Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 488 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

SO eS eg SM —— _— be to lend her his support, only to be motioned back by that little white hand, as itsowner drew her lithe, rounded figure erect unaided. ‘‘ No, dear sir,” she uttered, and faint though her voice seemed to nearly every one within its compass, it was remarkable how clearly each word was made out on the street. ‘* You are kind, but—I must learn to depend on myself now.” It was simply the perfection of acting, and even those who were behind the curtain felt strangely impressed as they watched and list- ened. Surely the poor, bereaved creature must feel something of what she so truthfully con- veyed to the minds of others? Judd Varley stood with bowed head before her, only the low flight of steps between them. And his voice was plainly unsteady as he said: ‘‘T have done your bidding, Miss Tempest, to the best of my poor ability. I have told these gentlemen—” “Oh, how they must hate and execrate even my name!” almost wailed the young woman, wringing her hands as they rose almost in a praying position, her pallid face betraying pain, grief and meek humility. Judd Varley flashed a fiery glance over his shoulder, one hand mechanically moving to his hip where hung his faithful weapon, as though he asked nothing better than to clap eyes on mortal cruel and base enough to cast a slur in the direction of this noble creature. ** ven you—even you avert your face from— nay!” with a sudden alteration of tone and manner, drawing her lithe, graceful figure proudly erect as one hand checked the confused pretest which leaped to his lips at this miscon- struction. ‘Do not say it—do not add to the burning shame and heart-broken pain I am now suffering—do not perjure yourself in your gener- osity, but—” As though moved by an pat Soa beyond her power to resist, Queen Esther brushed past the tall gambler and sprue upon the box, her dark eyes reflecting back the fire-light, twin spots of hectic leaping into her pale cheeks, With one arm extended in a gesture which was command- ing and supplicatory at one and the same time, she passionately cried: ‘*As high Heaven records my words, gentle- men, I have had no willing share in this sad and sinful business! I never fer even a moment suspected that my—my father, was or could be other than the truest, purest, most honorable of all living men! If f had—” ‘‘We would not believe it, even from your own lips, Miss Tempest,” calmly interposed Varley, as her voice suddenly choked. He strode forward as he uttered the words and stood close beside the box, facing the silent, awed gathering. His right hand gripped the butt of a revolver. His face was white and hard-set, his eyes seeming like balls of fire as they roved restlessly over those faces, But his voice was soft and gravely respectful as he added: “Tf you must speak, Miss Tempest, all will and respectfu ROSTAng. [ hey afford you a silen have told them all, as I promised you. know that not even the shadow of wrong-doing attaches to you.” ‘*‘ And yet—he was my father!” piteously came the words. ‘‘ He was so kind, so loving, so thoughtful, so generous—with stolen. money, as Tam now to hear for the first time!” her man- ner again changing with that bewilderin abruptness, ‘‘Is it not so? Is not that the re meaning of the title you gave him? Does not ‘the Big Bracer’ mean that?” ‘‘Tt was only a figure of speech, ma’am, and ought not to worry you in the least,” stammer- ed Judd Varley, seeming all taken aback. ‘So you told me before, but—” turning again to the crowd in front, to add: ‘‘ Tell me, some one of you—you, if you please, sir!” and her finger indicated the grizzled rascal who had given the signal from the stage to let the spy in the tree-top know that their game was aboard, Grizzly shuffled uneasily from one foot to the other, scratching his head as he dubiously eyed the tall gambler and his weapon, ‘You hear? Do asthe lady bids, can’t you?” sharply uttered the sport, reading this look aright. BS Waal, Pll do the best I know how, mum, ef they ain’t no slicker jaw at your sarvice than mine; but Pm mighty dub’us you'll hardly—” “To the point, you idiot!” growled Vasisy, menacingly. ; , ‘*A brace game is a skin game, mum, an’ runs flat ag’inst what we call a squar’ game, Means spring-box in faro, with sech side dishes as strippers, rounds, pri sand-ers, odd keerd, an’ a dozen other bank tricks like them, An’ the man that runs sech a combination is called ‘runnin’ a brace.’ Which kin be Wiled down like this: brace, bracer, big bracer, bracer-on-wheels; Big Bracer!” Almost startlingly pale, save for those twin red spots on her cheeks, ‘‘Olive Tempest” listened to this glib sag Pens a which was no doubt much clearer to her trained brain than it would have been to the real heiress whose name and identity she had so daringly stolen. And . The Thoroughbred Sport. — 23 for a single breath the truth thus conveyed seemed to crush her under its weight of shame and humiliation. Her head bowed, her tightly clasped hands rose tremblingly to her bosom for a moment, then covered her face as though to hide from all curious eyes a daughter’s pure blushes for a parent’s shame, ° ‘The leddy made me say it, boss!” whimper- ed Grizzly, shrinking from that dangerous glow in the gambler’s gray eyes. “‘T know—or l’d have clipped your tongue with a bullet before you got half through! And you, men of Silver Lode!” his tones ringing out in clear, cold, yet burning resolution, “ From this time on I’m backing Miss Tempest. Auy word, look, act that can bring her pain, will be promptly avenzed by me. You know me, gen- tlemen, and you can fill out this skeleton speech at your leisure!” “And I, gentlemen—I beg of you to believe me when I say that just as I was innocent of wrong, so I swear to make all the amends that lies in my power!” cried the false heiress, with another of her swift changes. ‘‘I ask no de- fenders, for I mean to act so honestly that not even the lowest-minded among all within sound of my voice this evening can find cause or ex- cuse for a single sneer or slur!” ‘‘We know that, Miss Tempest,” gravely, gently interposed Varley, who seemed desirous of ending the scene ‘without further delay. “There is not a soul in all Silver Lode but what has or will have implicit faith in your sincerity; as for doubting your perfect inno- cence, | can assure .you that has never once entered into the most suspicious mind, And now—this is trying your strength too severely, Permit me—” ‘‘ Not yet—I cannot—I must make my posi- tion perfectly clear, while I have time and strength! Heaven knows if—if another day will find me alive or—sane!” An involuntary shiver ran through the gath- ering at that conclusion, It seemed so likely! And more than one then present began to won- der if, indeed, that dread calamity had not already overtaken the poor, heart-broken daugh- ter of Big Bracer! With a visible struggle against her powerful emotions, the young woman seemed to gaina temporary victory, and as though fearing for her own strength, she spoke rani ‘¢ Never once did I even dream that there was any taint of crime or wrong on the name I bear, gentlemen! Even yet I can hardly believe what I so sadly fear is the bitter, black, shame- ful truth! Even now I would hurl the terrible accusations into the face of those who dared to utter them, only—only for the truly merciful firmness with which this gentleman—may heaven reward him for his services, for [, a par weak, broken-hearted orphan can never ops to do-so!” er right hand gently rested on the bowed head of Judd Varley as she brokenly, huskily uttered those words, And, as if unconsciously, her hand remained there while she added: **Only for him I would never have believed my poor father could have fallen solow! Only for him, I fear I would never have found the strength to speak to you all as I am now trying to speak. ‘‘Tt was allso sudden, so utterly unexpected! When his kind, loving letter reached me, ask- ing me to part with my good friends there in my far Eastern home and husten to join him— how was I todream of the heart-sickening re- velations which awaited me? If I had never escaped from that frightful wreckt If death had forever sealed my eyes, then!” ‘* Business—don’t pile it on too thick!” mut- tered Varley, barely loud enough for her trained ears to decipher his ae ‘* And yet—why should I say that?” drawing her bowed figure proudly erect, her dark eyes flashing vividly, her tones clear and distinct. **T should be thankful that I am still alive, if only that I may clear the name I bear from all stain—and I am glad! ‘* Gentlemen—men of Silver Lode! J ask your kind assistance in doing this. I beg of you to aid me as far as lies in your power. ask you to elect one of your number to serve as the representative of all those who can bring even the shadow of a claim against my father. Mr, Varley has consented to act as my representa- tive. He can consult with the man of your choice, and fix on a third member to complete the trustees. Then—when I have sold all the property left by the man you have known as the Big Bracer, Ill discharge every claim pro- nounced just by those three gentlemen!” ‘*Whav's the matter with Bark Matson fer choice?” cried out a ready henchman, to have his words caught up and spread through the ride by his partners, according to instruc- ons. **T do not know the gentleman you name, but I accept him as your legal representative, men of Silver Lode!” promptly cried the false heir- ess, giving no time for another nomination, which might seriously interfere with their hid- den plans. “‘And now—if