Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 339 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

> lia ‘smoking, some playing cards and sti ee CU ee ——-“_—_—_——- Orr - OO OOOooos~>S Se heavily-armed men were idly lounging, some others ly- ing <-leep. Beyond these, tethered in the scan- ty timber, were a number of horses, lazily crop- ping the twigs within reach or dozing as they stood at rest. Around the little glade were scattered saddles, bridles, blankets; nearer the central fire rifles and carbines were stacked, handy to the grasp of their owners in case of sudden necessity. From these the gaze of the amazon wandered through a narrow opening in the leafless trees, to the edge of the motte where stood a tall, lithe figure, its face turned away from the camp. There was something in his attitude that told he was a sentinel, watching for some particular object. And even as she gazed, he made a movement that caused the hot blood to leap into her cheeks and her eyes to blaze as though on fire. Major Westgate was watching her closely, and now spoke: ‘You still cling to hope? You still believe he will come, though for so many days he has dis- appointed you?” “T do not hope—/ know,” she answered, shortly, her gaze still riveted, upon the watcher at the edee of the motte. ‘Men never fail to keep their engagements when I have promised to reward them!” ‘‘T can well believe that, Queenie!” muttered the soldier. ‘‘If you would only consent to re- ward me /” She turned a swift glance upon him, her red lips curved, her jetty eyes glowing. “It’s a poor business man who pays in ad- vance, Major Jack! And a woman who does so is still more foolish. Time enough to talk of payment when you have completed your task.” ‘Name it, and if I live long enough, be sure I shall come to you for payment,” he said, eagerly. ut she made no sign that his words were heard. Her gaze was once more fixed upon the sentinel at the outer edge of the timber, her brows contracting as she saw him once more standing stiffly erect. Had it been a false alarm? Major Jack ventured to break the oppressive silence: ‘*Queenie, tell me what you wish to learn from this man we are waiting for, and I will bring you the news.” ‘You are anxious to get to work, then?” ‘For you—yes.” ‘In hopes of a reward, of course!” with a mocking laugh. ‘* Why not?” he said, quietly enough, but with burning face and glittering eyes. ‘‘ You say you reward those who serve you. I ask you to set me some —” ‘* Have I not done so?” He flung out one hand with an impatient ges- ture. ‘*T mean something important enough to jus- tify a man in asking for a great reward—no less than—” , He broke off with something very like a curse as the woman leaped to her feet with wonderful lightness, drawing her tall form erect and gaz- ing eagerly out through the tree-tops. She saw the sentry gazing out upon the open und, where it bordered the range of hills hading his eyes from the sun with a curved palm. She saw him turn abruptly on his heel and advance toward her position, and with dif- ficulty she restrained her eagerness, seeming cold and composed as he drew nigh. ‘“ Well? she spoke sharply as he bowed si- ops ‘*‘ There is a horseman out yonder, who seems to be coming straight for the motte, madam,” the ny said respectfully. **Could you recognize him?” “Not with certainty. I believe it is Dike Widgeon.” + ery well. You know what ‘signals to make, If he answers them correctly, bring him to me as soon as he comes up.” With another bow the man turned and regain- ed his former position. The horseman had come nearer during the brief interval, and was now riding more leisurely than when first seen. The sentinel stepped back a pace or two until his person was entirely hidden from any eyes out on the open plain, then poured gunpowder in little ae on three bits of bark previously provided, He struck a match and ignited a stick of punk, taking up one of the powder- freighted pieces of bark, holding it where no boughs or twigs above could cut off the ascend- ing puffs of smoke, then touched off the person It flamed up, sending a cap of blue smoke curl- ing above the timber, showing clear and distinct to any eye which might be on the watch for such a signal. He counted five seconds, then touched off the second powder puff; five more, when the third ies a completing his part of the agree- ment, Casting down the last bit of bark, he pressed forward until he had a fair view of the open ground, The horseman had come to a halt, having noted the smoke-puffs beyond a doubt. Then he spurred his horse abruptly to the left, at a fee