Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana’ Rover, Danforth’s face plainly expressed dissatisfac- tion. “*Ettala bas not mentioned that there was a love affair between you,” he said. ‘Very likely not, for the good reason that there is none. I have reason to believe the young lady dislikes me.” ‘‘ Well, I should say that disposes of the case, then,” observed Joseph, his face brightening. ale rome face moved with a disagreeable stuile, ‘** But it does not, my dear Danforth. I desire her for my wife, and [ rely on you to help me.” ‘*That I can’t do, Burbank, Ettala is old enough to choose for herself; otherwise she would not be old enough to marry. As near as I can figure it, if she dislikes you that disposes of the whole case once and for all.” ‘*Perbaps I am a better mathematician than you,” said the gambler, smiling coldly. ‘‘ At any rate, | can figure out a different conclusion, You are Ettala’s brother, and ber senior, and as such, what you say should go undisputed. I wish you to we me win the girl.” ‘*T must decline. Ettala is the sole mistress of her future,” said Danforth, firmly. ‘* You are prejudiced against me.” Had the postmaster told the truth he would have said he knew Luke Burbank to bea rascal, and did not want his sister to associate with such a man, but it is not always wise to speak one’s opinion freely. ‘*‘ Not at all, Mr. Burbank, but, as I said be- fore, she is her own mistress and must choose for herself. You say she dislikes you, and that seems to settle it.” ‘* It don’t settle it,” said Burbank, coolly. “You are going to help me, and Miss Ettala shall become my wife whether sbe is willing or not! The cool insolence of this assertion made Danforth flush with anger. It was policy for him to retain the good will of the people of ep Bar, but the gambler was going too ar. ‘** You’re infernally mistaken!” he exclaimed. ** My sister will not become your wife against her wili, nor will I belp — Are you insane?’ ‘* Yes, but’ there’s method in it,” said Luke, with an undisturbed smile. ‘' Now, Joseph, don’t get on your ear and prance around here, for it won’t do any good. I make it a point to keep to myself except when I’m sure of the ground under my feet,as Iam in the present case, LIrely on your aid, not because you love me, but because self-preservation is the first law of nature, - You'll sacrifice Ettala rather thau yourself.” ‘* What rubbish are rhe talking? curtly asked — postmaster, but bis face was not wholly ca m. ‘*There’s no rubbish about it; I’m hinting:at the bottom facts of the Red Summit retires !”? Burbank’s manner changed suddenly, and he shot forth the last words quickly and incisively. They did not fail to hit the mark. Danforth started back as though some one had dealt him a blow, and then stood staring at the gambler with wild eyes and a white face. He was the picture of consternation and alarm, but a sneer- ing smile hovered on Burbank’s face once more and he was wholly at his ease. " ‘ig Red Summit tragedy,” he slowly re- peated. Danforth seemed to make a great effort to re- gain his self-possession, and, to a certain de- gree, he succeeded, but the frightened lool still rested on his face, ‘* What do you mean?” he asked, with an ap- arent effort to seem at his ease, ** Joseph, don’t be a fool. You know what I mean. If you don’t, allow me to say that, a short time ago, one r Hillard, of the town of Red Summit, this Territory, was murdered by a man and woman whose identity is not known to the Red Summit people. J know who they were; I can place my hand on them at any time; and I can tell the world why Hillard ‘was put out of sight. If I should do this, Joseph, it would go hard with you!” The gambler bad a way of speaking careless- ly, but at the same time of sneering and cutting his victim to the quick, which was most galling, and he would have made a very good Mephis- topheles as he stood there. Danforth stood staring at him dumbly. The frightened look did not go from his face, but, except for that, it was very nearly expression- less. What was passing in his mind was not clear, but he knew the worst at last; he knew just what Burbank had been worming around to in bis gradual way. mmit! _ The name struck a chill to bis very heart, and he would not have been more frightened had the genuine right-bower of the prince of dark- ness appeared to foreclose his claim upon him. “I don’t know what you're talking about,” he said feebly. | Oe) ‘* Rubbish! Don’t be a fool, Joseph; Youdo know, and I have only to go into details to con; -vinee you that 7 know, too, Pl-do it if you in- sist, but I believe it will be better for mé to say