Beadle's Dime Library No. 387 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

= <=“ Soe ae SR ee ee ee I ‘12 Dark Durg turned sharply upon the splutter- ing physician, but the thin hand of Humpy Dick arrested him, the deformed hurriedly oe ‘He has done much for me, father, and Il am ateful. He wishes to, give me every chance, ut I feel that he is mistaken.” ‘‘ Never make a mistake. Right-—you wrong, I tell you, sir!” ‘“Tve got it hard, and I’m not sorry. Only for leaving you, father,” and the dark eyes grew soft and loving as Humpy Dick pressed that sinewy hand of bronze, ‘‘ But that will be a blessing for you. I was so much trouble! I gave you such anxiety when the roving devil crept into my brain aud drove me off to town, tempting me to swill the bitter, bad poison that —Let it pass, then, daddy,” he smiled, as Dark Durg bent over and gently touched his thin lips with a finger-tip. ‘You have been all that kept me from going mad, Dick,” muttered the outlaw, his deep voice filled with a peculiar quaver. ‘‘ You bid me go home, but without you there to make it home, I have none!” ‘¢ Always kind, ever loving and gentle to me, daddy!” muttered Humpy Dick, pressing his lips to the hdrdhand. ‘‘Always fearful of hurt- ing my feelings—but let that wait. I want to say something—I must finish what I was saying when I first caught sight of you, daddy! And it frightened me—think of that!” and he laugh- ed faintly, his dark eyes fixed on the bronzed face batting over him, ‘Afraid of you! But I was growing so weak and nervous, I took you for that terrible avenger—for .the Indian— who—” N His voice choked and faltered, while a wild li ght leaped into his eyes. A muttering sound in his working throat. Dark Durg bent his ear close to the blood-tinged lips, then suddenly lift- ed the wounded man’s head, holding a flask of liquor to his mouth.» aan py Dick choked at first, but then seemed to swallow freely, even greedily; though Doctor Shipley uttered a oy of indignation as he moved forward and caught at the bottle, only to reel and fall almost prostrate as Dark Durg tripped him with one long leg. ‘*Tt’s rank assassination! I won’t have any- thing more to do with such an outrageous— T wash my hands of the whole affair, sir!” the enraged doctor spluttered, turning and rushing to the door. Rex Stuart caught his arm and tried to reason with him, but in vain. This last outrage was the final feather, and Doctor Shipley would not listen. ‘‘Giving him brandy—I smell it, sir! Brandy to a dying man! My patient, too! And with- out leave or—the devil and all hisimps. Iwon’t stay to witness such idiotic ss bac sir! T'll expose the whole affair iun—no, I won’t! For then I’d show my infernal, asinine stupidity in ever taking hold of— My Lord!” He broke loose and flung the door open wide, Rex Stuart still keeping him company through the hall, only leaving him when the irate physi- cian agreed to remain in the house within call, should any sudden emergency demand his ser- vices. And obtaining another pledge, not to alarm Precious or her father by any outburst,» Rex Stuart returned to the chamber where he found Humpy Dick propped up in bed, looking almost as well as ever under the heroic treatment of Dark Durg. The latter turned toward him as he entered, speaking rapidly: ; “We were et wishing for your return, sir. My poor friend wishes to speak with you. You can see how weak and feeble he is growing. As an honest man, grant his wishes, if you possibly ” e ‘“Anything I can do, I will cheerfully,” quickly responded Stuart, nearing the bedside. Humpy Dick smiled faintly, but his voice was quite strong as he ae ; ‘‘ Not for long—I believe the end is drawing very near, though it is easier for me to talk than it was a while since. I would like to tell you all my sad, black story, but—” “‘Tf it must be told, Dick, can you not trust me?’ gravely interposed Dark Durg, his finger on the pulse of the deformed, an anxious light in his jetty orbs. Vet The cripple raised the hand to his lips, laugh- ing softly as their éyes met. No need for words. That look told more than a volume could detail, of Jove and trust and perfect faith, “Ts it wise for you to speak at all?” asked Stuart, bh ! Though he had slight experience in such mat- ters, he fancied he could detect a change in the appearance of the deformed for the worse. The thin face seemed thinner; there was a peculiar grayish shade on the features, and a pinched fook about the nostrils. He feared that the end was indeed’near at hand—nearer even than Humpy Dick thought. d The paper in his bosom seemed to burn his skin, even through his shirt, and one hand invol- untarily stole toward it. Only to pause as he reflected how much that might mean—how all- important that might be for both himself and