Spread Eagle Sa right angles with the motte. He stopped short, swinging his hat around his head at the full length of his arm, thrice in succession. He wheeled and rode to the right, repeating his sig- nal, then galloped straight for the timber. ‘* At last!” exclaimed the sentinel, as the man rode up. ‘‘The madam has had a blast ready for you this week past!” ‘‘A man cain’t do no more then he kin, I don’t reckon,” placidly retorted the new-comer, as he dismounted from his animal, flinging the rein to the other, then striding swiftly to the little knoll where the amazon awaited his com- ing. ‘*'Who and what are you?” she demanded, abruptly. ‘*Dike Widgeon, hunter-in-gineral fer old Kirkendall an’ his pleasure outfit,” was the prompt reply. ‘* How many days have you been lying asleep alongside the trail? Why haven’t you appeared to report before this?” ‘‘A man cain’t do onpossibilities, ma’am,” was the placid retort. ‘'I couldn’t say whar the outfit was to stop when the boss hisself did- n’tknow. Itall’pended onto the weather. Ef it hed showed signs of a storm, back we'd ’a’ turned, hot foot. The minnit I made out fer sure whar we was fetchin’ up, that minnit I come to let you know, ’cordin’ to the ’greement.” ‘** And that point is—” ‘‘At Spread Eagle Sam’s dug-out, "bout trang: 4 mile from this, ’crost the hills, To lofty Dick, yender, knows whar that is,” he added, with a glance toward the dignified sentry. ‘Very well; now about the force your party is composed of. How many men do you mus- ter? ‘*Ten, countin’ in me an’ leavin’ out the ole man.” ‘* All well armed and mounted, of course. Plainsmen, too?” ‘“*Six men is; all old hide-hunters. They’s three drivers, who'll count bout as half a man each in a phen yet they’re gritty enough, but new to the smell o’ powder, an’ I reckon’ll git the fidgets when they come to lis’en to the whis- tle o’ ragged lead fer the fu’st time. Then thar’s another critter; darned ef I kin say which he is —hog, pork or bacon!” ‘* Who is he? What is his name?” ‘* A feller in the ole man’s store; Laughlin, I b’lieve his name is. The durndest critter fer laughin’ you ever run acrost—ef he don’t snicker in his sleep, then I don’t want a cent!” ‘*T have heard of him,” was the quiet reply, as a brief frown crossed the woman's brow. ‘** Unless ’m widely mistaken, he’ll prove one of the worst stumbling-blocks in our path.” ‘* Ef you make it wu’th while, ma’am, I reckon I kin crowd the critter out o’ sight,” hinted Widgeon, with a knowing wink. She gazed steadily into his hard, weather- beaten face for a few moments in silence, evi- dently debating the point; then a slight flush rose to her cheeks as she cast a swift glance toward the soldier, who was watching her in- berry sadly. ‘** There’s no hurry, my good fellow; we'll let that point rest for the present. You can go, now. The gentleman who received you will give you money. Take it, go back to the part ou came from, perform your duty as usual. hen there is any work for you to do, word will reach you, never fear.” A motion of her d dismissed him, and as he strode away, the amazon turned to Major Westgate, saying am, ‘You see now that I am in deadly earnest, Major Jack! I give you one more opportunity to beat a retreat while the path is still open to you. Shake hands, say good-by, go your way, _ forget that our trails ever crossed each other. ‘* Not unless you positively drive me away, Queen.” ‘** If I should, you would obey my commands?” ‘*'Your lightest word is law to me, Queenie,” was his sober reply. “If you say I must go— go I will.” ‘* You will swear to keep all you have seen here a secret? You will never breathe a word or let fall a hint of anything you may have heard, surmised or ted? No matter what wild rumors of dark deeds performed in these parts come to your ears?” sharply added the woman, ‘*They will hardly reach my ears, Queenie, let them be uttered ever so loud, once I have left your side,” the soldier said, his mustached lip showing a grim smile. ‘* What do you mean by that, sir?” ‘* When I leave you, it will be to blow my brains out. If I can’t live with you, I certainly cannot without you,” quietly. ‘All this for me—a sinner!” she laughed, mockingly. : ‘** Sinner or saint, J love you, Queenie!” CHAPTER VII. THE SHE WOLF WHETS HER FANGS. HvuMAN janguage could express no more than was contained in those few, swiftly uttered words, and then, if never before, the amazon realized how utterly this man was subject to her will and caprice. 