Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 379 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

— _ — lodgers never was known after the day My House first opened its doors for patronage; the trouble was to decide which ones should be ex- cluded. Once or twice since her coming to Good Leather, the widow had been called upon to show a pluck and nerve not often bestowed on the fair sex, and e ch time did she prove equal to the oceasion, without calling for aid or back- ing, though nearly every hand in Good Leather would have been raised in her behalf if neces- sary. Reckless, vicious though he was, Ugly Dan would have thought twice before meeting the widow after this fashion, if his evil passions had been less thoroughly aroused. If these people had not been connected with a certain dark page of his past history, he would have yielded even now, knowing that sHould the widow ever tell her story to Good Leather, he would have to fight hard to keep his neck free from the rope. But the hatred he had once felt for Franz Moskau was now turned upon this blind man and his beautiful daughter; for hatred it was, though that touch of Amelia’s ripe lips sent the hot blood leaping through his veins, fully arousing a devil that, at the best, but slumbered lightly. The widow was woman of the world enough to read much of this in that devilishly handsome face, but she gave little sign of fear, and after that first involuntary flinching, her fair face hardened, her nut-brown eyes flashed, her voice grew cold and stern as she began to count, slowly, deliberately, but steadily as fate itself, ‘At nine, Vl ie your beauty, widow!” grated Ugly Dan, his jetty eyes glowing like living coals. ‘‘If I have to, blame yourself for— Ha! I thought your nerve would fail ou!” and he laughed mockingly as her voice roke off short. A laugh came as in echo to his own, and in- ee of fear, triumph filled the face of the fair rider. ‘It is to give you one more chance for life Ugly Dan!” she cried in ringing tones. “fy don’t want to stain my hand with the life of a foul cur like you! Release that girl. Down on your knees and beg her pardon. Swear to go off and hang yourself, and Pll let you escape!” There was more of rage than mirth in the laugh with which Ugly Dan greeted his sharp, scornful speech. ‘You've got things all your own way, haven’t you? Bah! it’s my say so, and—” He never finished the sentence. A sharp report rung out on: the still air, and a savage ell of mingled rage and pain was wrung from his lips as the revolver dropped from his hand —as the blood flew in a crimson spray—as the member fell helplessly to his side, his fingers shattered terribly by a bullet! ‘* After me is manners, Ugly Dan!” cried a clear, sharp voice, and as the crippled ruffian whirled about with his left hand groping for a weapon, his eyes go savagely, his white Sethe aliowines wolfishly, he beheld a tall, erect figure, a white face confronting him over the top of a leveled revolver. ue ey sie» Dave!” he grated, shrinking a trifle. | ‘** Correct, Ugly Dan,” was the prompt retort. ‘Shall I waste another bullet on you, or are you less hog than you look?” There was no reply in words, but Ugly Dan made no further attempt to arm himself, and even shrunk back a pace or two. Not even those cold and scornful words could nerve him then; nor yet the light, mocking laugh that parted the red lips of the widow. Though his right hand was hopelessly cri pled, the knuckles shattered by the deftly pene lead; though the odds were all against im, with a revolver covering his brain; had any man save Iceberg Dave Ingram been be- hind that weapon, Ugly Dan would have risked all for revenge. But of all Good Leather, this white-faced, cold-blooded sport, who seemed absolutely without nerves, was the one man for whom Ugly Dan felt anything like respect or fear. ‘Hold him level, David!” cried the widow, sharply, a8 she shifted her aim toward the lesser rascals who were Once more in motion. ‘ Tl look after these two brutes, never fear!” “Its us that’s fearin’, ma’am,” and Blister erinned faintly.“ All we wants is to git out o’ the way so the big-bugs kin spread tha’r own selves, We throws up our hand, don’t ‘we, ard? P ‘Fer sure!” gasped Tom Wacker, “ An’ ef that ain’t a-plenty, I reckon 1 could throw up my boots, an’ not hafe try! “Freeze right fast where you are, you ras- cals!” rags 4 cried the widow, still holding them under her weapon. ‘“ Your punishment depends on yonder girl. If you have killed that old man, nothing— os The instant the wounded villain released her, Amelia sprung to the side of her father, lifting his blood-stained head to her bosom, pressing her lips to his, sobbing, calling to him in broken sentences, fearing the worst. But a glad cry broke from her lips as his eyes slowly opened _ and a tremor ran