Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 455 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

be Yank Yellowbird. — a ee After supper, he called at the humble home of ! It was noticeable that | Miss Hannah Kitchen. Circumstances had necessitated haste, Jobn had seen the girl and proposed just after Miss Kitchen was becoming a person of prom- | the runaway, and the secret wedding had been inence, considering that she was only ‘ta lone | the outgrowth of what she then told him. woman,” as she expressed it. Originally noted | Cecil Montclair had been annoying her with only for her skill in laundry work, she was now | attentions, and Langleigh had tbe same as or- a leading feature in three things. The first of | dered her to receive them encouragingly and, in these was the secret meeting of Imogene and | due time, become the wife of the hotel-keeper. Blacklock Ben at her house: the second was her | | attempt to borrow a frying-pan of Yank Yel- lowbird; and now John Kirk was making a call on her. That John had been fascinated by her charms does not appear—possibly he wanted a quiet place to pass an hour or so. Miss Kitchen’s house was a quiet place. True, when Julian Morincy, the young telegraph operator, came | to town he had engaged room and board with | her, but he had gone away again to await the completion of the telegraph line. Kirk’s visit was not a long one. ‘came out and returned to his own boarding- house, At this place he remained until midnight; ‘then he left the house in a secret way and pass- ed to the other side of the village. He paused near Nelson Langleigh’s house, fixed his atten- tion thereupon, and proceeded to wait with ill- ‘concealed impatience. Ten minutes passed; then a female figure came silently out of the house and joined him. It was Imogene! Their meeting was lover-like, but brief. Almost without delay they moved quickly away, and began a secret circle of the limits of the Vilage—a journey which ultimately brought them to the door of Hannah Kitchen’s house. The mystery deepened; what was to be the next act in the drama? CHAPTER XIX. ONE TOO MANY IN THE SECRET. Kirk knocked at the door in a peculiar way; it was promptly opened by Hannah Kitchen; and thea the young couple passed inside and the hostess locked the door behind them. They were then ushered into the best room of which the house could boast, and given chairs, “Hasn't Mr. Brainard come?” John anxious- ly asked. ‘““Oh! yes; he is in the other room, an’ eatin’ a light supper I set out for bim. He'll be here soon, You're lookin’ sweet, Miss Langleigh!” Imogene smiled slightly, but did not reply. Her expression had been thoughtful and grave, and it was plain that matters of importance oc- cupied her mind. ‘Such occasions,” continued Miss Kitchen, “are fraught with tender interest; they stir One’s inner bein’ as the tumultuous cyclone Sways the timid mountain trees. I can feel for @ sister-woman!” The speaker pressed both hands over her He soon | Imogene said little, but all her nature rebelled, She loved Kirk; she disliked and feared Mont- clair. The lesson of obedience to parental authority had almost been an unknown thing in her life; if ever presented to her, it had been sternly. She did not remember her motaer, and Nelson Langleigh had never ruled her by the power of love, Shs had grown to maturity like one isolated from her fellow-creatures. Deprived of parental love; deprived of a sympathizing friend to whom to carry her troubles; deprived of one in whom she could confide—what wonder that she had grown to womanhood with the firm conviction that, toher, her own interests were paramount to all else? ‘* There is one way by which you can escape Montclair’s persecution,” said John Kirk, when she confided in him. “Marry me, and you can defy him.” ‘* At once?” she had asked. It was a more headlong step than his cautious nature would have thought best, but what else could he say with the eyes of the woman he loved looking into his own? ‘* At once!” he replied. ‘* It is best so,” added Imogene. She had asked that it be a secret marriage, Here, again, his conservative nature was in silent opposition, but he urged, rather than o »0sed, the step. Imogene had said that she ad reasons for secrecy which she could only reveal later. He hardly gave a thought to this; he believed it only one of those little mysteries all women like to weave about trivial matters. For once, at least, his perspicacity failed him; Imogene had a reason—a