Beadle's Dime Library No. 341 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

~ _- ~ 26 = 5 _——_— ——- = _—— = —e— —— — << ~—— oe ee OS OS Se —_ a 2 wai mr re EE = ra The Sea Desperado. — that was dark and deserted, being evidently little used. He was most anxious to escape obser- vation, knowing that if recognized by Captain Tom, it would bring on a climax that would thwart a plot he had already formed in his mind for the rescue of Helen Hayward from the snare she was in. Accident had placed him in possession of the plan of Captain Morte, through his ally, the innkeeper, to get possession of Helen, and he determined to act upon it. After taking possession of the pirate vessel as he had, he had run her to a secluded inlet on the coast, and then brought her to anchor where she would be out of the way of all pry- iy or the sake of discovering what he could to serve him, he had gone to the town, and now, forearmed as he was by being fore- warned, he determined to at once return to his vessel. Secking a sailors’ inn upon the shore he there called to two of his men, who had ac- companied him, and going to the harbor they set sail in a small boat for the rendez- vous of their vessel. Frank Shields met him at the gangway, an eager, anxious look upon his face. “What news, Captain Duval?” he asked, quickly. ‘‘OCome into the cabin with me, Mr. Shields, and | will tell you all.” ‘You are back so soon [ fear the worst.” ‘‘No, | am back so :50n because I have good news, or at least think so; but let me tell you just what has happened.” ‘* You will find a willing listener, I assure ou.” ‘* Well, Mr. Shields, I went to the town and put my men at a tavern, after which I cut off my beard, disguising myself as you see. ‘*T was, however, recognized by that keen- eyed villain, Captain Tom, and with a result that well-nigh proved fatal.” Duval then told the story of his capture, escape, and what followed. ‘* Now you see,” he continued: ‘‘T heard their plot to see Miss Hayward, and get possession of her, and I shall fore- stall them, sir, though to do so I had to re- turn to the vessel first to get your aid.” ‘‘7indeed you shall have it.” ‘‘T know that, and I desire you to take command of the schooner, while York, with a dozen picked men, returns with me to the town, where I shali charter a small schooner | | guiltless of being a traitor even to him, I as- and place them on board. ‘«| will then see Miss Hayward myself, ask her to aid us, and will inform you on what night I run out, and have you meet us at sea with this vessel, when we can get what men we may need for the undertaking. ‘‘Now, as soon as [ have had some rest, I will return to the town, arriving at night | with my men, and York will go with me, so that you will be in full charge.” Frank Shields fully coincided with Duval - in the plot to save Helen, and late that night the latter left the Flying Wizard with York and half a dozen men. Arriving in port about dawn, they put up at a sailors’ inn; but Duval at once went in search of a suitable vessel, and finding one, chartered her for a few weeks and put his men on board. His next duty was to seek an interview with Helen, and just at sunset he wended his way toward the Hayward mansion. _ As good luck would have it, Helen was eaning over the garden gate as he ap- proached, gazing sadly out over the waters. Her thoughts were bitter indeed, for she was musing half-aloud about the misery that was in store for her. ‘Ah me!” she murmured. ‘‘T must soon reach the end, and be strug- into gling irresistibly in the breakers - which Destiny is driving me. ‘‘T made the sacrifice of myself to save pledge those with me, and | will keep m and become the wife of Rupert Mortimer, alias Captain Morte, the Sea Desperado. ‘ Oh, to think that I once loved that man, once promised to become his wife, believing hour when you shall go with him.” him all in the world to me. ‘‘T was a child then, though if he had | you go with the messenger of Morte, the pi- proven himself all that IT could have wished, would have still loved him, for he was dif- ferent then, or atleast 1 thought so. | not this time am I the messenger of the Sea _ Desperado.” few leagues from this port, while I have _ come hither to see you.” _and see me save you from Morte, the Des- tall LT tain Morte, as men call him, send for me to | ecoim ‘Heaven grant it, for if you save me from him, you save me from committing a fearful crime,” and Helen shuddered, re- membering her determination to end the life of Rupert Mortimer with her own hand. “Then, Miss Hayward, rely upon me, and when | have perfected my plans, I must beg to see you again. ‘‘In the mean time you will be visited by “They will know that I keep my pledge, | a messenger from Captain Morte, and I beg become the bride of a buccaneer one minute, | that you enter into his plans, even to the to drive a knife into his heart the next, and | carrying of them out, should I not see you thus avenge the death of Frank Shields, and | once more before the time for me to act. rid the seas of such a monster. ‘But go without dread, for a friend you ‘‘ What will become of me then, God only | little dream of will be at hand to save you.” knows; but I shall not waver. | ‘* And who is this friend?” ‘Ah! there comes a seaman and I will! ‘‘ That I cannot tell you; but now I will depart, for I like not to face any one now say farewell until we meet again,” and the with these thoughts in my breast.” | strange man walked away, in the gathering As she spoke she turned to depart, when | gloom, leaving Heleu deeply moved by what Duval called out: had passed between them, ‘Stay, lady, and let me speak with you, CHAPTER XLYVIII. pray!” THE