through his frame. Howling i onathari It was this that cut short the menacing speech of widow Mercy, and for the moment forgetting the ruffians, she leaped to the ground and hastened to the daughter’s aid. Blister cast asly glance over his shoulder, only to shrink back as he caught an icy look from the white-faced sport. ‘**'You’ve got your orders, lads. Break them : you are weary of life,” coldly uttered Iceberg ave. “The good Lawd! we hain’t done nothin’, boss!” gasped Wacker. “If you only had, curse you both!” snarled Ugly Dan, holding up his crippled hand and shaking it until the red drops fell over his | craven tools. ‘If you had only used your eyes! If you would even yet—” ** That wouldn’t save you, Dan,” coldly inter- posed Iceberg Dave, his thin lips curling. the last turn, and you’ve called it wrong.” ‘* Show out, then, curse ye!” snarled the vil- | lain, viciously. there crowing over a crippled man!” ‘*Time enough, Daniel,” was the cool retort. ‘*?’m only a deck-hand this trip. When the captain gives the signal, [ldo my part. Until — does, hold your soul in patience, old oy! Blister and Tom Wacker interchanged covert glances. They knew that by their pusillanimous conduct thus far they had won the undying en- mity of the desperado. They knew that he would never forget nor forgive. If he escaped with life from this predicament, their own breath could be prolonged only by hasty and engthy flight. This being so, they could lose nothing by courting favor of the man who held the game in his hands, while they might possibly gain something, if only a lessening of their deserved punishment. ‘We've done too durn much on your say-so, vready, cuss ye!” Tom Wacker growled show- ing his teeth. ‘*‘ You made us do it—you cussed an’ swore an’ said you'd blow us to never—” ‘* Kasy, Daniel!” warnin ly uttered’ Iceberg Dave, as Ugly Dan gave a snarling curse of furious rage. “And you, fellows, bite your tongue until it chokes off your lies. I know him, and I know you. That’s enough.” It was too much, Wacker thoug!:t, and Blister heartily though silently echoed the same dis- agreeable conviction. “Meanwhile the widow was aicing Amelia to restore Herman Moskau to conscicusuess, suc- ceeding beyond their hopes. Knowing how terribly the poor man had been excited, how intensely his feelings had been wrought up, and how bitter must be the shock as he realized that all was a vile lie, Amelia feared for his brain. But fortunately this dread proved to be baseless. If anything, the blind man was stronger, clear- er brained than before. Seeing this, and feeling that the recovery would be even more complete were the father and daughter left to themselves for a little while, the widow turned away and spoke to Ice- berg Dave: ‘It is like you, Mr. Ingram; always on hand when your sérvices are most needed! Some time I will try to thank you as you deserve?” The white face flushed, and the long lashes drooped over the big gray eyes. The hand that held the pistol shook ever so faintly, though it had never done so before anenemy, And as she saw this, a similar confusion seemed to attack the fair landlady. ‘“To serve you, Mrs. Watkins, is its own re- ward,” quietly uttered the sport, quickly con- quering his emotions, once more the ice-cold sport all the rest of Good Leather knew. ‘Tf old Mallison could only hear that!” mali- ciously cried Ugly Dan, though he knew he was increasing his peril by so doing. ** Another word, and you'll hear the foul fiend welcoming your coming home, cur!” grated Ice- berg Dave, his face white as a corpse. ‘A cripple—I kiss your hand, mighty chief!” ** May I?” grated Ingram, turning his flashing eyes toward the woman whose slightest word was bis law and gospel. ‘ Widow Mercy Watkins hesitated, her brows contracting, a bard, unwomanly light filling her brown eyes until they shone redly, Ugly Dan held his breath and turned a shade whiter, for he knew that his life hung by the frailest thread. But he made no outward sign, uttered not a word in pleading. He could not, to Ice- berg Dave. - ‘*No,” at length uttered the widow. ‘ You have crippled his right hand, and that will cut off half his power for evil. But you needn’t be- gin to exult, you cowardly cur!” she flashed out as her keen eyes detected the swift light that leaped into the villain’s orbs, despite himself, ‘Your punishment is only begun. You've got to remember this day’s work as long as Satan lets you curse the earth with your vile breath,” ‘** Say how, Mrs. Watkins, and Ill out your will or break his back trying,” quietly ut- tered Iceberg Dave. “First, to draw bis fangs,” quoth the little woman, as she drew her pres knife and deftly slashed in two the belt about his waist, without placing herself within his reach. ‘“ Step a little to one side, you cur! This is my best riding- | | all ; (E(0) 9 $$ I