secret—whLich might astonish him—if nothing worse—when he heard it. And on this evening they were about to take that irrevocable step which would direct their future destiny. Miss Kitchen evidently knew about what the extent of a clergyman’s appetite was, and, re- marking that Mr. Brainard had probably finish- ed supper, she went to the nextroom. She al- most immediately returned accompanied by the reverend gentleman and one Alfred Mason, a friend of Kirk’s, and he who was to be a witness with Miss Kitchen of the ceremony. Mr. Brainard preached at Red Rock, and being little acquainted at Medicine Springs, had no reason to know that this marriage was to be a secret one. He was a large, jovial man; one no one would ever have taken for a minister by his +a aoe ea heart and sighed deeply. : ance; and he now felt called upon to m ‘“‘Matrimony,” she added, ‘‘is a serious step | few good-humored remarks before doing his to take, but what woman would not willin’ly | work. a hero an’ dare all!” ' John and Imegene merely tolerated these re- “We expect that you will be the next in| marks, but Miss Kitchen observed to Mr. Mason order, Miss Kitchen,” observed John, with a| that it was very affecting; and as she recollect- grave smile. ed that this same clergyman might some time The lady at once became confused. unite her and Yank Yellowbird for life, her “Mr. Kirk, what have you heerd?” she asked, | inner being became turbulent again and she had with evident agitation. to press her hands over her heart. ** What have [ heard?” e ceremony began. ** Yes.” Imogene was outwardly calm, but her mind **T don’t understand.” was in confusion. Some day she would be ob- “Are there—that is, can it be there are any | li to tell John Kirk the secret of her life. rumors flying about me ?” ow would it be received? The slightest ible trace of amusement a For one moment she faltered, and Kirk look- red in Kirk’s eyes as he comprehended, at | ing into her eyes, saw a startled expression , there. He thought it natural, and it was quick- “Nothing definite, Miss Kitchen, but there are | ly gone. rumors about us all.” ; Sir. Brainard neared the close of the cere- Hannah showed more confusion than ever, but | mony, and his voice rung out sonorously. managed to rally. : ‘*] pronounce you man and wife,” he said ‘Let us change the subject,” she said, “ Miss | and, just then, a Slight sound at one sid2 caused Imogene, I congratulate you from the depths of | him to turn. my inner bein’, but, really, don’t you think Lang-| An uninvited witness met his gaze. le ph is a more romantic name than Kirk?” The parlor door had been opened, and on the ogene. being well aware of Miss Kitchen’s | threshold stood a person who looked in wonder fancy for romance, made a suitable reply, and | at the scene. then the elder lady seemed to be struggling with | It was Julian Morincy, the French telegraph some other matter of importance. It finally | operator! tn found vent in words: Imogene gave a faint cry, and matters came ‘Do you think, Miss Imogene, that Canary is | toa standstill Every one of the original party a romantic name?” except the minister understood that this inter- * vy so,” was the reply, though Imo- | ruption was untimely, to say the least, and that gene was so little interested that she even failed | danger was henceforth to be expected—perhaps to wonder what the question meant. trouble, Miss Kitchen once more placed her handsover | * The bride gazed at Morincy in silent conster- her heart, as though her “inner being” was | nation. She had seen him once before; she again agitated. knew him to be her father’s employee. ‘She is very grave,” the maiden lady thought; It was a most unfortunate interruption. ** the dear child has certainly heard the rumors On his own part, ae quickly recovered © which Mr. Kirk spoke. I think swrethat Mr. | his self-possession and bowed politely. Yellowbird understood about the fryin’-pan, an’; ‘I beg pardon,” he said, with his slight French has mentioned his intentions. I only hope he is | accent. ‘1 did not intend to intrude; I was willin’ to change his name to Canary!” not awaré that any one was here. Had I known _ Wholly unconscious of her meditations, Imo- | I should not!have wished to—interrupt such an gene and Kirk devoted their thoughts to their ble event!” own affairs. Before they left the house it was eons that the girl would be John Kirk’s wife, This would be a great step forward from the state of affairs the day when Miss Langleigh’s horse ran away, And he bowed again very blandly. ‘* Land sakes alive!” ejaculated Miss Kitchen, ** how did vou git in here?’ ‘‘ With the key you gave me, to be sure. I have just returned from Red Rock, and came * * . f * ty, — _' b - ett 8 , ; J ; ;* (we 7 i fg a” Ve oe | "et Pay a A» AL? nA oe ». | ~ P >. “ . 4 i * . WY I believe I engaged lodgings of here at once, you!” “Oh! certain, certain! I don’t dispute that, but you come rather—a little ontimely.” ‘** Believe me,” returned the young French- man, ‘I am sorry to have interrupted, but I never thought of a wedding here, Iwill at once withdraw to my room, only pausing to wish joy to the happy pair.” | Very polite and bland was his manner, but as his gaze wandered to Imogene, she felt that it was more than a casual survey; there was in it something secret, and, she really thought, threatening, and a shiver passed over her. Morincy was about to withdraw, but John Kirk, whose forehead had been contracted in a troubled frown, now addressed him: ‘* Excuse me, Mr. Morincy, but will you re- turn here at the end of ten or fifteen minutes?” ‘* Tf you wish, monsieur.” ‘* Such is my wish.” “Then I will return.” He bowed deeply and withdrew, leaving the principal parties to the ceremony ina bewildered and startled frame of mind. “This is very unfortunate!” said Kirk, gravely. “He will betray ‘He is my father’s him all,” ‘*This must be prevented,” John firmly said. ‘*T will talk with this Frenchman, and if he isa decent man, I may be able to pledge him to si- lence.” ‘*He looked at mein a way which made me shiver,” asserted Imogene, nervously. ‘‘It may have been chance—curiosizy.” ‘*{ feel that it was more, and I argue the worst from this interruption. Something tells me that man is treacherous; that he is not one to be trusted.” ‘* Really, my friends, I do not understand this at all,” said the minister. ‘Is this a secret us!” exclaimed Imogene. employee, and he will tell marriage?” ne explained all to him then, as John had intended to do anyway after the ceremony. If the idea of a secret union troubled Brainard, he did not say so; he treated the matter in his usual light-hearted way, and promised to do his share toward keeping the matter quiet. It was too late to retract, anyway, and when, some- what later, Julian Morincy was heard coming down the stairs, Imogene had her certificate duly filled out, and was as irrevocably John Kirk’s wife as though the ceremony had been performed in the grandest church of the coun- try. ibhiog knocked ceremoniously ; was admitted by Miss Kitchen; and came in smiling in a friendly way. “Just a few moments with you,” he said, sey A ‘*T am weary after my ride from Rock; besides, I am myself a confirmed bachelor,” . Mr. Brainard smiled grimly at the idea of a confirmed bachelor whose first mustache was stil a feeble pioneer, but Morincy’s gaze wandered to the bride again, and once more she shivered. ‘*T take it that you know me, Morincy,” said John, bluffly. ‘Yes, monsieur; I do.” “ We both serve Nelson Langleigh.” : ‘* True, Mr, Kirk.” **Do you also know this lady?” a Frenchman bowed even lower than usual. ‘*T have seen her before—-only that. She is Miss Langleigh; at least, that was ber name a short time ago.” The idea seemed to amuse him, and he smiled — more than ever, but Imogene felt her suspicions increase “There is something secret and hidden back _ heart, of this,” she thought, with a sinkin ‘Julian Morincy is a man to be feared! CHAPTER XX, A TRAP FOR BUCKINGHAM. John Kirk steadily pursued the subject of — ( conversation. “Do you understand the full meaning of what — you _— seen here to-night?” he asked. answered. quietly. ‘* That is just what it is.” “Such things are common, monsieur.” ‘* Having been secretly consummated, we are anxious to eep it secret,” Kirk continued. * Naturally. “You have, by accident, become a pa to the secret. May I ask os what you t your duty in the case? I secret you will win our undying gratitude. Will that weigh as heavily with you as the fact that Nelson Langleigh is your employer?” Morincy smiled quietly. “Mr. Langleigh,” he answered, ‘‘ engaged me to act as a telegrapher, not to take part in his private affairs.” ‘*Am I to understand from that, that to keep our secret?” ‘*Exactly. I am no spy for anybody, mon- sieur, and J regard mvself bound to Mr. Langleigh only by the terms of our contract. I (E comic KS.¢C you dl rr. j sty rs to be a secret marriage,” Morincy ; you will keep our — oh -} a + . . . = >» @ 7 ot (@) <=