Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

\ =e 28 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 300m astonished Sol by turning abruptly to Lois ~with the remark; “* Miss Orme, more of your history is known ‘to me than you might at first suppose, and [ want to caution you to use all possible dis- cretion. Your enemies are, perhaps, more numerous than you think,” The girl had started, while Sol frowsed, and she looked at him searchingly. ‘What do you know?” she asked, slowly. ‘‘T know that Joseph Danforth is a rascal of the first water, He has been zealously trying +o win your affections, but he would not do it if he did not think he would thereby have a «hance to bandie Abram Selden’s money.” Lois flushed and glanced at Sol, “‘T do not think we need discuss Miss Orme’s private affairs,” be said, looking almost threat- eningly at Lovering. “You are right, but [ must take this oppor- ‘tunity to suy that I ‘know a good deal about ‘them, that I sympathize with her, and that she «can always rely on meas a friend.” The girl found the topic a most unpleasant one, and, while she was not so very much averse ‘to having Lovering know of her affairs, she felt a regret that Solshould doso. If be knew all the dark places in her life be would have a. less exalted opinion of her. At the same time, there was a ring of true nobility in the elder man’s voice which convinced her he meant all he said, and she could not help feeling grateful and thanking bim accordingly. Sol, however, saw that she was ill at ease, and he put an end to the conversation as soon ‘as possible and suggested that she would, per- +naps, like to retire, tt was a hint Lois did not fail to understand, but she felt that it was given with a good mo- tive, and she thanked him with a glance and went to her room, Sol looked angrily at his companion, ‘* Why did you speak of that?” he asked. “Of what? **Of her past.” ** Because,” said Lovering, firmly, ‘‘ I meant just whatI said. She is a young woman in trouble; I, a man who bas seea a good deal of the world and know better how to fight it than she. She would, metaphorically speaking, touch the world on the arm and ask its favor, I would take it by the throat and set my heel on its heart. But, enongh of that. I have said, before to-night, that I, too, am interested in Abram Selden’s money... Solam, but I re- gard this yirl more big y. Ido not believe she ever wrongfully took one cent of the for- tune, and I stand ready to defend her against all dangers and all enemies!” Lovering spoke with a subdued vehemence which surprised Sol anew, and he was more than ever impressed by the belief that there tad met with one of the narrowest esca “his life, but there was no knowing what ~was a mystery connected with the man, **T think I am just as ready to aid her as you are—” he began, resentfully, but. Lovering interrupted him by grasping his wrist. y? ** How read ** How ready?’ Sol mechanically repeated. ‘* Yes. Would you risk your life for her?” Sol laughed, but not musically. “You're going into conundrums now,” he “] thought so!” muttered Lovering. ‘‘ Youth. is impetuous, and strong with talk, but it is the old bead that is firm and true.” Colton looked at him in amazement. ‘* Have you lost your head, or are you in love -with the girl?’ he demanded. ‘‘Neither. You are the one who has lost his Sol whistled softly. The mood of his com- : > oars was one he could not solye,.and he felt hat it would be a waste of time totry. He sat down and yawned nonc ntly, ‘* Stack the cards and deal again,” he cooll observed. ‘I don’t see any use of our quarrel- ing, Je especially as both of us avow friend- sh M4 or the lady, but—” e paused abruptly as a rattling of glass was accompanied by the whistling of a bullet past is head, so near as to almost touch bim. se Oo ger remained. CHAPTER XXXIX. -BOWLDER BAR'S BLACK NIGHT. WHEN Jason Bunker was encourged to pro- - teed to extremities with his miners, he did not - guspect that those who worked up the excite- ment in his favor were p double motive. _As has been said before, bis “friends” of the hour were his rivals in trade—those who ran other mives; and they thought by crippling the | teen- t to help themselves. So they ing with a - paised the hue and cry, and for awhile Bunker had the sympathy of the people in general— hf Polk it & = y cb! ‘as tet *, pins eh: = , ithough he lost it when he ejected the miners ‘from their homes, _. This was just to the liking of Bunker's self. styled sllies, and they thought they saw a «chance to carry out the plot they had all along > a a eee ee eee ee nation which followed the driving out of Bun- ker's tenants than they began to work on the people. It was their wish to start a regular mob; one which would so frighten Bunker that he would sell the Eighteen-Carat for about half what it was worth. So, while their dupe sat in his comfortable home and congratulated himself that he had brought his rebellious men to their knees, the plotters worked behind his back and, so to | speak, prepared to “let loose the dogs of war.” An indignation meeting was holden near the Red Horse Mine, and each of Bunker’s rivals ad- dressed the crowd; the ejection was universally and strongly condemned; and when a selected erson advocated extreme measures, the chuck- ing mine-owners did not object. 