Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

bowing in a manner even more flurried than that of the servant-girl. **T hope, cap’n, you'll overlook my intrusion,” he muttered, rather indistinctly. ‘Don’t mention it, Troy. Have you come on business?” ‘“*T think so—yes, I may say that I have,” ** What is it?” Grandford was on good terms with the sheriff, but his visit was certainly inopportune, and the captain wanted to get through with him as soon as possible, ‘*Tt’s unpleasant,” observed Troy, gloomily. ‘* Do you want to see me privately?” ‘* No, sir; thank ye. In fact, it ain’t youl want ter see,” ‘© Who is it?” ‘* Him!” The sheriff pointed to Robert Kendall, and then made a series of gestures, the meaning of which was uncertain, unless he wished to convey furtber apology. ‘“What do you wish?” asked Kendall,* ab- sently, ‘**’m hyar to arrest you!” The words fell with painful force upon the ears of every one except Tabor, and Kendall looked very much astonished. ‘** Arrest me!’’ he exclaimed, ** I’m obliged ter,” ** Upon what charge?” ‘Sault an’ battery on Grizzly George, alias George Hendricks,” replied Troy, getting more and more confused. ‘* What nonsense is this?’ demanded the ac- cused man, ‘‘ I have not touched Grizzly George. Are you crazy?” His sharpness angered Troy, and did more than anything else to restore his composure, ‘* George lays over in his shanty, a good ’eal pounded ter pieces, an’ he says you did it, Meb- be you know best, but it seems ter me he ought ter be posted some on the case!” Robert Kendall began to feel despair, Guilty ‘or innocent, the storm-clouds were gathering thickly around him, and bemming him in on all sides, and it seemed that he was doomed to be crushed, do what he might, He faced the sher- iff boldly, however. ** When did this happen?” he asked. ** Last night.” ** At what hour?” ** Don’t know; but it was pretty late.” ** And does George Hendricks charge me with having assaulted him?” ae Yes,” ‘*Tt is false! I never laid an unfriendly hand upon him in my life.” ‘** That ain’t fur me ter say. You'll have yer trial in due time, o’ course, an’ then the consan’ the pros will both have a chanee, All I have ter do about it is ter take you in, an’ I must do my duty. Grizzly George is pretty bad banged up, an’ sorter out o’ bis bead, but he keeps ac- cusin’ you o’ bein’ the one who sot onter aim an’ hurted him. Tnat ain’t all he accuses ye of,” added the sheriff, significantly. Robert’s face flushed deeply; sormething which did not escape the notice of observing eyes, ‘* Am I to be arrested on the uterine of a man who, as you confess, is delirious?” Kendall retorted, **] believe you have got the right clew, sheriff,” interrupted Tabor. ‘Do your duty!” “Sir,” promptly returned the accused man, ‘only the presence of ladies prevents me from rewarding your interference as it deserves!” **As you did to Craver and Wells, for in- stance,” sneered the Government officer, “ Troy,” exclaimed Captain Grandford, “ you are all wrong in this matter. It 1s absurd to charge Robert with the crime. Why should he harm Grizzly George?” **[ can explain ef you want, but it ain’t plea- sant,” doggedly replied ie ‘*Ef George's mutterings are ter be believed, Kendall won the affections of Eve Hendricks an’ then desarted ber. Nobody will b’lieve anything but good o’ the girl, but she left a letter sayin’ that some- body had trifled with her heart, an’ it was that. which drove her to suicide. Grizzly Georze ‘lows that he intended ter have satisfaction, an’ he did accuse Kendall, but the latter was too quick fur him. I reckon you see now what motive Kendall had fur gettin’ the fu’st rap at Hendricks!” CHAPTER XI, TEXAS TARTAR BECOMES A WITNESS, THE story was told at last, and the charges which had been accumulating against Robert Kendall were public property. He was at once accused of being an ally of the smugglers and party to the murder of Craver and Wells; of having driven Eve Hendricks to her death; and of having attempted to kill Grizzly George. What an accusation for a bride-elect to hear! Kendall thought only of that, and he turned his gaze upon Norma. He had never wavered in his determination to tell her what George had said at their late interview, before the marriage took place; but he had been fore- stalled, and Miss Westerley had heard that aa and all the others, in the worst possible orm, He had expected’to see her shrink away from Texas Tartar. —_—— - aman thus trebly accused, but be had wronged her. Norma Westerley was