Beadle's Dime Library No. 317 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

+ 20 love Edna Irving, it was fondness for change that led him to travel: after that—well, he was seeking what Fate willed be should never find on this side of the grave, **Of course I never saw her to speak of, but you who did know Edna Irving, can say whether the tales told of her great beaury of face and person were true or exaggerated.” Through the blue vail of smoke, Frank Light- foot saw that sickty gray shade creep Over the face of Jeter Burgess,and a smile of grim, fierce joy marked his own countenance for a single instant! Then it passed away, leaving his face as calm and inscrutable as that of the Egyptian Sphinx. Not so with that of the mine-owner. Though he tried to smile, it was a painful effort, and his voice was shaky as he uttered the reply for which bis guest was waiting: ‘‘She was indeed a lovely woman—and good as she was beautiful. An angel on earth, I trust she is now an angel in heaven!” A dark frown marked the face of the Miner Detective, This was not the sort of answer he had expected—not the answer one bad a right to expect from the lips of a murderer, from one whose hands had sent that fair creature to be an angel! And harder than ever grew bis heart toward such a matchless hypocrite—bypocrite indeed, were he William Courtright! *So I have been informed,” he said, coldly smothering his emotions beneath an icy mask; “if not in precisely those words, in others to the same effect. And being thus—young, beautiful, accomplished, rich—it is not to be wondered at that the charming Edna lacked not for suitors. Lovers she had none, at that time, but of moths who would gladly change into those convenient animals, she had scores. ‘**Among them poor Calvin Apperley, more manly than gentle, more truthful than polished, cut anything but a graceful figure. He was too much in earnest, perhaps; perbaps the mother and father, anxious to see their one ewe lamb comfortably settled in life, urged his suit too steadily; for courting by proxy meets with more disappointments than triumpbs. But let that be as it may, when Calvin Apperley press- ed his suit toa climax, it was ouly to meet with bitter disappointment, and the next day he fled from the scene, telling nv one whither he was bound or when he intended to return, ‘*Those outside of the one family, shrugged their shoulders when they heerd of this hasty departure. Calvin Apperley never did any- thing like the rest of the world. If not the original Wandering Jew, he was that gentle- man’s modern prototype. And so be passed out of their minds and memories. **But it was not an idle whim that took Cal- vin Apperley so abruptly to the other side of the globe. He went in the vain hope of finding forgetfulness in absence, He went to hide even from bimself the wound that made bis big heart shed tears more bitter than gall. He went to forget Edna Irving and his love for the charmer; but he might better have remained on the spot for all he found of forgetfulness in those far- away regions. If be only bad! Perhaps I might have had a vastly different story to tell you this evening!” For the first time Frank Lightfoot suff-red a trace of strong emotion to betray itself in both his tones and his face, Jeter Burgess involuo- tarily leaned forward in bis chair, his eyes shining, his face eager, one hand partially lifted —but he sunk back again as the look vanished from the face of his guest, and if once more be- came hard and stern. ‘‘For three years Calvin Apperley fought with his beart and bis love, and at the end of that time he fondly believed be had gained the victory—tbat he could meet Edna Irving face to face, could listen to ber words of welcome, could watch her smiles, her arch glances, with- out a tremor or a heart pang. And then he found himself dreaming by night of home—for so he still regarded the faraway country— while bis waking thoughts were ever turning in the same direction. He felt that it would be very pleasant to gaze once more upon the old heme and the fumiliar objects of his boyhood. And acting on tbe impulse, he turned his face - toward America, ‘** He should have learned the truth from the manner in which his pulse leaped, from his growing impatienoce—he, the old and exp- rienced traveler who suffered nothing to unsettle his composure—as he drew nearer to land; but he obstinately attributed it to anything but the rigbt cause. Edna Irving had nothing to do with it—as he told himself a hundred times each day. ‘‘ During his voluntary exile, Calvin Apperley had taken especial care to avoid reading any papers publisbed in his native land, lest some chance poraarspr might undo all his bitter work; he feared to see some mention of the marrisge of Edna Irving. Thanks to this care, and his failure to leave any address with his few friends, be was in absolute ignorance of a}l that bad