Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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Vie ng By up,” she answer ., ~ 24. Uncle Honest. part for Peggy, but he did not know how serious it was. His active suspicions, and nothing more, caused him to look with disfavor on this pro- posal, ‘““Why are he asked, gruffly. you so anxious?” | He was as mucb their master as were his older | brothers; only the authority of Uncle Honest ‘‘T am not anxious,” returned Peter, quietly; | ‘‘butas the girl has asked for a very simple favor, it will do no harm. to grant it. Re- member, she is a woman.” ‘“T do remember it. A woman!” echoed Isaac, with a sneer. ‘‘ All the trouble in the world comes from women. Men, and homes, and empires, owe their ruin to women, Where woman goes, mischief stalks along by her side.” “In this case I'll stalk along by her side.” lightly replied the youngest brother. ‘ Don’t make a mountain out of a mole-hill; I reckon that Post, Greene, and [ can take care of one woman. If we can’t, we'll raise a racket and alarm the village. What say, brother?” If Isaac had said what he wished to he would have puta prompt, absolute veto on the idea; but Peter had rights as well as he, No question of superiority had ever been raised, and the brothers had acted asone. Had it not been for the suspicion in the elder man’s mind he would have trusted Peter as readily as himself, ‘‘Have your own way,” he growled, “All right, brother,” was the light reply. **T’ll see the damsel at once,” He went to PeRsy. She occupied the room before given to Vashti, while Cyrus Graham and his wife had Joxeph’s. Peter went in and nodded pleasantly. “‘T understand that you want to go home for a few things?” “Yes,” Peggy replied, doubtfully. ‘‘ Ali right; get ready at once.” Peggy was agreeably surprised, but she lost no time in aber ue She had only to throw on her hat to make ready. When she saw that Peter was to be ber escort she did not look in any degree pleased, but as the other two men were to go along sbe made no objection. Peter was extremely quiet. Hesaw that Isaac was watching suspiciously, and was too wise to take any risk, e grew exhilarated, however, when once clear of the house. At last he had the privilege of walking by Peggy’s side. It was a check on his satisfaction to remember that she was a prisoner, but it was something to be near the woman whose very presence brought him a thrill which he, with bis phlegmatic mind, did Sh take the trouble to analyze; but which came ees genuine affection as was possible with Post and Greene had fallen back a few paces, and the young couple were practically alone. ‘**T hope you don’t blame me because you're a prisoner,” said Peter, in a low voice. ‘Who is to blame?” “The authorities decided on the step. When I knew of the intention I was very sorry, and ou know that I knocked Dodge down when he aid wage? hands upon you. Since then I have formally asked my father to release you.” » “What did he say?” ‘‘He answered evasively,” replied Peter grimly oblivious, for the time, of the facts, and of Uncle Honest’s violent conduct, ‘*He op- posed me at first, but when I declared that it was not right to imprison you, who had done no harm, my good father said he would think of it. I will see him again, and do my very best for you,” CHAPTER XXXII. PEGGY FACES A CRISIS. Tut Leather-Jacket spoke earnestly, but Peggy did not experience either hope or relief. Peter’s devotion to her interests proceeded from a cause well understood by her; it was purely selfish, and she felt that she would rather be a prisoner than near him. **T don’t see Boy reason why I should be shut , evasively. ** Nor I,” Peter declared. ‘‘The same remark will apply to Cyrus Gra- ham and his wife.” ‘* Ye-es,” Peter agreed, hesitatingly. ‘Uncle Honest ought to let us all leave Hornets’ Nest, without molestation.” ‘** Perhaps he will.” The young man did not speak with visible confidence, but arrival at Graham’s house inter- rupted conversation. Peter directed Post and Greene to stay outside, and he and Peggy en- tered. She lit the lamp in the kitchen, and then told her companion to remain there while she went to her room, Left alone, Peter’s mind became active. When he volunteered to escort the girl he had no _ motive except to gain her favor, and this he in- tended to do not only by the mere act of allow- ing her to visit the house, but by the most craf- % language he could command. The present tuation, however, suggested other plans to him. Why should Peggy return to prison? - Uncle Honest had opposed him stoutly, stub- bornly, and