Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

_——— ‘+ Ettala,” said Joseph, abruptly, “isn’t it about time fer you to marry?” **Two o'clock? Well, I don’t know—” ‘‘ Nonsense! Beserious. I mean, are you not old enough?” ‘*T am two years younger than you.” ‘That is no criterion. Girls marry at an earlior age than men. Youcertainly seem old enough.’ ** | see that you want to get rid of me.” ‘‘Now, you know better than that, for you are a good, true sister,” said Joseph, effusively, ‘* But marriage is the lot of all people, and as it comes sooner or later, it behooves a girl to keep her eves open and let no chance slip which will be to her advantage.” *‘ Where are the grey hairs that accompany this wisdom?” asked Ettala, who was desper- ately trying to pass the matter off as a jest. “Now, in your case,” immovably pursued Joseph, ‘‘I have been spoken to by an excellent man who has plenty of money. @ wants you for a wife, and I do not see that you can do bet- ter.” ““ What price will he pay for me?” ‘* What price?” “Yes,” ‘* What do you mean?” “Tt seems lam to be bought end sold, irre- spective of my own wishes, and I suppose I am to be put up on a block, like the old-time slaves, and sold in due order. Who is ambitious to be my master?” ‘Ettala, this levity is unbecoming and un- just. No one wishes to become your ‘ master,’ nor would I sell you, as you express it. The gentleman who seeks your hand is Luke Bur- bank!” It was no surprise to the = ‘The gambler?” she coolly questioned. “sé Et a!” “What now?” ‘*Why will you repeat this unjust calumny, which peoplo make against an honorable man? Luke Burbank is not a ae ters and those who affirm it lack all proof. He is a gentleman in the fullest sense of the word.” ““Then, may I never see another gentleman! I consider Burbank a mean, low fellow; too mean for an honorable are to speak to. Wait!—hear me through! I have always re- gretted that you saw fit to associate with such a person, and, of late, I have learned enough to completely condemn him. I wonder at his im- udence in making such a proposal after what bas occurred; I even wonder that he dares look at me!” Ettala was thorcugbly in earnest; her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled brightly. ‘*T suppose you refer to the affair at Bond’s cabin,” said Joseph, in a disagreeable tone. **'Yes, 1 do,” **T would not speak of it if I were you. After having disgraced yourself so, you are lucky if respectable people—”’ : f “Stop, Joseph Danforth!” the girl cried. ‘You, like Luke Burbank, are vile enough to dare insult me, but if you were ten times my own brother I would not bear it. You should be my defender, but as you are not, I will, if necessary, arm myself with a revolver for pro- tection, Then, Ill shoot whoever insults me!” CHAPTER XXVI. WARNED TO LEAVE. DANFORTH was not too obtuse to see that he bad ventured on dangerous ground, and he hastened to make enough of an apology to par- tially satisfy Ettala, e ‘“You have not explained why you visited Dave Bond, but I will let that drop if you do not go there again. whe is too low a fellow for ou to ever speak to. ae He isa gentleman ! the girl declared. ‘Great heavens! what a comparison! A low, awkward, homely, uneducated lubber—” “You have said quite enough, Joseph, Our uarrel is becoming disgraceful, and I think the sooner we end the interview the better. Your insult to Mr. Bond is uncalled for, but of no consequence. As for Luke Burbank, I will not have him for my friend, and I advise you to take the same stand. It may save you from trouble in the future.” ‘* You are as venomous as an adder,” Joseph bitterly interrupted, ‘but do not think I am ignorant of the cause. You are in love with this Dave Bond.” ‘ “Well, isn’t that my privilege?’ the girl haughtily demanded, then her feelings under- went anotber change. “Joseph, I can bear this no longer, Our quarrel is, as I said before, disgraceful, and J decline to talk further.” @ arose and was leaving the room, but he called after her: ‘¢ And I shall tell Burbank—” “That he can bestow the honor of bis prefer- ence on any woman in the wide world except me ~ And then she was gene, | Joseph remained for some time in bitter thought. He knew his sister well enough to be sure it would be a difficult task to move her, but in some way it must be done. He knew Burbank was not worthy of ber; he knew the man was not only a gambler, but crooked in Silver-Plated Sol, _ almost every tahoe but he beld a secret over Lor