Beadle's Dime Library No. 395 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

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I modestly indicated myself, when he actually laughed at me. What I am in doubt about is this: first, 1 took his manner as an insult.” ‘* And come to me to advise as to how you can swallow it with the least degree of choking?” sneered Kyte Darley. . ‘* As such I answered it, by gently laying my fingers across his lips,” was the placid addition. ‘© When he knocked you down, of course?” ‘¢When he declared that he would have my heart’s blood, and persisted, even after I hinted that it would, perhaps, be more satisfactory to the gentlemen who 1l.oked on, if this question of supremacy with the cards was first determined.” ‘‘ When he intimated that you feared less for your money than you did for your life?” ques- tioned Kyte, still hoping to bring a flush of anger to those cool, pale cheeks. f not the Duke of Derringers, this man cer- tainly possessed an equal nerve and coolness, Kyte Darley was learning to hate him most cor- dially, and in that hatred to lose sight of the dangerous game he was playing wi.h Rufus Cramp for a partner. ‘*Second,” added Landrum, still in that smooth, even tone that showed not the faintest trace of annoyance at these repeated thrusts, “if you are really my superior at either game— which I am more than anxious to put to the test in the most thorough manner—I made—” A rapid footfall caused them to turn, and a well-dressed, middle-aged mon paused before them, his face alternately flushing and paling as he bowed to Landrum, hastily uttering: ‘*T am sorry—it was a blunder of mine—I didn’t know who you were when I uttered those words, a bit ago, or [ wouldn’t—” ‘Do you know me now?” coldly interjected Landrum, his face impassible, his voice hard and metallic, in startling contrast with his tones while speaking with Kyte Darley just before. CHAPTER XII, ON THE HURRICANE DECK. Rurvus Cramp reached the hurricane deck in good time, with something to spare. A swift, comprehensive glance assured him that Portia Wellspring had not as yet made her appearance, and with a deliberate step that but poorly cor- responded with the tumult of fears, doubts and evil hopes that raged within, he paced back and forth near the point where the heiress must first make her appearance, For days he had been preparing himself for this very hour. Scores of times he had gone through it all in imagination, familiarizing him- self with each move, each little part that was to be combined into a harmonious whole, until he told himself that he could not possibly fail, no matter what unexpected difficulties might arise in the path. Yet now, when everything seemed working smoothly, just as the evil schemers would wish, his nerves began to quiver and his heart to fail him. There seemed something hanging over their heads, trembling on the point of falling, all the more frightful from its very vagueness, If she failed to come? Women are pro- verbially fickle, and prone to change their minds. The slightest trifle might influence her. And Eyte swore that it must be done that ve night, if done at all. If not done—what then? Would they ever have another chance at the Wellspring millions? What would Marcia say? Would she look at the metter in a clear light, placing their defeat where it justly belonged, «nm the broad shoulders of chance, or would she blame him? The last, if aught that sleepy-eyed scoundrel of a Kyte Dar- ley could hint or insinuate would affect her! Or, supposing Portia should come, as agreed upon; take if for granted that all should go smoothly until the very last act; then if there was a mistake! If thereshould be any awkward hitch or catch! What would be the end? Rufus Cramp shivered as though a cold flaw had struck him without warning, and one hand rose to finger histhrobbing throat. For a single instant he could have taken oath that a hempen noose was tightly drawn about bis neck! It was well for the schemers that just then Portia Wellspring raised her head above the level of the deck, uttering a little sound of relief that at once attracted the attention of the shiver- ing plotter. _ Rufus Cramp sprung forward to assist her, and the touch of her warm hand upon his worked like magic. All trembling and doubt vanished from body and mind, and he was once more the cold, heartless, unscrupulous plotter who sought only the shortest, surest way to the oal, ‘*Now that you are really here, Miss Well- spring, he said, softly, as he drew her hand through his arm and slowly paced toward the stern of the boat, ‘‘I begin to tremble at my audacity.” He felt her shrink ever so slightly from his side, and the ghost of a smile flitted across his pale face as he hastened to add: ‘* Yet it was a duty Lowed your father, fully as much as to you. He would give me scant thanks were I to bring him an invalid instead of the charming nurse of whom, in his loneliness, he used to draw such delightful pictures! Not actually, you know,” with a little laugh, ** but in imagination. He would see you in almost everything, and one time as my father heard him sighing heavily, he was almost paralyzed by the answer he received. Just think of it, if you can! Father is old, barefooted on top of the head. wrinkled, sallow, sunken-cheeked and snuffy-nosed. But I forget; you have seen him?’ / ‘What was it poor father said?” nodding as- sent to the question. ‘*That he had been trying to change father into Portia, but in vain. The clothes wouldn't fit. Even a lace cap wouldn’t hide that bald spot, nor could all his imagination change that wrinkled, crab-apple visage into the smooth— into the face of his darling!” laughed Cramp. He was trying the best he knew to put Portia wholly at her ease. He congratulated himself on his ready invention, but instead of the laugh he expected, he caught a faint sob, felt the little hand resting on his arm tremble anew. Evi- dently he had made another mistake. His own laugh was checked so abruptly that even in her grief Portia could not wholly over- look the change. There were tears in her eyes as she glanced up into his pale face, and it was only with an effort that she succeeded in utter- ing: ‘*Tt must have shocked your father, but I can- | re Portia was gazing straight ahead down not laugh as I might at another time. I can | the river, only the diverging, tumbling waves see only the great loneliness, the heart-sick long- | stirred up by the paddle-wheels showing in the ing for the one who best loves him on earth! if starlight. Curious shapes were to he fancied I was only with him now! If I could annihi- | there, as the curling crests broke into bubbles late the miles that still stretch out between us, I | and foam, with all around them darkness. Was would sacrifice ten years of my life!” she watching these alone, or was that a conscious. ‘“The time will soon pass, the miles rapidly | blush that came into her face? grow less,” soothingly uttered Rufus, for the in- | Rufus was not sure, and he dared not attempt stant really feeling something akin to sympa-| a closer scrutiny. At all events, she was not thy. ‘The Superb is trying her best to act in | openly alarmed as yet, and it might be as well accordance with her name, and that best is much | to pursue his experiment a little further 5 better than common. Really, we will beat our| ‘I can recall one such parting with, heart- journey’s end, almost before we realize it!” sickening distinctness,” he added, his voiée low, ‘** To find—what?” sad and despondent. ‘‘ It was all the fault of the Low, eae almost in a wail came these | man. He yielded to silly temptation, and, in his words, Not to her companion, but more as! wretchedness, he drank more than his brain though she was questioning the bright stars that | could carry. Like many another poor wretch gleamed and twinkled overhead. that one_excess proved fatal to his dearest. ‘‘A convalescent, not an invalid,” quickly | hopes. While his poor brain was maddened said Cramp, taking the answer upon himself. and upset, he met the woman who was the un- Portia paused yas sth core ly turning un- | conscious cause of all this, and—” til the face to face for a brief space, dur- ‘Ts it wise or even friendly to recall all this, ing whieh her glorious eyes seemed trying to | Mr. Cramp?” interposed Portia, her voice very read his inmost thoughts. clear, very cold. : ‘*Do those words come py from your] Rufus was startled. She had seemed so un- lips, or from your heart?” she asked, almost pas- | conscious of his meaning, so wholly absorbed in sionately. ‘‘Do you speak thus only to cheer | watching the waves, that this sudden repulse my sinking courage? If so, it is a cruel kind- | cast him completely cff his balance. ness! The shock will fall all the more heavily For the moment he forgot his evil plots, forgot in the end!” Marcia Wellspring, forgot everything save that It was no easy task to meet that earnest this was the first woman whom he had really without flinching, feeling as he did that this | loved. He had never been given achance to poor girl would never more meet her father in | and explain away that miserable mistake. He life, but Rufus Cramp proved equal to the task. | felt that he must do so now, With seeming frankness he met her eye to eye, a ‘*Tt may not be wise in the condemned