Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 369 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

-_ ——= hence his hatred for him, while, to cover up his debts througk his fast life he robbed him. ‘* Do you not so believe, wife?” ‘** Yes, husband, i believe as you do, though it is hard to think evil of our child.’ was the low ee flog ‘Why Noel came home here in disgrace, hav- ing shot his superior officer—” ‘*‘A man who persecuted him until patience ceased to be a virtue, because Noel was a brave, dashing, handsome fellow, who had been pro- moted rapidly, and who felt a petty spite of him. while his captain, a man without a soul, joined the lieutenant in his petty persecutions. ‘* Driven to madness, Noel resented the insults, and killed his superior in a duel, and had to be punished by dismissal. ‘* Was that all? No, his captain went to New ‘York, and tainted the ears of the admiral against Noel and tried to further put his heel upon him. ‘* He owed a large gambling debt he did not wish to pay, and the result was he wished to ruin him. ‘* How ended it, my father and my mother? ‘* At a hotel where he stopped the captain was murdered in his room one night, and a large sum of money he was known to have had was gone, while Noel’s cloak and weapons were found there. ‘* Noel left that night, was conceded guilty under all circumstances, and so was hunted down. ‘*He was captured yesterday, and Lieutenant Maynard granted his request to see me. ‘He is wounded severely, and unable to help himself, and they are taking him to Boston to hang him, for he'll never be given a fair trial in the heat of this charge against him. ‘‘ He told me all, and I believe him innocent, and I bade him good-by forever. ‘* Now you know why I went on the Scorpion, and, if it were not that the innocent would suf- fer, I could pray that the vessel went down in | that fearful storm last night, and Noel thus died, and thereby esca the gallows.” | Joyce spoke with quick tone, and in an im- ! pressive way, and her parents listened in silence, | and in pain, for their — ee Gp with their | love for their boy, and they cared not to do one | aught to save him, believing him guilty. ‘‘Iam sorry the shot of the highwayman did not kill, instead of wounding him,” said the father, while his wife said: ‘* Yes; for it is fearful, the thought that one of our name should end his life on the gallows!” A look of scorn passed over the face of Joyce, but she made no reply, and turning, beheld a horse and rider dashing up the drive toward the mansion. ‘**Oh! it is Madge, and she evidently brings | news of poor Noel!” he cried. ‘* Ha! that wild, reckless girl it is, and she is coming here. What can she want in our house?” said Doctor Brandon. ‘*T will soon know, father, and I sincerely hope it is to tell us that Noel has escaped.” | ‘For our honor’s sake, to save him from a disgraceful death, I could hope so; otherwise I could wish that he might meet the punishment his crimes deserve,” was the unfeeling remark of the proud and heartless father. A moment after, Madcap Madge dashed up to the door, and sprung to the ground, CHAPTER VI. STRANGE TIDINGS. THE face of Madcap Madge was flushed with her rapid ride, her hair had become unfastened and fell in waves about her shoulders, her riding- habit fitted her exquisite form to perfection, | and she looked very beautiful indeed as she threw herself from her pony and walked up the stone steps leading to the piazza. Doctor Brandon gazed upon her with admira- tion, in spite of himself, and his wife was forced to admit that the daughter of a poor coast skip- per was the equal of their lovely daughter. Joyce at once met Madge and warmly kissed her, while, taking her hand she led her a step | toward her parents and said: ‘‘ Father, mother, this is Miss Vernon, a new- found friend, and who has Been so stanch in her friendship to poor brother Noel.” ‘Hm! no doubt; but may I ask to what cir- | cumstance we are indebted to Miss Vernon for her call?’ haughtily said Doctor Brandon. ‘‘Tt was not, sir, to seek a favor, or to be re- ceived as a visitor, I assure you; but, having been on board a vessel last’ night that was wrecked, I came over to inform you of the fact, that you might know that your son had escaped dying at the yard-arm.” Madcap Madge spoke in a cold tone, with her eyes resting alternately upon the face of the doctor and his wife, and in a manner that show- ed no pity for them. ‘** God be merciful,” moaned Joyce, “ for it is | better so; but tell