his true love! *f must—I will speak!” sharply replied Humpy Dick, before Dark Durg could answer. Dark Durg, the Is ““T’ve told yeu part—I wish I could tell you all, but my friend will do that, should my powers fail before—” They seemed failing even then, for his voice choked again and he cast an imploring glance from the flask of liquor to the face of the Ish- maelite. A brief hesitation, cut short by the imploring light in those dark eyes, and the flask touched his lips. The deformed lay back on the supporting pil- lows, his eyes closed, his thin nostrils quivering, his breath coming short and fast. But then the spasm passed off, and once more he smiled faint- lv into those pale, anxious faces. And his voice, though low, was steady and clear: **T told you of the gold we won, and I’d like to tell you how it was lost—how the curse fell on those evil wretches for their sins; but I dare not attempt it now. Some time, perhaps—if not, then my good friend will try to make it all clear to you,” with a nod toward Dark Durg. ‘*T have been laughed at and ridiculed; have been called a madman for saying that I was rich —worth a great fortune,” he resumed, a faint smile curling his thin lips. ‘‘Mad I may have been—I know I have been out of my mind at times—but never mad on that score. I am rich, if you call gold riches, I have a secret here, in my bosom,.that has cost— Ha!” he gasped, tearing open his clothes as he vainly sought for the paper. ‘‘I have lost it! Those devils robbed me!” : ‘* Not of this paper,” hurriedly uttered Rex, holding out the chart which he took from his breast. ‘‘I found this on your person as the doctor was looking to your injuries, and he suggested that I take care of it for you. I trust it is what you want?” Humpy Dick grasped the paper, but was looking so fixedly into his eyes that Rex Stuart began to doubt. Could it be that those rascals had succeeded in obtaining what they were after? He paled a little at the thought, for he had almost unconsciously placed all his hopes of winning Precious, of defeating her bitter ene- mies, on that worn bit of paper. Humpy Dick laughed softly as he lowered his gaze and glanced hurriedly over the chart. He pressed it close to his bosom while adding: ‘Tt is the right one, my friend. You held the key to a fortune—yet you give it back to its rightful owner, like a man and a gentleman!” ‘“‘Ié was yours. What else could I do?” mechanically uttered Rex, though a flush crept into his face, ‘‘ Nothing else, as such. But l’ve met so few honest men. Stand out where I can see your face more plainly—so!” as the young man in- stinctively obeyed. ‘‘A good face—I like it! And the lady—well you can give her my thanks. They will come with a better grace from your a ‘ She would be thinking only of my hideous —bah! A harsh laugh cut short his speech. Dark Durg bent over him, but Humpy Dick shook his head, the old fond light coming back to his eyes. 4 ‘*Tt is so, daddy. Only you know me as | used to be. But let it go. I am wasting time and time is growing very short with me. Yes —I know what I am saying. And I’m _ not sorry—only for leaving you.” He beckoned Rex to draw nearer, and placed the precious chart in his trembling fingers, say- ing: ‘I give you this, and trust the gold it will lead you to, may benefit you and yours a thousand-fold more than it has any of those who took part in gathering the store together, I take you for an honest man, and so trust you. One half is to be ycurs. The other— for the young lady who stocd out so stoutly for a poor, helpless cripple, even against one who—” ‘“*T was bound to think first of her, both asa woman and as my promised wife,” hastily mut- tered Stuart, his face flushing hotly before the half-laughing light mm those dark eyes. ‘ But I swear to you that I meant to do all a man could for you, when once I had seen her home.” ‘““T know—I heard—though you thought me dead or dying. I show that I believe—by trust I place—daddy!” The Ishmael of the Hills thrust Rex Stuart aside as he sprung forward and caught the sinking head of the deformed. A tinge of bloody froth lined the thin lips of the wounded man, and a gray shade had settled over his thin, worn face. He seemed in the last stages, if death had not actually overtaken him. Stuart watched him for a moment, while Dark Durg was wiping his lips and moistening them with brandy, then turned and silently left the room in quest of Doctor Shipley, though he felt that medical skill could avail naught in such a crisis, The ears of true love are very keen, and Pre- cious Wingfold perce the door of the chamber occupied by her father, just as Rex was about to touch the knob, The smile faded from her face as she noticed his evident agitation, and she fal- tered; “* What is it, Rex? hat has