nothing if not loyal, and one glance at her brave, defiant face showed him that ber confidence was unsbaken, He turned to the sheriffwith new calmness and firmness, ‘*T deny this, as I deny all that has gone be- fore. 1 knew Eve Hendricks, but she and I were never more than friends. I defy any one to prove to the contrary, for not one word of love ever passed between us. Is there more to be said agniast me? You cannot well add to what you have heaped upon me,” ‘* Since 1 entered the house,’ vindictively ob- served Tabor, ‘‘I have seen proof of all I sus- pected as to your character.” David Westerley stepped quickly forward and touched the speaker on the arm, ‘* You have said enough, sir!” he sternly ex- claimed, ‘‘I will not hear any more from you. You have offered no proof of your own charges, and they are an insult toall of us. In most cases the quietest way is the best, buf you have forfeited all claim to forbearance. Curb your venomous propensities, or you will be ordered from the house!” “Thrown out, you mean!” added Edgar, bit- terly. Tabor’s eyes glittered, but he knew enough not to brave the storm he had started. Without a word he turned away and stood by the door, grim and silent. ‘*I’m sorry,” said Troy, awkwardly, ‘but I shall have ter take Mr. Kendall to jail,” ‘*T shall yield, of course,” Kendall answered, ‘*Give me time, however, to say a few words to rar friends,” ‘AW you want!” heartily declared Troy, who was awery good-bearted fellow, really. Kendall locked toward Charles Tabor. ‘*T think we can dispense with this person's company,’ he remarked, hy We certainly can,” David agreed. Tabor gave them an angry glance. ‘* [’vano more to say now,” he returned, ‘‘ and I shall know where to look for Kendall when I want him, I will not degrade myself by any further talk. When Icame here | thought to bave the sympathy of all honest, law-abiding persons, but 1 have been shown my error of judgment, My reception awakens certain new theories. I will go, but you shall hear from me again!” He marched angrily out of the room, Captain Grandford arose with some trepidation, and called after him, but Tabor did not stop. He was soon out of the house, A ge: conversation then took place, Sheriff Troy told how Grizzly George had been found alone in his little hease, wounded and in bad condition. He had talked very freely, but, queer as his manner was, no one had decided that he was out of his head until Doctor Wimple so pronounced him, t was George’s charges that had led to the arrest. He had accused Kendall of assaultin him, and had told a story sufficiently connec to start Troy on his present errand. Kendall then denied all connection with the affair. He repeated what he had said about Eve, and denied ever harming her father. He spoke of meeting the ex-hunter on the lake-shore and called upon David to corroborate his state- ment that George had left them uninjured. David did this heartily, but there was one un- pleasant recollection in his mind which he did not relate. It will be remembered that, shortly after George left them, the two young men had separated, and that David, looking back, saw Kendall walking in the direction just taken by Grizzly George. This recollection gave David some uneasiness, and he decided to keep the fact to himself. It could be only chance, he thought, that took his friend in that direction, but an enemy could twist it into a serious bit of circumstantial evi- dence, When Troy was asked how George got to his own house, if he was assaulted outside, he re- plied that the ex-hunter was carried there by two new-comers to the village, Texas Tartar and Yank Yellowbird, who had found him ly- ing helpless after the attack, P ‘They are the guilty persons!” exclaimed Norma, ‘* Who?” asked Troy. / ‘“The men you mentioned.” ‘““ Why, bless you! Miss Westerley, Yank Yel- lowbird is one of the most honestest men alive, DPve heerd on him fur years.” ‘**So have I,” added Grandford. _‘* Well, what about the other person? What did you call him?” ‘* Texas Tartar.” ‘‘ A fine name for an honest mam!” declared Miss Westerley, scornfully. ‘* It’s a Western fancy,” explained Troy. “There is too much of the fanciful about it. Who is the man? What is he like? Wait!