PIRATE'S ENVOY. CHAPTER XLYVIL. Tue day after her meeting with Duval at THE INTERVIEW. the gate overlooking the sea, Helen Hayward THERE wassomething in the voice of the | was seated in her room alone, when her maid man, as he called to Helen, that checked her | entered and told her that there was a man in in her departure, and caused her to turn and | the arbor waiting to see her. ask: Helen gave a sigh, asked no questions, but, ‘‘Well, sir, what do you wish of me?” determined to drift with the tide, she left the “You are Miss Hayward?” and Duval | house and walked toward. the little arbor, halted at the gate. hoping to see Duval, yet dreading to see the “T am.” one whom she expected from Morte, the Sea ‘Miss Hayward, we have met before.” | Desperado. ‘Your voice, sir, and your manner seem She found a man quietly awaiting her in familiar, but I cannot remember where we , the sea-arbor. have met.” It was the same individual whom Duval ‘‘Tam one, Miss Hayward, who told you | had seen in close conversation with Captain when visiting you some time ago, that your | Tom the night of his lucky escape from the noble self-sacrifice must never be made,”’ death-chamber. “Ah! you are—” and Helen paused, gaz- He was dressed with evident care, though ing with deep interest upon the man that she ‘his style was of the fashionable flash kind, knew could be none other than the brother | and his face was sinister and villainous, of Lord Stanwix. He arose with assumed politeness, upon ‘Lam the one who called upon you, Miss | seeing Helen, and doffing his hat, said in Hayward, as Dunmore the pirate lieutenant, | pompous tones: and I now have come to see you again, but |“ iss Hayward, I have pleasure in meet- ing you.”’ Freie iewed coldly, and answered with frigid manner: Explain your business with me at once, sir. ‘‘T am an envoy, Miss Hayward, from a distinguished individual.” ‘* By what right do you call on me, sir?” “You shall know, miss, for I come from one you greatly care for.”’ ‘‘ Sir, at once state why you are here, or I shall leave you.”’ The man saw that he did not impress Helen with his assumed importance, and he said, bluntly: ‘Your lover sent me.” ‘‘ Sir, what do you mean?” ‘¢T come from the pirate captain, Morte.” ‘‘ And for what purpose?” ‘‘ First, to hand you a letter written you by Captain Morte,and second, to arrange with you a time for your departure to join him.” ‘Hand me the letter.” The imperious manner of Helen complete- ly awed the envoy of the pirate chief, and he promptly handed forth his letter. It was sealed, and addressed to - “MISS HELEN HAYWARD, such that he thinks I still love him. ‘* He shall see! ‘‘“Ah, all those who wonder why I so tamely submit, why I insist on keeping my pledge to a pirate, will see why I do so. “They will then know that I have a re- vengeful heart against the one who put to ‘‘ But I verily believe the man’s vanity is death Frank Shields. | | | Helen had now returned to the gate, and stood gazing at the man, who was standing on the outside, gracefully leaning upon the pate ‘You mean that you are not then a pirate now?” asked Helen. ‘‘T mean, Miss Hayward, that I was sus- pected of treachery by Captain Morte, though sure you. ‘‘ Learning that he intended to put me to death, I made my escape, and was picked up at sea by a vessel which Captain Morte for- merly commanded, but which had been stolen from him by a former lieutenant, a monster by the name of Riaz. ‘‘ Circumstances, which I need not explain, placed me in charge of that vessel and put Riaz to death, and the craft, now known as the Flying Wizard, is lying concealed only a ‘To see me, sir?” ‘“ Yes, Miss Hayward, and to ask you to go with me on a certain specified night, perado.” “ Hayward Mansion. ‘‘Ah, sir, I fear that cannot be,” sadly said *¢ Per Envoy.” PG Bom Helen, Breaking the seal Helen read aloud, as ‘Tt can be, and will be; while I could act without your aid, but desire to have you with me for a particular purpose, if you are willing to trust me.” ‘“‘T certainly am, sir, for something tells | me to do so; but may I ask how you intend to save me from this Sea Desperado?” ‘‘T cannot explain all now, Miss Hay- ward, only have hope that all will come well in the end, and do what you can to aid me.” “T will do all that Ican; but should Cap- | | My wou ar ou) ptt postal gl hss Sron _to arrange a meeting, when the one wish of my life | will be carried out, and you will become my bride, bP iy wee ate macy £0. ou. I know. and |,“ The messenger who hands you this trust impli- ell, he will send for you, , | citly, and arrange with him when you will come to that very soon, for a man has already re- | me’ ‘ Hfe will plan all, and you will have but to follow ceived his orders to visit you and arrange an “He wil S advice. “Once you are my wife, and I will give up the life ‘‘ Ah! I feared that it must come,” I now lead and live to make you happy. ‘‘Do not lose hope, Miss Hayward, even if | ‘More I cannot promise, but my actions shall | prove my sinceriby. “ Parewell, until we meet on the day that makes though unmindful of, or uncaring for, the presence of the man who called himself an envoy. The letter was as follows: ‘On BoaRD WINGED WirtcH. ‘‘My Dear Hetrn:—I write you from a bed of suffering, for, as you know, I was seriously wounded in my engagement with the British brig Playful, but | have satisfaction in knowing that her titled com- | monder also well-nizgh met his death; but I hope to meet him again, and render a better account to the world of the deeds of the Winged Witch. ee rate, for I pledge you) my word I will save | mea happy man in spite of the name I , co you from him.” ‘ Yours ever, JOO (E S) ‘ ee —— = -_*