4 The brand was applied, and they let the fire urn, The mob spirit was soon rampant, and it needed only a motion to set the current toward the Eighteen-Carat. There were various things connected with it which might be burned, broken or otherwise destroyed, and they re- solved to make their mark. Away they went ina body, while the trium- phant mine-owners went home to play their role of honest men. Shortly after, Alvord, the mine-superinten- dent, was aroused from sleep by what seemed strange sounds, and when.he arose and looked out he saw a red glow in the western sky, while in the glare of burning buildings he saw danc- ing men and beard their wild yells, **Good heavens!” he exclaimed, ‘‘the foolish miners have ruined all, now!” He had yet to learn that very few of Bunker’s men were in the mob, but, anxious to save what property he could, and knowing he bad a good fieal of influence with the men who bad worked under him, he hurriedly dressed and started for the scene. When he arrived matters were in a decided!y bad state. All of the shanties erected near the mine were on fire, and so far gone that they were past saving. Alvord had been prepared to address the crowd, but as he swept a quick glance over them he failed to discover any of the former em- ployees of the Eighteen-Carat, and then he knew the aot was not of the character he had sup- osed. i Turning away he hastened to the mine, where he found three of the old force, who had not been included in Bunker’s discharge, keeping the rioters back. They were men he had never liked, for they were Bunker’s pets, but the were making a resistance which aroused Al- vord’s admiration. No shots had yet been fired, bus weapons were drawn and the mob seemed resolved to shed blood, if necessary, to work their will. A hand was laid on the superintendent’s arm, and he turned and saw one of the discharged miners. ‘*Tt’s a black night,” said the latter. ** Are you one of the rioters, Brown?” “No. I came ‘long with them, but I ain’t lifted my hand. It seems ter be a spontaneous combustion o’ indignation,” * Will you do me a favor?” ‘* Anything you say, Mr, Alvord.” ‘Then go to Bunker and bid him hasten here at once, I suspect foul pay on the part of rival roine-owners, and the Eighteen-Carat will be wrecked. unless something is promis done. Say as much to Bunker and tell him to lose no time, and while you're gone I'll try to hold the mob ‘ “111 do it, but look out for yourself. There’s a bad temper in ther crowd.” Brown bastened away, and the superintendent strode forward and took position with the de- fenders of the mine. The rioters greeted his appearance with groans and hisses. **Thar’s one o’ Bunker’s pets; chuck him in Mud._river!” cried a voice. ** Hold!” said Alvord, firmly. “There is no occasion for trouble here. What are you doing with the mine?” ‘* We're goin’ ter paint it red!” was the ex- planation, given by the former voice. ‘ We'll show Bunker be don’t own Bowlder Bar!” ‘** You bave already shown him, I should say,” Aivord replied, steadily, while he studied the crowd asa physician notes the pulse of his pa- tient. ‘ The shanties are on fire, aud Bunker can’t fail to read your meaning. Isn’t that enough? You. want nothing of the mine; go away, pow, and do nothing you'll besorry for.” “This ain’t our week fur bein’ sorry. We're out ter clean Bunker out, an’ we’re goin’ ter do it. Don’t you talk, Alvord; we know you, an’ you’re vo better than Bunker. Stand clear, or we'll chuck you in the river.” ‘“*T will not stand clear!” the superintendent declared. “I am here to preserve this prop- erty, and I warn you not to commit further violence. There is no reason why you should, ‘You have already showr your displeasure, and to injure the mine is to make yourselves liable “It he really believed so he made a great mis- take, forthe siotare were there on business i - Big in ne, le mp which was to absorb the | that.” elibveyou,,.are foo. aemeinls. 