Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 369 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

he Coast + RR eas « : CHAPTER XXYV., THE PEARL NECKLACE, ‘‘MApDGE, what is the meaning of all this strange story?” asked Joyce Brandon, when the two girls were alone in the skiff together. ‘ Joyce, I wish I could explain everything to my own satisfaction, but I cannot, and it pains me to be in the midst of a mystery I cannot understand, ‘Now I was on board the schooner, as the landlord told you, and strange deeds were done, and yet I was mystified. % ‘Tell me all you can, Madge, but first let me know if I have still reason to hope that my brother may yet appear, is in fact, not dead, for your words gave me courage?” ‘Joyce, I tell you now as I did then— hope. ‘*More I cannot say; but you ask me to ‘tell you about this mystery, and I will let you know all that I know. ‘Your brother was betrayed, as you are ‘aware, into the hands of Lieutenant May- nard, and Gaspard, his betrayer, went to the city to await the return of the Scorpion, so that he could get the reward. ‘* But the rascal had mutinied, and I was anxious to get my sloop back, so I took pas- sage in the packet, with one of the Blue Bell’s crew and Silly Sam. ‘‘ What took place on board Captain Bunt- line told you; but lam not a fool, and I am not superstitious, and specter ships do not deceive me any more than pretended ghusts do. “Why old Phillis and Philip arranged a ghost party once to scare me because I would go in swimming at night. ‘«They told me that a great many people had been drowned in the cove where I went, and [ would see their ghosts some night. ‘On one occasion I could not find my bathing-suit, so | took my night-gown, and I went into the cove. ‘‘ Presently I saw on the shore two white- clad forms, and I supposed they were ghosts, so | dove down deep, came up by a rock near shore, and then rose from the waves and started toward the ghosts. ‘With terrific yells they turned and fled, I after them, for their voices told me who they were. ‘“It seems that they did not know I had gone down to the beach, and went down, robed in sheets, to be there when I came and frighten me, so that when I rose out of the water in my night-gown, they supposed I was a ghost, and they scampered. ‘*Poor Phillis did not get over it for "weeks. ‘‘[ was but nine years old then, and I have not changed my ideas regarding ghosts and specter-ships.” ‘“You are a wonderful girl, Madge, for you know not fear. ‘Now I do not believe in ghosts, and yet I have a great fear of death and dead people, and my old nurse filled my ears with stories I can never banish from my memory, ‘But tell me, did you get your sloop?” “1 did, indeed, and the man Gaspard, too.” ‘‘ The one who betrayed my brother?” ‘‘ Yes, but he did not get the reward, and never will, for I settled that; but | must tell you all about m ny fooling him, and also Lieu- tenant Maynard, when I was dressed as a boy Me, As a boy, Madge?’ ‘‘Oh, yes, for I rigged up in boy’s togs, got a red-haired w ig, and looked too impu- dent for anything. ‘* But I accomplished my purpose, as you shall hear,” and Madcap Madge told ‘the story of her adventures in Boston. ‘‘And you have the man, Gaspard, here?” “‘He is a prisoner on board the sloop, awaiting the return of my father.” © Your father is not at home, then?” ‘No, he has been absent several days, Phillis told me yesterday, when I arrived, and that is what worries me, Joyce.” ‘‘ Why should it?” ‘Well, there are things I do not under- stand, and I intend to find out what I wish to know, for my father is as mysterious in his movements as a will-o’-the-wisp, and I don’t like it.’ ‘You don’t suspect him of wrong-doing?” “‘T do not know what to suspect; but I shall know; but see, we are near Vernon’s Haven,” “What will your father do with that man, Madge?” “T do not know, for I really had not thought of it, and now remember he was most anxious to have him captured— Ah! there is father on the cliff now, and he is coming down to meet us.’ In a short while the skiff grounded upon the sandy beach, and, springing ashore, Madge was infolded in her father’s strong arms Then Joyce received a warm welcome from the handsome, stern-faced man, and the three walked up toward the cottage, ‘Madge, Melmer tells me you have brought a prisoner back in y our sloop.” “Yes, father, three of them,’ ‘All of them mutineers?” > Ph sir, they all three were on the Blue € ‘“‘Ah! yes, and Melmer tells me you were chased by the ghost of the old Blue Bell.” ‘** Nonsense, father; Melmer may tell you what he pleases, but I know what he thinks, and I am no fool to believe in any such trickery.” ‘You do not think :t was the Blue Bell’s ghost?” % Father, I was on the Blue Bell when she went to pieces, and she is gone. ‘“T saw my mother die, and she is gone. ‘You cannot make me believe that either the Blue Bell or my mother can come back again as they were, or in ghostly form.” The skipper looked serious, but said: “‘ Madge, you are a brave one, and though I say it, as should not, you have more pluck than can be found in half the men; but I have been down to Portland since I saw you, and brought you some jewelry and feminine finery that you may like. ‘*Perhaps Miss Joyce will