Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

oS ——— er Ce ee ad eel ZS. wewee Se a Fe ow ae ae ee ee 16 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. that he had met with foul play under the yery -roof that sheltered her. Tbe man under the floor, and the stains of blood, were not to be forgotten. Again and again she asked herself what mo- tive could have inspired this deed. She had tried to believe her brother had no share in it, but.all indications were to the effect that he ‘ .had, and she was obliged to abandon the posi- tion. But Silver-Plated Sol might be alive after all. Surely, Joseph would not injure him, or allow him to be injured under their roof. There might be a mistake somewhere, after all, or there might be a plot against Joseph— She cvoj-ctured a host of theories, and at last succeeded in convincing berself—or thougbt she did—that Joseph was an ill-used and persecuted man. What.could she do to help him? ‘‘T know he is innocent!” she repeated, again and again, but it was a noteworthy feature of her so-called confidence that she did not go to her brother, or let him know. that she suspected anything. She did. feel, however, that she must have some one to confide in. Whom could she trust? Lois? Yes, the latter could be trusted; but she was the girl whom Joseph loved, and hardly the person to.seek in such a case. To whom, then, could she go? Like the sound of. water to a thirsty man came the recollection of Dave Bond. His tower- ing figure,.with its ox-like strength, bis square, resolute face, honest, though plain and unpre- tentious—the mererecollection of him served to ease one-half the pain in her heart. Had she.stopped to think clearly, remeniber- ing that he was Sol Colton’s friend, she might not have gone to him, but she acted under the aappuise of the moment, and, seeing it. was just ,0uL time for him to. return from work at the mine, she threw on her coquettish hat aod hur- ed away... '. Sbe encountéred no one on the way who nestioned her, and soon arrived at Giant ave’s humble residence.’ He was not visible, and at the door she hesitated for a moment. Her step might seem bold and unmaidenly, and, ‘bough naturally, one of the brightest and most uoyant of girls, she had a dus regard for what the world would say; but she put aside fastidi- ousness as She remembered her errand, and en- tered, Giant Dave was at bome, _- He had returned from the mine, cleared away some of the signs of his labor, and was engaged in prevering his supper. At the moment when Ettala entered be was standing near the fire with a kettle in his hand, presenting the absurd appcekeure that an unprofessional male cook sually does, and, as he had. been worried by some culinary frifla, looking hot and unhappy. Ettala took in the whole thing at one glance, Her acute feminine eyes saw the cause of trou- ble and the means of relief, and she again yield- ed to impulse and started forward. ** Let me help you, Mr. Bond!” If the cabin had enlarged about him and travsformed itself into a circus tent, with a housand spectators and the greatest show on éarth in the interior; or if the kettle had insist- pe op walking the tight-rope on a Cclothes-line, ron playing a game of keno with the broom, Giant Dave. would not bave been more astonish- ire had not heard Ettala, nor seen her, until she spoke, and when she had done that be was mply ateack dumb, Still holding the kettle, e stared blankly at ber and said nothing, ~ * Just let me. take charge, and you sit down, ‘and I will soon bave your supper prepared,” A the girl, as she deftly relieved him of the ettle, K e was conscious of muttering a feeble pro- tes apalpt her taking so much trouble upon ‘self—just what he said he did not know, and doubtful if she did. eit Mi 4s no trouble at all,” she asserted. ‘‘ Please it” own, and I will soon have your supper ea y- . é He sat down and, in a dazed way, watched As she flitted about, lithe and active, bis mind went back alptig oe lapse of years to the - ‘when, youn an he was then, he used ‘to watch that sister of whom he had once spoken, as she prepared supper for himself ‘and his giant brothers. The recollection did not serve to add to his presence of mind, and he answered only in mo- nosyllables as Ectala talked while she worked. ina}ly the meal was prepared, and she placed ‘dt neatly upon bis rude table, and drew up the tally rude chair. ie: that time Dave Bond had wholly lost bis head. Such a bright presence had never before dawned upon his cabin life, and, even while be wished it might remain forever, he an to ‘doubt if it was really there; to wonder if