us, Madge, all about it,” and — the beautiful eyes filled with tears. | Mrs. Brandon bowed her head upon her hands and looked the picture of grief, her love struggling with her pride, while Doctor Bran- don turned his face momentarily away, and | with an effort controlled his emotion so as to in a low tone: as I said, and on board was a man to The Coast Corsair. ** You mean that Noel is dead?” **] will tell you the circumstances, sir, if you desire to hear them, for it was for that reason I came here, thinking you would be relieved to now that your son did not have to meet a far worse fate.” ** Yes, tell us all, and then we will bury his name, his memory from sight.” “ Ah, father! I never can, for memory will not always down at the bidding,” sighed Joyce, and then turning to Madge she continued: ‘* Now tell us all that occurred after I left the Scorpion. ‘* My poor, poor brother—how glad I am that I bade him farewell yesterday, and heard from his lips that he was innocent, for I believe him, I do, indeed.” ‘* And so do I,” bluntly said Madge. ‘The circumstances prove his guilt,” coldly remarked the doctor. ‘Circumstantial evidence has caused eeny an innocent man to hang,” came the pat remar from Madge, but before Doctor Brandon could reply, she continued: ‘I was acting pilot on board the Scorpion and in the worst part of the storm, determined that Mr. Brandon should escape, and thereby have every chance to prove his innocence. I left the wheel and refused to touch it again unless Captain Maynard pledged himself to set the prisoner free.” ‘Girl, did you dare do this?” cried Doctor Brandon in utter amazement, while his wife raised her head from her hands, and gazed in wonder at the daring girl. 5 ‘‘Oh, Madge, how daring you are!” said oyce. ‘I saw that it was the only chance to save Mr. Brandon, and I gained my point; for he was released, after I had run the Scorpion under the lee of Crescent Isle. ‘IT had, in the afternoon, ordered my father’s sloop, the Blue Bell—” ‘The craft they say he goes smuggling in?’ rudely said Doctor Brandon. ‘For shame, father!” cried Joyce, but un- moved Madcap Madge replied: ‘Yes, sir; the same craft that men call a smuggler, and that some even say is a coast irate, as she is so mysterious in her movements; ut I had ordered the Blue Bell to the island, ilot the Scorpion, for I went on board my little sloop, along with Mr. Brandon.” ‘* Maynard released him, then?” ‘Yes, sir, Captain Maynard is a man of honor, and he acted wisely in releasing his prisoner.” ‘But you would not have carried out your threat?” ‘It seems that he thought that I would, and | it was well enough that he should, as it turned out, ‘‘ He gave the prisoner, your son, over to me, and I went on board the sloop, leaving the pilot on the Scorpion to run her out to sea when she wished to sail.” ‘* And who was on the sloop?” ‘Only a poor unfortunate youth who is known as Silly Sam, and an equally wretched creature whose curse is drink, and who bears the name of Tap-room Tom.” ‘* | know them both, and you seem honored in | your acquaintances. ‘* Are we to receive visits from Silly Sam and Tap-room Tom too?” sneered the man. Madge smiled, but made no reply, while Joyce gave her father a look of indignation and praise commingled. “Having gone on board the sloop, sir, I set sail, determined to get out of the way of the Scorpion as soon as possible, and I tried to weather the southeast point of the Twin Rocks, or islands, but failed, so headed for the f Pass between them. _‘*Here wind and wave were against me, the tide also, and so I struck and the Blue Bell went to pieces in an instant.” ‘* Great God! and my son?” ‘‘ You are aware, sir, that Mr. Brandon was unable to help himself, wounded as he was, and in that wild sea it is strange that any of us lived.” ‘* Ah! you alone escaped?” ‘No, for Silly Sam also escaped, and to his great strength and superb swimming, I feel that owe it that I was not dashed to pieces upon the rocks.” ‘* And my son was lost?” and the voice of the man elveres in spite of himself, while on randon again buried her face in her ands, ‘‘ Silly Sam and I alone reached the shore, and I have not seen your son or Tap-room Tom - since,” ‘* But his body can be found?” _ ‘It would be useless to search for it, sir, and in the sea a sailor loves to be buried.” ‘So let it be, and the end has come better than on the gallows,” and Doctor Brandon step- ped toward his wife whose whole form quivered. ‘ Yes, it is better so, and to end your suspense I came,” said Madge. ‘* And also to claim pay for the loss of your vessel?” and Doctor Brandon turned quickly to- ward Madge. A Ga que _ Nene nearness. 