Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 436 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

® _ ” a / ** Stop! vand { demand an a ‘* Insulted ye! You have insulted me, Rube Rittens, logy.” ow?” ‘* By saying I am not good enough for that | that respect now. ‘girl,” > ‘*T say so still; but, you’re welcome to yer own opinion about th’ matter. That’s my ’pology. You may come of a good family; that’s some- thin’ I don’t know anythin’ about; but if ye do ye’re no credit to it, that (ll vow. An’ now, if ye want ter knock old Rube down, don’t let his age stand in yer way. Ye’ll find that sixty years hev bardened his muscles instead o’ weak- enin’’em.” And standing erect, with his thumbs thrust under his belt, and his massive chest ex- panded, his appearance confirmed his words. Jared Kenneth evidently realized it, too, for his next words were less aggressive. ** Well, well, Rube,” he said, ‘‘ don’t let us quarrel, I asked you in here, and I was a little hasty in what I said. Let us drop that question for the present.” ‘*That’s all right,” Rube responded, “ but what's said, is said. I wanted ter drop th’ mat- ter at first, an’ ’m willin’ now; but it must be dropped fer good an’ all. I never want ter hear of it ag’in.” ‘* Rest assured, you shall not hear of it again from me, As you say—what is said is said, and so we'll let it stand. But, Rube, I’ve lately heard a little news in regard to that girl.” **‘ Heard news, have ye? Wal, what is it?’ “Why, I’ve heard that Blue-eyed Belle is not -your own child, but a nameless waif whom you found when she was an infant,” Old Rube’s face grew hard and stern, and in his eyes gleamed a dangerous light. ‘* An’ who told ye that?” he demanded. **Oh! it does not matter just how I heard it; I u-erely would like to know whether it is true or not. ‘* Well, an’ what if it is true? with it! what if it is true?” ‘* Well,” returned Kenneth, with a show of more courage than he felt, ‘‘ just this: I think you are straining a fine point when you say that J am not worthy of her, a nameless—” ‘*Stop right thar!” and Rube’s hand fell upon his shoulder with a mighty clutch. ‘‘ Say an- other word, an’ by heavens [ll wring yer neck! It won’t do fer you or any other man ter speak that way of Blue-eyed Belle in my hearin’, an’ don’t ye fergit it! It is true that I found her when she wur little, but she bears my name now, th’same as if she wur my own blood, an’ I’m heur to defend her wi’ a true father’s devotion. No matter where she kem from, she’s as pure as an angel, an’ she’s not fer you while old Rube kin lift a finger!” And flinging the superin- tendent away from him, the old man left the office at once, pale with suppressed rage. ‘*Curse him!” he muttered, as he strode away toward the town, ‘‘if I'd stayed thar a minute longer I'd knocked him stiff!” Jared Kenneth had grasped the railing tosave himself from falling, and as he glared after the old man he ground his teeth in rage, while his hand flew to a revolver in his hip pocket, as though he would like to drive a bullet through his heart. ‘*Not good enough for the girl, am I?’ he muttered. ‘* We'll see about that! Dll humble her pride for her, and yours, too, Rube Rittens. You have set yourself squarely in my path now, and you’ve got to be put out of it. Tl not let you stand long between me and such a prize. That girl shail be mine at any cost. ‘‘But for Colonel Dallas I would have dis- charged him long ago, for I plainly foresaw this ‘ruption between us; and why the colonel is so determined that he shall stay, is something I cannot understand. I once tried to lead the col- onel to discharge him, so that I might afterward work for his reinstatement, and thus gain his favor; but I soon found it would not work. The colonel has some interest in him, and his position is secure, ‘* It does not matter, though, for since I could not win the old rip’s favor I will accept him as an enemy, and deal with him accordingly. He shall pay for laying his hand upon me, and the girl shall be mine! ‘‘ Ah! here comes the colonel now.” A little later Colonel Damon Dallas entered ‘the office. He was about fifty years of age, of medium hight, bad clear, steel-like gray eyes, wore a full beard, and was passably good-looking. There was a certain something in his countenance, however, that was not calculated to beget con- fidence, though his name and social position were above reproac “Hello! Jared, what’s up? You look as though you had been having a set-to with some- body. Anything been going wrong?” ‘No, everything is all right, colonel. I’ve only bad a few words with one of the fore- men.” \ ‘* Not with Kube Rittens? I