it was not the creation of a dream. But he took his place at the table with a de- ‘ . of satisfaction new to him; if the meal had n prepared by aqueen it would have been Jess satisfactory; and, somehow, it bad a taste never before observed by him. He had been ac- ystomed to meat as simply meat, but tot that, when cooked by Ettala, it was sothes hing else, At any rate, it was far better than usual. He managed to express his thanks, and a deli- cate compliaent, and he did it in a really cred- itable way, and as the girl had resolved not to mention business until he was done eating, she was so pleased at having pleased him that they had ap animated conversation. Dave forgot to wonder why such a strange thing had happened, in the satisfaction of hav- ing her there, and be would have been glad had the interview never come to an end. When he had finished eating, however, the romantic gave place to the practical, and Ettala abruptly asked: ** Mr. Bond, are you my friend?” lt. was a startling augeHoD: but Giant Dave bad so rallied that all the manliness of bis‘na- turé was at the front, and he was not to be thrown off his guard again. ‘‘ You kin bet.your life 1 am, Miss Ettala!” he emphatically answered. “T thought so, and I am glad of it in trouble and want an ally, and 1 did not know to whom, to go except to you. There- fore, I’ve come to see if you'll help me in my trouble.” for I am CHAPTER XXII. THE SLEEPING LION AROUSED. GiaAnT Dave was surprised to hear that Et- tala was in trouble, for he had always supposed her life was a sort of rose-garden existence, but his answer came prompily: ‘You can command me in any way you see fit ter speak, Miss Danforth. - I’m a rough, rude fellow, but I hope I ain’t so low an’ mean that I’m blind ter the fact that you're ther finest gal in Bowlder Bar— Don’t mad, fur I mean wal,” he suddenly broke off, frightened lest she should take offense at his plain speaking. ‘I’m not angry, and I’m glad you think well of me,” she said, a slight flush appearing in her cheeks. “I'd die fur you!” he said, quickly—“ though I’d rather live. There! I didn’t mean ter say that, but you hev spoke kind an’ gentle ter me, an’ I know ther good o’ a word o’ that kind. But Pm wand’rin’ ’way off ther track; you said you was in trouble. How kin I help you?” There was not much room to doubt the state of Giant Dave’s feelings toward the girl after that explosive utterance, but, though Ettala’s cheeks were quite pink, she did not speak, or look, as though she was angry. Hadn't such a comely young giant a right to tell her he admired her? Certainly, and it was her privilege to reciprocate, if she saw fir, though, of course— But why should we argue the matter when there is no opposition? ‘‘Have you seen Silvyer-Plated Sol yet?” she asked, as her thoughts.took a practical turn. ‘* No,” he slowly answered, ‘Where do you thiuk he is?” ‘““] wish I knowed. I’m afeerd harm has come ter him.” “Tn what way?” ‘“'Phat’s what I don’t know. Yonr brother, Mr. Danforth, says Sol didn’t call on him, as he intended, so it is all a oe, mess, Thar are toughs in Bowlder Bar, an’ it may be Sol run afoul o’ some o’ them,” *Can’t you do something to solve the mys- tery” “That’s jest what I’m tryin’ ter do, but I can’t get any light on ther subject.” “Suppose I give you the name of a man I think worthy of being watched?” **Then I'll watch him,” was the quick reply. ‘Who is he?” ‘‘P’m afraid suspicion will fall on the wrong man,” said Ettala, ‘‘and I want it where it belongs.” “ Sartin, sart’in,” Dave coincided. ‘§ Well, the man I want you to watch is Luke Burbank.” . “ Ther gambler?” ‘6 Yes,” ‘ He’s a big enough rascal ter desarve watch- in’, but do you really think he was consarned in Sols disappearance?” Before Ettala could answer heavy steps echoed on the floor, and as they turned they saw Burbank, himself. His face was a pano- rama. It was white with passion, and other emotions wera there too thickly to be enumer- ated, but these, taken with his clinched bands, showed that he was in a terrible rage. ‘‘!’m here to answer for myself!” he said, in a loud voice. No one replied, but the gleam in Dave’s eyes showed that he resented the intrusion, as well as the eavesdropping which was reyealed by his words, How much he had heard they had no means of knowing, but be had plainly ap- peared when he did because the conversation -had taken a turn dangerous to bim. *T want it to be aon bs understood that I won’t tolerate such a use of my name. I know nothing about your precious Silver-Plated Sol, and I won’t have my name connected with his. Do you understand that, you