5 The eyes of the maiden flashed fire, but she said with perfect calmness: ‘Doctor Brandon, I loved the Blue Bell far more than you did your son; but I would not touch your gold to save your life, when [ would give my gold and risk my life for the sake of your unfortunate son and noble-hearted daugh- ter’ Without another word Madge wheeled on her heel, drew her skirt about her, and grasping the hand of Joyce walked out toward her waiting omy, while Doctor Brandon went to the side of is wife. ‘*Ah! Madge, how cruelly you have been in- sulted, in return for all that you have done for me and mine,” and the tears filled the eyes of Joyce. ‘‘ Do not mind me, my dear Joyce, for if your father shows no feeling for his own flesh and blood, I certainly cannot expect to command his respect; but, Joyce, you have heard my story of the wreck of the Blue Bell, and it hap- pened as I have said; but let me say to you one thing.” “Well?” ‘*T give no clew to interpret my words, I tell you nothing more than to say, hope to yet see your brother again !” ‘* Madge! Madge!” ‘There, ask no keep that hope locke one Good 1b . d lightl to h ; -by!” and springing lightly in er saddle Madge bowieed away, leaving Joyce standing where she had left her, and like one in a dream, or dazed, while she murmured over and over again: ‘**Can her words mean that Noel yet lives?” CHAPTER VII. IN SEARCH OF THE MADCAP. WHEN Madcap Madge returned to her little cottage home, she was surprised to learn that her father had gone away somewhere and might not get back before her departure for Boston on the packet. She questioned both Philip and Phillis closely, but they could give her no information as to where he had gone, and then she sought Mel- uestions—only hope, and in your bosom where no mer, and he, too, was ignorant, or pretended to ‘‘He appointed me mate, instead of Gaspard, lady 4 be Melmer. ‘* You deserve it, Melmer, but you are a mate without a craft now,” she answered. ** Well, I guess we'll get one soon.” ‘‘I hope so; but how did my father go?” ** In his skiff, miss,” **Up or down the coast?” ‘** Dunno, miss.” “This is strange; but perhaps Sam can tell me something about it.” ‘“‘Sam has gone to the village, miss, and will come down on the packet.” ‘Ah! how provoking!” and thoroughly mys- tified at her father’s act, Madge returned to the cottage and began her preparations for her de- parture. She got Phillis to bring outa small bair trunk —a relic in the family—and this she packed to suit herself, and Philip carried it down to the shore and placed it in the boat in which they were to go out and meet the packet. After all was in readiness, Madge ate a hearty supper, and then, as it was growing late and a good breeze told her that the sc ooner must soon be along, she called to Melmer, and they walked down to the skiff, Philip accompanying them to bring the bcat back. | As they got out of the little harbor, they saw the schocner coming down at a slapping pace, and as she headed toward the cove, Madge knew that Silly Sam was on board and had obeyed his instructions. The schooner soon luffed slowly, and when her headway had been greatly checked, the bcat ran on the lee quarter, and Madge, Melmer and the baggage were on board in an instant, while the craft dashed on, leaving the negro dancin in the wake, as he seized tke cars to pull bac home. , ‘* Well, Sam, I am glad to see you looking so well,” said Madge, as that youth met her at the side, and she saw that he had a new sailcr suit on and had had his hair neatly trimmed. ‘Yes, Miss Madge, I spruced up, as I was gc- ing to the big city, and your father has told me that I am to live at your cottage and Le the crew of your sloop, when you get her.” “T will be delighted, Sam, and you really look elegant in your new clothes; but Lere is Captain West, and I must see about a state- room.” ‘* State-rooms is pretty expensive, Miss Madge, but you can get a bunk cheap,” volunteered Sam, with an eye to economy, ‘* No, I wish a state-room, and are very few on the schooner. Captain West.” ' nd Madge turned to a jolly-looking old sailor who advanced toward her, having just come out of the cabin, where he had been eating his sup- I. guess there Good-evening, per. ‘* Why, it’s Skipper Vernon’s wild deuchter! Lor’ bless you, Miss Madge, I'm proud to see you a passenger on my craft, and blow h:rd as Eomicbooks - - = ‘. < ] | ° - *