just met him a moment ago, as I came around the bend there, and I thought he seemed a little ex- cited » Come, now, out ** Well, yes, it was Rube; but it was of no account. Little jars will happen once in awhile,” “Has he been neglecting his work again? : 4 7 he — ee CO an sss 83]5s.3]885858 559858 LT sn LSM ttt Kentucky Jean. You know you mentioped him to me once in very unfavorable words.” ‘* No, it was not that. Rube is all right in It was a purely personal matter. But it was of no moment, and I am not sure but Rube got the best of the argument, | so we'll say no more about it, if you please.” “Ob! allright. I didn’t mean to be inquisi- tive, but thought Rube had been making trouble ! for you in some way.” **That’s all right, Colonel Dallas; say no more about it.” The conversation then turned upon the busi- ness of the mine, and for au hour the two men were busily engaged. At length the colonel rose, threw away a cigar he had nearly consumed, and was just on the point of turning to leave the office when there came a bright flash of light a short dis- tance from one of the windows, instantly fol- lowed by a sharp report, and a bullet came crashing through the window and buried itself in the opposite wall. Kenneth, too, was upon his feet at the mo- ment, standing close to the colonel, and the bul- yo? directly between them. ith a quickness born of experience in the wild West, both men sprung out of range, and both uttering an exclamation of surprise, drew their own weapons instantly. ‘Was it intended for you? or me?” the colonel queried. ‘*Give it up,” Kenneth returned, close call for either of us.” ‘* You're right! And now the question is— who fired that shot?” ‘* | would give something to know. It would be something worth while to know which of us it was intended for, too.” Several seconds passed, but nothing more was heard, and Jared Kenneth stepped to another window and looked out with caution. He was just in time. It was growing dark, but was still light enough for him to see objects quite distinctly, and on the opposite side of the yard in the rear of the office, and just disappear- ing through a small gate in the fence which in- closed the mine on that side, was a woman. ‘* By heavens! I’ll catch her!” and as he utter- ed the words the superintendent darted out the front door and ran swiftly to the corner of the fence, but when he reached there the woman had disappeared as completely as though the ground had opened and swallowed her. This was passing strange, for it did not seem possible that any one could get out of sight so suddenly; but she was not to he seen, and Jared returned to the office, his face not a little pale. ‘* Who was it?” the colonel asked, as he re- turned his revolver to his pocket. ‘* Who it was,” Kenneth answered, “I do not know; bu’ it was a woman.” ‘* A woman!” **'Yes,a woman, I caught sight of her just as she was disappearing through the gate, but when I reached the end of the fence she was not to be seen.” ‘*That is strange; where could she get out of sight so eee dl ‘ You'll have to ask me something easier than that, colonel.” ‘** Well, my boy, one thing is settled.” ** What is that?” ‘* The shot was fired at you.” ‘‘Atme? Whydo you think so? It came about as near calling you as me.” ‘*I know that; but, you see, there is no reason why any woman should desire to take my life.” enneth’s face flushed a little. ‘‘Nor do I know of any reason why one should want .to kill me,” he made reply. ‘I guess it is a ‘toss up’ between us, colonel.” ‘Well, it is no joke, and I’m going back to town. Are you going up?” Yes,” answered the superintendent, ‘ I am. Just wait a moment till [ lock up.” Taking care not to place himself in full view again, Kenneth secured the windows, and then he and Colonel Dallas — out of the office together and Kenneth locked the door. Then they turned their steps townward, each t.y- ing to keep close to the other, so that none but an expert marksman could have fired at one without danger of hitting the other; and they walked thus by unspoken but. mutual consent, Not knowing which the shot had been intended for led them to this measure of pre- caution; and thus each proved to the other his inquietude. ‘“‘Tt was a CHAPTER III. ANOTHER SHOT. : RvuBE RITTENS, meanwhile, had gonestraight ome, He occupied a small house on a quiet street and Dinah Bragg—‘ Aunt Dinah,” the colored woman to whom he had intrusted little Blue-eyed Belle on the night of her mysterious coming to Bended Bow, now acted as his housekeeper. In fact she had been his housekeeper for many years, Rube had early Jearned to love his little pro- tegee, and finding