habit, and I don’t want it ruined by coming in contact with your vile person!” With a sickly smile, Eely Dan obeyed, know- ing that his only hope for vengeance la y in quiet submission. That was hard, to one of bis natur- overbearing disposition, but it would be still harder to have to leave the world without even an effort to even up his injuries, ‘With the toe of her boot, widow Watkins thrust the belt of arms to one side, then turned’ upon the lesser rascals. But before she could utter a word, they were disarming, grinning af- ter a sickly fashion as they placed their belts at her feet. ‘‘Ef we ain’t needed no more, meLbe vou'd hev Iceberg jes’ kick us out o°' camp, maim?” whined Blister, licking his parched lips. ‘** The money—they robbed us!” cricd Amelia, It’s | quickly. ‘* He made us hold it fer him while he went fer the lady!” hurriedly spluttered Wacker, as pale ** Finish it up, and don’t stand | as dirt and grime would permit, ‘* That’s the truth an’ never a lie at all, ma’am!” echoed Blister, as they hurriedly emptied their pockets of their ill-gotten gains. ‘*We didn’t want todo nothin’, but he would hey it so—durn him!” ‘*How was it, my dear?” asked widow Wat- kins, turning to Amelia. ‘*They was bad, but he was baddest!” ex- claimed the maiden, flushing with the remem- brance, ‘* They the money took, but he—” ‘‘It makes nothing, little girl,” gravely inter- sed the blind man. ‘It is not rewenge that rings our Franz once again. We will go our way, and nefer more think of such wicked mans like him. He is more bad off as we, for he mocks the blind and insults the innocent. Come, *Melie—it: is long roat ahead of us! It is lon time pefore we find our poor boy! The world is so wide—so big place to hunt over!” The widow had to wink hard and fast to clear her eyes before she could see just where the blind man’s arm was. She grasped it kindly, at last and with true gentility he stood still, await- ing her pleasure. ‘*Tt is her Gues—it is only right that the vile wretch who dared to insult her, should Le ham- bled before her eyes. Until then, I beg of you to be patient.” ‘It is plenty patience you learn when search- ing through the big world for something you can nefer find, lady,” was the meek reply. . *S It shall be so, since you ask. It was you that come to help *Melie.” ‘** You two rascals can pull out as soon as like,” said the widow Watkins, turning to Blis- tirand Wacker. ‘If you want to sleep ¢ cin {ort- ably, though, I wouldn’t curse Good Leather wit my presence for a few weeks, if Iv cre you. Is that hint plain enough?” * Plain asa kick, an’ heap more ccmit’table, ma’am,” grinned Wacker. ““Mebte you would- n’t mind us takin’ our tools?” “*T would, slightly,” interposed Iceberg Dave. ‘Be thankful that you get off so easy. Skin ~ out—-and no more whining!” The two rascals shuffled away, knowing that their best chance lay in gaining such a start of Ugly Dan as to obviate the necessity of weapons to defend their lives. If they had only secured their tools, they might have taken to cover and made all safe by getting in the first blow, before Ugly Dan could call them to account. yo Dave glanced at widow Watkins, and she nodded slightly. . ' ‘‘ It’s ‘die dog or eat the hatchet,’ this round, Ugly Dan,” he said, coldly, but with a twinkle in his gray eyes that told how thoroughly he en- joyed this humiliation of the one man in Good ther who had dared to set himself up asa sort of rival ‘“‘chief.”. You heard what Mrs. Watkins said. You have insulted a lady—two of them, in fact—and the least you can do is to— knuckle down and beg their pardons.” ; It was a bitter pill, but Ugly Dan nerved him- self to take it, by reflecting that only thus could ou he mone for a chance to get even. Without a word he dropped on his knees, and slowly uttered: **T was wrong. I have acted like a brute. am too low and mean and degraded to be fit to live. But I trust the lady—both of the ladies— will forgive me for what I have done. I plengs myself to never offend again in like manner, if I am pardoned this time.” Not even Iceberg Dave could find fault with the words or the manner of delivery. One who knew him slightly, would have thought Ugly Dan a thoroughly repentant man. And it was with the same quiet tones that he added, looking up into the face of his conqueror; ‘‘Is that sufficient? If there is anythin more, say the words and I will repeat them af- ter you.” “Tt 1s aly enough,” hastily interposed Her: man Moskau, his thin face flushing a little, his honest heart feeling in that a fellow-men should be thus humbled on their account. ‘It is too much, I think, that a man must talk so— not, ’Melie?”’ “Tt isso, my father! please, and we will go ours. 80, an _? ; , ‘Yes, yes, yes! It is precious time losen, and Let him go his ways, It is time we lose ~ 2. ~* NIGDOOKS (C CeCoyag