—you need not answer, David, I want your secret; Iam going to visit this Texas Tartar!” ‘* Impossible, Norma! Consider how—” ‘**] will hear your objections after our return; this is no time for idletalk. I want to talk with these men who found Hendricks, and I am not to be turned from my purpose. iH you SS accompany me, Sir Donald, or shall I enliso Albia as my defender?” Miss Westerley spoke imperiously, and when she assumed that manner she always ruled. Everybody obeyed her, and they found it a pleasure. Asa princess she would have been a decided success, and though nota princess, she had the most devout and faithful of followers, ‘* Norma may learn something of importance,” suggested Albia, with unusual courage. The idea was a happy one, and all caught at the hope that Texas Tartar and Yank Yellow- bird might be able to tell something of impor- tance. Troy agreed to delay taking Kendall away to jail until Norma and David bad per- formed their errand, and sister and brother soon Je!t the house. Troy had told them where to find the men, and they went at once tothe hotel. David con- ducted Norma to the ladies’ parlor, and then went to look for the strangers. He succeeded so well that, at the end of five minutes, be re- turned accompanied by Texas Tartar and Yank. Norma still had hostile feelings toward them, and would have it that it was they wbo assaulted Griczly George, but the first view of the men caused her to waver, She was too good a judge of human nature to fail to be impressed by the mountaineer’s honest face, while Texas Tartar had an appearance to which no woman could be indifferent. David introduced them formally. It was Yank who spoke first. ‘‘ Happy ter see you, miss,” he observed, ‘an’ hope we kin be o’ use ter you, [Il let Texas, hyar, do the talkin’,fur I’m nat’rally retirin’ an’ not much given ter words, Texas will tell ye all,an’ ll back up what he says. Ill amoose myself in the Japsus by attendin’ ter my new~ rolgy, which is oncommon voy’lent—but then, o’ course you don’t keer fur sech an egregious small side-issue.” The mountaineer nodded genially and with- drew to a seat by the window. ‘‘Tam at your service, Miss Westerley,” said Texas Tartar, politely. **T will come to the point at once, sir. Iam told that you and your friend are the men who found George Hendricks after his injury?” ** Quite true.” ‘*May [I ask you for particulars?” ‘‘Certainly. The main facts are very simple. We found the man by chance, as he lay insen- sible upon the ground. I recognized him, and we carried him to his house, where he regained consciousness, We both advised him to have a doctor, but he would uot listen to us. We dressed his wounds as well as possible, aad then left him alone.” ‘*'What was said about his assailant?” ‘** He claimed to know who it was, but refused to tell.” ‘Did he say that he saw the man?” “No. He said that he did not seem bim pays and did not see him at all until the first low was struck. The old man was hit before he knew there was danger.” ‘* Are you sure he said that he dN not see his assailant plainly!” hen,” ‘* David, isn’t this a great point gained?’ asked Miss Westerley. ‘** Certainly it is.” ‘Tecan add more,” continued Texas Tartar. **The wounded man said that the blow dazed him—lI use his own term,” ** Better still, A dazed man is not the person to give authentic evidence.” “Grizzly George did not once claim that he recognized his assailant, but he declared that he knew who it was. Also, he said the case was a peculiar one, though he did not explain in what wa Ry Ph There is absolutely no evidence against Robert Kendall,” declared Norma. ‘ I not right, David?” ‘* We know of none,” cautiously replied young Westerley, ‘‘ but I am afraid there will bea good deal of trouble for Robert.” His thougbts had gone back to the time wher George accused Kendall, and there seemed ground for grave fears. CHAPTER XII. YANK COMES TO THE FRONT, Texas TARTAR had shown unusual interest in the subject from the first, and he now added: ‘*Tf yon will allow a friendly-inclined man a question, may I ask if it is not this sgme Robert Kendall against whom Tabor, the Government officer, is making a charge?” ‘* Tt is the same man,” David admitted. **Ts Kendall guilty?” “* Decidedly not, sir.” ‘¢ He seems beset by troubles.” ‘c Yes,” ‘You may think me forward, but friend Yellowbird and I will help you if we can, | am anidle man with some knowledge of the West, while as for Yank, he is known every- where as a shrewd, brave mountaineer—” Yank arose and came hastily forward. “T ho owl overlook Texas Tartar’s ex- aggera ights 0’ speech,” he interrupted. ‘“Youth will have its flights an’ its pranks, an’ old penta like I can’t Yarn Texas that a plain me can’t bear sech enconicorns handily, Thar a es = eat (S.com comicboo a) ne > a ge