that she did not get all the care and attention he though she ought to have, i 3 —_ Aunt Dinah being busy at the wash-tub every day, he finally engaged the old ‘*mammy” to keep house for him and give the child her whole attention. When Belle began to walk and talk, Rube taught her to call him “‘ daddy,’ and the name rew so familiar that she still continued its use, Nor did she yet know that he was not her fa- ther. Three orfour years had passed ere she began to understand and inquire concerning her mother; and by that time many of those who had known of her finding in the canyon had drifted away, while in the minds of those who remained the circumstance was seldom re- called and never mentioned, there being plenty of other and newer topics, to claim attention and discussion. So, whenever the child questioned him about her mother, Rube’s reply was always the same—a vague explana- tion that she was dead, and there the matter rested. As the years rolled on and Belle grew older, Bended Bow was growing too, and at last the girl’s history was almost forgotten. Every- body spoke of her as ‘** Rube Rittens’s girl,” and the few who knew the secret could be counted upon one’s fingers. But the time had now come, as Rube plainly saw, when he musi tell the girl the truth. The secret being known to Jared Kenneth, it was bound to spread, and he resolved to tell her all. It would be better for her to hear it from his lips, than from another’s, ‘*Th’ rascal!” he muttered, as he neared home, *‘ I wonder who told him th’ story? Pll have ter prepare th’ leetle gal to hear it, now, fer he’ll spread it around. Poor little Blue- eyes! I wonder if she’ll think th’ same of old Rube then? If I thought she wouldn’t, by heavens I’d take her a hundred miles from. here this very night! But no, she loves Daddy Rube too well to think th’ less o’ him,” When Rube approached the house the door was flung suddenly open, and Blue-Eyed Belle sprung out to meet him. If a handsome young woman ever lived, it was she. She was beautiful in every sense of the word—beautiful alike in form, face and dis- position. She was surpassing fair, with wavy golden hair, flashing azure eyes, and features of the true Grecian type. Her form was fully de- Ma pa and she was a little above the medium ight. " Heigho, daddy!” she cried joyously, as she caught ‘hold of Rube’s arm, ‘‘you are a li late to-night. Aunt Dinah has been grumbling more than a little, too,” ‘*Can’t help it, Blue-eyes,” Rube responded, ‘*Pve been a little behind-hand all day, and just as I was comin’ away th’ super’ called me into th’ office, But I’m heur now, baby, an’ hungry enough I am, too.” ‘* Well, come to supper, then, for it’s all ready and waiting.” They entered the house, where Aunt Dinah was just pouring the tea, the fragrant odor of which was most inviting. ‘*Laws, Mars’ Rube!” the old woman cried; ‘*T done begin to think you forgot whar you oe! ! . Come, now, ‘fore everything done be stone cold. ‘* All right, auntie; jest let me wash a little, an’ then Pll be ready ter eat ye out o’ house an’ home.” : Aunt Dinah was now an old woman decided- ly. She was past seventy, and the greater share — household work had long since fallen to elle. Rube soon performed his ablutions, and then all sat down tothe humble but tempting meal. It was soon noticed that Rube was not in his usual frame of mind, and after a time Blue-eyed Belle asked: ‘* What are you thinking about, daddy? I de- clare you are as sober as a judge.” ‘*?’m a-thinkin’ bout you, baby,” the old miner answered. ‘* About me?” ss Yes. ” ‘* Well, ’m glad to know you do think about me, daddy; but, I can’t see why it should make you aren sosad. Have I been doing anything to displease?’ ‘* No, no, my gal, you’ve done nothin’; it’s all been done by others. Come, though, finish our supper, an’ then I'll tell ye all about it.” “Allright. Don’t think I’m going to let you forget, for ’m not.” After supper it was Rube’s custom to out for an hour or two, but on this Ate 0 he settled down to stay at home. He had little to say, but sat in thoughtful silence while Blue- eyed Belle and Aunt Dinah cleared the table and washed the dishes. When all was done, the girl drew up a chair close beside old Rube and said: ** Now, daddy, we’re ready to hear what it is makes you appear so unlike your usual self.” ‘Wal, my child, I'll tell ve all. I think Pd. orter told ye long ago, but [ couldn’t. I was arreta ye'd th th’ less o’? Daddy Rube if I ‘**'You have done no crime?” and as she mad the hasty inquiry, her face turned pale, ; ‘*No, my child,” Rube quickly ge he LR have done no wrong to any man, If all men TEOMIECDOOKS ? Vee,