crim= grave smile lighting up his handsome face. inal to seek another trial, but is he to be blamed. ‘‘1’l1 not claim more honor than is justly my | for clinging to even the ghost of a chance?” he dues, Miss Wellspring. If necessary I would | hurriedly muttered, his face agitated, his eyes even lie to you, if telling the plain truth would | glowing. be to your injury. But in this case there is not the slightest need of so doing. ‘Your father will get well. If not—if there had been any change for the worse—I would surely have been notified. Not only my father, but the physician attending on your father, pledged me their words to that effect. Neither have telegraphed, and that fact should be sufficient t> assure you that all is going well with your father.” ‘‘I am praying so! The prayer is never out of my mind,” murmured Portia, as they resumed their slow promenade. ‘* That can'do no harm, and may work much good,” softly uttered the schemer, almost invol- untarily going back in thought to the days when he felt himself madly in love with this charming creature. ‘‘I think such a prayer, from your lips would soften even Death himself.” ‘*Do not utter that terrible word!” shivered Portia. ‘It chills my very heart, and brings back the dark forehodings I try to banish.” Rufus pressed the little hand still closer to his side. It was remarkable how distinct the past was growing! Such daring hopes as he had en- tertained, in those days! If they had come to pass! If that cursed day had never dawned on either of them! | The thought brought the Duke of Derringers ' before, and date everything from that. You ply pa gaze g followed those vague yet Jark Landrum. Tas he really that demon, in disguise? Would Kyte Darley unmask him, as he boasted? And if he should make the attempt, how would it end? Would Kyte prove the victor? If not—what. would become of their plot? He could hardly be expected to carry it out, alone and single-handed, even if he knew just what sort of a signal to Jook for. Kyte had been so infernally close-mouthed. Afraid, possibly, of having the lead taken from him. And so, if aught should happen to him to prevent bim from playing the part allotted—or self-elected, rather —to him, what would be the result? ‘*Tt would serve the dog just right if I were to back out of it!” he mentally declared. ‘*‘ Why not? She was fond enough of me in those days? I have seemed her whole dependence, of late! 1t. might be!” e glanced down at the charming face so close to his shoulder, now partially revealed by the starlight, though the fleecy vail she wore was. sufficient to ward off any curious glances which the few promenaders of the deck might cast to- ward her. It was charming. All the more so for its pallor and the touching sadness to be seen there. If Marcia only had her sweet dis— position! Orif Marcia only had Portia’s for- tune! The curious temptation was a growing” stronger. Curious when contrasted with the purpose which brought them together that eve- ning. And, after all, even if naught shouid come of it, would it not be as well to pass the time thus as after another fashion? Rapidly all this passed through his busy brain, and the silence had not lasted long enough to render his next words unconnected. ‘Death is indeed a cold and chilling word, but it is not always unaccompanied by bope. one has lived a correct life, there is still the hope of a reunion hereafter. It is not difficult to picture a parting much more bitter than that: one where both still walk the earth!” Rufus cast a covert glance into her face as he spoke these words, into which he strove to throw a subtle, yet apparent meaning. There was no to mind, and naturall haunting doubts of ‘* If his guilt be without even that ghost of an excuse, should he not suffer the penalty?’ ‘‘Have I not suffered? Ay! suffered all the tortures of the damned?” For the moment Rufus Cramp believed he was speaking no more than the simpletruth. He had forgotten his plots, forgotten Marcia, forgotten all save his old-time love for this beautiful girl- woman. ‘‘The past: is dead,” gravely uttered Portia. ‘“ Why try to resurrect it, when only pain and . , disappointment can follow the rash attempt?” “Tf nothing else, I can at least partially clear myself. I was mad with drink that day, and— ‘*T have long since forgiven, but I can never forget,” was the cold, even interposition. ‘‘ It is cruel in you to bring that sad day forward now, just when 1 am most dependent on you. Itisas — though you demanded a reward for your kind- — ness,” Rufus Cramp flushed hotly at this. He was still manly enough to feel a certain sense of shame. 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