Peter knew him well enough to be aware that the chance of his yielding was about - onein fifty. Why should he take epey back to the City Hall, only to have Uncle Honest } ET eee Ss sess persistently refuse to give her to him? not take her away at once, while he could? Why | would bea foolish man who would jump off a precipice just because a woman told him it So far as he knew, there was no obstacle—if ; would please her.” she agreed. Post and Greene dared not refuse. was superior to his, If he prevailed with Peggy they could at once leave Hornets’ Nest, and, mounted on the pick of the village horses, defy pursuit, He determined to make the effort. He heard Peggy descending the stairs and awaited her arrival with considerable anxiety. She appeared with a small package, ‘* Have you become impatient?” she asked. ‘* Not in the least,” he replied. **T am ready, now.” ‘‘ There is no haste; I want to speak with you first—in fact, I hate to have you go back to rison.” ‘““T hate to-go.” ‘* You need not unless you want to,” Dim as was the suggestion, Peggy suspected what was coming. ‘* Your father would have something to say about that.” ‘‘ Just at present there is no one to raise a voice but you and me. We need consider no one else; and, for that matter, it is best that we should not, We can hope for no one on our side. The people of Hornets’ Nest are unjustly and bitterly opposed to you, and it is no idle se a when I say that 1 am your only friend ere, : Peter was speaking rapidly, and Peggy knew that an avowal was at hand. She tried to speak —to check him—but he went on without pause. ‘‘From the time that you first came to this village I admired you, Peggy, and the feeling grew upon me, I saw in you a bright, intelli- gent, pretty girl, and you seemed to be al) that a woman sbould be. Days passed, and I liked you more and more, and I found you connected with every plan I had for the future. ma plain man, Peggy, and I can’t tell all this in fine language, but I learned to love you—I did, Peggy; and I love you now!” The girl tried her best to interrupt. se But—” : or went on rapidiy, heedless of her monosyl- able. ‘‘I¢ isan outrage for you to be imprisoned— you who have done no harm to any one. With my consent, you shall not go back to City Hall. Peggy, I love you; I want you for my wife. Say that you will marry me, and the dawn of day shall find us many miles away. We will leave here at once and forever, and those who rule Hornets’ Nest shall never influence our slightest action; they shall never see us again. I have money, and | will buy us a nice little home wherever you want to go, and we'll begin life anew. Peggy—Peggy, tell me that you will o! Peter had grown eloquent. He found words which, in themselves, were to the point, and he so endowed them with the living fire of vehe- mence, subdued to a proper degree; and with many a sweeping gesture, and with the rapid play of his expression, aud with his own rapt interest, that the plain Leather-Jacket was transformed. No woman could have asked for an avyowal more thrilling, or more indicative of sincerity; and had she who listened looked with favor on his suit, his declaration would have carried all before it. But Fegey did not: look upon it with favor; she had tried to interrupt, and when she did get a chance, her adverse reply was made with abrupt decision, ‘* Indeed, 1 will not go!” she exclaimed; ‘ not as your wife. What are you thinking of, Peter Outerbridge? Do you suppose I would purchase my freedom?” ‘*Call it what you will—I only ask for a favorable reply,” Peter declared. ‘You can’t have it, I wouldn’t dream of such a thing.” ‘* As what?” “To marry you.” ‘Then you refuse?” ** Most certainly.” ‘**Don’t be hasty. Remember the City Hall prison.” ‘*T do remember it, and it isn’t pleasant, but there are worse thin Iam very much obliged to you, Mr, Outerbridge ”"—Peggy was recover- ing prudence—“ but I shall have to decline the honor. I wish, though, that you would help me away and not ask me to marry you.” ‘*What would bemy reward for betraying my father?” The Leather-Jacket’s voice was stern, but he was controlling himself hetter than was to be expected. He expected an unfavorable re- ply, and was well aware that violence would not help matters. “You would have the satisfaction of doing a good deed,” Seay returned, ‘And the dissatisfaction of giving up every- ber for nothing,” Peter retorted, practically. ‘“‘T cannot believe you are so hard-hearted—” sarees Peter, grimly. ‘‘I am — but [ am going to con- ,as well as yours, It “T am,” sincere with you, sider