Beadle's Dime Library No. 395 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

A eg yl = i ee — - _ have been tempted to soften the terrible shock ; but there is a boat leaves for up-river in the morning, and—” ‘*We must catch that! Quick! order the car- riage, and—” : ' “There is time enough and to spare,” Rufus | yield his place as coachman to me, unless he has | to the side of the coach. hastily interposed. and the roads in admirable condition. too deeply agitated to start out without a little time for composing yourself, and—” | ‘*The nights are pieasant, | orders direct from his mistress,” You are . ee —_—— +e ‘“Tf you care to take the trouble, though a word from me would be all that is necessary.” ** And that word I may have to crave,” witha low, brief laugh, suddenly cut short, however. ‘* Uncle Peter is terribly jealous, and will hardly ‘*T will attend to that. A word will be suffi- cient.” | Aunt Honor attended Rufus to the door, ever “Atonce! How can I wait and father dying? | remindful of her position as mistress of the Oh, Aunty Honor, do see that not a moment is | lost! It is worse than death to even think of waiting, and he—” | house in the absence of Portia, then hastened back to the sorely-afflicted daughter. Rufus Cramp met with but an ungracious re- ‘* There is much you can do to gs kill the | ception at the hands of Uncle Peter when he ) time, better here than in town or on boat. Once aboard, each moment would seem an hour to your natural impatience. Yow can see this,” to Aunt Honor, who nodded prompt assent, ‘* Portia!” she murmured, ber lips close to the white brow as the beautiful face again hid itself | bis beloved horses under the charge of Rufus | ard the | j ' made known his wishes, and the indignant negro marched direct to the house to prefer his com- plaints; only to return, utterly crushed and crestfallen. * To be superseded in his proud position was a blow sufficiently heavy, he thought; but to place in her bosom, ‘* you shall wait not an instant | Cramp! longer than is absolutely necessary. There is no saying how long we will have to stop at St. Louis before your father is sufficiently recovered to travel home with us, and we must go pre- ared. We will have enough to do in nursing him back to health and strength, without work- ing for ourselves, and we can’t do entirely with- out clothes!” ‘‘Oh! what matter?” sobbed the poor girl. ‘‘what matter about ourselves while he—my poor father!” ‘*You know how penwcenar he is, Portia,” softly added Aunt Honor, in the same low, soothing tones, so different from her usual ones that despite his almost breathless interest, Rufus Cramp could not keep from staring at her in smazement. ‘‘ You know how he Tikes to see you dressed when witb him. And now that he is il—and when people are getting better, they are more purticular than ever, you know, dearie. He will notice any change, any lack, while the dresses in which he has seen you before will make the room feel much more like home,” Much more Aunt Honor said in that low, ten- | with himself, and mentally | | | ' | ‘* De good Lor’ knows I's got ‘ligion ’nough fo’ *tan’ mos’ any trial an’ tribbylation, but dis too awful much!” he groaned, as groomed the blood bays. on a hot shubble! Or sen’ Marse Barringer wid he cane! Dat’sit! Sen’ him, quick /” But Uncle Peter was permitted to pray and curse without being answered as he wished. And with hot tears of anger and shame filling his old eyes, he watched his two mistresses enter the coach, saw Rufus Cramp climb into the box— into his seat!—an whip as they st And unable to bear more, Uncle Peter shut tim- self up in the stables, kneeling and praying for for his just dues, in-the shape of that ‘‘ funnelly white trash!” |. When Fairview was no longer visible, with | : ‘a of, his long coveted prizo safe in the coach behind | ney, reeling back from the side of the coachand = | falling prone on his face. ww him, and the gloom of carly evening ~-flicient to hide his smiles, Rufus Cramp gave full though silent expression to his triumph. He laughed and nodded his head. He even shook hands patted himself on der tone, the tears filling her own eyes, usually | the shoulder as = afl en 2 of plotters, the luck- } so hard and bright, and when she slowly led the afflicted girl out of the room, Rufus Cramp set- * There could be no mistake, now. tled back in his seat with an audible sich of in- tense relief. The battle was won. He could choose his own hour for starting, so as to give iest fellow in boots that night! He had as hye his part to perfection thus far. He felt hat he could depend on bis tools, Shoe-string Johnny and his chosen ally. ‘They would do his hired tools the most favorable opening for | their work, and then— their dastardly work. ‘“*Hurrah! for the Wellspring millions!” he Shortly after, Aunt Honor returned to the chuckled, beneath his breath. room alone. ‘‘T have induced her to take a_ soothin Moderately he drove, wishing to reach the rendezvous after midnight, since naturally the draught and lie down for a few minutes, while 1 remainder of the trip would be made with much prepare for the journey,” she said, in her ordi- | greater rapidity, but the time did not drag nary cold, precise tones, just how much rest we can allow her, our does the boat start ?”’ ‘* Nine o’clock, I believe.” ** We would have to start long before oy to | intricate game he had entered upon. ‘Even | winnin reach it, then,” she said, thoughtfally. if we started at once, part of the trip would have to be made in the dark,” ‘*And that being the case, if I might advise, I would say to leave here at sunset or thereabouts,” peer suggested Rufus. ‘‘ That will give Miss Wellspring two or three hours’ rest, and enable | | ‘*T come to ascertain | with him, whatever might be the case with the At what | women inside the coach. He bad an abundance to think of. After all, this was but the first move in the Of course his trick would assist him in taking the rest, but before the fight for five millions could be complete, there was many a bold move, many a perilous venture to make. The defeat of a single one might meen ruin, or worse! Over and over his busy brain noted the most important points in the game. He convinced her to bear up against this dreadful shock all the | himself that, so far as keen foresight could do better. The nights are pleasant and the roads good. I ama good driver, and—” “Uncle Peter can drive.” ‘Of course, if you insist, but I thought Miss Wellspring would prefer being alone with you inside.” Aunt Honor opened her thin lips, but closed ' | , | them again without uttering the speech that | rose in her throat. This young man was cer- | tainly very fastidious, if he could not sit on the hox with a negro driver, as neat and civil as Uncle Peter, but they were already under great obligations to him, and she could not say as much, And certainly they would both prefer having him on the outside during that long and sad drive, ‘As you wish, Mr. Cramp,” she said, quietly. “Mr. Wellspring bade us trust in you, and his word is law. We will start at the hour you prefer, and be guided by you in all things,” ‘‘T will do my best to prove worthy the trust,” said Rufus, rising and howing over the reluc- tant hand, the more surely to bide the fierce triumph that he could feel was blazing in his eyes. fe Then I must beg you to excuse me until it is time to start,” she said, also rising to her feet, ‘7 must keep watch over Miss Wel'spring, and nave a few essentials packed. We can take a trunk?’ ¥ ‘“*As many as you like,” was the prompt r sponse, ‘*There will be no haste in driving to town, for time will pass more easily to Miss ee ; so, each emergency was provided for in ad- vance. If the rest played their cards as correct- ly as he was doing now, success was certain! An agreeable conclusion to arrive at, consider- ing the fact that all of five million dollars de- pended on the result. As. he drew near the snot where he ha‘ lo- cated the bogus robbers, Rufus Cramp shook off his musings and cleared his brain for the tax which would shortly be put upon it. There must no suspicion linger about his part in that nivht’s work. Steadily he drove on, the horses now under complete subjection, the “fiery edge” having been taken off by the long drive, though they were still full of life and Ls tg At eny moment, now, he whispered to himself! Per- haps from yonder clump of trees!) Maybe the next, as that landmark was passed without the anticipated attack. Would it never happen? Had the scoundrels failed him, after all? His face grew white as that of a corpse in the light of the stars as this fear again assailed him. Curses on them! Why could one not take on oneself several shaves at once? Then one would not have to put suchimportant trusts in— Ha! at Jast! ° He saw two dark figures rise up from cover _and leap into the road just ahead of the team, Wellspring on the road than while waiting | abo _over ye!” Rufus cried, in loud, clear tones, One trunk will be sufficient, or two, at the | aboard the boat.” most. Shall I send you in some refresh- ment :?” ** Not at present. Of course a bite or two will even before he heard the hoarse challenge: ‘Draw up, cuss ye! Pull up, or chaw cold leed!” . ‘Out of the way, you scoundrels, or I'll drive ‘* What do von mean—let go that horse!” Neither of the boeus robbers had as yet touch- ed the hits, but Rufus jerked s y on the lines and flung the f ned animals back on be beneficial to us all before starting, but just their haunches. How could the startled women the coach and horses.” now I will go and see Uncle Peter about pre- | inside tell the difference? paring * ** Blood y mt what we mean, durn ye!