transpired during those three years, He thought he was acting rely but he knew better when he came to rvalize all that had hap- pened to his friends while be was absent. ** The first shock came to bim with the knewl- — Frank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. edge that his best friends, Mr, and Mrs. Irving | you, my dear sir,” the mine-owner courteous! were dead, They passed awa of each other, but little less than a year before he returned home, But heavy as was this within a month | replied, | ‘*Tf you would only shew me how might better prove to you bow grateful—” Frank Lightfoot impetuously lifted bis hand, shock, it was but a blow with a feather to what | with a restraining gesture, his face turning a lay bebind., ‘*Edna Irving was married, and had carried ber fortunes toa pretty market, the gossips said. And some of them hinted—be sure they never | shade paler, Just then he cared not to be re- minded of Mora Burgess. “You forget that that isa forbidden subject between us, Mr. Burgess,” he uttered hastily. dared breathe the foul suspicion a second time | ‘‘ You have already said too much for the slight within reach of his strong arm!—that there service fortune willed I should render; anything had been no ceremony, though one was so badly | further will give birth to disgust, instead of needed! ‘There was some sort of mystery surround- ing the affair, but after recovering from the first benumbing shock—for, despite his cold reasoning with himself when thousands of miles away, Calvin Apperley bad come home to try his fortune once more with the only woman whom the earth then held for him—he set to work to get at the renl facts of the case. ‘* He learned that Edna Irving, from a laugh- ing, happy, sunshiny girl, was suddenly transformed into a sober, subdued woman. She kindly but decisively discouraged all ber de- voted slaves, and seemed content to live in utter quietness and seclusion with her parents, both of whom were in feetle health. Then, at the end of several months it began to be whis- pered about that she was married! ‘*It wasachoice morsel for the gossips, and vou may be sure they made the most of it. More yet, when a little babe came to ber, and still the man who should have been at her side in that hour, remained absent, ucspoken of, un- known, as yet. ‘* When those vile rumors came to her ears, the young mother could no longer keep her secret. She sent the certificate of marriage to her clergyman and had him read it aloud in open church. Nothing was hidden; names, place and dates all were given to still those thrice-accursed tongues; but when was bitter scandal killed by plain facts? If overwhelmed by truth in one shape, it assumed another, and their lives were made hells on earth! ‘The parents took sick and died. Edna also was brought to the very door of death, and was forced to place her child in the care of another. And then, when she kad not yet fairly re- covered her health, those venomed tongues stabbed her even more cruelly than before. ‘*It soon became public property that Edna was deserted by her husband—if busband he had ever been; that he was even then living with another woman in far-away Colorado— some swore they bad positive information that bis new love was an Indian squaw! “It was more than woman could bear, and so she started alone, unguarded, to find ber busband, Instead, she found death !” He paused, gazing keenly into the face of bis host, Slowly, almost apathetically Jeter Bur- ess spoke: ‘*T think I heard something of it at the time.” “Possibly you may remember the name cf the murderer, who calledin the aid of fire to destroy all traces of bis crime?’ ‘*‘l remember now—it was William Court- right!” —_—--—-— CHAPTER XVIII. INNOCENT OR GUILTY? Very closely Frank Lightfoot watched the face of the mine-owner as he put these abrupt questions, but be was conscious of a curivus mingling of relief and disappointment, Jeter Newtson betrayed nothing more than a calm, commonplace interest in the matter, which might very well be attributed to polite- ness alone. There was no alteration in his face when Frank Lightfoot spoke of the murder of E ina Irving, and though a slignt change came into it as be pronounced the name of the es- caped assassin, it was nothing more than might bonestly accompany the successful exercise of memory. Had be not been so firmly convinced of this man’s guilt in advance, Frank Lightfoot would have set him down as innocent of all connection with that terrible tragedy in the Lone Cabin Gulch. But he believed there could be no ques- tiov as to the identity of Jeter Burgess with William Courtright, and no sane man could for an instant doubt the guilt of tbat one, is strong jaws came together with a slight click as he resumed his former position, inward- ly vowing to shake the iron nerves of the cri- minal before he touched him with the relentless hand of justice, Like an