Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

i — ~— f ee =~ pe a a oe he es : ve * \ — twenty thousand dol the pr f ef lars, the property of Abram a will marry me or ‘It works well,” said the rover, coolly. ** Now for Hamed?” After carefully examining his revolvers, he took his way toward Madrock Ledge. It looked peaceful enough after the exciting scenes of the previous night, but he kept his eyes well open as he approached the Magician’s house. med must be aware who bad rescued Lois— Sol was even sure the subsequent attack was due to him—and he would not have any affec- tion for the rover. Still, there was no stir, and Sol knocked at the door. It was opened by Sing-So, as usual, but the Chinaman looked at bis visitor as in- bedi as though he had never seen him be- ore. ‘“*T want to vee Hamed,” Sol observed, coolly. ** Hamed glone away, all samee,” ** Where’s be gone?’ ** Don’t knowee; he no tellee Sing-So.” ** When did he got” ‘* Last nightee,’ Sol knew the conversation was a useless one, but he had not been keeping it up without a motive. He had been using bis eyes keenly, and the fact that there was a tremor about the inner door betrayed the further fact that there was another listener to the interview. Sudden- ly Sol crossed the threshold, and, with a long stride, reached Hamed’s sanctum and tore the door oper. The Magician had not had time to close it, and he and the rover stood face to face, But Colton, after once beginning war, was not the man to stand on ceremony, and without a word he reached forward and seized Hamed’s beard. A vigorous ge and the silyery mass gave way; the beard was only a false one; and as it was removed, forty years seemed lifted from the Magician’s shoulders. Nor was that all. Thus transformed, Sol easily recognized the man, and, tapping, him on the shoulder, he sternly said: “Tf you are not too busy with your magic. you may go with me, Master Luke Burbank !”’ At about the same hour Lois Orme, alone in the room supplied her by friends since the riot, was informed that Joseph Danforth wished to see her. She was surprised, although Sol Col- ton had told her such an event was very proba- ble. It was also unpleasant, but, as Sd had asked her to see the man if he did call, she sent word that she would see him. He came in looking wholly unlike himself. His face was pale and dark rings surrounded his eyes, while there was an expression which seemed only fit for a hunted man visible about his mouth and eyes, ae greeted her moodily, and then spoke ab- ruptly: **Ilam going to leave Bowlder Bar!” f ne said Lois, with some surprise. **Isn’t this a sudden determination?” **In one sense of the word, yes, but I am left alone. Ettala is married to a man I hate—I mean Dave Bond—and the town has become too lawless forme. Iam going away in search of ce. “‘T hope you will find it,” answered the girl, somewhat awkwardly. * Are you sincere enough to help me?” The question was so sudden as to make her start. **T? What can I do?” “Tt rests with you whether my future life is happy ora desert. Lois, 1 love you! Go with me as my wife, and I will devote my whole life to making you happy, finding my reward in your responsive love!’ The pro was made with a strange mix- ture of defiance and entreaty, and she shrunk back from the passion expressed in bis face. He lov likea man out of his mind, and as she had never had too high an opinion of him, she did not know what would be the result of a re- fusal. Yet, she had but one answer to make, and in a confused way she managed to tell him he was very kind, but that she could not enter- tain the idea. He was not to be so easily rebuffed, and he made an appeal half-defiant, pelt pravectul, t which still further revealed the condition of his mind. Plainly, be was far from being bis old self, and Lois grew alarmed and wished she had never granted the interview, Her persistent refusal made him angry at last. **It is just as well for you to use some cau- tion,” he said, threateningly. “I know more about you than you would wish told. Your name is not Lois Orme, but Bertha Wardner, and you are wanted in Illinois as the thief of Do not » fly too high, or I will betray right to say that. Is it just or e not talking of anything of that kind feht makes right, and I ask you whether larry me or have word sent to those o want you that a thief may be had here?” Tam no thief!” Lois vehemently declared. | *They can prove you one, and you will go to you to justice «You have no manly?’ “We now; m = . Chinaman, I ed M Led g ed 5 y y. y J h S an Started oh 4 o45 Sas ut Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana, Rover. prison for an indefinite time—for years. Will | forth by Winter, which I found in the gulch you have it so, or will you marry me?” “*T will never marry you!” she declared, with | wheeling into line and all is now clear. emphasis. 6 caught her wrist ina painful Rrasp- ‘* Beware!” he said, savagely. ‘* The blood is boiling in my veins, and I will not be answer- able for what I may do.” ‘** Release me!” she panted. wrist, or I will call for aid!” “Tf you call you seal your doom!” he de- clared, a wild light in his eyes, and he drew a revolver and brandished it before her face. ‘*My life has grown valueless, and I may as well die here as elsewhere—with you. Swear to be my wife, or the town will ring with a double tragedy.” Her blood seemed to chill, His look was like that of a maniac, and she felt that his will was strong to keep his threat. What would save her? She dared not call foraid, and she seemed forgotten by those who should be her friends. “Swear!” he repeated hoarsely, cocking the revolver. The girl fell upon her knees. **Spare me!” she gasped; “‘in Heaven’s name spare me! I—I will promise—” Her hesitating s h was cut short as Dan- forth again seized her by the arm. “ Traitress!” he bissed, *‘ you would betray *Let go of my me to my foes. This shall be your reward— death And he pressed the revolver at her heart. CHAPTER XLII. CONCLUSION. OnE moment Lois’s life was in mortal peril, and then the. presented revolver was torn from Danforth’s and he was himself hurled back. He prea but he was in the grasp of Silver-Plated Sol and the rover’s arm seemed to be of iron, “Tt is finished!” Colton sternly said, ““ Joseph Danforth, you are a prisoner, and your red career is over. Enter, all!” He had turned tothe door, and several per- sons entered. Among them were L:vering, Alvord, Sam Leach, and several prominent public men. Two persons came as prisoners, and were Luke rbank and Sing-So, the Last, but not the least, was a litter on which lay a man so ill that few at first re- cognized him as Mose Devlin, the pugilist. ‘The scene will be necessarily painful,” re- sumed Sol, when all were inside, “and I will make it as brief as possible. First, let me pre- sent to you Hamed, the Magician of Madrock ge, otherwise Luke Burbank. He has car- ried on a very’ successful masquerade, but the truth will out. The captive gambler caught Lois’s wondering aze and laughed aloud. “Tt’sa fact, Miss Orme, As Hamed I was only a fraud, but it was your fault, not mine, that you at one time thought I was your father, Bernard Wardner.” ““We will attend to that, anon,” said Sol, coolly. ‘The next thing I wish to say is that oseph Danforth is a prisoner, cha with Hillard, at Red Sum- having killed one Roger mit, this Territory!” ) his face was ghastl wild eyes were fixe that he heard. ‘Mose Devlin,” the rover continued, “ your voice comes in here,” “I’m a dyin’ man,” said the pugilist, hoarse- ly, ‘“‘an’I call on all ter witness ther truth o’ what I say. Joe Danforth hired me, an’ we killed Hillard together. Danforth disguised bisself in woman’s clothes, so thar would be less danger o’ detection, an’ we made ther jour- ney together. I held Hillard so he couldn’t git away, an’ Danforth stabbed him. That’s her truth!” “His object was plain,” added Colton. ** Here, friends, you see Lois Orme, whose real name is Bertha Warcner. She has been ac- cused of stealing twenty thousand dollars, but a rig here who has a word to say on the sub- ect, He waved his hand, and a stranger mopped forward, removed his bat and addressed Lois, who was pale and troubled. ‘*T have come all the way from Illinois, Miss Wardner,” he said, ‘‘ as an agent from the Sel- den heirs. They wish to say to you that they have wron you. The missing money of Abram Selden has been found; it was buried in the cellar of his house. You are free from all charge, and there is a gift of money from the repentant heirs awaiting you.” _“This gentleman arrived in the village justin time,” said Silver-Plateé Sol, looking at Lois earnestly, ‘‘and the whole case will now be speedily settled. It only remains to explain why Danforth killed Hillard. In a town near Summit lives one Charles Winter, or Law- He told Danforth thousand dollars of postmaster had dropped into a chair and pale, but, except that his on Sol, he gave no sign sO, a8 he Pel at Fas pen at Miss Orme wen stolen money, and that Hillard was the only man who could betray her to justice. So Dan- forth resolved to kill Hillard and marry Miss e. He risked bis soul—and lost, 146 Dane fe trail by a letier writen to, . 