Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 438 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

‘ 4 — ‘ness is bound up -—-— -—— —_—__—_—_—_— - — —— en Ee . Had Otelia revealed all that passed between | ax me ag’in to play your hand, fer I won't do it them during the darkness after the passing of | —an’ them’s words with the bark on!” the cyclone? He knew how close was the tie of | mpathy between the twins; knew how great | by the Ss the influence which each had over the other. And though he had spoken against the coming Perry Wright turned aside sufficiently to pass tide, and struck out briskly along the trail. If he remembered the anxious warning given him by his sister, he never betrayed that of Perry, he vastly preferred his company on | fact by a backward look, though he knew his that trip to any other. he had resolved to make an appeal to the brother to side with him in his love-suit. ‘* Tid ’Telie tell you what happened last night, while we were lost in the dark?” he abruptly asked, looking keenly into the face of his com- yanion, hoping to read the truth there before erry could school his features, in case he should have aught to conceal. His mind was instantly set at rest on that par- ticular point, for he could not mistake the blank, yet puzzled look which filled the honest face of the young giant; and he hurriedly added: ‘‘Tt wasn’t so much, after all, though ’'m afraid I did more harm than good to myself. You know—l’ve no secrets from you, lad!—how I feel toward ’Telie. You know that I’ve got the good word of both your father and your mother.” He ceased abruptly as he noticed a dark frown come into the face of Perry Wright. The voice of the young giant was hard and almost threat- ening as he spoke sharply: **An’ you crowded the poor girl then—when she was more'u half crazy ’bout us? It wasn’t white—it was mighty low-down in you, Nick Van Bibber!” ‘*[’m sorry you think so,” slowly returned the guide, his face averted for the moment, his voice unsteady as from strong emotion, ‘* Try to put yourself in my place, Perry. Try to think yourself as deeply in love as fam with ’Telie. Out there in the dark, in the storm, be- lieving all of her family destroyed by that hor- rible cyclune—feeling that she hal only you to lean upon, only you to guard and cherish her. Try to realize this, and then say if you wouldu’t have acted just as I did.” ° “ All the same, it wasn’t clean white,” was the dogged response. ‘I’m sorry for ib now, seeing how it’s turned out,” added Oklahoma Nick, abandoning that point as hopeless. ‘* I’m afraid Pve made it still harder to win her love—but [Pll win it, et!” me T ain’t so sure o’ that!” muttered Perry, his nund reverting to the warning which Otelia had given him. _ Surely that did not look over-bright for the handsome guide! And in his heart of hearts he was glad to feel this assurance, too, Oklahoma Nick gazed keenly into his face at this remark, but when he bad occasion, the young giant could be secretive enough for two. “What did "Telie have to say to you, back onder?” almost sharply demanded the guide, owning darkly, his 5 Ag blazing with mingled anger and anxiety. ‘It was something about me: I could teli that by the sy you both looked at me, more than once. ‘h at was it, ay? A “* Nothin’ that would please you over-well, so Ireckon it’s just as well to keep it quiet,” was the cool retort. Oklahoma Nick turned and stood squarely in the other’s path, his face pale, his voice full of strong emotion as he uttered: “Perry, don’t you turn against me—don’t, I beg of you! I know how "Telie listens to you: T know how ecasily you can bring her over to your way of thinking, when you set out in sober earnest. Try it for my sake, woa’t you? Tell her how I love her—how completely my happi- ) in her—how utterly wrecked I will be without her love! She will listen to you, even more than to her father or her mother. You can serve me well in this, if only you will. Say you'll try?” : Those binge es met his anxious orbs frankly, steadily, and Perry Wright listened without a word of interruption until the voice of the ide, grown hoarse and unsteady, ceased. hen he spoke, coldly, firmly: ‘Ef I could do all that, I wouldn’t make a try, Nick Van Bibber, an’ you’re wastin’ your breath in idle talk. I like you well enough as a man, but you ain’t good enough fer ’Lelie. I’ve told her so, many an’ many’s the time. Ill tell her so ag’in, ef needs be.” “You mean this, Perry?” ‘Every word of it,” was the sturdy reply. “I never did like you over well, even before you give the evidence that ree to put a death- mark ag’inst the name o’ Maurice North, an’—” ‘‘T was sworn to tell the truth; how could I ) ‘* An’ I’ve liked you still less ever sence that _ day,” steadily added the young giant. ‘* You’ve got the old folks on your side. They take a heap stock into you, but [’m glad ’Telie