accusing vision there flashed before his memory the face of Mora Burgess; so plainly that the detective gave a start and glanced swiftly around the room; but his weakness lasted only for a single breath. Let the cost be what it might, be would prove himself faithful to the vow he made, long ago, with his hand on the breast of the dead. “Your memory is perfectly correct, Mr. Burgess,” he said, bis voice cold and stern, but otherwise showing no emotion. ‘* William sourtright was the name of the vile assassin. But to make everything clear as we go along. [ pleasure,” With a pained look upon bis fine face, the mine-owner bowed, Though he said nothing, he looked both surprised and burt by that brusque, almost rude tone and words. ‘‘In order that you may thoroughly under- stand what led up to that dire tragedy, it is necessary for me to go back in my story to the days closely following that on which Calvin Apperley so suddenly departed from his cbild- hood’s home.” Frank Lightfoot paused in his deliberate speech, as the mine-owner made a quiet motion of one band. ‘‘ It is really unnecessary that you should do so on my account, dear Mr. Lightfoot,” calmly uttered Jeter Burgess. ‘* My memory is grow- ing fresher and clearer all the time, until 1 can recall incidents long since forgotten. I really fancy I could tell the story almost as well as you can, so far as mere details are concerned,” with a slight laugh. ‘I have not the slightest doubt as to that,” pointedly retorted the Miner Detective, a cold and hard smile marking bis handsome face for an instant, ‘‘I daresay you could give some details which even my steady search has failed to bring to light.” ‘Then, granting this, would it not spare both time and breath were we to take for granted all that you have skipped? Unless, of course, you have some especial reason for Pim un every point,” the mine-owner added slowly. “ haw particular reasons for not omitting . single detail,” coldly replied the Miner Detec- tive, Jeter Burgess bowed politely, easily, his voice quite as suave and courteous as his man- ner. ‘‘Then, of course, I am ready and happy to listen. Pray proceed, my dear sir, and t will try not to interrupt you again.” ** Among the suitors which bovered more or Jess constantly around the fair Edna were two brothers named Courtrigbt. Both were band- some, stalwart fellows, well educated and of agreeable address; but there all resemblance ended. Thomes was a blonde in complexion and hair, frank, truthful and mild mannered, open as day in all his actions. Bold enovgh when it came to the pinch, be was almost timid in bis fear of burting the feelings of those around him, and it was to this amiable feiling that the great tregedy of his life may partly be attributed, ‘“William Courtright was the exact oppo- site of bis brother in many respects. He took after bis father’s side of the louse, I believe, while Thomas closely resembled bis mother, ** William was dark in complexion, with jet- black bair and eyes. That he was handsome, no one could deny. That be was a favorite among the Jadies was equally clear. But even those who knew end loved bim best feared bis fiery temper. When bis will was crossed, or he fancied himself wronged by another, be was more like an insane man than aught else.” ‘*Might be not have been really insane at those times?’ suggested the mine-owner, his voice low but steady. ‘I have often wondered whether that was not the case when he raised his band against his brotber—but I am inter- rupting you. Once more I beg your pardon, dear sir,’ ‘‘ There wes a strange degree of method in bis madness, then,” replied Lightfoot, with a bard laugh, ‘* But we bave not come to that point as ef, ‘* As T was saying, these two brothers fel] in love with Edna Irving, though few who were pot intimately acquainted with Thomas would have suspected the fact as far as he was con- cerned, for, true to his nature, be kept in the background ard suffered his brother to have full swing. : “ William set bis suit vigorously, impetu- ously, as he did everything else, and for a time it seemed as though he was fated to be the fa- vored one. His boldness crowded all other suitors away until be had had hisinnings, But his time came at last, and he was firmly de- clined by Edna ge ‘*It was a heavy blow to him, and the first one he sought as soon as his first mad agony wes past, was his broth-r. He had never suspected the trutbh—never dreamed that in Tom be bad a rival; for the meek-spirited fellow kept his secret closely locked in his own bosom until the fate of his brother should be decided.” ‘‘ Longer than that, if I am not misinformed,” must go back a Jittle in my story. You will _ quickly interposed the mine-owner. ‘‘ If be had bear with my prosing?” come out like a man and made his confession, ‘*My time and attention belong wholly to the same as did his brother, perhaps—nay, it is Gomichbooks -_ f