happened?” ‘* The poor fellow is worse—I want the doc- tor. | hmael of the Hills, Even as he spoke, Doctor Shipley came tip- toeing to the door, and catching that look u;on his face, buried his own in the big handkerchief v0 smother the explosive words that leaped to his ips. ‘Wait until I come again, Precious,” hurricd- ly whispered Stuart, as he drew the door shut and hastened after the physician, who was half- way to the other chamber. ‘““Needn’t tell me. Know it all. Butchered. Just that!” grunted that worthy, as he scowled upon the young man, then turned the knob and entered the chamber. Humpy Dick was lying back on the pillows, his eyes closed, but his chest rising and falling regularly. The doctor stared with tightly oursed-up lips for a moment, then turned upom tex, Whose amazement was even greater than that of the worthy physician, snapping: “ Joking, ch? Make a fool of your father! What?” He whirled swiftly as a voice came to his ears. Humpy Dick had opened his eyes and looking at Stuart, said faintly: ‘*Remember—you two—divide. how—” Dark Durg gently touched the lips of the de- formed, saying: ‘* You must say no more. I understand your wishes, and will see that they are carried cut. i A ae wrong, press my hand; don’t try to talk.” Humpy Dick smiled faintly, then closed his eyes, his thin fingers shutting cn the sinewy hand of the Ishmaelite. ‘‘ Young man, you can accept that treasure without a scruple, By all the laws cf God and man, my poor friend here owned it to the last rrain of dust! He has no living kindred, [am his sole remaining friend, and I have no use for gold.” ‘‘T knew—else you—” Again that hand rested lightly on the thin lips, and Humpy Dick said no more. One loving, grateful ae ites then his eyes closed again. Dark Durg turned once more toward Rex Stuart, who was eagerly waiting for the end of this strange scene, but before he could speak, there came a loud, peremptory rapping at the front door. All in the room gave.a start, save Humpy Dick, He laysmiling, breathing slowly, steadily, like a child in sleep. Dark Durg gently withdrew his hand from the relaxed grasp, watching to see if the motion dis- turbed the wounded cripple, but as it did not, be bent his lips close to the ear of Stuart, saying: ‘(Ts there no way to obtain a sight of those at the door without their knowing it? Can you hold them out for a few moments?” ‘Devil of a row! Sick house! Kill them— serve right, too!” “Look out for that cat of a maid, doctor!” hastily cried Stuart, as the choleric physiciam rolled out of theroom. ‘‘ Don’t let anybody open the decor to them, just yet!” ‘Like to see’em! Pouf!” grunted the doctor, shaking his fat fist at Nettie Malcom, who was just emerging from her chamber. ‘Go to bed, you vixen! Get out—get in, I mean! Now? Tow you like it?” he snorted as he grasped the knob and leaned back with his weight the mo- ment Nettie vanished inside. ‘Hold the fort. Me. You bet !” Rex Stuart knew that there was no other to open the door, unless Precious shculd make the venture, and feeling sure she would trust all that to Nettie, until the clamor annoyed or surprised. her, he led Dark Durg across the hall and into another chamber, whose windows looked out over the street. There was no light in the room, and tke win- dows were already partly raised, the evening being warm for the climate of Denver. The blinds were canted sufficiently to afford a fair view of the steps leading up to the front decor, and through these Dark Durg gazed intently for a few moments. He saw four men standing on the steps, and the light of the moon was sufficient to revere! the uniform of policemen on three of the men. The fourth wore phaeeiid dress, but a savage curse came grating through the tight-clinched teeth of the Ishmaelite as he caught a glimpse of the man’s face, Drawing back, touching Rex Stuart on the arm, just as the knocking at the door was re- newed, louder, more peremptorily than at first, he led the way back into the hall or passage, And as the light of the hanging lamp fell upon his face, Rex Stuart uttered a low ejaculation of wonder. > ‘ Dark Durg was frowning, his eyes glittcring savagely, and there was something in his face that involuntarily suggested the idea of a wild beast driven to bay by its relentless enemies. ‘“Can you keep those devils at bay for five minutes?” asked Dark Durg, hurriedly, grasp- ing the young man’s arm with a force that made him wince, despite his natural grit. “It’s that devil—but I'll foil him yet! I'l] cheat him if you can give me that long a grace!” ‘They were policemen--after you?” “ Answer them and gain time, if you hope to ever profit by that gol¢-chart! They are after him, not me! After that very secret, or I’m com He tell you . —_— & f widely out in my guess! oS Ebooks