Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 438 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

} _——_-- — -- -—_--_- —— - + Otelia shrunk from him as well as she was able under the circumstances, but it was in vain that she strove to free her hand. Now that he had taken the first plunge, Oklahoma Nick could not retreat. ‘‘ Why are you so cold—so unfair to me, dar- ling? Have I deserved to be scorned as you scorn my love? Am I so hideous—so evil? Sure- ly Iam not all bad, else your parents would not favor me as you must know they do favor me! Does their judgment go for naught with you?” ‘You are cruel—you are wicked to press me now, when I am half-distracted with fears for my folks!” panted Otelia, wresting her hand from his close grasp. ‘‘If you are a gentleman, say no more until I am more at liberty to answer you plainly!” A short, hard laugh broke from the lips of her escort as he kept close to her side despite her in- creased pace. ‘*Surely you are talking plain enough when you offer such a plea, ’Ielie! But I will not accept it. I will not believe there is no hope for me. My love for you is so intense that it must surely win its reward. Vll make you love me, darling!” ‘* You'll make me hate you, rather! Oh Nick, why do you press me so cruelly? Am I not suffering enough without you making it still worse? Think of poor father and mother! Each minute is an age of suffering to them while Iam absent! And without you to guide me, I could uever find my way through this darkness—through tbe coming storm!” ‘*T’'m taking you to them, straight as a string, °Telie.” ‘* But [ll have to make my way alone if you refuse to drop this miserable subject. Do not drive me to that, Nick; I ask it for the sake of those who love you only less than they love their own children,” There was a brief silence, during which the couple rode steadily on through the darkness; for now the threatening clouds had shut out the last glimmering of twilight. AJl about them was darkness, and it seemed impossible for one to make a straight course over that roadless plain. But Oklahoma Nick seemed wholly at ease so far as going astray was concerned, ith one hand on the rein of the horse ridden by the maiden, he pressed on as though following a regular turnpike, | ‘lecan’t give it up, ’Telie,” he said, after a considerabl@ pause, ‘* This suspense is killing me by inches, andeven the worst would be better than keeping on as I have for months past!” ‘* Then why not take the answer I have already given you, Mr. Van Bibber?” was the slow re- sponse, in a clearer, steadier tone than Otelia had been able to command before. ‘Surely I have spoken plain enough for you to understand my meaning?” : “Til not take it that way, ’Telie,” with a dogged sound in his voice that sent a little shiver through her frame. ‘‘ Sometimes | more than half believe that this love for you is driving me mad! Sometimes I fear it is turning my brain upside-down! I’ve tried_to smother my sion for you, but the more I try the fiercer it blazes up until—girl!” with almost savage in- tensity as he leaned across until she could feel his hot breath on her cheek. ‘‘ What if I should go mad—what if your scorn should turn me to a devil in human shape? What if I was to give way to the mad impulse that bids me take you in my arms and either win a pledge from you that you will be my wife, or crush you to death against my madly beating beart!” ith a cry of fear, the poor girl struck her horse with hand and foot, trying to dash away in the night—forgetting all else in her growing terror of this man who spoke so strangely. But Oklahoma Nick kept his grip on the reins, and quickly subdued the struggling horse. Still, this desperate effort to flee from him, served to bring back the reason that had well- nigh deserted him for the minute, and there was an almost piteous echo in his voice as he spoke again: — : ‘Forgive me, Miss Wright. I was mad, but I am sane enough now, I promise not to speak of my—on that subject again until you are safe with your family, For their suffering’s sake, I beg you to forgive, even if you cannot forget.” ‘““1t was cruel,” murmured Otelia, faintly, her trembling tones showing how severely she had suffered during those few minutes, “ T wil] try to forget—only take me to father and mother and brother.” _ ' Oklahoma Nick said no more as they rode steadily on through the darkness, He almost cursed himself for having given way so com- letely to his insane passion. He had stood little chance of winning before, but now he stood still less. It would be many along da before Otelia could forgive or forget the fright he had given her. The darkness grew more intense, and low, dis- tant rumblings told of a coming storm, There were no flashes of lightning visible, despite the thundering, but none who were out in that black night could doubt the steady approach of