Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 419 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ' - ae The Bat of the Battery. the old wound reopened. I have not heard that) which he now inspires me is the warning of a | name for years.” “You are acquainted with the banker, then?” | Almayue asked, perceiving that in endeavoring to clear up one mystery he had stumbled upon another. “Yes, I was acquainted with him ones, | twenty vears ago, and at his bands I suffered an | injury from which I sball never recover while life remains.” The tone in which she spoke was full of bitter- ness, and it was p'ain that although years had elapsed the remembrance of her wrong was still fresh in her recollection. ‘* You really astound me, Miss Brandon!” ‘*Nv doubt, for 1 have always been as dumb asa marble woman as faras my wrongs were concerned, but now since I have betrayed my- self and excited your curiosity, it is only right that I should gratifyit. It isa brief and broken tale,with a mystery that even | have never been able to solve, ‘* Are you aware that Mr. Redmond Lamar- dale had a brother Robert?’ ‘**No,” answered the gentleman, “‘the only brother of whom [I have any knowledge was called Rufus and resided in Texas.” * Yes, | knew that there was a Rufus Lamar- dale, and that he went south in quest of fortune when quite a boy; he was the second brother, Redmond was the eldest and Robert the youn- gest. Redmondand Robert were in business to- gether twenty years ago and both of them suitors for my hand. “| preferred the youngest, and I believed I loved him as sincerely as ever man was loved, Although the brothers were rivals it did not seem to breed strife between them, “Redmond took his brother’s success in a good-natured way, wished him al! possible hap- piness and congra’ ulated me upon my choice. “T, believing bim to be in earnest in what he said looked upon bim asa noble-hearted brother. Little did I dream then that he was but a snake in the grass, and that all the time he was wish- ing me happiness he was secretly plotting to render me forever wretched, “*My wedding-day was fixed, and on the ver night before it Robert Lamardale disappeared, He left bis house, ostensibly to visit me, and from that time was never seen by any one. He disappeared as utterly as though the grave had opened and swallowed him. *“*T was nearly crazy; Redmond Lamardale pretended to be equally alarmed, but he did not deceive me, for even in my excited state I was acute enough to perceive that his alarm was not genuine, ‘The most vigorous search was absolutely fruitless; not a single trace of Robert Lamar- dale, either alive or dead, could be discovered. “Time passed on, and thinking that I had for- = the vows I had sworn, Redmond Lamar- ale renewed his suit, only to be driven from my presence in anger, for I plainly told bim that I suspected he had a hand in his brother's disappearance, ‘“ All the defense he made was that Robert was unworthy my love, and it was a fortunaie thing for me that the union had not taken ce, “Since that time I have never set eyes upon any of the Lamardale family. I have heard that Redmond has prospered and become a wealthy man. but mark my words, Mr. Al- mayne, if he is guilty of injuring his brother tbe truth will come out some day.” “‘T am glad that you have confided in me, for in my new relation to Mr. Lamardale I may be able to ascertain the truth, but I cannot believe that you are right in your surmise that he in- Soned his brother in any way, although there is evidently a dark m ry connec with the affair, and I will not rest until I bave solved it.” CHAPTER XXXYV. THE MENDICANT, A¥rTEeR a few more words of unimportant conversation, Lesbia was summoned and intro. duced to Mr. Almayne, and Miss Brandon who watched to see what impression her protégée would produce upon the gentleman, perceived that it was decidedly favorable, but she was led by the girl’s behavior, for never before ad she seen bia act so stra zely, and she took occasion when they retired to robe for din- ' ner to — her. eed, I cannot understand why it is that tleman’s presence affects me so strange- Wy. bia replied. ‘‘ He is a stranger to me; have never met him before to my knowledge, and yet his face seems familiar and a feeling of alarm fills my breast all the time that I am in his presence,” “But why should you feel alarmed?” de- manded Miss Brandon, amazed at this disclos- ure, **T cannot explain that—there isn’t the least reason why I should feel so, for he seems to be an agreeable, pleasant gentleman. The senti- ment is one of those inexplicable things which cannot be explained. If I was inclined to be superstitious I should believe that in the future ““ n this’ Mr, Almayne will