— Deadly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. ae he tenderly | ror as the burly ruffian reached the door and ‘‘Debble tote him off | stretched out bis hand to turn the knob. | worst. | not, for the very good reason that he had not touch up the bays with his | 1 away inthe gloaming. | to be depended upon, and before Tom Kearney _of fire lit up the darkness only a few paces away a full hour that the foul fiend would speedily cal] | and a loud report rent the air, followed by a | second, more like an echo than a separate re- rt And plying the lash savagely, RufusCramp rr d SN ee ee ee SS Ss 9 ‘ owled one of the fellows, catching the near orse by the bit and flourishing a huge pistol. ‘But ef ye act white, none o’ ye won’t be hurt,” hastened the sccond bold robber, nearest | “It’s only a bit of charity that we’re beggin’ fer; jes’ a few ducats to keep the hungry wolf away from our doors, Not fer us, mind ye. Fer the sick mothers an’ the starvin’ childer!” ** Money is no object to us—” ; “Ts heaps to us, though!” ** Tl give you all [ve got, only do not delay | us now. We're on a journey where a moment’s delay may cost a life, and—” ‘* It'll cost yours ef you don’t hold yer busb! | Down him, Dick, if he don’t come to time in a holy minnit!” | **See what’s inside, cully! A treasure, or | the cove wouldn’t cheek so hard. Hustle it out, an’—” ‘‘ You devil—take that!” snarled Rufus, still ‘* Curse | bloody murder ef ye don’t act hafe-way decent!” | - | in a marvelously distinct tone of voice. _ the pistol!—it snaps!” From the inside came faint shrieks as of ter- Both Portia and Aunt Honor had heard the shouts, recognized the words, and feared the Even in their natural terror, they could _ not help feeling that they bad a bold defender in Rufus Cramp. If the driver’s pistol snapped—which it did yet lifted the hammer—there were others more could open the door of the coach a bright blaze ‘‘Turies! I've got it, hard!” groaned Kear- His cry was duplicated by Shoe-string Johnny — who reeled across the road and left the horses to | plunge and rear unrestrained, for Rufus Cramp, —_—- all unnerved, was staring at thedark figuretha&B came leaping toward the spot. Surely he had — seen that tall, athletic figure before? 3 Surely he had! For the bold rescuer pamsed = to make a grasp at the heads of the snortins a bays, and the rays of starlight fell across his pale, handsome face. 4 ‘‘The Duke of Derringers! Curse you—take — that!” snarled Cramp, as he flung up his pistol =~ and fired point-blank atthe gambler, whoreeled . > back, flinging out his arms blindly! : sent the bays on at reckless speed, thinking only hg of fleeing from that dreaded enemy! - CHAPTER VI. GETTING DOWN TO BID-ROCK, Busirp with the snorting, plunging horses, which he really feared would break away ina mad panic that could hardly fail of injarmg ~~ those who were inside the coach, Marmaduke Barringer did not detect the murderous action of Rufus Cramp in time to wholly avoid or foil it, but it is possible that his instinctive ducking i ; of the head preserved his life, since the death- meant bul’et tore its way through bis clustering 4 curls, breaking the scalp instead of penetrating the brain. Sy Se Still, the shock was a severe one, and the gen- tleman sport reeled blindly back with an inar- — cc past him ina convulsive cffort_to escape the horrors and — hocks of thet night adventure. ae Dread for her, helped to banish that sickening | sensation of blindness, and clearing hiseyeswith one band while he grasped a fresh weapon with me. the other, Duke ran a few yards along the road, — ag vainly trying to catch sight of the driving vil- — lain plain enough for a killing ora cripene ae shot. A momentary glimpse he had, retof Rn- fus Cramp, but of the coach; then it vanished, — swallowed wp by the shadows. he Instantly all his usual coolness came back a the gambler, and he holted, bending his ear to listen, taking a few moments to decide upon the , proper course to pursue, knowing that it woul be a saving of time in the end “ Oa He could hear the whirring of wheels, rapid trampling of hoofs, all the sounds of frantic runaway team. a ith The pent-up breath broke from his li sound of relief that could not be mistaken. He caught the rapid cracking of a whip amid the © other sounds, and that told him the real facts of © the case, ’ Oe Instead of running wild, the blood bays were — under full control, and were being urged to — greater speed by their driver. ood ““Unless be’s so bad scared as to crowd a smash-up!” muttered Duke as he listened to the — rapidly receding sounds, ‘*I could quickly over haul the rascal, but—” aby Would that not be still more dangerous? © Rufus Cramp had recognized him, as his ha exclamation went far to prove, would he not he _ rendered desperate by the sounds of gaining chase? Might he not prefer the @hances of. general smash-up toa quiet surrender? Migh it not be that, maddened by his failure in hi eomicbooks 7s) *. ma, TD . sa xX 3.6 ticulate cry, the horses plungin