Beadle's Dime Library No. 317 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

ant object to watch. His brow was deeply corrugated, his strong jaws were doggedly set, his hands clinched until it seemed as though his finger-tips must sink beneath the skin of bis alims, Taough he loved the fair woman as he had never even dreamed men could love—though all the time he was longing to clasp her to his breast and cover her red lips with passionate kisses, to force a confession of love from her, even as he laid bare his own heart—he knew he had acted coldly, even rudely, chilling her warm impulses if not changing budding love into dis- trust, if not disgust. ‘* But I had to do it!” he was muttering be- twixt his teeth as the maiden cast that shy backward glance. ‘‘If I acted like a senseless, boorish lout, it was to keep on the safe side of the fence, Had I oe way to impulse—had I suffered my real feelings to show themselves, even for an instant—I could never bave stopped half-way. And while my sacred vow is unful- filled, I must remember duty before love.” Like a man rousing from a waking dream, Frank Lightfoot sbook himself, casting a defiant glanee around him, turning bis back on that trim, neat figure now almost lost in the gather- ing twilight. ‘**T'll do my duty though it takes the hide off! William Courtright, here’s to tear your cunning mask off, if it costs me the one bright dream of bliss that has ever crossed my life trail!” All trace of emotion was banished from his face as Frank Lightfoot strode rapidly toward the house where Jeter Burgess lived. He had ut all weakness behind him, resolved to keep bis vow to the dead no matter what the cost to himself, As he raised his hand to rap at the door, it was opened suddenly, and Jeter Burgess greet- ed him warmly. **IT saw you coming, my dear sir, and for fear you would puss by without stopping, I hastened to the door. Come in—and never mortal foot- step crossed this threshold with a heartier wel- come than I would give you, could I speak the sentiments of my inmost beart!” His bands were shaking those of the Miner Detective, bis bigh-bred countenance was filled with emotion, even as his strong voice trembled and bis black eyes filled with moisture. If ever one man seemed overjoved to meet another, then Jeter Burgess was the one. And the old d wubt as to whether this man could be the es- caped criminal, William Courtright, again as- sailed the Miner Detective’s mind. It did not seem possible that such a merciless fiend could seem so honest, so manly. Frank Lightfoot suffered himself to be led into the house, pace not until they stood together in a sma!l but snug and well-furnished room, where Jeter Burgess hastened to strike a match and light a lamp standing on the little table in the center of the room, ‘‘T am so glad!” the mine-owner repeated, rubbing his bands excitedly as he saw his guest geated opposite him. ‘‘I could not tell you one- half what I felt last night, and would have called on you long before this, only I told my- self you were more in need of rest than any- thing else. And Mora, dear child! She will be so disappointed at being from home! She knows Iam not capable of expressing her thanks for your gallant conduct as well as my own.” ‘* There are no thanks deserved, Mr. Burgess,” coldly replied the detective. ‘* l only performed a duty common to all mankind when I went to her aid. Any one else would have done the same, had he been given the chance.” ‘* But not so gallantly—not so adroitly—don’t tell me that!” the mine-owner cried, his eyes wet with tears as he reached over the table and caught Frank’s hand in his. ‘‘Mora told me part, and I can guess the rest. You made sure of her life, without thinking of yourown. You might have saved yourself by holding on to the lasso, but rather than endanger her Jife, you preferred to take that frightful fall! Laugh— sneer at it if you will; it will not make you any less a hero!” Not a muscle of his face changed while the Miner Detective listened to this broken, fervent speech. He coldly withdrew bis hand, keeping his sacred duty forever before him, ‘** You have said more than enough to cancel the fancied debt, Mr. Burgess,” he began, only to be interrupted with: ‘*Then let me act, instead. You will not take offense, I feel confident, when none such is in- tended; therefore I will use plain language. You are not a very rich man, I believe?” Frank Lightfoot shook his head in silence, ** I feared as much,” with a bright smile that contrasted ludicrously with his words, ‘I have paid more attention to your concerns than you suspected, perhaps, and though I might have waited a little longer before making the pro- posal, bad tt not been for your conduct yester- day, I firmly believe it would have come in due time. You have no particular employment, I understand, Well, we want a superintendent for our mine, the Liberty. We are prepared to give a capable man $5,000 per annum, if he gives satisfaction. I offer the situation to you, and sincerely trust you can ses your way clear to accept.” Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. a -_——— SS Frank Lightfoot listened in silence, a cold, hard smile beginning to play around his firm lips. Disposed to suspect the man before him, knowing what he did, he fancied he saw in this really generous offer a bribe for bis continued silence concerning the past, and he asked, al- most harshly: “Are you positive this offer would have been made had nothing particular happened yesterday?” Jeter Burgess hesitated for a moment, then said frankly: ** Not so soon, perhaps, but—” ‘Then I have no delicacy about refusing it,” coldly interposed the Miner Detective. ‘I do not risk my bones for momentary reward. If I did, 1 would place the lifeof an only daughter at a much higher figure than you seem to give it. It was a hard, insulting speech to make under the circumstances, and Jeter Burgess evidently felt itsuch, His face flushed hotly, then grew pale. He shrunk back as though he had receiv- eda heavy blow from a loved hand; but Frank Lightfoot, believing as he did, felt no com- punction. ‘* With your permission, we will let that mat- ter drop, now and forever. I did not come tere to pose as a hero, nor to extort painful compli- ments from your lips, but on serious business, Perhaps you can give a guess as to its nature?” Jeter Burgess slowly shook his head, bis eyes filled with perplexity, bis face gradually re- covering its natural color. ‘*Then the less time we waste in prelimi- naries, the sooner we will come to the finish,” said Frank Lightfoot, with a hard and unnat- ural laugb, leaning across the table and keenly watching his host as he added: ‘‘ Did you ever know two persons who bore the names of Edna Irving and Calvin Apperley?” A gasping cry escaped the lips of the mine owner, and his face turned pale as death itself as he shrunk away, shivering. CHAPTER XVII. THE GHOSTS OF THE PAST. THE lip of the Miner Detective curled almost savagely and his blue eyes glowed and glittered like steel in the lamplight as hesat watching the face of bis host. He saw it turn pale as death itself; saw the muscles twitch and work; saw the manly form of the mine-owner quiver and shrink away, a wild and bunted light leaping into his eyes. And in his heart he felt asternly fierce joy such as comes only to the successful bunters of men. For years he had been taught to hate the man whom he believed he had at last cornered beyond all chance of escape. To him and his vile work in the days long gone by, he had owed the loss of all the world held dear to bim: and now, as he gazed intently upon the face of the mine-owner, another face seemed to rise be- tween them like a ghost of the past—the face of a dead man, aged and broken down long before bis time, He no longer thought of this man as the father of the woman whom he had learned to love, despite himself. He thought of him only as a vile criminal who must be made to suffer all the torture it lay in his power to inflict be- fore the last crushing biow sbould be dealt. And be schooled his face to express alarm, his voice to simulate earnest sympathy. ** My dear sir, you are ill! hat can I do for you?” be exclaimed, partly starting from his chair as though with the intention of summon- ing aid, With a trembling motion of one hand, Jeter Burgess checked him, and then, his voice faint and husky, he muttered: = Nob am better—it is nothing—serious.” But it looked very serious to Frank Lightfoot, as the mine-owner sunk back in his chair, his eyes closing, his face a dull grayish cast, one band pressed against hisbeart. And fora brief space be believed that bissudden announcement had killed the nan be had vowed to hunt to the very foot of the gallows. But then Jeter Burgess suddenly rallied, bis color slowly returning, his eyes opening and his voice, though still husky, sounding clearer and more natural, ‘I beg your pardon, Mr. Lightfoot,” he said, smiling faintly, ‘‘for thus alarming you. Un- fortunately I am troubled at intervals with my heart, and just as you spoke, one of the spasms took me; but it is over now. You were say- ing—? ‘* You are certain it will be prudent? May it not give you anotber and more severe attack if I continue?” slowly asked the Miner Detective, closely watching the face of bis intended vic- tim. Jeter Burgess opened his eyes widely, an ex- pression of balf-amused surprise on bis counte- nance as he made reply: ‘* Surely you did not think pone words sbock- ed me so severely, Mr. Lightfoot?” ‘Was it not natural that I should? You were 19 plied, smiling faintly, but betraying no otber emotion that the keen-eyed detective could rec- ognize. ‘It was merely a coincidence, I as- sure you, Mr. Lightfoot, and your words had notbing to do with it.” ‘**l am glad to receive this assurance, but per- baps we had better postpose this matter until a more favorable opportunity.” “Not on my account,” swiftly replied Jeter Burgess. “‘Ium feeling as well as ever now, and it may be weeks or even months before I have such another spell. I pray you, my dear sir, do not hesitate to ask me any or all ques- tions that can possibly throw any light on your business,” ‘** You are very kind,” with a bow that serv- ed tocover the cold smile of anticipated tri- umph from view. ** Then we may consider that the question already put?’ ‘‘ Answered in the affirmative. I did know both Calvin Apperley and Edna Irving, years ago,” was the prompt reply. Was his voice less steady? Did a trace of that gray, sickly sbade begin to creep over bis face, or wasit only the flickering of the lamp- light in the fitful breeze that came in through the open window’? ‘“‘Good!” cried Frank Lightfoot, his eyes sparkling, bis voice ringing with satisfaction. ‘*] will have an attentive listener, then, al- though the story I have to tell is one full of sor- row and sin. And you will feel a closer interest in the matter, too, from baving known the par- ties concerned.” The mine-owner suddenly rose from bis chair and turned away toasmall sideboard. He ap- parently bad some little difficulty in unlocking it, for he fumbled with the key for several minutes before the faint click told of success, And he was still longer in selecting liquor and cigars from the stock kept therein. Frank Lightfoot watched him as a cat watch- esa mouse. He could seea part of one cheek and one temple, both of which were paler than the wall beyond, And seeing this, be was well satisfied to wait, feeling confident that the tor- ture of the criminal had already begun. When Jeter Burgess turned once more toward the light, bis face wore its wonted air of com- posure, while bis voic® was as steady as though he had not a care in the world. ‘Talking is dry work without a sip of good liquor to moisten one’s lips occasionajly. while Iam sucb a slave to my cigar—you will join me, my dear sir?” Frank Lightfoot knew that the use of cigars and brandy would give bim still better oppor- tunities for watching the effect of bis words on his victim, as well as ghtaie. oi! the torture which he firmly believed he could irflict, but be shook his head in reply to this cordial invita- tion. Though he meant to drag this man to the gallows for his crimes, be could not so far dis- semble as to partake of his refreshments, ‘Thanks, but I never allow myself to in- dulge during business bours. Don’t deprive yourself of your cigar on my account. It may serve to keep you in patience while I am pros- ing,” be said, quietly. Juier Burgess waited to light a cigar before speaking. ‘*Tt seems unsocial, but you must pardon my weakness, Besides, 1 find that a good cigar or two after one of my heart-attacks, settles my nerves much better than medicine.” Frank Lightfoot bowed slightly, then, witb his keen blue eyes fixed on the face of bis bost, he abruptly began bis narrative of the co ‘Calvin Apperley was a distant relative of Edna Irving, in just what degree might not be easy to discover et this distant day, but that there was some sort of relationship, all parties concerned agreed. And it was this far-away claim to kindred that helped to throw the twain together more intimately than might otberwise have been the case, ‘* Apperley bad once been married, but was then a widower. I believe his wife died ver young, but that does not concern the story have set myself to tell. “At that time Edna had both father and mother, though she was deprived of them both while still nothing more than a girl. With them Calvin Apperley was a prime favorite, and when he told them he loved their only child and wanted to win ber for bis wife, they gladly took his band and bade him god-speed. With both father and mother on bis side, be felt that success might not be quite so far away as he bad at first feared; that their counsel and wisbes would turn the scale in his favor, You see, for all the poor devil had been married and widowed. he knew so little of womankind and her peculiarities!” There was a hard bitterness in the tone with which this sentence was uttered that meade Jeter Burgess glance quickly into the face of his guest. He met that burning gaze witbout nce: and his voice was calm and steady as he asked: “I was not very intimately acquainted with attacked just as I asked you if you ever heard ; the gentleman, but was he not a great trav- of two persons named Calvin Apperley and Edna Irving.” | **Which query I believe I failed to answer, thanks to my poor heart,” the mine-owner re- eler? ‘‘Both before and after the period of which Iam speaking, Calvin Apperley kept on tbe go pretty much all the time. Before he learned to Comicboo cS (Elo) ~ -