accept a neck- lace from you asa souvepir of friendship, for there is one of pearls taat would become | her,” and Skipper Vernon led the way into the cottage and placed before Madge a velvet sine. containing an assortment of rare jew- elr ‘“Why, father, there is a small fortune here,” cried Madge, in delight, and instantly her face clouded, and she “looked anxiously at her father, ‘This is the necklace I referred to, Miss Joyce, and [ know Madge would be glad if ou would wear it,” and he clasped about er neck a beautiful string of pearls, ‘“‘ Yes, gladly will I give it to you, Joyce, if you will wear it and remenber the donor, who, by the way, is my father, for he did not allow me the chance of presenting it to you; but wear it in remembrance of us both.” Joyce seemed overcome, for the tears came into her beautiful eyes, and she said: ” te Madge, I could not accept so costly a gift.” “It’s value, Miss Joyce, is not to be con- sidered; it is meant as a souvenir only, so pray accept it,’ “Why I have nothing as handsome in all my collection, and father is very generous to me.’ ‘Still you must accept it, and let me urge that you wear it often for the sake of the donor; now do not refuse it.’ “T will not, as you urge it, for I feel that the offering comes from your hearts. “ Madge, your father is indeed good to you, for what lovely things he has bought you, and these laces and silks are exquisite,” and Joyce and Madge looked over the pres- ents eagerly, and yet in the heart of the lat- ter there was a dread, for the suspicion rich things he had given her. Still she could only watch and wait. CHAPTER XXVI. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. It was late in the afternoon when Joyce started homeward, attended by her servant, and she promised Madge that she would see her as often as possible before she left for Boston. ‘“‘I will see you when you come there, too,” she added. Watching her friend depart, Madge then put her hand upon her father’s arm and led him down to the little arbor on Lookout on for she wished to have a talk with im, ‘Father, do you know I have got a good ee me ee | | deal to talk to you about?” she said, taking a seat so that she could watch his face at- tentively. ‘“T certainly am glad to have you talk with me, Madge, for of late | have seen very little of you. ‘You may think you will see too much of me now, ‘for I am going to ask you some questions a may not like.” ‘‘T shall answer all questions that I deem it your right to know, Madge,” was the calm reply. ‘‘Now, father, is there a second Blue Bell?” ; * Tt know of no second Blue Bell, my ear.’ : Do you know of any craft that could be mistaken for her?” ce Yes, 9? “Where is that craft?” ‘‘She is supposed to belong toa band of smugglers somewhere on this coast.” ‘Ah! perhaps that is why the Blue Bell has been mistaken for a smuggler, her like- ness to a smuggler vessel.” ‘* Yes, that is the reason, Madge.” “And yet you said nothing of this, fa- ther.” ~ ‘‘Why should I, for it does not interest me? ‘‘T have certain duties to perform, and I care for no man’s opinion, that is, those who dwell here and are won’t to malign or praise a man as the humor takes them.”’ ‘‘ Where is that vessel now, father?” **On the coast doubtless, somewhere.” ‘Have you seen her?” ** Often.” ‘‘ When did you see her last?” ‘Some nights ago, when she ran into the pass between the islands.” ‘*Father, were you on the island then?” “No, but 1 was not far away and I saw her, and also, beholding the danger that the Sco: pion ran into in pursuing her, I got into my skiff and went cut to serve her.” ‘« And this counterpart of the Blue Bell?” ‘“ The smuggler?” ‘Yes, father. “« She disappeared among the islands.” ‘‘Did you believe it possible for a vessel to pass through the channel of Rock Isl- ands?” ‘*Not until a few days ago.” ‘* When she did it; but you do not believe then that it was a specter craft?” ‘1 do not.” ‘* Yet she passed between the Isles,” ‘“ Yes; at certain very high tides there is seven feet of water over the reef connecting the islands.” ‘* And the Blue Bell drew five.” ‘* Yes.” ‘* And a vessel drawing five feet could not pass through without striking, if the sea was rough?” ‘*She could not.” ‘‘Father, you went away the very after- noon I started for Boston; why did you do that?” ‘‘T had important business to attend to. along the coast, Madge, and I wished to see about getting me another vessel.” ‘You have greatly relieved my mind, father, in telling me there is a smug ling craft answering the exact description o of the Blue Bell.” ‘But you must not tell of it, Madge.” ‘*Ts it a secret?” “Tt is, and you must not speak of it to any one ‘*Oh, father!’ ‘Which will you do?” the man said, sternly. “ Trust you.” ‘It is well; now have you any questions | , ‘* Yes, father.” ‘‘] am listening.” ** May I ask where you ewelry, sir, those laces and silks?” vit bought ihem.” ‘You must be rich, father.” child.” that.’ ‘* Yes, are,” | ~ S in (E() (Gj 900) “Madge, you must either trust or doubt against her father was but deepened by the | me é ‘‘1 am not so poor as people believe, my — ‘“These things are worth a great deal of — money, for | am woman enough to know <4 more to ask?” 22) | ot that beautiful a under some circumstances they