don’t. You ain’t good enough fer her, an’ you know that, st as wellasI do, Still, ber will is my law. don’t want her to marry you, an’ I never yit give you cause to think I did. I hope she'll find a better man some day. Still, as I said, her will is my law. Ef you kin win her love, Pll never gay a word to change her notion. But don’t you A ——— —— For one reason, because | blunt words must have cut deeply. Oklahoma Nick, dark-faced and dejected, fol- lowed hard in the footsteps of his mate. Neither broke the silence until several miles were bein crossed; then the guide hastened forward aad touched Perry on the arm. His face was pale and grave as the other looked into it, but his voice was clear and friendly as he spoke: ‘* You were right, and I was wrong, Perry. If I can’t win her love on my own merits, I don’t deserve it. Try and forget what I asked of you, and don’t lay up ugly feelings against a friend.” The young giant smiled gravely as he accepted the proffered hand and shook it cordially. ‘* Let it go at that, pa rd. Whule I cain’t saya word in your favor that way, I won’t stan’ in your way more’n I kin help. Her will is my law, an’ ef she k’n love you, yeu’re a brother to me. That’s the best I kin say just now, Nick.” ‘It’s enough, and I thank you for it, too!” with a hearty grip and brighter smile. ‘* With you neutral, I don’t despair of winning her; but with your influence against me, all the rest would go for naught. Once more—shake! Some fie. youll know how grateful I am to you, ad" On apparently the best of terms, the two young men pressed on along the trail, which led direct toward a slight rise in the level, the plain then stretching on as before, And hardly had the eyes of the young giant lifted above this rise, thun a sharp ejaculation broke from bis lips. But before he could give an explanation, Okla- homa Nick’ leaped past bim to see for himself wnat was in view. Far away, seemingly grazing at will, was a single horse, saddled and bridled, And the mo- ment the guide saw this he exclaimed in won- der: ‘It’s my nag—it’s Cherokee, for a thousand!” CHAPTER IX. THE END OF THE TRAIL, “Ir looks mighty like Cherokee, anyway!” muttered the young giant. ‘‘ But what’s he doin’ out yender alone? har’s the other critters? Whar be the durned thieves as run him off, “long o’ our horses?” Oklahoma Nick made no immediate response. He mechanically felt for the pair of field-glasses which he was accustomed to carrying at hisside, for the instant forgetting that they had been ruined when the wings of the cyclone hurled him from bis saddle the night before. His head was barely on a level with the grass, his eyes sweep- ing keenly about the spot where the single horse stood zing. ‘‘Tt’s Cherokee, safe enough,” he muttered, like one who gives unconscious utterance to the thoughts which are troubling his brain. ‘‘I did- n't think I could fool myself—bu. how is it? What’s he doing out yonder, without any one nigh?” ‘That’s mighty easy settled,” ejaculated Perry Wright, as he pushed past his companion, plainly with the purpose of taking the shortest course to sulve the mystery. ‘* Are you crazy, man?” ejaculated Oklahoma Nick, catching the young giant by tne arm and whirling him half way around with a force that, being so suddenly exerted, would not be denied. ‘Would you run your head into a trap like that?” ‘* How d’you know they’s any trap about it?” frowned Perry, but with a sudden flush coming into his honest face that spoke of awakening shame at his own impetuosity. ‘‘Of course I don’t know,” half-laughed the guide, still using his eyes to the best advantage. scanning every yard of space which he could command without too openly exposing his own head above the rather profuse grass which cov- ered the second ploteau. ‘Still it don’t look reasonable that those cunning rascals would leave a pretty fair plug like Cherokee behind like this. You can see that they took the trouble to saddle and bridle him. That looks as though one of the gang fancied him for riding even more than their own nags.” Perry Wright gave an impatient grunt. He cared little for what might have been; what was interested him far more, Oklahoma Nick laughed softly as he rightly interpreted this sound. ‘‘ Patience, pard; there’s time enough. Your father wouldn’t be in any such rush, if he was here in your place. He’d say to make sure of one point before trying another.” ‘*T ain’t grumblin’ at thetryin’; it’s the talkin’ it over so long,” grimly retorted the young giant, nodding bis head like one who feels he has suc- cessfully made a point. If Oklahoma Nick felt the prick, he showed no signs. Cool and deliberate as ever he searched the space before him, clearly resolved to take no unnecessary chances. ‘*We can easily make up a few minutes lost, when we see the way clear before us,” he mut- -~—- is ND tered, still in that half-unconscious