prove to be my enemy and atrive to work me harm and that the fear with subtle instinet latent in my nature.” Miss Brandon shook her head; she was com- pletely puzzled. For Mr, Almayne she had the highest respect and she could not bring herself to believe that there was any foundation for the girl’s suspicion, and this much she said to Lesbia. | ‘*Oh, Miss Brandon!” the girl exclaimed, ‘“‘ do not think for an instant that I atiach any ima portance to my foolish and baseless imaginings, I was only trying to account for them, that was all; but I was silly to speculate upon the matter: | why, one might as well try to soberly analyze | a dream.” The hostess nodded her head as much as to say that this was ber opinion also, but in reality sha_ was much more troubled about the matter than | she was willing to confess, for she was rather inclined to be superstitious, being quite. apt to allow ber instinct to sway ker judgment, par- ticularly in regard to new acquaintances, Nothing more was said upon the subject, but wheu they met the gentleman at dinner, Miss Brandon was particular to notice all that passed. Lesbia tried her utmost to appear pieasant and unconcerned, but, in spite of her endeavors, the hostess could perceive a weight of apprehen- sion sat heavily upon her soul, And once or twice, too, Miss Brandon fancicd she detected that Almayne was also keeping a covert watch upon the girl, and this excited her suspicions. ‘**Can it be possible that these two are not sfrangers to each other?” shethought. ‘ Can it be that they have met before and something un- pleasant has passed between them?” But the hostess was not willing to harbor this Fp ey for, so doing, it would imply that Lesbia had purposely deceived her, and so great was her trust in the girl that she would have been willing to stake her life upon the girl’s truthfulness, ‘‘ Tf they have met, the knowledge has passed from the girl’s memory.” To this conclusion came the hostess by the time the repast was finished, and they adjourned to the veranda to enjoy the balmy breeze blow- ing in from the ocean, Hardly were they comfortably seated, when, through the gathering gloom of the dusky eve- ning, an odd, strange figure caine shambling up A genuine tramp if ever there was one, Miss Brandon looked annoyed. Her establish- ment boas*ed a porter’s lodge by the entrance- gate, and the servitor who occupied it had strict orders to keep out all such unsavory and Uunuwel- come Visitors. ‘*Where can John be?’ the lady exclaimed, “It’s strange that he did not perceive this wretched object. ‘ The explanation was simple enough; the porter was at supper and too much engaged in the de- lights of the meal to pay any attention to the gate. = ‘The easiest way to get rid of the fellow will be to give him a trifle,” Almayne suggested. ‘*] will attend to it for you.” **Toank you; I suppose that will be the best way, but itis open to the objection that by such a course you encourage the man or his compan- ions to come again,” Miss Brandon remarked. ‘*T have au idea that these wretched wanderers have some means of communicating with each other. Some few years ago, when the tramp epidemic first broke out, 1 was in the habit of feeding all that came, for it seemed really sin- ful for one possessed of plenty, like myself, to deny these miserable, unfortunate souls the bread wherewith to sustain life, but they came upon me in such numbers that I was obliged to put a stop to it, and the moment I began to deny them, the pests began to lessen, until at last from eight to ten a day they diminished to two or three a week.” ‘*No doubt they post each other when they discover a house hospitably inclined, but the quickest way to get rid of this animated bundle of rags will be to give him a dime and bid him depart at once,” Almayne’s description was an apt one, for the mav, who was a burly old feilow with straggling iron-gray hair and a scrubby beard, half-dou- bled up, evidently witb rheumatism, was clothed in a suitso tattered that it really seemed wonderful that he was able to keep in it atall, As he shambled up to the veranda, took off his hat and made a low bow, Almayne im- proved the opportunity to toss him a dime, say- in a There’s a dime for you, my good man; take yourself off now, and don’t ever come and bother us again!” ‘‘Faix! and who ax ye for ye dirthy wee bit of silver?’ cried the man, in a boarse, rasping voice, which to the well-trained ears of the New Yorker indicated that the speaker bad been in the habit of indulging in much more liquor than was good for him, ‘**Sorra a taste I want of 2 do ye mind!” he continued, his tones plainly indicating that he was a son of the Emerald Isle. “‘ What do you want then?” asked Miss Bran- don, eps gO having formed a decidedly bad on of the stranger, | opinion the walk from the front gate. **Ts it ye that Miss Brandon!” ‘That is my name,” ‘‘Long life to ye, ma’am!