Beadle's Dime Library No. 317 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

) 5 See ie flushed, his black eyes glittering with a desper- ate hatred such as ought never to come between brothers born of the same mother. ‘‘A liar, Tom Courtright; a liar and a cow- ard, both!” * Brother—” ‘‘Never that again, you snake in the grass! Never brother to one who has lived a black lie for years!” ‘* Will, you are more than unjust, and you will be sorry for those hard words when your brain grows cool, In what have I injured you, more—” With a short, hard laugh the other arose, flinging his gleaming knife with a force that buried an inch of its point in the kard wood of the block on which be had been sitting. ‘‘ How have you injured me? You ask that?” he boarsely uttered, his eyes aglow, his strong fingers closing and unclosing as though they itched to meet around the throat of bis brother. ‘*'You have won the woman I loved—the one woman in all the world to me—won her by lies as black as those you have poured into my ears!” He paused, not that his accusations were at an end, but because his mad passions choked his utterance, ‘* Never that, Will. I never lied to mortal men, much less you,” was the quick, pained response. ‘‘It wasa fair race between us, but the fates were against you. Edna never loved you, while she did love me. When you failed —when we all saw that there was not a trace of hope remaining for you, in that respect—was Iso much to blame fcr trying my fortune?” ‘* She swore there was nothing between you!” ** Nor was there, then,” ‘*Yet vou say she is your wife—the mother of your child! When were you married?’ ‘*When [ took that business trip to Omaha, I went on to St, Louis, and we were married.” ‘*Why did you keep it all from me? Why let me live on in hopes of one day gaining her?’ ‘“We were afraid,’ came the reply, slowly, the blue eyes downcast, the bronzed cheeks flushing a little, ‘* Your temper is so quick, Will; you are so apt to strike first and think afterward, that Edna made me promise to wait, to break the news to you gradually, when pass- ing time began to weaken your regrets, A score of times I have tried to lead up to the subject, but as often you would flash out, show- ing so plainly that your love was still living, still steadfast and—’ “ Ay!” with a bitter emphasis. ‘I was not ashamed to show my heart to my brother! I never lied, never licked the band I was all the time | betraying, never — bah! you coward! liar!’ That hot flush fadedaway. The bronzed face grew pale as death, but it was not from per- sonal fear. The large blue eyes flashed fire, and the deep, mellow voice was fall of a stern warning as Thomas Courtright spoke again: ‘*Go a little slow, brotber! I can make al- lowance for your feelings, and stand a good deal from you because of that and because of the mother who bore us both; but you mustn’t try to rub it in too deep!” The other stooped and jerked the bowie-knife from the block of wood, then drew a heavy re- volver from the belt about his waist before he spoke again: “That you are a liar, your own confession has proved, If not a coward in addition, draw your weapons and show fight! There is not room iv this gulch for both, Let the man who proves bimself the best, go and meet Edna,” Thomas Courtright shrunk back from his half-mad brother, partly turning as though to retreat to the cabin, when a sbarp exclamation parted his lips. A ragged, dusty, unsborn tramp was standing near, staring at the bro- thers with rum-bleared eyes, » ‘‘Who are you? Whatdo you want?” harsb- ly demanded Will Courtright as hse observed him, ** Money or wbhisky—with the licker fer ch’ice, gents,” whiningly replied the unsavory-lookivg creature, ‘‘ I’m dead broke, bottle empty, an’ the snakes beginnin’ to b’ile over the top o’ m boots! It’s monstrous bard fer a man what’s see’d better days fer to come so low down as to beg off’m strangers, but ’*member what the good books ays: ‘Them as shells out free to the onfor- tunit, ‘ll git resurved seats up the golden step- ladder ’—or words to them effec’s!” Without waiting to hear the end of this whin- . ing speech, the miner strode rapidly to the cabin, returning with a bottle of liquor, speaking mgr! ot ; “Take that and mosey! And mind: if I catch you spying around here again, I'll make a map of the United States on your back in red ink! Pull out, will you?” With a trembling hand the bummer grasped the bottle and shuffled heavily away, casting nervous glances back over his shoulders, but not daring to stop long enough to sample the priz he bad so unexpectedly won until the rocks and bushes formed a perfect screen behind him. Then, as though the long draught of brandy had given bim courage, he parted the vines and gazed curiously down into the gulch, He sawtbe