Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 416 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

and leap upon this bold speaker; but even he te found the odds too great. a ‘*What right have you to interfere, Monte : 4 Monte had won the reputation of carrying ‘‘ sand” enough to face a dozen armed men without “‘wilting.” Fairly won it, too, but they were not men like the one who now held him cov- ered. ‘* You’re a little too careless with your bark- ers, Curly,” uttered a smooth, mellow voice, as the blue eyes gazed fixedly into the blazing black orbs of the sport. ‘‘ First you know, you’ hurt somebody, and thus ruin your reputation as a perfectly barmless lady’s tal A savage snarl escaped the oe of the sport and the hot flush that crossed his cheeks told how keenly those mocking words stung him. For a moment it seemed as though he would risk a shot from the pistol which covered him, Jim?” he growled, in suffocating rage. f ‘*The right of any man to protect a lady who % is suffering from the insolence of a contemptible ____- scoundrel!” was the swift retort, the musical + nothing of this gentleman, for every man is sup- voice growing hard and stern, while the blue eyes gleamed likeorbsof polished steel. ‘‘I say to be able to take care of himself; but you ve annoyed this lady by thrusting your com- Sie ny upon her against her wishes. No one _ with a spark of manhood in his composition would be guilty of such anact. Yourevil repu- tation as a bully and fire-eater prevented these oy shine with a contemptuous inclination of his 7 ead toward the other passengers, ‘‘ from inter- 42" fering in her behalf, but that has no influence Over me, as you know. Sa ‘Curly Kaine, get out of that seat and apolo- ta _ gize to the lady for your disgraceful conduct!” _—s €ried Monte Jim. Ee? Choking with rage, the fellow snarled: og F **}ll be cursed if I do!” 7 - .% « | ro ws 4 ' ’ . ~ . . Jf you remain obstinate at the end of that Showing his teeth in a sickly smile, Curl hae } ttering eyes on the watch for an + 7 aie a. that “ a few words, his eyes downcast, his face as pale hi for I hate to force a man to break ‘a this threat was uttered, there was a glitterin Mires? ¢ a consequence, the time of grace e _ ™“Ton’t be quite so positive, my dear fellow, | an oath, —s-You’ve got to get out and eat ‘humble-pie, or . : e Brimstone will be under the sad ne- cessity of donning mourning and advertising for ‘a new husband to run the Clipper Shades, Will you knuckle?” “Give me half a show—” **You shall have a whole circusin just one - qminute, Curly, unless you vacate these premises, riod, sure as the Lord made little apples, I'll pitch you head-first out of yonder dow.” oft and mellow though the tones in which menace in those blue eyes which told the spo not a word was spoken idly, and Monte Jim drew forth a watch with his free hand, touch- _ ing the spring and marking the position of the second-hand. Ww Curly Kaine stiffened his muscles for a leap |. on_ his cool ot aceagt € but that eagle was upon him, and he knew that such an action - would be worse than folly—suicide, He wished to yield, but did not know how to do so gracefully, or without forever staining his dearly loved reputation as a ‘‘ bad voi xp oe ore he made any move to comply with the hard demand. With lightning swiftness both watch and pis- tol vanished, and then those gloved hands closed ' upon his throat, barely allowing him time to (2) poe OP you devil! I cave! _ _ Monte im instantly relaxed his grip, with a _ Jow laugh. oa “fo enough! I had an idea you would lis- ten to reason in the course of time. Come out of the wilderness, Johnny!” nay ‘aine arose and moved out into the aisle, * s ning means of which he might turn the tables on adversary. But Monte Jim knew him thor- Bote « oughly, § and careless as he seemed, kopt warily sea ‘Take off your hat, my dear boy,” and with swift sweep of the hand Monte Jim knocked the glossy silk tile from the curling locks of its ao ene ‘**Put your best foot foremost, and tell this lady how sorry you are for troubling her; | ou will never again be guilty of such un- _ -gentlemanly conduct, if you have to swear off ee Mritking from now henceforth.” ae It was a bitter pill for the self-styled King of Bismarck to swallow, but he saw that Monte Jim held his derringer cocked and ready for use, and he dare not rebel. Sulkily he muttered as that of a corpse. "You need a lesson or two in elocution, but Tl let that this time,” said Monte Jim, - mockingly. ‘‘ And now, my dear fellow, I have an impression that Be presence is required in - thesmoker. Need I say more?” ae ** You’ve said enough, Jim Ince,” with a hard, * . - ’ 4 ‘ o .