big lubber?” Giant Deve’s great band cl over the edge of the table as though he would crush the board. ‘‘-You sart’inly make yourself plain,” he an- swered, mildly, but with a huskiness which told of suppressed passion. “You'll find V’ll make myself plain before I am through!” the gambler hissingly said. ‘Ef you’ve got aught ter say, Pll hear it bime-by.” ‘*Yow’ll hear it now!” Burbank declared, “ You forgit thar’s a lady byar.” ‘‘T’'m willing she should see me flog you.” “Mr. Burbank,” interrupted Exvtala, * I beg that—” “Tl] speak with you later,” he curtly said, “First of all, ’'m going to make this fellow re- pent so free a use of my name.” “Bar in mind I hev no quarrel with you,” said Dave, still mildly. ‘-T don’t ask you to quarrel, but to fight!” ‘Ar’ T refuse. I ain’t a fightin’ man, an’ I don’t want no trouble with you. I don’t want trouble with no one. Go away now, an’ I’! see you ag’in.” ‘‘ And leave Miss Danforth bere? NotI! Her Seth is not with so low a fellow as you, oseph will be shocked when he hears she has been bere, and, after this, he will take care to preserve the reputation for which she don’t seem to care,” Giant Daye arose. His face was as white as it couli ‘be through the bronze, but there was no trembling of bis limbs; he was icily calm, except for the terrible gleam in bis eves. “Don’t do that!” he exclaimed. ‘* Don’t say aught ag’in’ her; it won’t do!” ‘** All Bowlder Bar will Lave something to say if they know of this visit.” ** They'll lie ef they say “Bt ag’in’ her.” “Appearances speak p.. ‘er than your words,” the gambler sneered. Dave moved further forward. ‘Luke Burbank, ’'m a man o’ peace, an’ I'd hate ter lay a band on you, but Pil throw you out o’ ther house ef you speak thus ag’in!” ‘‘T shall say what I please, and I shall licly proclaim that the girl visits you here.’ Burbank was playing with fire, but he was fool enough not to knowit. Alarmed at the conversation be bad interrupted, he felt the need of making a side-issue to turn the current, and he caught at what he plainly saw was Bond’s one vulnerable point. He knew not the danger he was thus daring. He had never been told how Dave had vanquished Mose Devlin, and he deemed the miner a uy overgrown fel- low, too cowardly to fight. 6 thought he was safe enough in sneering, Ettala, after her last attempt to speak, bad stood dumb with mortification and surprise. The unjust interpretation put upon ber visit cut her to the heart, and she lacked the power to defend herself then. Not so Dave Bond. He had a flery temper and, before he learned to control it, he had been one to fight, with bare fists or weapons, at the least offense. Of late he had made a great effort to subdue his natural inclinations, but the sneers against Ettala were more than he could ear, As the last sentence fell from Burbank's lips the giant started forward, and for the first time the gambler realized his imprudence, The flash of those large eyes startled him, He dropped his hand to his revolver, but he was too late. Dave was.upon bim like a Jion. The feeble guard he interposed was brushed aside, and in a moment more the broad hand closed upon bis throat. “* Dog!” hissed Giant Dave, ‘* you have sealed your own fate!” r Still grasping him by. the throat, he forced him back against the wall, and it seemed as though Burbank’s neck would break beneath that clutch. Ettala was dumb with terror. | Burbank put out bis hands feebly, as though toimplore mercy, but he made no effort to re- taliate. The force of the storm he bad raised swept away all his resolution. It may he would bave died under that hold, for Bond bad lost all prudence, but Ettala fortunately recovered her presence of mind. She started forward and caught Dave’s arm. — *‘Spare bim!” she implored. ‘In Heaven’s name, do not commit murder!” Her voice—ber touch—were like water on fire. Almost instantly the giant’s bands drop- ped down, and he stood staring blankly, dazed and trembling. : ‘*J—J didn’t know what I was doin’!” he muttered. Burbank, freed from that crushing grasp, d sight pub- stood gasping by the wall. Breath an had nearly deserted him, but they came back aire seth 7 ““My temper run away with me; I reall n’t know what I was doin’,” Dave was aavisg. ‘Pm sorry, an’ I hope you will forgive me.” ‘*Forgive you! There is nothing to Sy a You are the bravest and noblest Of men; I am pe a ort pe ait ttala spoke warmly; the emergency served to agg bem aa then: = u ur s vision had b t time cleared, and he looked at Dave with a glance which told him that murder was at his heart. 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