brothers standing face to face, Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. AS He saw the elder of them gesticulating violent- ly, still clasping the deadly weapons he had impulsively drawn. A malicious grin stole over his bloated countenance, and he muttered: ‘Brothers or not, I’m open to bet my head ag’in’ a pint that thar’s bloody murder done down thar afore dark!” Mid-afternoon of that same day. The broth- ers have left the little guich and are now beside the stage trail which leads from Denver. One is sullen, dark-faced, haggard-eyed; the last few hours bave aged him in seeming more than thrice as many years of ordinary life could have done. The other is eager,. nervous, bis whole frame trembling with a poorly concealed impatience; and little wonder! He is waiting and watching for the wife whom he bas not seen for nearly two years—for the one so dear to bis beart that he risked incurring the deadly hatred of a dearly loved brother, rather than give her up, “I see if! The stage’s coming, Will,” he mut- tered, his voice unsteady, his blue eyes sudden- ly growing dim with tears of great joy. ‘‘ Al- most here. Ten minutes, Will, and then—” He suddenly cut himself short, flusbing hotly as he felt how little his brother could be expect- ed to share in his joy. He turned, to see bis brother slowly walking away toward the vine- wreathed rocks with which the trail was lined. His lips parted as though to call bim back, but instead he murmured: ‘*Poor fellow! Let him go. Perbaps it is best. In solitude he will see that we could not help it, and will come around alli right. Tbhen— with Edna for a sister—” A ringing shout cut his solilequy short as the dusty stage rolled into view. And then, almost before the vehicle drew up, the door opened and a light figure leaped out, to be clasped to the breast of the stalwart miner, whose beard- ec lips were kissing and receiving kisses, none the less sweet because there were half a dczen pair of curious eyes watching them from the stage. All but one pair. They were fixed upon the half-hidden rocks where crouched the figure of a man whose right band gripped a revolver, the muzzle bearing full upon the brain of the Sim busband! he lips of the passenger parted, but it was to smile in dark and grim pleasure, not to utter a warning shout. And beneath his breath he muttered: ‘*Go it, Cain, while you’re able!” ‘* Little mo’ cider fo’ Aunt Di— Durn cider! whisky’s the jewel! Little mo’ whisky fo’ Un- cle Fuller, little mo’ whisky too—tvhree, four— a hull bar’l chuck-full, by ding!” Sprawling beside a little mountain spring, the ragged tramp was bugging his empty bottle and trying to sing, in a voice that would have shamed a tame crow in its most garrulous mo- meuts, It was night, the stars shining brightly, while on the tips of the bighest peaks the light of the ascending moon could just be detected. Trembling on the very verge of delirium tremens, the tramp had swallowed the entire contents of the bottle, strong brandy though it was, without being madefairly drunk. Instead it seemed to brace bis nerves, like food and drink to a starving man, while it whetted his appetite for more of the poison. ‘oR Twas a rich man an’ hed the makin’ o’ the laws, I’d see’t every bottle held a plum bar’)! I’d make it a bangin’ ’fense fer a man to go to bed sober! I'd offer a big ’ward fer the dis- kivery o’ how to grow good budge on trees, An’ when it got fa’rly sot a-goin’, I’d ’sign an’ get the office o’ taster-in-gin’ral, to tell folks when thar craps were ripe enough to barvest—durned ef I wouldn't !” Uncorking the bottle, Uncle Fuller held it to his nostrils, sniffing at it with long sighs of min- gled pleasure and regret. ‘‘Durn shame he didn’t give me two bottles stead o’ jes’ a measly one!” with a sudden out- burst of righteous indignation. ‘* An’ durn’der fool me that I went off so cheap! It’s wu’th two bottles any day fer to git shet o’ your Uncle Fuller!” hurling the bottle spitefully away from him, ‘‘He owes me ’nother bottle, an’ durned ef I ain’t goin’ fer to claim my rights! Ef the critter don’t pony up, I'll root round in his dooryard tell the cows come home—l jes’ will |” With drunken gravity he nodded, clapping one band into the other, shaking them with an owlish solemnity, then struggling to his feet and moving toward the gulch where stood the lone cabin. : ‘*One good turn’sarves another, an’ ef the critter don’t give it, thar’s goin’ fer to be the high-tonedest row in these yer’ diggin’s the uni- varse ever hearn tell on! Death afo’ dishonor! An’ ef the critter won’t give me the satisfaction jue a gentleman, hope may die ’f I don’t butt is ’tarnal shack over—an’ it’s your Uncle Ful- ler you bear preachin’, honey!’ Thus muttering, the drunkard stumbled along through the rocks and bushes, only peoene when he gained the ridge from whence be coul gaze down into the Jone cabin gulch. He saw a light twinkling through the vine- wreathed window, late though it was, and bis bleared eyes suddenly opened wide as he caught’ the sound of voices, sharp and angry. ‘Spit-spattin’ till yit? Durned ef I don’t sail down an’ lick all-two-both on ’em! I’ll jes’ show—” A sharp crack, as of a revolver. Shrill screams in a feminine tone. Fierce cries and curses, Another sbrick, this time dying away in a choking wail as a revolver spoke again and yet again. And then silence over the idee cabin. The Dutch courage of the bummer vanished, and trembling like a leaf in a storm, he turned and rushed away from the spot with his heels winged by fear, High noon. A heap of smoking ruins lying where, only one short day before, stood the vine-wreathed cabin. Around the cabin stand a number of rough-clad men, working like de- mons in tearing aside the half-consumed logs. And then, bare-headed, silent, their skins show- ing unusually pale through the coating of smoke and ashes, they stand in a little cluster, sur- rounding the ghastly relics which their des- erate efforts have unearthed and brought to ight. A little later, the crowd bas scattered, leay- ing one man bending over the charred remains. Tbey draw longer breaths as he rises, and standing before one man who stands a little apart with a vague air of justice about him, speaks slowly: ‘*'Your honor, I have to report that after a careful and thorough examination, I find tke remains those of a man and @ woman. I must add further that they either committed suicide or were murdered, since there are bullet wounds penetrating each skull.” A low but fierce mutter ran through the crowd, The judge lifted bis band, and all was still again; but if tongues were absolutely be- neath bis control, not so the flashiug eyes, the savagely clinched teeth andstrong bands. Woe be unto the man who should be brought before that crowd of miners, charged with this doubly atrocious crime! Later still, there is a rude semblance of the court of justice in session, The doctor gives in bis evidence, And then, ragged, dirty, un- savory as ever, but sober and steady, the tramp who had carried to Denver the startling news stood before the judge and told all that he had seen and heard. ‘** [never looked back ontel I wasclean over the ridge an’ hafe-way to town,” he declared; ‘* but then I see’d the red light an’ jedged the critter tn tryin’ to hide his crime by settin’ the shack afire. His evidence was more than sufficient, and as he turned away and the judge gianced toward the men who had been sworn in as a jury, their foreman arose and spoke: “Our verdict is that thar’s bin bloody mur- der done, your honor, an’ then arson piled on top o’ that!” ‘* And have you fixed on any particular per- son as the criminal?’ In one voice, from the crowd as well as the jury, came: “WILLIAM COURTRIGHT!” And before the sun went down, the dark- faced brother was declared an outlawed mur- derer, with a price resting on bis head! Midnight! The full moon has risen high enough to look down into the gulch and showa human being kneeling beside the grave where rest Thomas Courtright and his wife, Edna. With hands uplifted, with pale face raised to beaven, with fie as silent as the grave, that man uttered a vow more elcquent thanif it had found utterance in the fiercest tones. CHAPTER I. THE ARGONAUT AND THE BARNACLE, INDEPENDENCE DAy in Independence City! Never again to be termed ‘‘camp” or ‘‘ town,” save at the peril of the bold scoffer across whose daring lips those hencefoith-to-be despised terms should pass! And now that the long- coveted goal was gained at last, little wonder that the newly-made citizens were enthusiastic, or that they had resolved to make this return of ‘‘the day we celebrate” memorable in the annals of that wild mountain region. The original proposal that all saloons keep “open house” and free liquor, was after a somewbat heated debate, together with the ad- dition that ‘‘all bands and the cook” get * drunker’n b’iled owls,” voted down. Instead, it was determined to celebrate after the good old fashion of the “country deestricks,” with speech-making, singing, dancing, fireworks and a monster barbecue. And now that the all-im- portant day bad rolled around, Independence City was in its glory, decked in its holiday dress, brim-full of life and activity. Not a building in the entire “ city” but what sported at least one flag, while some were almost bidden beneath their burden of stars and stripes. Men, women and children were decked out in their finest, not forgetting a supply of tri-color- ed bunting, and one enthusiastic fellow, the for- tunate possessor of a sway-backed white mule, GomiGbooks i (E (0) —— we