-? o “Ve «strained tone and an evil glance from beneath his long lashes. ‘‘Too much, maybe. I won’t forget it ina hurry." a “You might find a more agrone subject to - Yuminate upon, methinks; but every man to his own notion. Yonder is your hat, and there’s the ht trail to the smoker. If you feel ag- grieved by anything I have said or done, you "ane =< know where I hang out. I’m always at home to men who call on business matters.” Without a word in answer, Curly Kaine picked up his hat and strode along the aisle, opening the door with one hand as he swiftly wheeled around, pistol in the other—only to confront the handsome gambler, whose laugh- ing blue eyes were glancing along the leveled barrel of a revolver, and whose mocking voice sounded the query: ” as you forgotten anything, my dear fel- ow Curly Kaine was not all fool, and knowing that Monte Jim held him wholly at his mercy, he turned again and passed out of the coach without trying to use his pistol. One moment of keen watching, until he saw the door of the smoking-car open and Curly Kaine enter, then Monte Jim turned to the lady, doffing his hat and bowing tfully, no longer the dashing, reckless sport, but a gentle- man CHAPTER V., MONTE JIM’S GIFT. His voice was soft and smooth as silk as he addressed the young lady: ‘*I beg your pardon for this disagreeable scene, madam, but Isaw that you were being sadly annoyed by that fellow, and believed a little rough talk would give you less discomfort than to see a man killed. And that was the only alternative, with a desperado like Curly Kaine, “TI thank you—you were very kind,” fal- tered the young lady, whose nerves had evi- dently suffered severely. ** Not in the least,” with a graceful bow. ‘‘I only. performed the duty which devolves upon all gentlemen where a lady is in distress. [ knew the fellow—a bully who is all the more dangerous from having n born and partly raised in good society. He has won a reputa- tion for reckless disregard of danger, and makes it his boast that he owns a private grave- yard. There was only the one method of dis- posing of him without Vago to actual blows.” ‘*T am afraid you will suffer for your gal- lantry,” timidly ventured the young woman, with a shy glance up at the handsome counte- nance of the sport. ‘' He threatened you—” ‘* Barking dogs seldom bite, and threatened men live long,” laughed Monte Jim, lightly. ‘*T know Curly Kaine, the King of Bismarck, as he calls himself, and I reckon he knows me, He’ll be only too glad to let the affair blow over, as stirring it up would hardly redound to his credit, even among his peculiar associates, With them, a man is wiser to die than to show the slightest trace of the white feather.” During all this, Alva Pennington had re mained silent, now that the crisis was over feeling faint from the force with which he had been flung against the oaken arm of the seat. But as he noted that shy glance—as he could not avoid detecting the wondering interest with which the young lady regarded this handsome champion who had so suddenly made his ap- arance on the scene—his face flushed and a itter jealousy kindled in his heart. Yet he managed to stifle this sufficiently to speak, as he arose and came forward, bis right hand partly extended: **T suppose I ought to thank you, too, though I reckon I hardly needed your help. The rascal took me by surprise, but I could have matched him easily enough.” ‘*No doubt of that, my dear sir, and conse- uently no thanks are due me,” returned Monte Tins with a winning smile, as he accepted the hand so gingerly proffered. ‘¢T chanced to witness the entire affair, from the rear end of the coach, and can cheerfully bear testimony that you acted the part of a man, from beginning to end. Your only mis- take was in treating Curly Kaine as a gentle- man, instead of the rough he is, You are from the East, I believe?” Pennington nodded, eying Monte Jim sus- iciously, failing to comprehend the drift of his query, and otherwise puzzled by the man- ner of the gambler. Not a sign of their having ever met before was visible in word or action, tone or glance, ‘* Shall I tell you where the ear-marks of what we border ruffians call a tenderfoot showed so plainly?” he added, with a pleasant laugh. ‘In your permitting Curly Kaine to catch the dro so easily. When you are fairly acclimated, you will do as we do—get the drop before speak- ing or showing your hand. It’s a great deal more healthy than your manlier way. In Rome, you know—” His low laugh abruptly ceased, and bending forward, he gazed keenly into Pennington’s face, then hastily uttered: ‘* Pardon me, but is not your name Pennington?” ven,” ag the astonished young man, drawing back. “Then you are the gentleman who met with a serious loss a short time ago, in the smoking- car? I thought I recognized your countenance, but was not quite certain.” hite as a sheet, his eyes glowin ton winked