Beadle's Dime Library, Vol. III, No. 31 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

i sweet tones of a young girl’s voice—the voice of a girlof sixteen or eighteen. “wo deep wrinkles came between the eyes of “Marquis,” as the words fell upon his ears, and stopping, he quietly laid his hand upon the arm of his companion. ‘* Hold on a moment, Jim,” he said, in a calm undertone, ‘‘ let’s see what the matter is here.” “Oh, bother! it’s nothing but a gal hand a cove wot his probably ’er father, hand hin course ’e ’as a right to wollop ’is hown flesh hand blood, hain’t ’e?’ answered Jim, ‘‘ Well, he shan’t do it while I’m by,” quietly said the ‘‘Marquis.” ‘‘ That girl is too big to be whipped. Let’s stop a moment, anyway. Just has you say, my noble duck,” respond- ed Slippery } im. The two new-comers being close in to the building were in the shade, and as the men and the girl were standing on the curb-stone they had not seen tho approach of the ‘‘ Marquis ” and his companion. ‘‘Beat you!” growled the man in the shaggy coat; DH kill you first thing you know, if you ain’t precious careful. How much have you taken since dark?” ‘‘Only a dime,” answered the girl, trembling- ly, giving the piece of currency, ‘¢ Well, curse my eyes!” ejaculated the ruffian, in disgust, “ that’s a nice sort of business for to do! dime in two hours or more! How much have you hid away to buy things for yourself with, never thinkin’ of your poor father wot brought you up! How much, say?” “That is all,” answered the girl, wearily, in a low, faint voice, and shivering in every limb at the threatening looks of her tyrant. ‘“Only a dime! why, ’tain’t ’nough to pay for the beer! A nice bit of a beggar you are! Why, a blind dog with one ear could do better nor that!” exclaimed the assumed father. ‘**T couldn’t help it, indeed I couldn’t!” piteous- ly cried the girl, while the large tears filled her mild blue eyes. *‘ You didn’t ask ’em to give you any thing!” growled the rough. ‘Yes, I did, indeed.I did!” exclaimed the girl, “You lie, you brat, you!” ‘*No, no! Iam spea ing the truth!” “You don’t, hey? You lie, I know you do!” and the brute raised his hand as if to strike the irl. en If he strikes that girl Pll lay him out inside os two minutes!” said the ‘‘ Marquis,” quietly to im, “Go in, Sa-riah, hand Pll ’old yer bonnet!” cried the little Englishman, as they advanced to the group standing on the curb-stone, CHAPTER VII, THE BRUISER MEETS HIS MATCH. ‘“You she-devil, [ll beat the truth out of you!” cried the ruffian, but, just as the raised arm was about to descend upon the Seem bine Gaels a violent push sent the brute into the gutter, and the blow instead of falling upon the cheek of the girl wasted its force upon tho air. The push came from the arm of the ‘ Mar- quis,” who, swinging his cane carelessly in his hand, stood the personification of ease and inno- cence. The girl, unconsciously perhaps, had crept quite close to her protector. ‘“ What the blazes did you do that for?’ growl- ed the rough, recovering his balance, and gazing into the face of the quiet, gentlemanly-looking stranger with a lowering look. ‘““'The sidewalk is free, I believe, is it not? or do you claim a right to take up the whole street with your ugly carcass?” replied the ‘‘ Marquis,” in sneering tones. ; The rough stared at him in anger not unmix- ed with astonishment. That this slim, gentle- manly-looking fellow should dare to talk back to him, a “bruiser”—-a regulator of primary elections, and a great among the shoulder- hitters of Water street! why, the very thought astounded him. “Say! do you know who I am?’ demanded the rough, who, by the way, was known among his associates as English Bill, probably from the place of his nativity. Coolly the ‘ uis” surveyed the person of the redoubtable Bill. He scanned him from head to foot and then from foot to head. “No,” he said, slowly, after gg in- pote “T don’t t . that I ever the easure of your acquaintance; I have never Been in the State Prison.” | Jim, who was just behind the “ Biexeais,” could not repress a chuckle of delight at this re- rt. “What the blazes do you mean?” cried Bill, in anger; “I never was at Sing ig ‘Indeed; you must have had s politi- cal influence on your side to have kept out of it,” coolly returned the “Marquis.” “ How many votes do you generally cast at an elec- tion?” : ss “None of your cussed business!” cried Bill, in arage. ‘* Now, see here; did you shove me in- to the gutter on purpose—say? ‘““My