a storm. Not of the wild. destructive nature which had wrought so much pain and suffering and grief on the evening before, but a heavy rain-fall at the best. — ee we Oklahoma Nick. ee ae ee And then the first drops began to patter on the plain, growing more rapid with each minute, until the rain came down in sheets, Oklahoma Nick paused long enough to strip off his heavy hunting-shirt and wrap it closely about Otelia’s shoulders, despite her faint remonstrance; then po rode on at the same steady pace. 0 Otelia it seemed impossible for a human being to find his way through such a storm and in perfect darkness; but great as was her anxiety on this point, she dared not question her com- panion after what had passed between them. She feared to speak, lest that mad, reckless pas- sion should again burst its frail barriers. Even suspense was far preferable to that! And on his part Oklahoma Nick was content to maintain silence. He had ample food for thought. After that first blinding shower the storm moderated, though the rain fell liberally still. But it came gently, steadily, free from wind, and was not very chilling. Had their minds been at ease on other points, neither of the night-travelers would have felt actually uncom- fortable, though saturated to the skin long ago, Steadily on through the night, Oklahoma Nick guiding both animals without showing the least sign of growing bewildered by the intense sigeet which surrounded them. It wasas though e was kept from straying by some subtle in- stinct which was more animal than human. And as the time wore on, Otelia gradually we more composed. She fully believed what klahoma Nick had told her about the return of her twin-brother to camp, and she felt that, hours ago, Perry had set her parents free from bondage. Only for her absence, they would be comparatively happy. For what was the loss of their i in comparison with what remain- ed? They were alive, unharmed, together: for already she felt that they must be close to the timber island from whence Jerry Viggles had carried her, a senseless burden before him. It seemed as though Oklahoma Nick possessed the power of reading her thoughts, for even as this reflection passed through her brain, he spoke out calmly: ‘* We are almost home, Miss Wright, though you can see nothing of a fire as yet. That is on the other side of the timber.” ‘* And you brought me safely here—I owe it all to you, Mr. Van Bibber!” murmured the maiden, hardly knowing how so ft, how remorse ful her tones were. ‘It is simply the duty I owe you, as one of- the party I undertook to guide safely to a new home, Miss Wright,” quietly, coldly added the guide. ‘I deserve no thanks; least of all from you !” There was a slight unsteadiness in his tones as he added the last few words, that sent a thrill of compassion through the maiden. What a pity he had not always used that tone and man- ner toward her! For she was a woman, and therefore to be won, if approached in the right manner. Otelia said no more, for that faint unsteadi- ness in his voice was a warning she dared not ignore even then, when her weary journey was so near anend. And then—she was so eagerly straining her eyes for the first glimpse of the firelight—for the first sight of her dear ones from whom she had been so cruelly separated. ‘* Look!” suddenly exclaimed Oklahoma Nick, as a lurid flash was for an instant visible through the darkness directly before them. ‘There is the fire as I prophesied! In five min- utes more, you will have forgotten all your troubles!” Otelia tried to lift her voice in a glad shout, but it died away in her throat. She reeled in her saddle, and would have fallen to the ground but for the ready i ig lent her by Oklahoma Nick. And as he spoke she gasped an assent: ‘** Call—let them know—” ‘* Hello, the camp!” cried the guide, his voice floating clearly over the plain. ‘‘Saved! I’ve got her—safe and sound!” There was a brief silence during which their horses dashed on at speed, and then Otelia heard a reply of some sort: the words she was unable to haa her poor heart was fluttering so wildly. ‘*They don’t understand what I said,” laughed the guide, ‘* but l’ll soon settle all that! e’re coming—’Telie and Oklahoma Nick!” Loud and distinct he shouted the names, and Otelia heard excited cries from the now near timber. She laughed and sobbed as she pictured the glad meeting. Sbe leaned far forward as though to outspeed her good horse. And then —they dashed around the timber, drawing rein in a circle of firelight. But—a wild, wailing ( broke from her lips as she realized the frightful truth—as she recognized the tall form of Jack Howgood, instead of her father or brother! And her senses fled as she slipped heavily from the saddle. CHAPTER XV. THE STORY OF MAURICE NORTH. THROUGH the rest of that day, there was little talk between Henry Hornkohl and Boomer Balt, and a