violently, with a w ward the young lady; but Monte , Penning- Jka eype- appa- + ar" @ rare -7 = the Black Sheep of Bismarck. rm SSN LE CC ttt —_— — rently failed to comprehend his meaning, and added: ‘* Of course, my dear fellow! You are loth to let this lady know you were so—” ‘Silence, curse it!” snarled Pennington, an- ily, making a swift stroke at the: peaker with is tightly-clinched fist, only to have it brushed lightly aside, seemingly without an effort on the fg the smiling sport. ‘‘ Can’t you take in At this fierce outburst, the big blue eyes of the handsome sport opened still wider, and there was an expression of innocent wonder upon his countenance, while the young lady seemed both shocked and mortified by the rudeness of her traveling companion, ‘‘Alva—Mr. Pennington—you forget your- self!” she hurriedly exclaimed, then turning a half appealing glance toward the man who she felt had been causelessly insulted. ‘‘There is no harm done,” easly uttered Monte Jim, in answer tothe mute appeal. “I can readily understand why Mr. Pennington is reluctant to have the subject discussed—” ‘*Why don’t you show your understanding, then?” sharply broke in the young man, ‘ Who gave you the right to interfere with my private affairs after this fashion?” Softer and more silken grew the voice of the sport. ‘If I have offended, I most humbly beg your ardon, though, I assure you, it was wholly un- intentional on my part. As T said before, I can comprehend why you should be reluctant to have this lady learn of your misfortune, though _ are not the first man by many whuse pocket been picked—” “You're right; it was picked by a pack of professional thieves!” snapped Pennington, bis eyes aglow. Monte Jim bowed, with a bland smile. ‘Thanks; I felt sure you must be the gentle- man who met with the misfortune.” The young lady was glancing quickly’ from one to the other of the two men, unable to fathom the exact meaning of this interchange of words, so sharp on one side, so smooth and courteous on the other, but with a woman’s quick intuition feeling that something was wrong; and in hopes of effecting a diversion, she hurriedly addressed Pennington: ‘“Your pocket picked, Alva? How was it? ‘You did not lose very much, I hope?” ‘*Not so much but what [ll come out even with the game in the end,” muttered Penning- ton, with a sullen side glance at the face of the smiling . If this was intended for a threat, it apparent- ly troubled Monte Jim but little, for be cuntin- ued: ‘“‘As [ was saying, Mr. Pennington, it may appear like a liberty in a stranger, this broach- ing an affair which you seem to wish to kee dark, but I trust the sequel will win me a full pardon. ‘‘ As it happened, I was an eye-withess to the whole affair through which you were robbed of your money, and while you were working the wrong trail, 1 had the good fortune to catch and persuade the robber to restore his booty. This is your property, I believe. Pray glance over it, and see if the amount is correct.” While speaking, Monte Jim produced a com- pact roll of bank-notes from an inner pocket, and, with a low bow, held them out toward the thoroughly astounded man. Mechanically he accepted them, glancing confusedly from the money to the face of the man who s0 curiously restored his winnings, unable to comprehend what it all meant, The young lady uttered a little exclamation as she saw the roll of money. ‘*Oh, Alva—so much as that? And only for this gentleman you would have lost it forever! You, as well as I, owe him many thanks. Pray tell him so, and then enlighten me. How did it happen? Whorobbed you? And why were you so anxious to keep all knowledge of your loss from me?” Almost feverishly she spoke. Her keen wits told her that all was not yet made clear—that there was something mysterious underlying this affair, which her feminine age | was bound to solve. But that was not her only in- centive, Even gay from the timely service he had rendered her in forcing Curly Kaine to beat a retreat, covered with confusion, she felt a strange interest in this handsome stranger who was so bold, and yet so gentle, so courteous, so winning in both manner and speech. She longed to learn more of him; and a warm flush used her countenance as she encountered his respectful gaze, for just at that instant it flashed across her mind that the love of a man like this must be richly worth the winning, and she feared he a have the power to divine her inmost thoughts, In her confusion she turned to Alva Penning- ton, who still stood like one in a dream, gazing upon the money which he had never expected to behold again. ‘** Have you lost all power of speech, Alva? I fear Mr.—” ‘** Blessed if I know what to say!” blurted out the astounded young man, but awkwardly ex- eom : { L : \y ' “* hy 2 a Ebooks.com —