your mother when you were @ small child. Let us now talk of him. “What of him?’ Lois asked; with renewed interest, ** He lives.” a Ah bad ey Yes, and, moreover, is interested in your ‘Then, he had better come forward and show his interest. It would be more fatherly than to keep in the background,” the girl bitterly said. “Believe me, be bas good reasons for his course. I speak with authority, for Iam free to confess I am his agent.” » ' * You have been a long while in mentioning oS am acting under orders.” ‘ And where does this man of mystery kee pic abe TDD op what point does he issue h orde ‘‘That I am forbidden’ to tell,” answered Hamed, as calmly as though there bad been no sarcasm iu her voice. ‘* He is at liberty to keep in concealment, but if his orders to you partake of the nature of an order to me, you need not repeat them. I have fought my own battle, fatberless and motber- less, for nearly a score of years, and I am capable of doing so longer. You can report to him that the daugbter he deserted, when she was a child, bas no desire to hear from him at this late day.” ‘‘You speak bitterly, recklessly, unreason- ably,” was the unmoved reply. ‘‘ Be governed by your wiser instincts and talk calmly. Your father had good reasons for leaving his home when he did, though he cannot explain at pres- sent. Now, he wishes to link his fortunes with yours; he wishes to help you now you are men- aced by trouble.” ‘‘ How will he help me?’ Lois incredulously asked. ‘* He takes the same view of the case that you do,” blandly answered Hamed; “‘ he thinks that Abram Selden’s wealth rightfully belongs to you; and he will help you battle against your enemies,” “What message does he send?’ she slowly asked. ‘* First of all, he bids you be firm to the end. He says the money of Abram Selden is yours, for you were his adopted daughter by love, if not legally, and the fact that no will was pro- duced only shows that he had no time to make: one. Mr. Wardner bids you retain Selden’s: money.” . The magician was looking straight at Lois. The blue spectacles bid his eyes, but she felt. sure the gaze was a keen one, for all of that. ‘What else?’ she calmly asked, “JT am directed to watch over you, and to warn you if I see evidence that the Selden heirs have discovered you. Also, he bids you put confidence in me, and let me belp protect you and the Selden money.” ‘What else?” ‘There is nothing more at present.” ‘You have said quite enough,” she said, with subdued vehemence, “It is now my turn. You assume that I am in possession of the Sel- den money. You never made a greater mis~ take. I have nota dollar of it, and Iam glad itisso, If I had, the Selden heirs could brand me a thief, for I have nothing to show that I was entitled toit. Becareful that you do not make the same mistake. I repeat, one dollar of Abram Selden’s money!” She had arisen and stood before him with her form drawn to its fullest bight, and her face proud and set with what seemed real disdain of his charge and an expression of her own honor. A disappointed look was on his countenance. ** But— “ Hear me through,” she interrupted. “ When I visited you, in my foolish curiosity, you as- serted that there was a forged will once in ex- istence which gave nearly all Selden’s money to me, and that it was the work of Charles Winter and myself. There was a will of that purport but it was a genuine document, freely executed by Abram Selden, It fell into the hands of Roger Hillard, and he was unjust enough to. think it cual For that, he deserted me. “This will, however, was never seen by Charles Winter, who was never anything to me more than a passing acquaintance. e will was genuine, and init Mr. Selden gave nearly all his wealth to me; but when I knew of er Hillard’s unjust suspicion, I thrust it in the and thus ended my bopes. In conclusion, I left the neighborhood almost penniless, and I do not kpow what became of Selden’s missing money.” Deep dissatisfaction was exp on Ha-~ med’s face as be heard this statement. For once, his cold self-possession was shaken, and it was clear he was angry as well as disappointed.. “ Your father will scarcely believe this state- ment,” he muttered. ‘“ Do you speak authoritatively?” *T believe J do.” “T do not doubt it,” Lois answered, with a hard laugh. ‘‘ My dear sir, do not for a mo- ment suppose I am deceived by all your round- about speeches.. I know you! You are Bernard Wardner, the man fate most cruelly made my father; the man who deserted his wife and in- fant daughter; the man who carefully kept out of sight until, believing his daughter was a thief, he generously stepped forward to share her ill-gotten gains! Ay, I know you at last, and, I assure you, I am proud of such a parent. Most noble, faithful, magnanimous and affec- bes of men, your daughter knows you at ast! Words can poorly describe the bitterness and sarcasm With which she spoke, and those who had known Hamed in his moments of profes- sional dignity would bave been amazed to see him cower then. He stood silent and, apparently, confounded, and for a while there was silence in the room which was so deep that the sounds of the street. seemed to assume thrice their usual volume. Hamed, the great, the mysterious, the strong-- have not : minded, had nothing to say. JOOKS GoOmic (elo) afl a * A