*‘ S>ure, ye’re the leddy that L want to see!” and be made another profound bow, ‘* Well, sir, you see me now; what do you want?” ‘*Il'm tould ye’re looking afther a foreman to wourk the farm for yees.’ ** No, sir, I do not require any one,” *‘Shure! I was tonld ye wanted a foreman!” he exclaimed, in a dogged sort of way, ‘** i do not, sir, and 1 surely oughs Ww know. fF am satisfied with my preseut foreman and haven’t any idea of changing,” retorted Miss Brandon, annoyed at the persistence of the fel- low, and feeling satisfied he had been drinking. ‘*Oh, well, ’m not proud, if ye don’t be afther wanting a foreman I will wourk as a reg’lar hand; shure, [ kin do anything. You can’t have a likier b’ye about\the place than meself!” ‘*T do not require any one at ail, sir. la fact I have too many hands now and am thinking of getting rid of some of thew,” Miss Brandon wondered that Mr, Almayne did not interfere and send the fellow cff, but the New Yorker, after examining the man closely for a few moments, had turned his attention to the distant sails upon the oceun as thongh the man was not worth troubling oneself about, ** Ah, a Jeddy like yerself can al“ avs make room for another man on sich an ili,unt place as this. Shure, miss, can’t ye spake a wourd for me for ould acquaint’shiv seeing that we kem over in the same ship?” he said, addressing Les- bia, That young lady looked amazed for she did not remember ever seeing the man before. ‘Ye disremember me, mebbe,” he added, “T certainly cavnot recall you just mow.” **'Ye kem over in the Ci:y of Chester ibe sane as meseilf!” “Yes, [did come in that steamer but { do not remember meeting you on board of ber.” “‘T was there to the fore, ye kin lay yer life on that. Sbure! [kin call ye by name—it was Fardol or Dardol, or something like wan of thim.” ) ‘*My name is Mardol.” *Thatis! 1 knew I knew ye!” exclaimed the fellow, triumphantly, ‘*'There’s no place bere for you, my man, and you had better retire,” Miss Brandon remarked, sternly. ““Sbure! I won’t stay if yees don’t want me to, and I'll take the wee bit of silver, more glory to yees,” responded the man with an injured 4, then he picked up the dime and shambled 9) ‘“*] don’t like the Jooks of that fellow,” Al- mayne remarked, gt eat f after the man had ot out of earshot. “It seems to me that there is something wrong about him.” ‘“He has evidently been drinking, but now he’s gone, thank goodness!” Miss Brandon cried, The conversation then turned to other sub- jects, and shortly afterward Mr. Almayne took his departure for the city. Lesbia retired to her room that night with her mind full of strange fancies; but she gave little thought to the odd old Irishmen, for al- thouzh she did not remember him, yet she did not doubt that he spoke the truth in regard to crossing the ocean in the same steamer, but Mr, Almayne—why did that young gentleman affect her so strangely? Why was it when she thought ge that a presentiment of danger came upon er It was very strange. She had been sitting by the open window meditating and now rose to prepare to retire, A glass of wine lemonade upon the table at- tracted her attention, and her grateful heart beat more quickly at this proof of her protec- tor’s thoughtfulness. ‘She is so kind,” she murmured, as she drank the refreshing draught. But hardly had she drained the glass when a deathlike numbness seized upon her—she tot- tered forward, then sunk down senseless, CHAPTER XXXVI. THE TRAMP’S FRIEND, WHEN the tramp retreated from the Brandon mansion heshambled away, grumbling ata great rate, just as if he bad been terribly disappointed in not getting a situation. And be kept this up as far down the road as the people on the piazza could distinguish his figure, But after he turned the corner of the road—he quitted the main avenue and struck into a little cross-country path running through a small patch of woodland, when he came to it— his grumbling ceased, and he walked along at a much better gait than before. After getting into the road he took particular care to be certain that he was not followed, as he evidently feared he would be. He stopped to listen every now and then, and on ove occasion—it was just after he entered upon the path—he took advantage of a clump of bushes to conceal bimselt for a good ten minutes, listening intently all the while, as though he ex- pected that some one was following upon his track, and he hoped by this device to outwit them, as he most certainly wouid have done iZ there had been a spy upon his heels, s cS wn Eomicboo , con ——- ‘ ig