4% 7 ‘ | — ere et Ey — Lats when the stage was robbed, but clews Sey lieve that is all.” ‘*There is one thing more,” said Lovering, stepping forward, ‘* fs there?) Well, you have the floor.” **T have a statement to make which may be of interest to Lois Orme, if to no one else. My name is Bernard Wardner, and J am her Sather !” The statement was a surprise to ell, and for awhile no one spoke. It was Lovering who first broke the silence. “* Perhaps, after the so-called Hamed had al- lowed himself to be regarded as Wardner, I, too, may be thought an impostor, but I can prove all I assert. Iam the genuine Wardner, and I resume the name now never to discard it again.” Luis did not look particularly pleased, and Sol spoke resentfull y. ; vee You are ratuer late in claiming your iden- tity. Wardner laughed. “ Better late than never, but I had a reason for all I bave done, I bave been all over the known world since I left Illinois, and when I returned I knew not bow matters stood, and so hid myself under an assumed name. Bertha, have you no kind word for your father?” He looked beseechingly at Lois, but ber face did not soften at once. “Tf you are he, I must ask why you left your home as you did, a score of years ago, and have never sent any word to me until this late day. *T am to blame, and perhaps I deserve to be forever cast off,” be gloomily said, ‘It is a family affair which need not be detailed bere. Enough that I was made to think evil of a wife always too good for me, and that, be- lieving she might attempt my life, I deserted her and went to New Orleans. There I was kid- napped and put on board an ocean vessel. Five days we sailed, and then I was flung overboard one dark night. They thought I perished. did not, for I was a strong swimmer, and I was icked up by another craft before my strength ailed, ‘By that time I was tired of life. I told peo- ple my name was Lovering. Then began my career asa wanderer. I have served on almost every spécies of craft that floats the water, as man and as officer; 1 bave trod the jungles of India, the unknown districts of Africa, the lonely paths of Siberia and the summits of the Andes—it is easier to say where I have not n. “Fate is strange, my friends. Under the shadow of Mount Popocatepetl, where I least expected it, I met the man who bad poisoned my mind against my family a score of years before. He died in my arms, after confessing his falsehoods, and there be is buried, After that I returned home, I heard eo as was a thief, I set out to find her, and I have done it. I am no longer young. I am aman well advanced in yeurs. My days as a wanderer are over, and I have only one thing to look to—miy daughter!” He looked at her in a double sense, and she placed her hand in bis. “D.ughterly love is not the growth of an hour,” she said, ‘‘but Iam too well pleased to reject you now. We will wait and know each other better.” “Enough has been said for now,” added Sil- ver-Plated Sol, ‘‘and this conference may as well break up. Mr. Sheriff, Jeseph Danforth is your prisoner.” They advanced to take him as he sat still and silent in bis chair, but at the first touch the sheriff recoiled. ‘“* He is dead !” he said. It was so. The postmaster sat dead in bis chair, free forever from buman justice. Per- haps he died of heart-disease, but those about him believed be had contrived to take poison. ‘‘As Devlin is about gone, Sing-So and I seem to be about the only subjects for justice,” said Burbank, with a reckless laugh, ‘ Better let Sing-So go free. H's only crime is toomuch devotion toa bad master—your humble servant. And what can you do with me? Very little. I defy you to trace any real crime to my door, I have played a bold game in Bowlder Bar, and while pretending to be Danforth’s right bower, tried to engineer a case for myself and get the Selden money, That’s why I imprisoned Miss Orme, and so forth, but the playisended. Pull down the curtain and let the world jog on. What’s the odds as long as we’re bappy”® ‘You will be less happy when I’m through with Ach said Silver-Plated Sol, grimly. “Despite your defiance, ’m going to send you to prison for a term of years!” * At the same time Dave Bond and Ettala, his wife, were together in a room at the pust-office building. It had not been thought i> he page them at the general meeting, for Joseph's dis- grace would soon cast a shades over their new- ly-begun married life. They were bappy was @ surp rise . , but with Giant Dave it ich the passing moments com (@ 200 KS! CO an’ Wi.