Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

i ‘ 4 — . — ie * -* ¥ . ie: - . Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. © as : ae A a = | ° x fa J" ¥ > =P . + ie ° F Oe ty ah ae ad » Py a > a, oe * : © ‘ . ee aay + ee ) = a Now, when a young lady does this, it admits of but one construction. Ordinarily a woman _ does not care if a man goes uncared for and un- _ adorned all his days. If she offers to arrange a _ button-hole bouquet for him, or to improve the looks of his necktie, it is a sure sign that her _ heart is as active as her deft fingers. | Paul knew this, and his face grew dark. As before stated he had been nominally be- _ trothed to Leona by the commodore ten years - before—when one was seventeen and the other Ps “ ears of age. wae e had come home with tacit understanding _ that they were to marry, but he was in no hur- ' ry about it. When he was ready, of course he _ had only to open his arms and she would promptly fall into them. _ So he had thought, but this little episode in _ the garden suddenly opened his eyes and made the of jealousy leap through his veins. At one bound he went from sluggish indifference to | passionate zeal. If the expression on Leonn’s face meant anything, it was that she cared a good deal for the handsome young overseer. Paul strode forward with quick, hasty steps. Leona started, turned, and then flushed as she saw the new-comer, but though a shadow entity, © face, he looked neither alarmed nor ‘ _ Warburton,” said Paul, impatiently, ‘are the men at work in the north field?” Yes, Mr. Nettleton.” “Phen why are you not in your place with _ them?’ _ **Because Commodore Nettleton told me to __. meet him here, at half-past one.” _ “Do you infer from that, that he wishes you ' to loiter around here al) the afternoon?” “J merely infer that he meant what he said __ when he told me to come here.” _.. Philip’s manner was provokingly calm. In- _ gult was in every word and gesture of the youn heir, but his venom fell as on an armor of steel. ie uy» $8 Well, your place isin the field,” continued Paul, sharply. Te , “Bardon me; I am hired by | Nettle , and I obey his orders,” __ “Yes,” retorted Leona, ‘‘ and you, Paul, had better retire to your hermitage in the east _ Yoom, and guard your diamonds from robbers!” __ She knew that he resented any suggestion that __ he had things of value over which he and Hazlitt _ worked, and he grew white with anger at her - -well-aimed shot. — You would do well to go to the house and not spend your time with such—” - The rash speech died away on his tongue, for at that moment Commodore Nick came down _ the walk. Leona made haste to escape. The commodore noticed her flushed face, but attributed it to the sun, for he was as blissfully blind as men usually are in such cases, a ‘Pe ul sauntered a few steps away, but when his _ father had given Warburton a few business di- _ rections in his usual bluff, kind way, the son came _ back and Leona, looking from the window, saw _ them engaged in a long, earnest conversation. _ “There is mischief afoot,” thought the spirited _ young lady, “‘and I can surmise what itis. But _ tet them P ot; if I don’t foil their game I am mis- _#aken. I just hate that mean Paul, and if he _ bewitches the poor old commodore, there will be Commodore _—) . > = 5 a big breeze around Coast Castle!’ Leona thought emphatically, but acted quietly, _ anc as she kept out of everybody's way there was peace in the house during the day. - But the storm was brewing, and she knew _ Commodore Nick’s face was a good barometer, d though it was not angry, its troubled ex- e% had done his work ‘pression told her that Pau wel _ Just before the supper hour the old gentleman had a brief conversation with Timothy Welch; _ just after supper Philip Warburton called and ‘was closeted with bis employer for half an hour. ‘Ten minutes after he went out the report was _ eurrent in the house that he had been discharged. __ When Leona heard thisshe went at once to the _ room where the commodore was then seated alone, His bluff face was grave and sad, and it was plain that his head, not his heart, had been _in what he had done. Leona went wo va him quietly. |" » —~gione Ory A yaped is Warburton going to leave here? _ He looked surprised, hesitated, and then brief- Jy replied: . | He is talented enough to fill a better posi- _ Pid he ask leave to go?” & __ * A—well—we both thought it would be better - Commodore, you discharged him.” _ The ex-mariner