07, | * Ne c nsequently, they no sooner saw tesvindig:. in» when the baile : 5A 1 ae “gf EST AS a oie Pe Cees a 4 ge ES Or oe ae ae Sor i in oth @ : ; delat ipss ie et he : ¥ 5 - cee ot re — if yh 2 LA re sie bade ey 5f Ve ee ig in eee hy PN Se es MR a eae marge Lt a a rae: = “i = t P44 > eit ag > ~ 1h att an th eS ae fd A in. ax iD ye Oy eee aa. t “Ff, tent, and they did not intend to be turned aside. Tbe Eighteen-Carat must be thoroughly wreck- ed before they would be satisfied. Groans, hiss- es and threats freely arose from the crowd, and some one shouted to them to move ferward. Alvord raised his revolvers. * Back!” he exclaimed. ‘* You are not goin to enter here tamely; I give you warning of that. Back, [ say!” It was a temporary check, for the men bad not come out to proceed to such extremities as murder, but when the mob-spirit is onee in operation there is no telling where it will stop. The fact that Alvord opposed them so boldly added to their rage, and arush would speedily have been made had not a new character ar- rived on the scene. It was Bunker. He had come during the lull in the proceed- ings and had not bad a chance to learn the full temper of the mob, ard bis only feeling was one of intense wrath as he saw his property going to ruin. He sprung in front of them, his broad face red with anger. If he had possessed the power he would bave stricken them all lifeless where they stood, * You infernal scoundrels!” be shouted, “* how dare you meddle here? Ill have you all sent to prison! Clear out, at once, or Pll shoot you as I would so many howling wolves!” The sight of his hated face, his hard epithets and his threats, acted liked a fire-brand on the crowd. If they bad been excited before they were mad now. The majority of them had no real reason for disliking him; but he had never been a populss man, and under the excitement of the hour he seemed transformed to a perfect fiend. Had they been slaves and he the wield- er of the lash which scourged them, they could not have hated bim more than they did in their unnatural excitement, ‘* Bunker! Bunker!” ‘‘ Hyar’s ther man who drives people out of their houses!” “Down with bim!” ‘“*Throw him in the river!” * Kill him!” These cries, arising from the crowd, showed the mine-owner the temper of those he bad bearded, and his mood abruptly changed. He was not in any degree a brave man, and as they swung their weapons, hooted, jeered and threatened, he wished be was a hundred miles away. He turned to Alvord with a very pale face. ‘*Great heavens!” he exclaimed, “they will kill us!” ‘*Stand firm!” the superintendent replied, through his set teeth, _‘ That’s our only hope.” ‘‘But they are mad; they will tear us to pieces!” ‘Forward! Down with Bunker!” shouted a yoice, and once more the crowd started forward, while Bunker, unable to pass the mob in re- treat, fell upon his knees, His weapons rattled from his hand; he wasa coward at heart, and no nerve was left him then, But there was a fresh check to the rioters and Dave Bond sprung to their front, He, at least, felt no fear of them. His strong face bad its usual color, the light in bis eyes was that of a man who will fight to the last and die facing the foe, and when he turned his revolvers on the crowd his hand did not waver the fraction of an inch. * Hold!” His voice arose above the shouts of the mob, and the one word checked them as completely as a regiment of common men could have done. Just then he was the most influential man in Bowlder Bar; they bad been taught that they were avenging bis wrongs, and what he had to say was of interest to them. ‘l’'d like to get an explanation o’ this,” he said, in a voice wholly free from excitement, as they gave him a chance to speak. ‘I’ve been told that this riot all springs out o’ ther fact that I was discharged from ther Eighteen- Carat. wal satisfied; Jason Bunker kin go his way, hire who he wants ter an’ let others alone; it’s allone ter me. Thar sartainly ain’t no call fur a riot. they see fit. It showed a good spirit ter strike ’cause I was sent adrift, an’ I thank ’em hearty, but it was foolish in ’em an’ I now advise ’em ter go ter work. Men, hev you thought what you're doin’? Ef age wreck ther Kighteen- Carat, thar won’t no chance fur them ter get work at all!” . This moderate speech fell like oil on the troubled waters; the rioters were not seeking to avenge Dave, but events which had grown ont of his discharge, but they felt that he had a right to speak, and bis voice was for peace. _ ut the lull which followed was broken by the report of a revolver, and Giant Dave threw up his arms and dropped to the ground. CHAPTER XL. THE BLACK NIGHT GROWS ed or wild life to be easil or daunted, let w t his head, as whistled pa mic ap ae I€DOOKS i») oa Wal, thar ain’t no reason fur it; I’m~ My late pards kin go ter work when. SILVER-PLATED SOL had seen ee ranks oe a ~ oes a tt ee — @ . ae or a - > ae |