my own int ee ** You needn’t jump for me,” retorted Peggy. ** Are you willing to go back to prison?” ** Yes; let us go at once!” Peter did not stir. He was not atall sure that she would go back, anyway. Uncle Honest | P | | EE LLL LE CT LEEW A CC A ttl, Nt | ST sree sess had declared that she should never become eter’s wife, while the latter had declared that she should. She had refused to marry him will- ingly, and this had brought him faceto face with the only alternative—a forced marriage. What better chance would he have than to seize her at once, procure horses, and flee with her as his unwilling companion? In a short time be could put a hundred miles between them and Hornets’ Nest, and in some lonely lace, which he could easily find, there would es no one to help Peggy, or to take her from im. Thoughts like these were occupying his time, but they were abruptly interrupted. A new voice suddenly broke the brief silence, ** Don’t be in a hurry!” Both Peter and Peggy turned quickly, and then a gladcry burst from the latter’s lips, They were no longer alone in the room; Doctor Hart- ley and Yank Yellowbird stood within ten feet of them, Peggy darted to the mountaineer’s side. ‘*Oh! Yank!—dear old Yank!” she exclaimed, heaven has sent you here! I am so glad to see you! She threw her arms around bis neck, while he laid his left band upon her head. The other held his long rifle, and he did not remove his. aze from the dumfounded Leather-Jacket. octor Mark, too, was watching warily, but Peter did not make the hostile movement they thought possible, On the contrary, after the first shock of surprise, he showed little evidence of disappointment. ‘* We're around, little woman!” quoth Never- miss, gently. ‘‘ Land o’ Goshen! ye didn’t think we’d gone out o’ sight like a taller candle, did ye? Didn’t s’pose we’d desart ye in your hour o’ affliction, did ye? That ain’t the way o” the Yellowbirds—no; nor of the doctor, neither. It would blot our pedigreen like the mischief ef we did go back on ye.” “‘T didu’tthink you would,” Peggy answered, releasing her hold; ‘‘ but I didn’t think to see you here.” ‘‘ We consaited somethin’ might be goin’ on, an’ we thought we’d drop in hyar awhile.” ‘‘ Were you here when we came in?” ‘‘ Ev’ry minute o’ the time.” - rat you heard all I said?’ quietly asked eter. ‘‘T admit we did, neighbor.” “T leave it to yeu to say if I haven’t done my gcse, ank caressed his beard in a dignified way. He read the Leather-Jacket well, and estimated him at his proper worth, but he was far from being disposed to anger one who might yet prove a powerful ally. ‘““You didn’t do a tall bad,” he responded, with an air of great frankness; ‘‘ not a tall bad. You showed that you had mortal good judg: ment, an’ I das’say Peggy ’preciated yer kind- ness. "T'was a frien’ly offer, by hurley!” ‘‘T repeat it now,” Peter steadily continued. ‘““You are the young Jady’s friend, and I shall be glad to have you along. If she will accept my offer, we will all be out of Hornets’ Nest in half an hour.” ‘*To be sure. Matrimony is an article I don’t know much ahout, but ’'ve heerd that it is gin- erally regarded as a peaceful an’ harmless occer- pation, ef the implicated parties don’t get hos- tyle. The only thing I know ag’in’ it is that, whar’as I’m a bachelder, all my ancestors was married men from Adam down, an’ thar ain’t one on ’em alive, I won’t say matrimony killed ‘em, though my gran’father’s brother, Elnathan Yellowbird, ’casionally got a black eye as a present from his wife, She was on- common handy with her fists, an’ no woman in town could thrash,her, I don’t want ter pre- j’dice ye, Peter, an’ it’s fur Peggy ter answer.” ‘‘And my answer,” replied the girl, ‘tis the same as before. I must decline to accept Mr. Outerbridge’s offer!” . CHAPTER XXXII. BEYOND THE REACH OF HOPE. PEGGY was growing bolder, with two such stout defenders as the mountaineer and Doctor Mark at hand,buteven she was aware that mat- ters were in a very complicated state. Would her friends attempt to save her? Would Peter willingly let her got If he was disposed to, could he manipulate the two guards outside the door? There were these questions and many others, and nobody felt sure of his footing, metaphorically speaking. The next hour was likely to bring important changes, but what they would be, nobody knew. Peter was persistent, ‘‘T think you are foolish, Peggy,” he meplids argumentatively. ‘‘ Ask these gentlemen if 1 am not your friend. Men, didn’t I warn you of the arrest of the Grahams?” ‘‘ You sartainly did,” Nevermiss admitted. "com S, or >