started, avoided her gaze, - looked away from her and twisted his big fingers uneasily in and out among each other. But he was so slow in answering that the girl added: “You discharged him becanee Paul asked you to, and he asked you because he found re talk- _ ing with Mr. Warburton.” Commodore Nick looked up with increased of 1Casiness. . -_ ~ “Jae a (pa ® | — ——— 6 a | 4, Mth SSS ssc. rnin ee —____————————EEEEEEEEEEE——————————————————— a a = ‘‘ Beard o’ Neptune! who told you that?’ he asked. ‘“T am not blind, father Nicodemus, nor am I inclined to see an innocent man suffer. Philip Warburton has done no harm, and he is not go- ing to be made a victim. If he is driven away from Coast Castle, I shall go, too!” CHAPTER XVII. THE GIRLS OF COAST CASTLE. ComMopoRE Nick stared at the speaker in blank amazement, scarcely able to believe the evidence of his own ears. Leona’s slight figure seemed, somehow, to have grown perceptibly more majestic; ber eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were a most charming pink. She had always been spirited, and a lit- tle inclined to willfulness in sma!] things, though never ungrateful or rebellious. ‘‘' This new departure astonished her guardian, ‘*Beard o’ Neptune!” he repeated, simply be- cause that was all he could say. Leona wound one arm around the ex-mariner's neck, ‘* Father,” she said, gravely, “if anybody is to blame, it is your daughter—myself. If any- body is to be sent away, send me, Don’t make an innocent man suffer.” He tried to laugh in his old, frank way. ‘‘ Why, bless you, girl, Warburton is not a victim, nor does be go in disgrace, I’ve given him as clean a bill of health—I mean recommen- dation—as any man ever had, and he’s sure to get a better position.” ‘*Now, commodore, don’t let us beat around the bush at all,” said Leona, caressing his stub- born gray hair. ‘*The long and short of it is, Paul is jealous of Mr. Warburton, and you are going to send him away because I was seen talking to him. Paul is afraid that I like Mr. Warburton better than him.” The commodore drew a long breath. There was no way of evading the discussion. “Little girl,” he said, ‘‘ you know it ‘has been the favorite scheme of my life to have you and Pau! marry.” 2) Yes. ” F ‘‘ Well, I’m afraid—that is—a—‘hat you are potting to like Phil Warburton better than any- else.” “Do you suppose I would like him less if he was driven away, father?’ ‘* But he ain’t driven away, I laid the mat- ter before him kind and considerate, and he up and said like a man that if such was my wish he would go without a word. I offered him a hundred dollars extra, but he wouldn’t take it, and we never had a harsh word.” ‘* That’s because you are both so noble,” ‘** He is a right square young man.” ‘* You need him as an overseer.” ‘** But he’s agreed to go away.” ** Tell him to remain.” ‘* Little girl, ’m afraid Paul’s idea is right.” Leona’s cheeks grew pink again. “Tf you want to make me love him, rather Nicodemus, the best way is to send him away.” ‘** Do you love Paul?” The blunt question made the girl hesitate, but only for a shorttime. She frankly answered: ‘ No.” ** Do you know it is my dearest hope that you two wi sé Yes.” ‘‘Then I think the best thing I can do is to send Phil Warburton away.” ‘*Commodore, you know what I said.” ‘* What was that?” S That if he was sent away, I should go, PvE ye o’ Neptune! would you go with im ‘* He has not asked me; consequently, I should not go with him; but when I see people made victims for my sake, it is time to do something. I shall leave st Castle, go to San Francisco, and never again be heard from by you.” There was a touch of the romantic in the last sentence, but Leona was very much in earnest about leaving. Commodore Nick heaved a sigh which seemed to agitate the whole surrounding atmosphere. CWell, this beats the record!” he exclaimed. ‘‘Tve commanded every kind of vessel, from a cat-boat to a man-o’-war, and thought I knew the ropes, but I’}l be shot if I ain’t struck a craft I can’t understand!” ‘‘ It’s very simple, father.” “So simple that I don’t understand the first identical thing about it.” “Won't you notify Mr. Warburton not to ? sé I can’t.” Why not?” ‘Well, because—because—” ‘*You have no reason. Come, give him an- other wonth’s trial, father Nicodemus.” **So you can run off with him?” ‘*T shall run away alone if you don’t.” Commodore Nick rubbed his chin in sore per- lexity. What to do he did not know. He oved Leona with all the strength