tone. ‘ But if one of us gets a lead mine deposited in our system, how then?” With a snort of mingled anger and disgust, Perry Wright dropped to the ground, counter- Bari a sleepy yawn as he muttered: ‘*Wake me up when ye git ready to do some- thin’, won’t ye?” Despite its chestnutty flavor, this gibe proved quite effectual. Oklahoma Nick quit his futile ing, and dropping back a pace or two, drew is keen knife and began cutting bunches of the tallest grass near them, twisting it into a rude clump and drawing it over his head and face to his shoulders. As he used his fingers to make apertures through which he might make use of his eyes, he spoke shortly: ‘* You'll have action enough to keep you awake if what I more than half suspect is true, my lad! Just hold your impatience in check for a second longer, and I'll be ready to keep up my end of the whippletree!” He moved forward, lowered his grass-crowned head as he crept up the rise until the level was gained. Then, hidden beneath his verdant dis- guise, he keenly scrutinized the ground before them. The saddled horse was alone visible. Not another of its kind was near, and it seemed a foolish waste of time to hesitate longer before advancing to secure the unexpected prize. But Oklahoma Nick seemed to feel the respon- sibility that rested upon his shoulders, and took nothing for granted.. As he could tell from the spot where he lay, the horse was standing in rass amply tall enough to cover a man while ying down. And not only that, but within a few yards of the animal he noted a low, dense patch of scrubby bushes where a score of ene- mies might easily lie in ambush if necessary. Cautiously backing down from his position, he turned to Perry Wright and made known the result of bis observations. ‘*T don’t say they are there,” be concluded as he removed his disguise and fell to work cutting more grass, ‘* but I do say that they may be; and I’m not going to take any wild chances. If it’s a trap, 1 think I can unmask it without showing our own hands too plainly.” As he spoke he was rapidly arranging a grassy crown for his companion, fitting it to his head after a fashion that left bim the power to use his rifle without inconvenience. ‘‘Crawiup yonder, lad, and get a good ready,” he added, himself taking position a few yards to one side, ‘Ill give Cherokee a call, and if he’s simply astray, be sure he'll answer it quick enough, If he don’t come—well, we’ll see if we can’t take both him and the cunning devils who. think to use him as a bait to their trap. See?” ‘*1’]l do my part, never you fear,” was the quiet response as the young giant made read for work. ‘‘If the imps break cover, they hear something drop—now J tell you!” Each of the scouts had a tolerably fair view of the horse and its surroundings, thanks to the grass which disguised their own movements and with rifles ready for instant use, the signal was given. At that familiar whistle, Cherokee lifted his head with a short whimper, the picture of eager attention. Again—and the intelligent animal rushed forward—only to be brought up with a sharp pluck! One end of its trail-rope was fastened about its throat and the other led back to the scrubby bushes, as both of the scouts could now plainly distinguish. ‘That does settle it!” muttered Oklahoma Nick, in tones that were only lovd enough to reach the ears of his comrade. ‘ Look out for breakers, Perry! Ten to one the imps are straining their eyes for a shot!” ‘‘What’s the matter with givin’ ’em plain notice we're here, an’ on pure business?” quickly responded the young giant. ‘“‘ We kin rake that bit o’ bresh too easy! An’ I’m goin’ to do my share right now!” Witbout giving Oklahoma Nick time to a or dissent, Perry opened fire with bis Winches- ter, sending bullet after bullet through the little thicket, slightly shifting his aim with each swiftly succeeding shot, and only ceasirg when his magazine was quite «empty. Not a return shot was made, nor did a cry or a groan come from the thicket to tell of execu- tion other than cutting off stems and splintering stalks. And though Oklahoma Nick kept his weapon ready for a shot at the first sign of an enemy, he was not gratified. Eagerly the young giant peered threvgh the smoke of his own creation as he deftly refilled his magazine, but as he saw nothing, heard nothing, even his sanguine hopes cculd no lon- ger hold out. He felt ashamed of his own pre- cipitate action, though he tried to cover it with a careless laugh as he atime f sprung to bis. feet. flinging off his headdress Of grass, ‘Well, what of it? It saves time. anyway, an’ we kin spare a few ca’tridges better than we kin an hour!” ‘‘Cover, you crazy rascal!” cried Oklahoma Nick, sharply, himself leaping ferward as though to enforce his commands. ‘ There may be some of them still—” ‘‘ ll stir ’em out'then,” laughed Perry, strid. cS Eomicboo COr nn