I have made clear my sincere wish to—to make what amends—for a—ny— EL - re | — . ’ ’ €. of. Her voice grew choked, one hand rose to her throat as though to relieve a sickening suffoca- tion, and her lithe, graceful figure swayed diz- zily on the improvised rostrum, “ Keep back!” thundered Judd Varley, as the crowd began to surge forward to lend their aid, His strong arms received the apparently fainting form, and carrying his fair burden with as much seeming ease as though only a feather-weight, the tall gambler passed up the broad steps to the door of the hotel. Here. with a faint, hysterical laugh, the cun- ning actress freed herself, pausing to wave one white hahd toward the completely captivated crowd, then lifting the right hand of the gam- bler to ber lips with a pretty air of devotion, for it seemed more than mere thankfulness! A wild cheer went up from the gathering at this touching tableau, and under its cover Queen Esther hastily muttered: ‘‘ Clinch the nail started by the boys right off, honey! If wecan make them believe Bark 1s their real choice, the whole game is in our own hands, and good as won!” ‘Pll do my level best, be sure, little woman!” laughed Varley, in turn bowing over ber hand. This she quickly withdrew, then passed from view of the cheering crowd into the dark pass- age leading to the second story. She tripped lightly up the flight, secure from observation as she knew, and gained the chamber arg, her. Entering, she struck a match and lit a lamp, starting back with a gasping cry as she — caught sight of Hart Oakes leaning easily on the foot-rail of the narrow bed! CHAPTER XXVIII. 7 5 | PLAIN LANGUAGE FROM HEART 0’ OAK. i: ‘“ EVENING, ma’am! Do you know, you’re a ae sight prettier than I had any idea of, when I saw you last?’ If so, the Thoroughbred Sport must have formed a very unfavorable opinion of ber facial charms on the occasion so coolly alluded to, for aang Esther was anything but a beauty just en. The wholly unexpected appearance drove — every drop of blood from her face, leaving it — actually ghastly in its sickening pallor. Her age seemed doubled in an instant. There were wrinkles in her face, and crows’ feet about her eyes. Even her lithely-rounded figure seemed to shrink and lose its youthful perfection. ‘*'You—here—” she gasped, hoarsely, one hand © rising to her bosom as though in quest of a — deadly weapon as she shrunk away from that recklessly smiling fellow. ‘‘ Here—in your chamber, my dear,” purred — the sport, making no effort to check her hand, though he must have divined the impulse which ; moved it, ‘* What a commotion it would make if an bla should happen to betray the fact that I was here—say, through your invitation !” It was a risky play, but the thoroughbred had made no error in his Judean That “% hand faltered, the woman shrunk still further away. ; op never—what do you mean?” she faltered, in low, husky tones, ‘To have a finger in the rich pie, or kick over the dish for good and all, my sweetness,” — was the cool response. ‘If you’d rather starve than to see me have a bite, just sound your © ae for the company below, and call it a — ‘‘T—I don’t understand your meaning, sir,” she faltered. Never before in all her life had she felt sout- pop unnerved asin this emergency. It came _ so close upon what she had considered a complete and final victory. And now— ae Her bewildered brain began to work again, — and she fancied she saw a way through this — fresh tangle. Yet, shaken as were her nerves, the managed to avoid betraying her changeof base, too abruptly. AF The deliberate moves of the sport gaveher — time enough for this, though he was probably ignorant of the chance he was allowing to slip through his fingers, - He moved out from the narrow space atthe — foot of the bed, taking the one chair which — the chamber afforded, nodding airily toward — the couch as he purred softly: - ‘“‘T beg of you don’t stand on ceremony, my BS yy dear. Pray be seated, and I will try to en- | lighten your dulled comprehension, ' You have — nothing to fear from me—as long as you treat me white!” t . With a little gasp she sunk on the edge of the _ bed, passing a trembling hand across her eyes _ as though unable to comprehend what they only too plainly revealed. i ‘‘T do not—wuy do you treat me thus?” a sud- — den touch of indignation coming into her voice, though it was still very faint and guarded. nthe ig you intrude/—I have done you 10 ~ arm! i ee “You play it mighty slick, ma’am,” with an approving nod and smile. i Kole ‘““Who are you? Are you mad? Leave me — this instant, or [1 summon assistance to punish ~ you as this shameful insolence deserves.” OM ‘“Call me Heart o’ Oak, for lack of a better — title, deary, and— Come, my beauty of the | highway!” and: iis voice grew cold'and men> ~ 77a » s+ ‘ * — » *. (Se (E(o) “Si miicboo