9 Her queenly form was drawneven more erect, her glorious black eyes glowed and sparkled, her face flushed with an emotion that was half- joy, half-scorn. Then, swift-changing as her outward moods ever were, she flung herself once more at the foot of the tree, toying with the weapons at her waist while her half-vailed eyes lazily watched the face of the man who seemed to live only on id “i ‘You speak well, Major Jack, but you don’t know me yet. If you knew my true record—if ou could only realize what a terrible sinner I tea been in my time—you would hide your eyes and flee headlong as from a pestilence!” “IT am no saint, myself,” he quietly uttered, his bronzed face showing a warm flush, his gaze slightly lowering. ‘** And therefore a fitting mate for me, you think?’ the woman laughed, lightly. ‘* Neither crime nor sanctity could make me that; only my love can bring me within stooping distance, my Queen!” He was terribly in earnest, but the woman he worshi only laughed mockingly. She laugh- ed still more merrily as she saw his face grow pale and a look of intense pain come into his eyes. Truly there seemed to be something of the cruel wolf nature in her composition. ‘Very neatly put, dear fellow, but—how much of it is mere wind, empty sound?” ** As I live on your smiles, ‘ ———— hand. ‘‘ Bah! I have heard men talk before this, and though I begin to place a little more confidence in your words than I ordinarily do in the protes- tations from masculine lips, even you would de— ceive—if you were able!’ ‘You wrong me, Queenie.” & ‘Do I, Major John Westgate ?” she inter- posed, slowly emphasizing the name she pro- nounced, then breaking into a laugh that stung more sharply than a blow. The man lowered his eyes, flushing hotly, then turning a sickly white. His hands trembled, his fingers twitched, his upright form bowed as though beneath a weight too great for his pow- ers to support. The picture of sleepy insolence, she gazed at him through her long, curved lashes, apne | as no pure, honest woman would or coul smile, p ainly enjoying his bitter shame and humiliation.” We . Sinful though he had shown himself in the one to be pitied. He loved her as men seldom love. To her he would seem all that was honor- able, even while conscious of sinning against her and others. . ‘* Bah! Major Jack—you flush and pale and stammer and tremble like a schoolboy caught in mischief! 1s this your boasted nerve? the grit that would gladly undertake to remove mountains at my slightest beck or nod?” He made no reply. For the time he was speechless. She saw this; she saw how killing was his torture, but she had no mercy upon him. Criminal though he had been and still was, she knew he stood far above her in reality and she resolved to drag him down until his hea was beneath her feet. ‘“‘ After all, what have you done? Only lied toa woman. A very venial sin in the eyes of mankind!” ‘* Not that—I never lied to you, Queenie!” ‘* Perhaps not in so many words, but how by implication? You suffered me to think you Major John Westgate, when your real name was: and is—” Pale as death itself, he tremblingly touched her arm. : ‘* Not here, Queenie—not that name! My fa- ther bore it, and though his son has covered it with disgrace and shame, it should be—” ‘*So be it, Major Jack,” with a pretended yawn behind her mma palm. ‘‘ A rose b other name, you know. Then, you admit that you have not always been honest with me?” ‘‘ Anything—save that I do not love you as mortal man never loved before!” was his hoarse, strained reply. ‘* Not even when you led to the altar the pres- ent Mrs. Major Jack?’ she abruptly demanded, all traces of languor vanishing as she rose on one elbow and stared him full in the face. The man staggered and sunk down upon the ground, bowing his head upon his hands. The woman watched him for a brief space, her red lips curling with contempt, her black eyes filled with a peculiar reddish light that might have startled him even in the midst of his shame, had he only seen it. She cast a swift glance around them. She saw that the camp was buried in lazy repose, not one of the men seeming to pay them the slightest attention. She leaned forward and ressed her red, moist lips to a portion of his orehead left exposed by his trembling fingers. He uttered a gasping sound and mary < a living coal had touched his skin. She met his gaze with a light laugh and a lazy mo- tion of one hand as she sunk back to her original wi - a grace. y dear fellow, you are making mountains out of mole-hills!” i 7 “Then you—you forgive?’ he stammered, uskily, Gomicbooks ueenie, I swear—” He stopped short as she impatiently waved one” ast, the soldier was then | any d as - ORs > a — . 4 ~ 4 a a ’ * i ¢ A Ys z=. - « ¢ Pod con