friend, you’re getting excited. Never let your angry passions rise, your dirty hands were never made—” “You go to blazes!” angrily exclaimed Bill, The cutting short the ‘‘ Marquis’s” quotation. ‘If I thought that you had shoved me into the gut- ter on purpose, ’d—” ‘Well, what would you do?’ calmly asked the ‘* Marquis.” ‘Well, I'd just welt blazes out of you!” fiercely returned the rough, ** I believe that you were about to strike this ee you stepped into the gutter so sud- enly? ** Well, wot’s that to you? She’s my girl and 'vea right to lick her if I want to,” said Bill, defiantly, ** Don’t you know that the man that lays his hand upon a woman—” ‘** Now, you just shut up!” interrupted Bill. ‘““T’ve heard just enough out of you, and if you don’t travel, Pll just lam y Asan The ‘‘ Marquis ” again favored English Bill by looking at him from head to foot. “Now you git up and git!” cried Bill, impa- tiently. “My friend,” said the ‘ Marquis,” in the same cool tone, ‘‘this child don’t git worth a cent,” ‘* Ain’t you going?” ** And let you beat this girl? Not much!” ** No, it’s not for Joe!” said Jim, at the same moment advancing toward the other rough, who, attracted by the prolonged conversation, was moving toward the group, ‘Pll lick her as much as [ like, and Ill lick you, too, if you don’t. get out,” and Bill raised is arm threateningly. ‘‘Oh, please go, sir,” cried the girl; ‘‘ don’t ee ane. I can pt it.” ahs, 1, no, my dear,” returned the ae ’ gazing into the face of the girl that he h pad ed from the ruffian’s blow, and seeing for the first time that she was both young and pretty ; ““T haven’t the remotest idea of going, and if this ugly brute says much more, I'll throw my hat at him and extinguish him.” . The girl looked at her protector in amaze- ment; that he, a gentleman, should dare to brave the Rowen of the ‘* bruiser,” was something be- yond her comprehension, Her amazement was exceeded by that of the shoulder-hitter. The cool tone in which the ‘* Marquis” uttered his taunts irritated him more than the words themselves. The coolness of the young man puzzled He had been used to seeing strong, burly men cower before his threats, yet this stripling seemed to def him. For the first time in his life English Bi felt unwilling to begin an attack, ‘‘Say, are you going?” the rough cried. **Oh, yes,” replied the ‘‘ Marquis,” in his cool ways ‘don’t you see that I am going? ut English Bill did not see sen the young man did not move an inch, nor did he show any disposition to move, “Tl give you just one minute to get out of this, or I’ll spoil that pretty face of yours!” exclaimed the ruffian, raising his arm threaten- ingly. f Why don’t you try it on?” asked the ‘‘ Mar- quis,” in quite a pleasant tone, but the deep wrinkle on the forehead, a certain gleam of the eyes, and the quiet closing of the little hand, pee te danger to the ruffian should he make the attempt. ‘* Blast yer!” cried English Bill, and he deliv- ered a terrific ‘‘ rightshendes! full at the face of the ‘‘ Marquis,” which would undoubtedly have spoilt the beauty of the handsome visage had it alighted there. But, with a quik movement of the head the young man dodged the blow, and, before the ruffian could recover himself, for he had struck the blow with all his force— the left hand of the ‘ uis ” A him by the collar, while the knuckles—that felt as hard as iron— pene against the throat almost strangled him. dexterous twist, and ny a Bill was jerked from his upright position, then laid over on his back about a yard from the sidewalk, kept from falling by the hand upon his collar. ded as it were in the air, his heels alone touc the ground, the ruffian was as helpless as a child; while drawing back his arm the ‘ uis” stood ready to administer the terrible right hand blow that had won for him the title of ‘‘ Dan the Devil.” The other rough advanced to aid his com- on, but in a Jim ‘‘ squared off” at him in scientific style. ‘Just you keep hoff, or Ill climb right on your eyebrow!” c1 ied the Londoner. The rough, undecided and not caring to risk a fight with these strangers, one of whom had shown such prowess, . ‘Whose face stands a chance of being spoiled now?” asked the ‘‘ Marquis,” who felt a decided inclination to give the ruffian ‘‘ one.” Se please, don’t hurt bim, sir!” pleaded the ‘““Let me up!” growled Bill, half suffocated by the lever-press of the knuckles in his throat. . i: Are you perfectly satisfied?’ asked the arquis, ei ‘* Yes,” growled Bill, reluctantly. ‘You promise not to beat this girl any more?” “You ” but the iron-like knuckles choked the rest of the sentence in the bruiser’s throat. “Tll have to give you ‘one,’ my friend, I see!” said the ‘‘ Marquis,” for the first time Nave KOE, "SSRAsD, 5 -_ showing signs of anger. But the girl clung to his arm and stayed the blow. ‘*Oh, don’t, sir, please!” she cried. ie won’t beat her,” muttered the rough, sul- enly. The ‘‘ Marquis ” relaxed his hold, and Bill, aT br fell on his back to the pavement. The ‘* Marquis” stooped and picked up his cane that he had dropped at the attack, and Bi slowly rose to his feet. ‘““Who the blazes are you, anyway?’ asked Bill, looking upon the slender stranger who had handled him so easily. ‘In some localities they call me the ‘ Mar- quis,’ in others, I am known as ‘ Dan the Devil,’” replied the young man, who had given the pride of the rough such a downfall. **Dan the Devil!” cried Bill, in astonish- ment, as he gazed with eons upon the ele- gant looking stranger. «‘‘ Well, | heard of you, an’ now I’ve felt you. I’m satisfied, J am! ‘* And now, my friend, if I ever hear of your beating this girl, Pll give you a thrashing, that ou won't get over for a week; and you, girl, if this ruffian ever ill-treats you, just you come to me; here’s my card,” and he gave a little ares piece of pasteboard to the girl. ‘ You'll nd me at home any morning.” ‘* Now, Ive got something to say to you,” said English Bill, witha menacing air. ‘If you travel round Water street any, just you keep your eyes open or I'll be even with you for this night’s work. If I can’t do it alone, Pll double- bank you; you just see if I don’t.” And, with this parting threat; English Bill left the little group and crossed the street; his companion followed him, and the two turned down Fulton street. ‘*T don’t know but that it would have been the best for you in the long run, if I had let him strike you,” said the ‘‘ Marquis,” thoughtfully. ‘*T suppose he will half kill you when he gets you home.” ‘“Oh, I am used to it, sir,” she replied. “It isn’t for myself that i fear, but for you. There’s not many that would have stepped for- ward to have saved me from a beating, and if Bill ever gets a chance at you, it may cost you your life, for he is a terrible, cruel man.” “Oh, don’t fear for me,” peopled the young man; ‘‘ my life ain’t worth much, anyway. But, is this your father?” “ec Yes sir.”’ “Ts your mother alive?” ‘* No, sir.” “* You must have a hard time of it.” “1 do;” the tone of the simple answer touched the heart of the ‘‘ Marquis,” cold, callous man of the world that he was; it showed a depth of misery that recalled to Catterton’s mind the ‘struggles of his early life. fe here, my girl, if this fellow beats you or you ever need help of any kind, just = come to me; the usually cool ‘‘ Marquis” reyes strangely impulsive. ** You promise me at you will come? ‘* Yes, sir,” replied the girl. * All right where do you live?” “No, 314 Water street, in the rear.” ‘* With this rough, of course?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘What's his name?” ‘English Bill.” ** How long will you remain here?” ** Till ten o’clock, sir.” ‘Mind, if you want a friend, come to me, By the way, what is your name?” *‘ Tola.” ‘What a strange name!” “Well, good by, ola; dont £ ad ‘ -by, lola; don’t forget m . dress.” ‘And the * Marquis,” joinine dias con- tinued on his walk down the street. at Forget it!” cried the street-sweeper, impul- sively; ‘no, it is written on my heart!” The ‘‘ Marquis” and Jim walked slowly on- ward for a block or so in silence. The ‘‘ Mar- uis” was evidently in deep thought, and the ; e arq sudde going to adopt that girl!” ‘b ‘* What?” cried Jim, in astonishment. “Tm going to take her from her life of peers, ape ve her a chance to earn an honest we Fo, I'm blowed hif that ain't a good idea.” go down to Water street to-morrow night and find out all about her, for I don’t believe that she’s the daughter of that ruffian. Will Sse go with me?” “Hof course I will, my noble dook!” replied lishman. the En Tola had gained a powerful friend when the cool ‘‘ Marquis” espoused her cause. , CHAPTER VIII. BETTER DEATH THAN LOVE, Ir was a delightful afternoon; the sun shone warm and pleasant. Broadway was filled with the countless throng that the pleasant weather had called forth. At one of the windows of a club-room on Broadway, not far from the Fifth Avenue Hotel, sat two young men gazing out upon the passing mu!titude. MICOOO KS (EC) (E(0) <S