close observer might have come to the 23 opinion that neither of the twain was very anxious to enter into close communion. Neither manappeared wholly at ease under the watchful eyes of the other, though Boomer Balt appeared to find the situation rather comi- cal than otherwise. If not, why his frequent grins and chuckles and knowing wags of his snow-white head? And why should these be the most violent just after his catching Henry Hornkohl gazing keenly though covertly into his rosy face? Briskly the party rode on until the shades of evening began to descend, and the gathering clouds to warn them of a storm wir aerate. but thoroughly as the scouts had performed the omy. assigned them, as yet they had discovered nothing. “Et they was a trail, the twister wiped it clean out,” volunteered Boomer Balt as the party went into camp for the night, seeking the partial shelter afforded by the hills, though not entering the broken ground far enough to lose sight entirely of the plain. ‘‘ Ef the twister didn’t, then the rain did!” “ If alive we'll find them; it’s only a question of time and patience,” philosophically observed Hen Hornkohl. If the old guide was not in an unusually bigh good-humor that evening, then he played his part to perfection. He cooked the supper of his employer, as in duty bound, but then slipped away to share that of the four scouts, who also ate separate from the six soldiers. And with his quaint sallies, his jokes and his brisk yarns, Boomer Balt kept the little circle in a roar pretty much all of the time. But Henry Hornkohl only smiled quietly, like one who can see below the surface as true as the best. He knew that Boomer Balt had not for- gotten the words that passed between them while saddling up for the afternoon ride. Knew that the cunning old rascal was playing to stave off the explanation his employer declared his intention to ask and receive. He waited and watched until the scouts finished their meal. Though Boomer Balt man- aged to greatly protract this, he was not able to keep it up through the entire night, and then Henry Hornkohl mana to intercept one of his uneasy glances, lifting a finger and beck- oning for him to approach. A cold smile curled his lips as Boomer Balt hesitated. He beckoned again, and the guide slowly responded. “Yours truly, boss! stories high, or—” ‘*One story will be quite enough, Balt, if you use a little truth with your cement,” smiled the detective, a gleam of white below his brown mustache, ‘* Brown-stone front an’ marble trimmin’s? Hurricane deck up atween the smoke-stacks, an’ a cornish o’ little devils jumpin’ over the garden wall? Inside a canopy-top o’ pink silk an’ white lace, with a patent ‘tachment for fannin’ out the ‘skeeters an’ bud-begs? Anythin’, boss. Don’t be a bit bashful *bout seein’ what ye ax fer! I kin rig you out this way jest as easy as I kin pitch yea tent when I hain’t got none —Lord, yaas!’ ‘* Your tongue is limbered up enough for m purpose, Balt; so suppose you get down to busi- ness?” coolly retorted the detective, leaning back against the rock beneath whose overhanging top he had eaten his supper. ‘*Mebbe I kin manidge a brush shack, though I won’t warrant it to hold water—hold it out, I should say,” murmured the guide, one hand thoughtfully tugging at his snow-white beard, a far-away, ruminating look in his great eyes. ‘** Maybe youcan manage to sit down here and tell me just what you were a la to get through you to-day, with your hints of Maurice North, and your nods and winks and other ridi- culous antics. gba old fellow! I mean pure business, now! You wormed the truth out of ne . Will it be six or seven me, and turn about is fair play. Pie do you Oo try to couple me with Maurice ** Jest to be doin’ somethin’, I reckon,” grinned the guide as he surrendered pncondision squatting down before the detective. ‘ Jest to contrairy,mebbe. I’m the dummest critter that way Oh ‘**'You’re not near such a fool as you look, Uncle Balt,” laughingly cut in the other. “If I was asked to give an opinion, I'd say you were much more knave than idiot!” ** Like enough, pard,” with an owlish nod. “I don’t know a man that’d ought to be a better jedge then you.” eory Hornkobl laughed softly at this left- handed compliment, but then his face and voice grew grave and earnest as he added: ‘A truce to idle fencing, old fellow. I want to have an earnest talk with you, which ma turn out all the better for us both. But first te me all you know about this Maurice North.” ‘** All J know, or all you know?’ with a pecul- iar smile. ; “What I know wouldn't make a v big book, Balt,” with a careless yawn behind one hand. ‘I know that Maurice North was ac- cused of murdering somebody up there in Ne- braska. I know that he got off some way witb- out being hanged for the c'ime. I know, too, that both Oklahoma Nick and the daughter of Eomichbooks f — . ‘cor re 6 ¢