of his great heart; better, if the truth was told, than he did OOOO L,I ~eesesessstteeeetee And she was about as capable as a kitten of caring for herself in San Francisco. = must have time to think this over,” he said. ‘*Hadn’t I better write a note to Mr. War- burton, for you, telling him to wait awhile?” ‘* Perhaps vou had.” Leona’s eyes flashed triumphantly, but her manner was very demure as she wrote the note. This is what she wrote: “Mr. WARBURTON:— *‘ Dear Srr:—! wish you to remain at Coast Castle and continue in your present position, until you hear from me again on the subject referred to be- tween us to-night. Your departure at this time would be a serious inconvenience to me, and I beg that you will not be in a burry. * Hoping you will not disappoint me, I remain, very truly yours, ‘“*‘N. NETTLETON, * Commodore Communding.”’ The old gentleman read this slowly, and then placed one finger on the words “ serious incon- venience, ’ ‘* Ain’t that a trifle strong?” he asked. ** Oh, that’s merely a form of speech.” ‘“*Tt seems to be in the dogged—dogmatic— . what tense, or mood, or what-not, do gramma- rians call it? But, never mind; let that slide; itll do. But, see here; what’s this? *‘Commo- dore Commanding.’ What do I command? I’ve give up my ship, and you won’t allow me to turn off my hired help. Maybe that’s an- other form of speech!” ‘** That’s all.” ‘* Well, considering it’s a woman’s letter, the thing taken in the bulk is fair: but, Lord bless you, you would never do to order a man-o’-war to haul down her colors. But let it slide. Call Tim, and send the note, I don’t think Phil will go now.” The commodore rubbed his bristly chin doubt- fully, while the young lady cemented her triumph by adding a few letters to the note. “Per L. E.” She took care to underscore them heavily, and then Phil Warburton would have been blind, indeed, if he bad overlooked or failed to interpret them. Leona relied as much, or more, on the addition as on the note, to keep him from leaving Coast Castle. Shortly after the commodore left the room he was approached by Paul, who did not suspect that steps had been taken by Leona to overturn his oe The youn subjects, and then asked, with assumed careless- ness: ‘‘ By the way, father, where did you pick up Rosa, the house-servant?” ‘*In Frisco. When we came here some of the servants nade a row about coming to so remote a place. I sent them all flying except Mrs. Drake and Loyola, and engaged Rosa tially fill the vacancy.” ‘‘ Did she come well recommended?” ‘*T dare say she did, though I let Bab read the- bills of health. I looked at the girl’s face for recommend,” ‘** And she has been faithful?” ‘*’Yes,” ‘Let me see—how was it you came by Loy— ola?” ** Oh! Mexico, and fell among thieves. The villainous Greasers would kave done me up, sure, but she saved me and my precious neck, That’s how I. come by her.” ‘‘ What tribe was she of?” ‘* What tribe?” ia) Yes. ” ‘Bless me, I don’t know; I never asked her.” ‘*T wish you could find out.” “Why?” Astonishment was in Commodore Nick’s voice- and face. ‘ ‘“ Because some of those Indian tribes are in- fernal treacherous, and it would be well to know what kind of a person you have in Loyola. This is a wild country, with plenty of thieves outside. It is best to be sure there is no thief under your own roof.” The commodore’s face had become perplexed and troubled. ‘“See here, Paul, what are you driving at? Of course I can see that this is off the same piece as your unxiety to have all the doors and winders tight shut, but, shiver my timbers if I know what you’re driving at. Wait!—hear me dey boy. *Tain’t personal fear, for you're. used wild adventure. What is it?) Come, confess that you’ve got a pile of diamonds that you and the professor are poring over!” **My dear father, I swear that I haven't a diamond in any form, cut or uncut, set or in the uhh ** What sort 0’ a jewel is it, then?” “*There is no jewel at all, nor anything that you would give a dollar for. T are merely engaged in study. We may—a— yet produce a book on some undeveloped science.” man talked for awhile on minor to par-- you see I went ashore on the coast of The professor and | ‘* Neptune and Mars forbid! I don’t want no. roduced in my family. Rosa keeps a book p Paul; and he felt that she would keep her threat | diary, like the foolish girl she is; but if we’re to. have a book writ about the ‘isms’ of the Per-- if Warburton was allowed to go, <€om >»... — Ebooks.co ~- “ 7" —_ =