head, by which he could ruin him if he saw The blow must be averted. The price of safety was Ettala’s hand, and Joseph was-re- solved that she should marry Luke. He had experienced a rebuff, but he was not one to easily give up a project, and he expected to in some way turn the scale and bring victory out of the jaws of defeat. It must be done, He soon left the house and found Burbank. The latter was not in an amiable mood, for his throat was sore from the grip of Giant Dave’s hand, and on the surface were blue spots which he did not care to expose in public. A very mad man was the person who had ee to play the bully in the presence of Dave ond. Danforth proceeded to give a summary of his fruitless effort to convince Ettala against her will, and Luke sat in silence through all, sav- agelvy gnawing bis mustache. ‘‘One thing is certain,” he said, when the story was told; “our first step must be to get rid of Bond.” ‘* Not to kill him?” said Joseph, with a shiver. ‘““Why not?” ** My soul is sick with so much slaughter.” ‘* Perhaps you're night,” said Burbank, mood- ily. - ‘* Usually I should laugh at your scruples, but Iam in a weak mood to-day. I—but never mind. Bond throttled me, and nearly tore out my windpipe, but Lam willing to overlook it if he will leave the town. You must call on him and order him away.” Joseph sat aghast. He began to see what a mill-stone was about bis neck. Holding the sword over his bead, Burbank called on him to do all the unpleasant work, and he dared not refuse. So, on the present occasion, he could not de- cline to carry out the plan his confederate laid, and when Luke said it was time to move, atc gies 9 arose and walked toward Dave's cabin, His visit was so timely that he found the miner in, and on seeing that it was Ettala’s brother, he greeted him cordially. Joseph, however, did not become enthusiastic, He ap- phe ap his main subject with reluctance, welling on minor events for awhile, but finally plunged ahead desperately. ‘*T’ve come to talk about my sister, Bond.” ‘*Hev ye?” Dave thought that he was to be thanked for his service, but he did not consider it necessary. Ettala bad done that, and one word from her was worth a dozen from Joseph. “Yes. It seems there was trouble here, the other night.” ‘* Yas; she wasn’t well used.” ‘* As well as she deserved, I believe, though I do not wish to speak harshly of her. I want to bave a frank talk with you, Bond. Ettala is a young and foolish girl, and, unlike men, women have to live until they are gray-headed to get much wisdom. Now, my sister, though she means well, is as foolish as the rest of her sex, and she has seen fit to fall in love with you!” Giant Dave started. The statement wasa complete surprise to him. He knew the state of his own feelings toward Miss Danforth, but that she could really care for bim he had not suspected, Joseph had made a serious mistake in bis choice of words, but as he was carefully not avoiding Dave’s gaze, he did even then dis- cover it. “Now, [ have no fault to find with you,” Danforth continued, “ but your own good sense must show you that there is a great difference in your worldly station, and Ettala’s. She is educated, refined and rich; you are unlearned, rough and poor. It would not be right for ber to throw away all her prospects in life for you. **It would be foolish,” Dave agreed, sadly, ‘“* Consequently,” said Danforth, brightening, ‘fyou will see that Iam right when I ask you to leave Bowlder Bar.” **Leava byar?’ te Yes,” ** Why should I do this?” *'To be beyond Ettala’s sight, so that she may forget her foolish love for you.” iant Dave was silent. As much as he had been surprised at the assertion that the girl loved him, he did not think of doubting the statement when it came from her brother. He was astonished, but he had seen other strange things during his life, and there was no reason why this should not be true. Mature thought would bave made him doubt, but, just then, while he acknowledged the truth of Joseph’s assertion that they were ill-mated, he thought it was bard that he should be obliged to leave a treasure he bad never gone so far as to possess in reality. “| hope she don’t blame me,” he said, with such simple ingenuousness that even Danforth was affec ‘** There is no one that blames you,” he said. ‘* Did she say she wanted me ter keep away from her in ther future?’ he slowly asked, “No, no; I am tbe practical person.” rr SL AAA ee a Dave revolved the matter in his mind, In some respects he was quick-witted, but, where human hearts and loves were concerned, he was inexperienced and slow, and he did not yet see why be ought to leave Bowlder Bar. Joseph watched him curiously, and then grew impatient at the delay. ‘** While you are bere of course her mind will run in the same channel, and she will be be- witched over you, but women are fickle, and Mat you’re out of sight, you’ll be out of mind, ee “No, I don’t,” Dave admitted. “Ef one: person cares fur another, they don’t forgit so — Ag’in, I’ve got regular work byar, an’ ef I go away, thar’s no knowin’ what s?ile lll strike, O’ course, I ain’t goin’ ter bother her an’ [ kin stay in the Bar an’ not do any harm.” ‘That won’t answer,” said Danforth, sharp- ly, mistaking a simple argument for cunnin double-dealing. ‘* You must leave town, an that’s the end of it; You have made yourself disagreeable to other people here—you abused Mr. Burbank in a way few men would forgive— and are getting a reputation as a quarrelsome, fighting fellow. Such a man is no fit mate for my sister, and I won’t bave you near her. Tho question is, will you leave the Bar quietly, or: will you wait and be driven out?” Danforth had spoiled his own case; not by~ abusing the patient miner, for that the latter was accustomed to; but by speaking as be did of Burbank. Those few words Opened Dave's: eyes; if his wits had moved slowly before, they no longer did so; and his broad shoulders were thrown back as he looked squarely in his com- panion’s face. ‘*Do I understand you ez speakin’ in favor o”’ Burbank?’ ‘* He is an excellent man and my friend,” said Joseph, and then he regretted the words very promptly. “Then I refuse ter leave town.” “You do?” aa Yes.” “Why” ‘*Because it is clear to me that your sister: needs a protector. O’ course she hez told you how Burbank abused her, an’ ther fact that you ‘ain’t flogged bim fur it proves that thar is ascrew loose somewhar. Ef you forget your duty ez a brother enough ter take Burbank’s. rt, then Ettala needs another protector, an’ ‘ll stay!” Dave spoke with a decision not to be mis- | taken, and Danforth became white with anger. ‘* Beware!” he said, hoarsely. ‘Don’t for- get that I am one of the leading men of the town, and don’t defy me.” ‘*T don’t defy you,” was the mild reply, ‘‘ an’ I don’t want any trouble; but I reckon Montara is free ter all men, an’ lll stay hyar fur a while +77 rhe t ily” ‘Then you stay at your per ** Peril 3 what?’ n - ‘‘No matter, Enough that if you don’t co quietly, you will be compelled to go.” ** How will you do it? All of Dave's resolution was moving. He did not come of a family easy to drive, and the idea of being sent out of Bowlder Bar like an outlawed criminal, aroused him so that be for- got his habit of reserve and was ready to dis- pute the matter inch by inch. “* Perhaps you think we can’t, but we will find a way—’ ‘* Whois ‘wef Do ye mean Burbank?” ‘1m able to speak for myself, and I say that if you continue obstinate [ll make your life here one which you won’t care to live. You've ot to go, and that’s the end of it. Mark that own! That’s all I’ve got to say now, butif you ain’t gone in two days, I'll be after you!” He had arisen, and at the Jast word strode abruptly from the cabin, ae Dave alone. The latter looked after bim thoughtfully, ‘*What next? I'm Dave Buzzard, an’ I can’t escape ther family luck, Why don’t they let me alone? I hev kept ter myself, but it don’t seem terdoany good. Hev I got ter fight?’ CHAPTER XXVIII. THE CAVE-DWELLER SECURES A PRIZE, Sam Leacu, the survivor of the two men who had robbed the stage, still remained in bis. cave in the mountains and plotted mischief against Hamed, the Magician. That was all he did do toward getting satisfaction, for he had learned that Hamed seldom went out, and he lacked the boldness to beard the Magician in his den. His suspicion that Bill Wild’s death lay at Hamed’s door, formed though it was on frail evidence, never wavered, and he was fixed in his resolution to sooner or later “‘ get square ” with him. He brooded over the matterin his cave, where, life was beginning to be rather monotonous;. He could have done very well had he been able. to get what he desired to eat, but as he had lit-. tle but. what bis gun supplied bim, and that. without seasoning, he was not only getting dis-. gusted but angry. Various plans, some of which were wild and impossible, hud been considered for taking re~ venge on Hamed, but he did not know Low to - —~ (El NOOLKS com (E(©)