nothing. Walls have ears, and you don’t)want any more ein the secret. Come, be sensi- ‘ble; agree to help me, and you shall find my -which had led the youn tongue a close one. What do you say—shall Ettala be my wife?” Danforth felt like anything but talking with the gambler just then, and be caught at the re- source of all persons forced into a corner. “*f must bave time to think of this,” he said. ‘‘ Just as you say. Iam not a hard man to deal with. Let me say, however, that you need not think of proposing a compromise; you have your choice between belping me to win Ettala or having the world know all about the Red Summit affair. Be sepsible, and you will make a valuable friend in me; I stick like a burr when I catch on, That’s enough for now, and I'll bid you good evening!” Burbank waved one of his white hands grace- fully and sauntered away, his face the picture of contentment, but be left J oseph Danforth looking as though the end of the world had come and left him a wreck on life’s beach. CHAPTER III. THE MAGICIAN’S PROPHECY. At the western side of the village of Bowlder Bar was a hillside which sloped back toward the ‘eternal mountains.” Against its base, at one point, the waters of Mad river dashed them- selves with venomous force, but vainly, for they were flung back from a massive ledge and forced to assume a new course. This ledge, which was wide and high, was known as Madrock Ledge. eee up the bill, and q hundred feet above the level of Bowlder Bar, was a goodly- sized house, Its site was a commanding one, for from that point an observer could look down and see the town in all its outside show, but the owner was a man little known to the pre le in general. Over the door bung a: rude, ro fairly painted sign, which bore this inscrip- on: “HAMED,. ** MAGICIAN AND FORTUNE-TELLER.” Three months before carpenters had received orders to erect the house, and when it was dove Hamed moved in, without show or ceremony, Since that time he had never been seen in the village. He hada discreet and uncommupica- tive Chinese servant, named Sing-So, who. re- gularly visited the supply stores to obtain the necessaries of life, and he seemed to be Hamed’s only means of connection with the outside world, || | There was some degree of interest at Bowlde Bar when it was known there was a so-calle fortune-teller near them, and many of the peo- ple went from curiosity to hear what he would tell them. Curiously enough, those who. went did uot seem inclined to talk about their inter- view, and maintained such an air of tery that the idea beeame almost gene that Hamed was really a man to be feared Ignorant le said he was in league with the powers of darkness; intelligent persons had | come to look ano him as a vicious man and an undesirable citizen. Yet, the Magician kept to himself and to. his cabin. He made no acquaintances and seemed to mind bis own business. Despite this, the peo- ple of the Bar looked with dissatisfaction at the cabin which stood on the Madrock Ledge, like an eagle’s nest on the face of a cliff. Two boursafter the interview last described, two paren tanner eneconaned and slowly as- cended the ledge, Darkness had fallen and no one seemed to be observing them, but the steady light from Hamed’s window served as a beacon and they went on steadily until near the house. Then they began to falter, Each looked at the other, and one, the smaller of the two, final- ly ry Pe | **T am afraid, Lois,” ‘Of what?” “Of Hamed—of the house, You know what people say about the place, and about the Ma- gician.” .“* Do you believe he is a supernatural being, a visitor from the realms of darkness?” “Nonsense! I trust 1 am not so foolish as that, buta man with an evil turnof mind is enough of a villain forme, True, we do not know Hamed js of that sort, but his reputation is not of the best.” Ettala Danforth, for the speaker was she, spoke faintly and, plainly, was as much dis- turbed as her words would indicate, but her companion was of a naturally stronger will and braver nature, ‘* Others have been here ahead of usand fared well, and I do not see why we should not.do the same, The shadowy reputation for evil which the Magician possesses is but the result of. bis habits of seclusion and his trade... So far as the latter goes, we are already agreed that he is doubtless an arrant im w can 6 lieve otberwise+—and you know we came here fone ] #. d uneasily... It aga me freak ttala laughe + 46 Was & mere [rea ladies to.start.on. the people of Bowlder Bar believed Joseph Danforth and Miss Orme were engaged lovers, but Ettala knew tothe contrary. She knew Joseph ar- dently desired such a state of things, but there had been some hitch in affairs which only the ebief characters understood, Ettala bad never been able to decide whether Lois cared for Joseph. At times it seemed so, but, anon, just the contrary appeared to be the case, and as neither saw fit to confide in the younger girl, she was at fault, is was twenty-four years of age; a tall, queenly young lady who united with a beauti- ul face and fine form aremarkably well-bal- anced mind, Ettala stood somewhat in awe of her, despite the fact that they were friends, and, though herself possessed of a good denl of latent spirit, usually chose to be a follower rather than a leader, Consequently, on the present occasion, the matter went.as Lois said, and they decided to go on and dare the possible dangers of Hamed’s temple of far-sight. Lois rapped at the door and it was promptly ~ opened by Sing-So, the Chinese servant pre- viously mentioned. He was a muscular fellow for one of his race, and bis face was intelligent if not comely. He glanced once at the girls, and then stepped back for them to enter. hey passed the threshold, the door was closed, and they were fairly launched on their venture. r ‘* Wantee see Hamed?” Sing So asked. ** Yes,” answered Lois. ‘* Hab flortune tlold?” ia Yes,” ** All light. Walk in next roomee; Hamed there.” He indicated an inner door, and they went on and entered, : They found themselves in a well-lighted room, If there were windows they were concealed b the dark eurtains which covered the walls at all ints. The fortune-teller bad resorted to all he traditional arts of his craft to make the place impressive. . Besides the dark curtains there were numerous paraphernalia which need not be deseribed now, but all of which were calculated to impress a susceptible mind. Hamed was a true disciple of the black art, so far as his outfit went. The Magician cf Madrock Ledge was himself as impressive as his surroundings, They saw an old man of large frame, whose heavy white beard descended far over his breast, and was almost equaled ly his hair; while a black robe, or tig covered his person from neck to ankle, and a elose-fitting, visorless cap rested on the top of bis head. all respects he was like the fortune-teller of dition The huge beard end blue-glass spectacies left little of his face visible to determine his charac- ter, but Lois’s first ica pieasion was that he was aman of strong mind, who did not show any signs of an evil nature. d gni d, if not noble, ‘Welcome, young ladies,” he said, in a deep, calm voice. “I suppose, of course, that y have come to ar obect future revealed?” — His expression was ‘*Such is our object,” answered Lois, evenly, as. she pressed EttaJa’s hand reassuringly. “Your yisit is timely, as I have no other work at present which demands my attention. With your permission we will proceed at once. f course I can tell but one fortune at a time, and I must ask the one of you pot engaged to re just outside the door, All fortunes are told privately.” ‘his arrangement was b tory to the girls, who had expected to remain together, but Lois was surprised out of her usual calmness by seeing Ettala come to the front and say the arrangement was satisfactory, and that she would be the first to bave the future unyailed, _ What gave her this sudden rush of confidence she never knew, bot the die was cast and 4 was soon alone with Hamed, Lois had retited to the outer room and the door was closed. Thus, while words spoken-in an ordinary spe would reach only one hearer, Ettala had only to raise her voice to make it audible to her friend, The Magician lost no time, but proceeded to manipulate an instrument which bore a dim resemblance toa photograpber’s camera, though larger, and intended, according to appearance, as a place in which the far-seer could view the panorama of the past, present and future, He commeneed to speak in a slow, deep voice, and glided lightly over the events of the ast. He told some things which bad actually oc- curred, but, as a rule, was not so minute as a fortune-teller should be, aah Nearing the present, he grew more interest- no meang satisfac- ng. Tv. “You are at present pleasantly Heand You have a friend whe cares, for you well, and loves you well, and you have little need to fight our own battles, You bave a ready hat oO ® and. to Ettala it no longerseemed |help you, The future, however, is less. favor- likely to result in the sport. they. had antici- | 4 z I see dark aeads én the horizon eu : 0 e eo scan was Lola Orme, the girl Ettala sPanhnd ss Ane deahng |. “ How trouble. will come T eannot ‘tell; “that cS sahil . Eomichboo Ecom ota, /y 1 J * ¢ - m ’ ss